The blank apparel battle continues, and this time we’re looking at hoodies. As with t-shirts, there are a lot of contenders in the hoodie market, and in this article we’re comparing the medium-priced, blank options. All of these blank hoodies are great for printing on, and can be got from around $20-30, depending on which size, and how many you order. There are cheaper options out there, and more premium ones too, which we’ll look at in due course. But here we look at hoodies where you pay a little more than the minimum rate to get a little more quality– it’s a price range that’s popular with lots of printers and other businesses.
In our comparison piece on the mid-range t-shirts, we looked at Bella+Canvas and Next Level, and those two are back this time around. This time they’re joined by Champion– inventor of the hoodie. All three offer great quality at an affordable price, but which blank hoodie is best for your business, or just for yourself?
An Overview of the Brands
All three brands are well-respected in the blank apparel world. Bella+Canvas and Next Level are both based in Los Angeles, while Champion, from North Carolina, has been a household name in sportswear for decades, and was the first company to manufacture hoodies, back when they were known as Knickerbocker Knitting Company.
Their range of apparel is pretty similar. Champion is slightly more sports-focused, but they all sell casual apparel– mainly t-shirts, tanks, and sweats. We consider them all blank apparel, but it’s worth noting that Champion does add a logo to their clothing. They’re subtle – with hoodies they come on the left sleeve near the wrist – so most printers don’t mind, as it’s quite a cool logo and doesn’t interfere with their own designs, but it’s something to be aware of.
Who Makes the Best Hoodies?
All of these brands sell multiple hoodies. Bella+Canvas has more premium and more basic hoodies, it sells zip-ups and kids’ versions too. The brand is best known for its mid-priced clothing though, so for this comparison, we’ve picked out the 3719.
Champion has more premium options and kids’ versions, but doesn’t delve into the real budget range. For this comparison we’ve gone with the staple: the S700.
Next Level has carved out a bit of a niche in between the budget and the medium range. Here we’re looking at the 9300, which is $5 or so cheaper than the other two hoodies.
Champion S700 vs Bella+Canvas 3719 vs Next Level 9300
These three hoodie staples are all high-quality hoodies that come with an affordable price tag. Exact prices vary depending on where you are and how many you order, but if you have a good wholesale supplier, they should all cost around $30-40. If you don’t have a good wholesale supplier, well that’s where we come in. The Bella+Canvas hoodie varies more in price, so smaller sizes in bulk are a bit cheaper, but the larger hoodies in small quantities cost a bit more. First we need to check out the specs, so here’s how their hoodies compare at a glance:
| Champion S700 | Bella+Canvas 3719 | Next Level 9300 |
|---|---|---|
|
Colors: 27 Weight: 9 oz./y2 Sizes: S - 3XL |
Colors: 63 Weight: 8 oz./y2 Sizes: XS - 3XL |
Colors: 10 Weight: 7.4 oz./y2 Sizes: XS - 3XL |
The first thing that jumps out is the number of colors, with the Bella+Canvas boasting an impressive 63. Next Level comes in last with 10, but they are nice, earthy colors that give the hoodie a natural look. The 3719 and the 9300 both start at XS, one size lower than the Champion hoodie. Be aware that these are the number of colors that are manufactured, and the amount you have available will depend on location and supplier.
Each hoodie features ribbed cuffs, but they differ on the waistband. The 3719 and the S700 go for ribbed, but the Next Level hoodie has a relaxed one. It’s not as good for warmth, but we like it the different look it gives the hoodie. Next Level is also the outlier when it comes to the pocket, as the 9300 has two separate ones, while the others have a kangaroo pocket.
They all have a drawcord hood, and while Bella+Canvas opt for a white drawcord, the others match the color of the hoodie. Personally I prefer white, but colors can leech into the drawstring during washing.
Fabric and Comfort
When it comes to fabric, Next Level’s has a higher cotton percentage, which gives it a more breathable feel. It’s also the lightest, and is the best for warmer weather, but doesn’t feel flimsy. The extra cotton count also adds a little softness, but Bella+Canvas does too, with its Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. It’s very close, the 3719 does have the best feel to it.
Champion’s S700 is the thickest, at 9 oz., but still feels like it’s at the heavy end of medium, rather than being a heavyweight hoodie. Besides being the warmest, it’s also a shade more durable than the other two, but they all hold up really well after multiple washes– shrinkage, fading, and pilling are all minimal, and the stitching is solid.
In terms of printing, all these hoodies are blends, so they work well with most methods, especially DTG. In general, a higher cotton count yields more detailed results, while more polyester means they hold up better over time. As for embroidery, thicker fabric works better, so the Champion hoodie is the best of these three. The difference is minimal, and we haven’t spotted much discrepancy with printing results. The Champion hoodie is the only one without a tear-away label, which might bother some businesses.
Fit and Style
These hoodies are made to suit as many people as possible, so the fits are all fairly regular, if not identical. The Bella+Canvas 3719 has a slightly looser cut to it. The Next Level 9300 is the most fitted, but with the elastic free-waistband, manages to look the most relaxed at the same time. The Champion S700 is somewhere in between, in line with the classic hoodie look– the sizes do run a little small, so you might want to pick a size up, especially if you’re in between.
Sustainability
All three brands have taken steps toward more sustainable production. Champion’s use of 25% recycled polyester makes the S700 the most eco-friendly option here. Bella+Canvas and Next Level both prioritize ethical manufacturing, with Bella+Canvas in particular focusing on water reduction and energy-efficient production, Champion are a touch further ahead here, and among other practices, is pushing to send zero waste to landfills by the end of this year, and use 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
The Verdict
So which hoodie is best? It depends on what you’re looking for. The Bella+Canvas is just about the most comfortable, it’s the middle option in terms of weight, and comes in the most colors, and the joint most sizes. You can’t go wrong with the 3719.
The Champion hoodie is the best for cold weather, and holds up a little better than the others. It has a great range of colors. We can’t forget about the little logo, which is great if you’re leaving it blank, but if you’re adding other designs to the hoodie, it may or may not be what you want. Champion is the biggest name of the three, which allows you to charge a little more.
I really like the style of the Next Level. Despite a lack of colors, it has a really nice texture to it, and the relaxed waistband gives it a point of difference. There is also the price to consider, you save around five bucks per hoodie, which is not to be sniffed at even if you’re buying one, but if you’re ordering hundreds it makes a big difference.
Final Decision: Personal preference is key, but for us, the Next Level 9300 looks the best, and is the best value of the three.
We hope this article has helped with your decision-making. Whichever hoodie you choose, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed– all three of these get rave reviews from our customers. If you need a supplier for these, or any other blank hoodies, at Wordans, we negotiate closely with the manufacturers to get the best possible price for our customers. Buy in bulk to get your hoodies for even less! For more inspiration, check out our Instagram @wearewordans.
