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When you’re shopping for athleticwear, there’s a surprisingly valuable quality you should consider: old.
No, not old clothes — old companies.
If a company has been making industry-standard apparel that withstands the rigors of the court, the grit of the field, the harshness of the elements, and immeasurable amounts of sweat for over 100 years, it’s doing something right.
That describes both these brands. So, if you’re looking for the perfect combination of value and performance for your next custom apparel purchase, our Russell Athletic vs. Champion head-to-head comparison should help you make the right call.
Russell Athletic vs. Champion: Brand Comparison
Brand Overview
Russell Athletic
If Russell Athletic isn’t the oldest athleticwear company in America., it’s got to be close. Founded in 1902 by Benjamin Russell in Alexander City, AL, as the Russell Manufacturing Company, the company we now know as Russell Athletic started as a humble factory producing family garments. Nearly three decades later, it pioneered the now-classic cotton sweatshirt as a welcome alternative to standard wool sportswear.
Champion
Champion was established by two brothers in 1919 in Rochester, NY, as the Knickerbocker Knitting Company. The company quickly gained popularity for its high-quality athleticwear, garnering a contract to manufacture the uniforms for the University of Michigan basketball team in short order. Its signature “C” logo remains one of the most recognizable apparel logos.
Takeaway: These are two of the most storied athletic brands in the U.S., with over 200 collective years of manufacturing history between them.
Products
Russell Athletic
Russell Athletic makes a variety of shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, jackets, and sports gear. Their products are known for their comfort, durability, and classic design at a reasonable price point.
Champion
While Russell Athletic may have innovated the cotton sweatshirt, Champion is particularly famous for its iconic hooded and crewneck sweatshirts featuring its famous “C” logo. Champion's activewear lines are especially popular as casualwear.
Takeaway: Both brands produce similar lines of activewear and sporty casualwear for a wide range of sports and activities.
Sustainability
Russell Athletic
According to its corporate social responsibility page, Russell Athletic has taken a few steps to reduce its footprint throughout its manufacturing processes. Its Honduras-based biomass energy and hydroelectric plants help keep emissions down while providing energy to nearby communities, it has advanced water treatment systems in its Morocco plant, and it recycles upwards of 95% of its waste across North and Central America.
Champion
For its part, Champion leans pretty hard into its sustainability efforts. Since 2020, Champion has planted a new forest every year through a partnership with Treedom. It even has an Eco Future line of apparel made with sustainably sourced cotton to highlight its Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. The company also has policies across stores and offices that reduce energy use, waste, and environmental impact.
Takeaway: Both companies use sustainable practices to keep waste and emissions down, though Champion promotes more of efforts than Russell Athletic.
Russell Athletic vs. Champion: Apparel Matchup
Russell Athletic and Champion have very similar product lines and are generally pretty close in value. So, to help you make the right choice, we’ll compare some of their most popular products side-by-side.
- Crewneck Sweater: Russell Athletic Dri-Power Crewneck Sweatshirt vs. Champion Powerblend Crewneck Sweatshirt
- Hoodie: Russell Athletic Dri-Power Hoodie vs. Champion Powerblend Hooded Sweatshirt
- Joggers: Russell Athletic Dri Power Joggers vs. Champion Powerblend Fleece Joggers
- Shorts: Russell Athletic Cotton Classic Jersey Shorts with Pockets vs. Champion Cotton Gym Shorts
- Hat: Russell Athletic R Dad Cap vs. Champion Washed-Twill Dad Hat
- Performance Tee: Russell Athletic Essential Performance T-Shirt vs. Champion Sport T-Shirt
Crewneck Sweater: Russell Athletic Dri-Power Crewneck Sweatshirt vs. Champion Powerblend Crewneck Sweatshirt
A good crewneck sweater is a staple piece of any wardrobe, and these two companies make some of the best ones on the market. Both are 50/50 cotton/polyester blends, so they’re as soft and warm as they are breathable, with just the right amount of elasticity.
Russell Athletic’s jersey material gives it a bit more stretch, and its Dri-Power® moisture-wicking properties help ensure you stay dry as you exercise. Champion’s has similar properties, with Double Dry tech that also wicks moisture, knit sleeve cups, and an equally relaxed fit.
If you’re into a more classic look, Russell Athletic has the V-patch below the front collar. It also comes in an impressive 15 colors, though Champion’s offering comes in an even more impressive 26 color options.
Our recommendation: Russell Athletic Dri-Power Crewneck Sweatshirt
At similar price points, Russell Athletic (698HBM) gets the slight edge over Champion (S600) with its trademark moisture-wicking properties and throwback style.
Russell Athletic Dri-Power Hoodie vs. Champion Powerblend Hooded Sweatshirt
If you’re one of those people who think a crewneck sweater would be just a little bit better if it had a hood, both these brands have nearly identical custom hoodies.
Virtually everything about their crewneck sweaters applies to their hoodies, from their moisture-wicking properties to their soft cotton/polyester construction to even their surprisingly lightweight yet relaxed profiles. Both also feature dye-to-match drawstrings, 2-ply hoods, and tasteful logo tags.
With all these similarities, it’s hard to justify not picking Russell Athletic again.
Our recommendation: Russell Athletic Dri-Power Hoodie
With virtually all the same features as its crewneck sweater, the Russell Athletic Dri-Power Hoodie (695HBM) gets the win here for its design and construction with a slight edge over the Champion Powerblend Hooded Sweatshirt (S700).
Russell Athletic Dri Power Joggers vs. Champion Powerblend Fleece Joggers
If you’re looking for something to pair with a cozy hoodie from either of these brands, grab a pair of matching joggers. Perfect for practice, the gym, or the couch, these custom pants are relaxed but not baggy and are cuffed at the ankle for an athletic feel.
Both options have slimmer profiles and lounge-friendly 50/50 poly/cotton blend, with essentially the same overall construction as their sweatshirt counterparts. You’ll also find dyed-to-match drawcords on both, as well as moisture-wicking properties so you can feel comfortable wearing them both in the house and out.
Our recommendation: Russell Athletic Dri Power Joggers
Essentially an extension of their sweatshirt counterparts, Russell Athletic Dri Power Joggers (20JHBM) get the nod here with two extra color options and a slight per-unit cost advantage over the Champion Powerblend Fleece Joggers (P930).
Russell Athletic Cotton Classic Jersey Shorts with Pockets vs. Champion Cotton Gym Shorts
Here, things start to differ a little more between these two brands. While both shorts feature two side-entry pockets, elastic draw-cords, and relaxed fits, there are a few notable ways they differ.
Foremost is their construction. Champion’s shorts are made of 100% cotton jersey for maximum softness, while Russell Athletic’s are a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend. Champion’s are also about half an ounce lighter and feature a blue option, where Russell Athletic just has gray and black tones.
However, Russell Athletic comes in at a slightly cheaper per-unit price and have a slightly more tailored profile that’s a bit more polished if you’re looking to wear these out of the house.
Our recommendation: Russell Athletic Cotton Classic Jersey Shorts
The Russell Athletic Cotton Classic Jersey Shorts (25843M) just barely come ahead here for their fit and pricing advantages over the Champion Cotton Gym Shorts (8187).
Russell Athletic R Dad Cap vs. Champion Washed-Twill Dad Hat
The great thing about a dad cap is, like a good dad, you can always rely on it. Both of these buckle hats have the signature unstructured, six-panel, low-profile design that makes them the perfect finishing touch to just about any casual or workout outfit. Both also feature pre-curved visors, adjustable rear straps, and cotton construction that’s both soft and durable.
These two dad caps differ in very few ways, but Champion’s option has a slightly more rounded profile that lends a more classic, relaxed overall look. Since that look is really more a matter of personal taste, neither gets a clear win in terms of features and design, but we’ll give the edge to Russell for a notably lower price tag.
Our recommendation: Russell Athletic R Dad Cap
While both dad caps are very similar, the Russell Athletic R Dad Cap (UB87UHD) gets a slight edge over the Champion Washed-Twill Dad Hat (CS4000) for its lower cost.
Russell Athletic Essential Performance T-Shirt vs. Champion Sport T-Shirt
If you’re looking for the perfect short-sleeve shirt for the gym, each brand offers somewhat different approaches, so your pick might depend more on personal taste.
Like their other garments, Russell Athletic’s tee features its Dri-Power® moisture-wicking tech to help keep moisture and odors at a minimum. It also boasts UPF 30+ protection, which is handy if you’re using this custom t-shirt for a team jersey or your go-to running outfit. It also has a slightly fitted chest for a distinctly athletic profile.
Champion’s athletic shirt has a more classic fit and features its own performance qualities, with Fresh IQ anti-odor technology and side vents to help keep you cool. However, the biggest difference between these two garments is material composition. Champion has a micro-mesh build and a 97/3 polyester/spandex blend. Meanwhile, Russell Athletic’s piece has a 60/40 cotton/polyester jersey blend, meaning it’s slightly softer but, for performance purposes, may still hold in more moisture with less stretch and breathability.
There’s a lot to like about both these shirts, but your choice will really come down to your preferred material.
Our recommendation: Champion Sport T-Shirt
The Champion Sport T-Shirt (CHP160) comes away on top here as a true performance tee, though the Russell Athletic Essential Performance T-Shirt (64STTM) has plenty of its own benefits.
Russell Athletic vs. Champion: Which Brand Should You Choose?
On the surface, Russell Athletic seems like a clear winner with five wins to Champion’s one. But as with many of these comparisons, the real winner depends on the preferences of the person wearing the garment.
These are comparable brands in terms of quality, value, and aesthetic, but you’ll find their individual products have slight variations in style and features. It really just comes down to which characteristics matter most to you.
If you’re still not sure which one to choose, check out our guide to t-shirt styles or explore our full catalog of custom apparel.
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About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.