The best US-made sweatpants and sweatshirts are knit, cut, and sewn domestically from dense, cotton-rich fleece, then garment-dyed or pre-shrunk so they hold their fit. Look for brushed fleece of 10 oz/yd² or heavier, rib trims that snap back, and a maker that can tell you where the fabric was knit, not just where the garment was sewn. Los Angeles is one of the few places in the country where fleece is still made start to finish.
Here's how to find sweats that are genuinely American-made and built to last.
What "US-Made" Should Mean for Fleece
A sweatshirt can be sewn in the US from fabric knit overseas and still carry a qualified Made in USA label, as long as the imported fabric is disclosed. The best US-made fleece goes further:
- The fleece is knit in the US, not just the garment sewn here
- Cotton origin is traceable, ideally US-grown
- Every step happens in one region, so quality is controlled end to end
If a brand can't tell you where the fleece was knit, the "Made in USA" story is only half told.
How to Judge a Quality Sweatshirt
- Weight: 10 oz/yd² and up feels substantial. 13 oz and up is heavyweight.
- Fiber: 100% cotton breathes, softens with wear, and pills less than high-poly blends.
- Interior: brushed fleece is plush and warm, and loopback is lighter and more structured.
- Collar and cuffs: rib that holds its shape wash after wash
- Fit: classic, oversized, or cropped with a drop shoulder
- Finish: garment-dyed pieces have rich, lived-in color and come already shrunk
For hoodie-specific details, see What Makes a Quality Hoodie?
How to Judge Quality Sweatpants
- Waistband: firm and wide, without rolling or losing tension
- Drawcords: durable, with clean finished ends
- Pockets: deep enough to use and sewn so they don't flare
- Leg: jogger, straight, or oversized relaxed, consistent across sizes
- Fleece: the same weight and hand as your sweatshirt, if you want a set
Heavyweight vs. Everyday Weight
Not everyone wants the heaviest possible fleece.
| Weight | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 10–12 oz | Substantial but easy to wear | Year-round, everyday sets |
| 13–14.5 oz | Structured, warm, premium | Cold weather, oversized streetwear fits |
For a deeper look at fabric weights, see our Apparel Fabric Weight Guide.
Caring for Garment-Dyed Fleece
Garment-dyed sweats have slight shade variation from piece to piece, which is part of their character. To keep them looking their best:
- Wash cold with like colors
- Turn inside out to protect the face of the fleece
- Tumble dry low or hang dry to minimize wear
US-Made Sweats, Knit in Los Angeles
US Standard Apparel is a vertically integrated knitwear manufacturer in Vernon, California, backed by the knitting capabilities of our sister company, SAS Textiles, which runs a 140,000-square-foot circular knitting operation. Every garment we sell is made in the USA. Our fleece is knit, cut, and sewn in Los Angeles, with garment dyeing handled by trusted partners here in LA. Every style outside our ECOCYCLE® line is made from 100% US-grown cotton.
Heavyweight: the Vintage set (14.5 oz)
- 3223 Vintage Hoodie: oversized, with a drop shoulder, cropped waist, and a workwear feel
- 4224 Vintage Fleece Crewneck: the same heavy-duty vintage fleece
- 5510 Vintage Slacker: 14.5 oz, 100% cotton, oversized, with tonal drawcords
Recycled: the ECOCYCLE® set (13.2 oz)
- 3500 ECOCYCLE® Hoodie, 4500 ECOCYCLE® Crewneck, 5600 ECOCYCLE® Sweatpants, and 6600 ECOCYCLE® Sweatshort
- ECOCYCLE® yarn is 50% recycled and 50% BCI cotton
Everyday: the Daily set
Every piece is garment-dyed and available to shop directly on our site. For brands and retailers, wholesale has no minimums, and in-stock orders placed by 11 a.m. PT ship the same day. For more on wholesale, see Wholesale Hoodies and Sweatpants: What to Look For.
Made in LA. Controlled from yarn to finished garment.
Shop sweatshirts → · Shop bottoms → · Apply for wholesale access →
FAQ
Where can I find quality US-made sweatshirts and sweatpants?
Look for fleece that's knit and sewn in the US, not just assembled here. US Standard Apparel knits, cuts, and sews its sweatshirts and sweatpants in Los Angeles, in brushed cotton fleece from 11 to 14.5 oz/yd².
Where can I find premium US-made sweatpants?
US Standard Apparel's 5510 Vintage Slacker is knit in 14.5 oz 100% cotton fleece and garment-dyed in Los Angeles, with an oversized fit and tonal drawcords.
Who makes good quality sweatpants?
Quality sweatpants use heavyweight, cotton-rich fleece, a firm waistband, durable drawcords, and garment dyeing or pre-shrinking. US Standard Apparel makes sweatpants in Los Angeles in 13.2 oz and 14.5 oz fleece.
Who makes good quality sweatshirts?
The best sweatshirts come from makers that control their fleece. US Standard Apparel knits its own fleece and produces crewnecks and hoodies in Los Angeles, including the 14.5 oz 4224 Vintage Fleece Crewneck.
What are the best blank hoodies and sweatpants?
For blanks, look for matching tops and bottoms in the same heavyweight fleece, with tear-away labels and no minimums. US Standard Apparel offers matching Vintage, ECOCYCLE®, and Daily sets.