Next Level Apparel vs Bella+Canvas: which sweatpant to buy, and when
Both land in the budget tier: the Next Level Apparel Santa Cruz Fleece Jogger at $26, the Bella+Canvas Sponge Fleece Jogger at $28, $2 apart. Here is how they stack up, head to head.
| Next Level Apparel | Bella+Canvas | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $26 | $28 |
| Material | Combed cotton/polyester fleece, ~9oz, brushed interior. | Cotton/polyester sponge fleece, ~8.8oz, smooth brushed interior. |
| Fit | Tapered jogger fit with elastic cuffs, true to size. | Tapered jogger fit with elastic cuffs, true to size. |
| Quality | Budget-plus — soft, even fleece and clean stitching; mid-weight not heavy. | Budget-plus — soft and even, holds a print well; mid-weight rather than heavy. |
| Best for | Soft tapered loungewear, custom printing, and everyday value wear. | Soft tapered loungewear, custom printing, and value-minded everyday wear. |
| Care | Wash cold inside-out and tumble low to protect print and the soft hand. | Wash cold inside-out and tumble low to protect any print and the soft hand. |
Next Level's Santa Cruz ($26) and Bella+Canvas's Sponge Fleece ($28) are close blank-jogger rivals. The $2 gap is mostly fabric character: Santa Cruz runs a heavier ~9oz combed cotton/poly, while Bella+Canvas uses a smoother ~8.8oz sponge fleece prized for taking prints cleanly.
- The case for Next Level Apparel
- $2 cheaper, heavier ~9oz fleece, combed-cotton hand, clean stitching
- The case for Bella+Canvas
- smooth sponge-fleece interior, clean print surface, even soft hand, strong wholesale value
VerdictThe pick
These are close enough that you can pick on feel. Buy the Santa Cruz to save $2 and get a slightly heavier, combed-cotton fleece with a substantial hand. Step up to Bella+Canvas if you're printing on it and want the smoothest, most even surface, or if you prefer the silkier sponge-fleece interior. Both are budget-plus blanks that sit clearly above basics, so neither is a wrong answer; let weight versus print-smoothness break the tie.
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