Sportsman Beanie Buyer's Guide: SP12 vs SP15 vs Lined, Pom-Pom & Chunky Beanies
Short answer: for most custom beanie orders, start with the Sportsman SP12 (cheapest, 35 colors). Move up to the SP12JL jersey lined for comfort, the SP12FL fleece lined for outdoor crews, or the SP12SL sherpa lined for gifts. Pick the SP15 pom-pom for schools and teams, and the SP90 chunky when the beanie is the merch. Every one is a 12" cuffed beanie, so the logo goes on the cuff.
Every Sportsman Cuffed Beanie Compared
| Style | What it is | Colors | Blank from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP12 | Solid Cuffed Beanie: Unlined 12" cuffed knit | 35 | $5.76 | Giveaways, big counts, color matching |
| SP12T | Color Blocked Cuffed Beanie: Contrast-color cuff | 3 | $6.08 | Logo that pops off a two-tone hat |
| SP15 | Pom-Pom Cuffed Beanie: Pom-pom, 3" cuff | 31 | $6.70 | Schools, booster clubs, two-tone team colors |
| SP12JL | Jersey Lined Cuffed Beanie: Smooth polyester jersey lining | 9 | $7.72 | Staff uniforms, everyday comfort |
| SP12FL | Fleece Lined Cuffed Beanie: Polyester fleece lining, hi-vis colors | 8 | $7.94 | Outdoor crews, hunting, cold job sites |
| SP12SL | Sherpa Lined Cuffed Beanie: Plush sherpa lining | 6 | $8.04 | Gifts, retail, the coldest days |
| SP60 | Striped Pom-Pom Cuffed Beanie: Striped body, pom-pom | 6 | $8.24 | Team stripes without a custom knit |
| SP90 | Chunky Cuffed Beanie: Heavy chunky knit | 7 | $11.34 | Retail merch, leather patches |
| SP412 | Tie-Dyed Cuffed Beanie: 100% cotton, tie-dye | 1 | $17.20 | Band, event and fashion merch |
Blank prices are per hat in our store and can change with supplier pricing. Decoration is quoted separately; see pricing.
Why We Like Sportsman
Sportsman (part of Sportsman Cap & Bag, the same company as Valucap) makes decorator-friendly knit headwear at value prices. The cuffs are a consistent 3" on the standard styles, the knit is tight enough to embroider cleanly, and the color range is huge. Because S&S Activewear stocks them, including at its Reno, Nevada warehouse, we can usually get blanks fast.
How to Choose in 30 Seconds
- Budget or big count? SP12.
- Need a school or team color combo? SP15 (two-tone pom) or SP60 (striped).
- Will people wear it all day? SP12JL jersey lined.
- Working outside in the cold? SP12FL fleece lined, hi-vis if needed.
- Is it a gift? SP12SL sherpa lined with a leather patch.
- Selling it as merch? SP90 chunky or SP412 tie-dye.
Lined Beanies Explained
Three of these styles have a lining. Jersey is light and smooth, fleece is warm and wind-blocking, sherpa is the warmest and plushest. Full comparison: jersey vs fleece vs sherpa lined beanies.
Add a Matching Scarf
Sportsman also makes knit scarves in solid, rugby-stripe and soccer styles. A beanie and scarf with the same logo is an easy winter gift set. See the custom embroidered scarves guide.
How We Decorate Beanies
Every beanie is embroidered in our shop in Yerington, Nevada. The logo goes on the cuff, the folded band at the front, which gives a flat surface about 2" tall. We digitize your logo for knit (stitch density and underlay are set differently than for a cap or polo) so it sits flat and does not sink into the knit.
- Flat embroidery is the standard. Knit fabric does not hold 3D puff foam, so we do not recommend puff on beanies.
- Laser-engraved leather patch is the other option and looks great on chunky and lined beanies. See custom leather patches.
- Thin lines and tiny text get lost in a knit. Keep lettering bold and at least about 0.25" tall.
Pricing for decoration is on our pricing page; embroidery and leather patches have no minimum. Standard turnaround is about three weeks from an approved proof, and rush is available for a fee.
What Customers Say
★★★★★
“Great to work with and awesome availability of products. I was able to get my exact same work shirts that I use but with my logo printed through Battle Born Clothing.”
David Avila · Google★★★★★
“Robert has done a great job getting all our new merchandise logo up and ready for sale. Good guy too. Highly recommend him.”
Mark Johnson · Google★★★★★
“High quality, good prices, great people. Thanks for the great products!”
Anthony F. · Verified PurchaseRead all 45 reviews (4.6 average across Google, Etsy and our store)
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Quote Custom Sportsman Beanies
Tell us the style, colors and quantity and attach your logo. Not sure which style? Pick "Not sure" and we will recommend one.
Logo files: .ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg or a high-res .png. Prefer to talk it through? Call 775-230-0211 or email sales@battlebornclothing.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Sportsman beanie for embroidery?
The SP12 12-inch cuffed beanie is the most popular: it is inexpensive, comes in 35 colors and has a 3-inch cuff that embroiders cleanly. The lined versions embroider the same way.
What is the difference between the Sportsman SP12 and SP15?
The SP15 adds a pom-pom on top and comes in two-tone color combos. The SP12 has no pom and more solid colors.
Which Sportsman beanie is the warmest?
The SP12SL sherpa lined cuffed beanie, followed by the SP12FL fleece lined beanie.
Is Sportsman the same company as Valucap?
Yes. Both brands are part of Sportsman Cap & Bag.
Can I order just a few custom beanies?
Yes. Embroidery and leather patches have no minimum at Battle Born Clothing.
More in This Series
Shop the Sportsman beanies and scarves collection or request a quote.