Pluma T-Shirts from Sam’s Club
I find there is a quiet search that has been going on for several years.
Pluma made a very good quality t-shirt, that they sold at Sam’s Club for several years.
Only the Pluma company went out of business about eight years ago – 1999. So why are people still, today, looking for a good alternate? The t-shirts were that good.
Russell Athletics made Pluma t-shirts under the ‘Pluma by Russel Athletics’ for several years.
But now, five years later, those last Pluma shirts are showing some wear. Seriously – these plain, seriously heavy weight cotton jersey shirts are well made, wear like iron – and were sold at a plain price. About $5-8 each. They came in maybe 5 colors, part of the year there was a long sleeve version. Pluma specialized in fleece – there was an amazing line of quality, heavy fleece shorts, pants, and sweatshirts in basic colors. For $5-10 each. Amazing. I have a sweatshirt on that is over 10 years old, now, and t-shirts that range from 2 years old to 6 (well, those earliest ones are starting to wear out). Why do I like these shirts? They are comfortable, dependable, I don’t like shopping that much. And they are plain. I might want to wear something about a movie or a saying once in a while, but logos and cartoons don’t define me. (Hopefully my actions, my words, and my smile do well enough.)
There was some excitement on the Pluma front. One of the seekers was told that Wal-Mart expected to present a trial product – a 7 oz (most t-shirts are 5 oz or lighter) cotton jersey t-shirt that is supposed to be comparable to the venerable Pluma shirts sold in Sam’s Club. Today I ran across a modest rack – 2 shirts of each size only – of Walls brand ‘construct quality’ heavyweight t-shirts. For $10.44. Plain, but with a pocket. I got a grey one – they only had blue and grey. There was a shooter style and a ‘three button henley’.
Otherwise it looks like the best alternate to the Pluma tees is the Max-Weight® heavyweight T-shirts from Camber Sportswear. They list two online vendors. http://All Seasons Uniforms is a GSA Schedule provider, Go Bros is the other vendor listed. It appears that GoBros hasn’t added the new Camber shirts to their other athletic apparel listings.
The All Seasons Uniform site lists the Camber shirts at a moderate price – $17-21, depending on color and regular or tall sizes.
The 7 oz and 8 oz shirts are great for screen printing. They print well, and your logo or design lasts for years. When the shirt or printing start to show wear, the message actually gets stronger – the customer is still pleased with the message and the garment.
A lighter shirt is the Gildan Ultra Cotton Heavyweight T-Shirt. At 6.1 oz cotton jersey (some colors add a poly blend) this looks like an intermediate-heavy garment – but priced attractively for screen printing, sport teams, and other bulk uses. Lots of colors. They list for $8.99, but are on sale today (3/24/08) for $3.58 each. There is no indication how long the sale lasts.
BlankShirts.com lists several t-shirts, including the Gildan Ultra and Russell Athletics Jerzees. Several styles of shirt, colors, etc.
Amazon.com lists the Champion 7 oz. shirt for $8.49 – $10.49, depending on size and color. This may be my next try, if the Walls shirt doesn’t hold up to the Pluma standard.
I will be trying out this new Walls t-shirt. Hopefully there won’t be anything to report for a few years.
Wow. You don’t mess around with getting plenty of wear out of your clothing!
I remember a line in the movie “Lonesome Dove.” After ten years or so gone, one of the fellas returns and says, “Hey, isn’t that the same hat Deets was wearing when I was last here?” and the other fella says, “Yep. He’s not one to quit on a garment just ’cause it’s got a little age!”
Thanks for letting me know about the fate of the Puma Shirts. Years ago I bought several of the Puma shirts from Sams and my husband LOVED them. I have been in a quest ever since to find more. Thank you also for your replacement suggestions.
I have experience with Russell t-shirts from Sams, Camber t-shirts, and the Gildans. I don’t like either Camber or the Russell brands!. They are not even close to the Plumas in comfort (both bought in the last 3 mos.). The Russell t-shirts shrunk excessively, the Cambers as well, but not as much. The Cambers are stiff even after several washings, and neither is the same cut as the Plumas, and not comfortable. At $17-21 for a blank t-shirt, the Camber is _way_ over-priced, not “moderate”.
The Gildan t-shirts are more comfortable, have shrunk little or none, and are a comfortable cut. They are not perfect matches for the Plumas because they are too light weight, but they are reasonably comfortable, and the price is much more reasonable than the Cambers.
Be harmonious in. What brand of T shirt I think is not important, important is what the material, I feel better cotton.