The Stanley/Stella Cruiser 2.0 and the AS Colour Stencil Hood are both 10.3 oz hoodies in 80/20 cotton and recycled polyester, while the Independent SS4500 is a lighter 8.5 oz/yd² midweight. The Cruiser 2.0 adds a 100% organic cotton face, a double-lined hood and the widest size run of the three.
We are an official Stanley/Stella dealer in Santa Fe Springs, serving Los Angeles and Orange County, and all three hoodies are in our catalog. The Cruiser 2.0 is Stanley/Stella's iconic unisex heavyweight hoodie, so it is the fair match for this comparison. Get an exact price for your quantity and print in our quote calculator.
How do the three hoodies compare on paper?
| Spec | Stanley/Stella Cruiser 2.0 (SASU003) | Independent SS4500 | AS Colour Stencil Hood (5102) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 80% organic ring-spun combed cotton, 20% recycled polyester | 80/20 ring-spun cotton/polyester fleece (solids and camo) | 80% cotton, 20% recycled polyester anti-pill CVC fleece |
| Face | 3-end fleece, 100% organic cotton face | 100% cotton face, 20 singles | Not stated |
| Weight | 10.3 oz/yd², sold as heavyweight | 8.5 oz/yd², sold as midweight | 10.3 oz, 350 GSM, sold as mid-heavy weight |
| Finish | Brushed, fabric washed | Not stated | Preshrunk |
| Fit | Medium fit, unisex | Classic fit | Regular fit |
| Hood | Double self-fabric-lined hood, drawcords with closed-end metal tips, metal eyelets | Jersey-lined hood, metal eyelets | Lined hood |
| Other build | Kangaroo pocket, 1x1 rib cuffs and hem, self-fabric half moon at back neck, twin-needle topstitching | Pouch pocket, 1x1 rib cuffs and waistband, twill neck tape, split-stitched double-needle seams | Kangaroo pocket, ribbed cuffs |
| Sizes | XXS to 5XL | XS to 5XL | XS to 5XL |
| Colors | 47 published colors | 46 colors in our catalog | 15 colors in our catalog |
| Certifications and sourcing listed | GOTS "made with 80% organic cotton", OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan, Fair Wear member brand | None listed in the supplier description | AS Colour says each hood saves approx. 4.5 500ml plastic bottles from landfill |
Cruiser 2.0 specs are from the Stanley/Stella product API, SS4500 specs from the S&S Activewear catalog description, and Stencil Hood specs from the AS Colour product API. On the SS4500, heathers and some seasonal colors use different blends (for example 55/45 or 70/30 cotton/polyester).
Which hoodie is the heaviest?
The Cruiser 2.0 and the Stencil tie at 10.3 oz. The SS4500 is 8.5 oz/yd², so it is a noticeably lighter, more layerable hoodie. If you want a hoodie that feels substantial on the hanger and in the hand, one of the 10.3 oz styles is the pick. If you want something easier to layer, the lighter SS4500 fits.
What is different about the Cruiser 2.0's construction?
A few details stand out in Stanley/Stella's spec: a double-layer hood lined in the same fleece, drawcords with closed-end metal tips, a self-fabric half moon at the back neck, and a 100% organic cotton face over a brushed fleece. It also runs from XXS to 5XL, one size wider at the small end than the other two.
Which hoodie prints best?
All three have a cotton face or cotton-rich fleece, so all three take screen printing, DTG and embroidery.
- Screen printing. A cotton face is the ideal surface for plastisol and water-based inks. The Cruiser 2.0 and SS4500 both list a 100% cotton face.
- Embroidery. Heavy fleece holds stitches well, and a left chest logo up to 5,000 stitches is a common choice on all three.
- DTG. Works on all three; dark colors get a white underbase.
What are the minimums and turnaround?
Screen printing starts at 36 pieces per design, embroidery at 24, DTF at 12, and DTG has no minimum. Standard turnaround is about 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush is available depending on the schedule, so tell us your date.
Which hoodie should you choose?
Choose the Cruiser 2.0 if you want a heavyweight hoodie with an organic cotton face, certifications you can name, a double-lined hood, an XXS to 5XL size run and 47 colors. See it on our Cruiser 2.0 style page or on Stanley/Stella's Cruiser 2.0 page.
Choose the Independent SS4500 if you want a lighter, more layerable midweight with a 100% cotton face and a wide color range, for example on a large run for a team, school or event. Our SS4500 vs Gildan 18500 vs Lane Seven LS14001 guide covers it in more depth.
Choose the AS Colour Stencil if your brand is already built on AS Colour, or you want a 10.3 oz hoodie with its regular fit and anti-pill CVC fleece.
Pairing hoodies with tees? Start with Creator 2.0 vs AS Colour Staple or Creator 2.0 vs Bella+Canvas 3001.
Our take
All three are good hoodies, and they sit in two weight groups. Between the two 10.3 oz styles, we steer most premium hoodie orders to the Cruiser 2.0 as an official Stanley/Stella dealer: the same 10.3 oz weight as the Stencil, an organic cotton face, a double-lined hood, a wider size run and more colors. When the order calls for a lighter midweight, the SS4500 is the hoodie we recommend. See every Stanley/Stella sweatshirt on our Stanley/Stella hub, and Stanley/Stella's materials story on its sustainability page.
Our shop is at 14130 Rosecrans Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. Price the Cruiser 2.0 now, or call (562) 407-3800.
Frequently asked questions
Which Stanley/Stella hoodie compares to the Independent SS4500?
The Cruiser 2.0 (SASU003) is the hoodie Stanley/Stella describes as its iconic unisex heavyweight, and the closest match we compare against the SS4500. It is heavier than the SS4500, at 10.3 oz/yd² against 8.5 oz/yd², and has a 100% organic cotton face.
Is the Cruiser 2.0 the same weight as the AS Colour Stencil Hood?
Yes. Stanley/Stella lists the Cruiser 2.0 at 10.3 oz/yd², and AS Colour lists the Stencil Hood at 10.3 oz (350 GSM). Both are 80% cotton and 20% recycled polyester.
Which hoodie has the most color options?
The Cruiser 2.0, with 47 published colors. We carry the Independent SS4500 in 46 colors and the AS Colour Stencil Hood in 15. On the SS4500, heathers and some seasonal colors use different cotton/polyester blends.
Which hoodie is easiest to layer?
The Independent SS4500. At 8.5 oz/yd² it is a midweight, noticeably lighter than the 10.3 oz Cruiser 2.0 and Stencil, and it still has a 100% cotton face for printing.
Is the Cruiser 2.0 organic?
Its fleece is 80% organic ring-spun combed cotton and 20% recycled polyester, with a 100% organic cotton face. Stanley/Stella's product data shows GOTS "made with 80% organic cotton" labelling, plus OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan and Fair Wear.
What is the minimum for custom Stanley/Stella hoodies?
At French Press Custom, 36 pieces per design for screen printing, 24 for embroidery, 12 for DTF, and no minimum for DTG. We are in Santa Fe Springs and serve Los Angeles and Orange County.
