A Detail Review of the Santa Cruz Sweatshirts Wholesale Line from Next Level Apparel

By: YouApparel Posted on: Oct 31, 2025

Skaters, students, and decorators choose Next Level Apparel’s Santa Cruz line for a reliable mix of comfort, print quality, and value. The relaxed, unisex fit works across activities—from skating and campus life to weekend wear—while the cotton-face fleece delivers crisp DTG, DTF, screen-print, and clean embroidery results with fewer reprints. Ethical manufacturing adds confidence for merch buyers and campus clubs. Through YouApparel, teams and shops get wholesale pricing without order minimums plus fast shipping and professional decoration services, making the 9303 Santa Barbara pullover (and siblings like the 9602 full-zip and 9001N crewneck) easy to source and customize. Popular colors and sizes XS–3XL keep assortments flexible, and tear-away labels simplify relabeling. Across the United States, crews continue to rely on the Santa Barbara Hoodie as their go-to blank for custom merch, street-ready style, and consistent print clarity—proving why Next Level’s blanks remain a top pick for quality, comfort, and budget.

Not a lot of people exist who don't love the laid-back vibes of the West Coast. All the better if your hoodie for a casual day out reflects that vibe and delivers exceptional comfort while at it. That’s what Next Level Apparel’s Santa Cruz collection is all about. And in YouApparel, you can find blank hooded sweatshirts and fleece bottoms from the collection at the best wholesale prices and bulk discounts, including really low per-unit pricing on the iconic Next Level 9303 Santa Cruz (Barbara) hoodie.

Model in an off-white Next Level Apparel 9303 Santa Barbara pullover hoodie sitting indoors; NL “9303” badge visible.

Next Level earned a reputation for its commitment to crafting soft, print-ready blanks at sensible wholesale price points. The Santa Cruz line draws direct inspiration from the easygoing, beach-town energy of Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz, California, channeling comfort, subtle style, and a “ready for anything” attitude.

What Sets the 9303 Santa Barbara Hoodie Apart?

We would say the 9303 is on a different level than a blank hoodie. Originally known as the Santa Cruz hoodie, the 9303 got rechristened as the Santa Barbara hoodie. It’s a top-selling piece in our wholesale apparel collection. It blends an 80% cotton/20% polyester brushed-back fleece with a 100% cotton face, nailing that sweet balance between softness and durability. This makes the fabric perfect for high-impact prints, DTF, DTG, and embroidery. You’ll get that soft handfeel skate and college communities love, plus a surface built to hold custom graphics for years. A close alternative in the same price segment would be the Bella + Canvas 3719C sponge fleece Hoodie.

7.4 oz midweight: Warm and not very heavy, making it a solid choice for layering or brisk campus days.
Smooth 100% cotton face: Meant to take prints in crisp quality and sharp embroidery. Decorators love the low dye migration and stable print surface.
Tear-away labels: Swap in brand tags easily or remove for comfort - great for merch projects or resale.
Chill ribbed cuffs and waistband: Keeps you cozy but lets you move with just the right amount of stretch for skateboard tricks, cycling, or lounging.
Flat natural drawcord and jersey-lined hood: No cheap fraying and super comfortable all day

TLDR: Here’s our quick breakdown

True beach fleece: The Santa Cruz hoodie is engineered for those weekends on the boardwalk and those casual evening beach hangs. But it works just as well when cruising through campus. It’s not too light nor too heavy, and keeps you comfortable year-round. The cut makes it great under a jacket. Next Level’s design keeps your fit clean and classic, but gives you loads of room for custom prints. It’s also ethically manufactured, though not exactly made of eco-friendly fabrics like many other sweatshirts in our collection. This is why businesses from local skate shops to influencers planning merch drops love it. It’s definitely a true beach fleece.

Decorator-ready for merch buyers and teams: The cotton face is meant for DTG, DTF, and screen printing. But it also takes embroidery because the surface is stable enough. The artwork will look best on vibrant colors, if you are going for a white or black Santa Cruz hoodie. The tear-away label is an added bonus so you get the flexibility to brand it with your own label. An example would be how local surf shops in Santa Cruz, CA, use the Santa Barbara sweatshirt for after-surf merch. It’s because they like how the fleece warms you up. We have also recommended it to a customer for their college club. The reports were very positive.

Value for money: YouApparel offers the Santa Barbara 9303 hoodie from Next Level at really low wholesale rates that we are sure you will find surprising. This makes it a viable choice for decorators starting out, fraternities and sororities with budget constraints, other campus organizations, and streetwear collectives. The hoodie offers value in every way. But we do believe it could have used some more color options.

What Is Special About Next Level Apparel’s Santa Cruz Collection

Four-panel lineup of Next Level Apparel Santa Cruz styles: model in charcoal 9602 full-zip hoodie, model in red 9001N crewneck, model in navy 9643 quarter-zip, and cropped view of black 9803N fleece sweatpants; style badges shown.

The Santa Cruz collection features Santa Barbara (formerly Santa Cruz) hooded sweatshirts, including the 9303 pullover hoodie, the 9602 full-zip hoodie, the 9001N crewneck variant, the 9643 fleece quarter-zip, and the 9803N fleece sweatpant. The sweatshirts offer the same printability and softness. The sweatpants are just as soft and are popular among our customers in the fitness industry. Order Next Level Apparel Santa Cruz pullover hoodies in your school colors and add mascot embroidery - fast turnaround and durable results. The 9602 full-zip could be a great addition to apparel retail stores, for clean, customized outfit styles - some of which are mentioned in our Full-zip Hoodie lookbook.

Other important aspects to be aware of:

Popular color options: Choose from classics like Black, White, or go bold with Mauve, Military Green, Antique Denim, and more. Every shade packs a punch, blank or customized.

Size inclusive: Runs XS–3XL. Sure, there are styles from other brands that come in more sizes. But for the sizing options these sweatshirts offer, they will exceed your expectations in terms of quality and value.

Finish details, including a jersey-lined hood, 1×1 ribbed cuffs/waistband, flat drawcords, and a tear-away label, to build a premium yet customizable garment.

The name game: The Santa Cruz naming crossover between “Santa Barbara” and “Santa Cruz” leverages West Coast branding appeal - ideal for youth, campus, and merch markets.

Style	Type	Weight	Key Features	Ideal Use
9303	Pullover Hoodie	7.4 oz	Cotton face, jersey hood, kangaroo pocket	Skating, surfwear, everyday casual
9602	Full-Zip Hoodie	7.4 oz	YKK zipper, flat drawcords, cotton face	Layering, campus apparel
9001	Crewneck Sweatshirt	7.4 oz	Front pocket, cotton face, ribbed finishes	Under-jacket layering, light outerwear

Why Skaters, Students, and Decorators Choose Next Level

Relaxed, unisex fit for comfort across all activities
Decorator-approved for vibrant prints and lasting graphics
Ethical manufacturing
Best value with wholesale pricing and without order minimums from YouApparel

Join crews across the United States who continue to use the Santa Barbara Hoodie - their go-to for custom merch, weekend gear, and street-ready style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order blank Santa Cruz hoodies in bulk?

Yes. The Next Level 9303 Santa Barbara Hoodie can be bought in bulk from wholesale distributors like YouApparel at very low wholesale prices.

What is the Santa Cruz hoodie?

Santa Cruz hoodie is a popularly used name for a specific blank hooded sweatshirt style from Next Level Apparel - the 9303 Santa Barbara Hoodie. This blank beach fleece hoodie is part of Next Level’s “Santa Cruz Collection”, and offers a unisex fit and beach-town aesthetic reflecting the vibes of Santa Barbara, California.

Where to buy Santa Cruz hoodies?

Santa Cruz Next Level hoodies are available across wholesale platforms like YouApparel that offer styles from Next Level.

Do Santa Cruz hoodies run big?

Next Level Apparel sizing is described as standard and true-to-size. However, many buyers report a relaxed, classic fit that skews slightly loose, especially for a pullover silhouette. The 9303 is a unisex cut, so some may prefer ordering up one size for additional roominess. Detailed size chart is available on the product page.

How do Santa Cruz hoodies fit?

The 9303 offers a unisex, relaxed fit with classic sweatshirt construction. The garment is designed for comfortable layering and casual wear.

How warm are Santa Cruz hoodies?

The Santa Cruz 9303 hooded sweatshirt is classified as a midweight fleece, suitable for mild winters, cool evenings, and layering. The brushed-back fleece interior and 80/20 cotton-polyester blend provide reasonable heat retention without bulk. It works especially well for coastal or campus settings but may be insufficient for harsh winter climates without layering.

Why did the Santa Cruz hoodie become popular?

The "Santa Cruz" branding connects to California's skate and surf culture, where Santa Cruz, California has a legendary history of skateboarding and surfing communities. Next Level's mid-weight, soft Santa Cruz hoodie appeals to skaters, surfers, college students, and streetwear enthusiasts who value comfort and casual style. The cotton face and smooth printable surface also make them ideal for custom merch projects, which further boosted popularity among bands, campus clubs, and event organizers.

What is the zipper version of the Santa Cruz hoodie?

The Next Level 9602 Santa Barbara Full-Zip Hoodie is the zippered variant. It features the same 7.4 oz, 80/20 cotton/polyester fleece with 100% cotton face as the 9303, but adds an exposed YKK zipper and front pockets. The 9602 offers a little more flexibility for layering.

What is the crewneck version of the Santa Cruz hoodie?

The Next Level 9001 Santa Barbara Pocket Crewneck Sweatshirt is the crewneck variant. Featuring the same cotton/polyester fleece fabric blend and 100% cotton face but with a crew neckline (no hood), 1×1 ribbed collar, and a front pouch pocket. This style is a great choice for those who prefer warmth without a hood or need layering flexibility under jackets.

How soft is the sueded jersey-lined hood compared with standard fleece?

The sueded jersey-lined hood on the 9303 is noticeably softer than standard polyester fleece lining. Jersey lining is brushed and treated to create a velvety, plush texture that feels gentle against the face and neck. In comparison, standard fleece often lacks this brushed finish and can feel coarser or more rigid. The sueded finish enhances comfort and makes the hoodie more suitable for extended wear.

Is the cotton face suitable for screen printing and direct-to-film transfers?

Absolutely. The 100% cotton face is specifically praised for its suitability for screen printing and DTF transfers. The smooth cotton surface allows inks to adhere evenly, reducing dye migration and improving graphic longevity. Next Level's cotton-heavy fleece hoodies support direct-to-garment (DTG), DTF, water-based screen printing, plastisol screen printing, and embroidery. YouApparel recommends our DTG and embroidery for bulk orders and diverse fabric choices due to faster production times.

What distinguishes the "Santa Cruz" and "Santa Barbara" labels—do they use the same fabric?

"Santa Cruz" and "Santa Barbara" are alternate marketing names for the same Next Level 9303 hooded sweatshirt. The hoodie is part of the brand’s “Santa Cruz Collection”, and was originally called Santa Cruz hoodie before being rechristened to Santa Barbara hoodie. The Santa Cruz (now Santa Barbara) models (9303, 9602, 9001) use identical 7.4 oz, 80/20 cotton/polyester fabric with 100% cotton faces regardless of which name appears on listings.

Are the Santa Cruz hoodies considered unisex streetwear or specialized skate apparel?

The Santa Cruz hoodies are unisex streetwear with strong skate and surf cultural associations, not specialized performance skate apparel. They function as casual, lifestyle wear suitable for campus, merch, events, and everyday use.