Heavyweight and Relaxed: Empulse Drops the Custom Made Crew and Half-Zip Hoodie

Empulse has just added two heavyweight staples to the custom apparel range: the Custom Made Crew 5150 and the Custom Relax Half-Zip Hoodie 5164. Both are cut from thicker, warmer AS Colour fleece than most of what is on the market, both take your logo, name or design, and both work equally well as a club drop or a one-off streetwear piece. If you are after a custom crewneck sweatshirt with real substance to it, or a half-zip hoodie that does not feel like every other pullover on the rack, this pair is worth a look.

What is actually new in this drop

Both pieces are built for people who find most fleece too thin. The Made Crew is Empulse's heaviest crewneck to date, and the Relax Half-Zip Hoodie brings a proper zip front to the brand's lower-impact fleece line for the first time. They are priced the same at $99 each, come in adult sizing from S to 2XL, and both carry a tear-out AS Colour label so there is nothing scratching at the back of the neck once your branding goes on.

Custom Made Crew 5150: a heavyweight custom crewneck sweatshirt

The Made Crew is a 500 GSM 100% cotton French terry crewneck, which puts it well above the 280 to 350 GSM range most crewnecks sit in. That extra weight is what gives it the substantial, almost jacket-like feel on the body. The fit is relaxed with dropped shoulders and inset sleeves, and the neck, hem and sleeves are finished in 2x2 ribbing so the shape holds after repeated washing. It is preshrunk before it ever reaches you, which matters more than people think with heavy cotton, since untreated French terry can lose a noticeable amount of length in the first wash.

It is currently available in Black and Natural, and it sits in the same family as the lighter Custom Heavy Crew and the mid-weight Custom Relax Crew, so if 500 GSM feels like more than your squad needs, there is a lighter option built the same way.

Custom Relax Half-Zip Hoodie 5164: recycled fleece with a modern cut

The Relax Half-Zip Hoodie is a mid-weight 320 GSM fleece, made from an 80% cotton and 20% recycled polyester blend with cotton facing, so it still feels like a cotton hoodie against the skin rather than a synthetic one. Every unit saves roughly eight 500ml plastic bottles from landfill through the recycled polyester content, which is a genuine number worth mentioning rather than a rounded-up marketing figure. The cut is relaxed with a drop shoulder, kangaroo pocket, double-layer hood and no drawcord, and the half-zip placket at the front is what separates it from a standard pullover hoodie, giving it more range for layering over a tee or under a jacket.

It is available in Black and Grey Marle. If you want the same fabric without the zip, the Custom Relax Hoodie is the pullover version, and the Custom Box Hoodie is worth a look if your squad prefers a boxier silhouette.

Custom Made Crew vs Custom Relax Half-Zip Hoodie

Feature	Custom Made Crew 5150	Custom Relax Half-Zip Hoodie 5164
Fabric	500 GSM, 100% cotton French terry	320 GSM, 80% cotton, 20% recycled polyester fleece
Fit	Relaxed, drop shoulder	Relaxed, drop shoulder
Neckline	Crewneck, 2x2 ribbing	Double-layer hood, half-zip placket
Colours	Black, Natural	Black, Grey Marle
Best for	Cooler climates, maximum warmth, understated branding	Layering, on-field to off-field wear, a bit more range of movement
Price	$99.00 AUD	$99.00 AUD

How customisation works on both pieces

Both the crew and the hoodie sit in Empulse's custom apparel range, meaning logos, names, initials or a full graphic can be applied to either. On the Relax Half-Zip Hoodie, the standard offer is one single-colour or full-colour DTF print up to A4 size, placed on the back or scaled above the pocket on the front, with a minimum order of 10 units and production of up to 10 business days after artwork is approved. Pricing depends on the finish and complexity of the design, so it is worth getting in touch or visiting the custom apparel collection for a quote rather than guessing at a number that will not apply to your job.

This is where the two pieces earn their keep for clubs and businesses. A custom crewneck sweatshirt in team colours with a club crest works as off-field kit or a fundraiser item, and a half-zip hoodie with a business logo does double duty as staff uniform and casual merchandise. Both also work fine with no branding at all if you would rather keep things simple.

Who these actually suit

The Made Crew makes the most sense for anyone who runs cold or lives somewhere that gets a proper winter, plus clubs wanting a heavier alternative to a standard team hoodie for training nights. The Relax Half-Zip Hoodie suits people who want to layer it over training kit or wear it as a stand-alone piece, and its half-zip front means it is easier to get on and off without messing up hair or a cap, which sounds minor until you are doing it in a change room between drills. Neither piece has been designed as a technical performance layer. They are comfort-first fleece, so if you need something for actual training in the rain, look at Empulse's custom team jackets instead.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Custom Made Crew and the Relax Half-Zip Hoodie?

The Made Crew is a heavier 500 GSM custom crewneck sweatshirt with no hood, built for warmth. The Relax Half-Zip Hoodie is a lighter 320 GSM hooded fleece with a half-zip front, built for layering and easier wear.

Can both be customised with a club or business logo?

Yes. Both sit in the custom apparel range and can take logos, names, numbers or a full design. Pricing depends on the finish and complexity, so contact Empulse or visit the product page for a quote.

What is the minimum order for custom printing?

The standard minimum on custom orders is 10 units, with production taking up to 10 business days after artwork is approved.

Are these true to size?

Both are cut with a relaxed, drop-shoulder fit, so they run roomier than a standard fitted crew or hoodie. If you prefer a closer fit, size down.

Is the fabric sustainable?

The Relax Half-Zip Hoodie uses a cotton and recycled polyester blend, saving around eight 500ml plastic bottles from landfill per unit. The Made Crew is 100% cotton. Both are made to the standards behind AS Colour's social responsibility programme, and buyers who want to understand recycled content claims can read the Global Recycled Standard from Textile Exchange or the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for how textiles are tested for harmful substances.

Both pieces are live now in the custom apparel collection, alongside the rest of Empulse's crewneck and hoodie range including the Custom Heavy Crew and Custom Relax Hoodie. For more on fabric choices and how to look after cotton and cotton blends once you own them, see our guide on caring for cotton and polyester, our earlier look at Empulse crewnecks, our piece on eco-friendly hoodies, or the minimalist streetwear drop if you want something in a similar relaxed fit.

Empulse has been designing and printing custom teamwear and streetwear out of Melbourne for years, working directly with clubs, schools and businesses across Australia on everything from full team kits to one-off drops like this one.