Overview
The Jerzees 995MR NuBlend Quarter-Zip Cadet Collar Sweatshirt is a product that punches well above its weight class. This is our first quarter-zip review on T-Shirt Elephant, and the 995MR earns that distinction by filling a major category gap: an affordable, professional-looking quarter-zip that works beautifully for custom embroidery and corporate uniforms.
Quarter-zips have become the go-to layering piece for corporate environments, trade shows, golf outings, and business casual offices. They offer the warmth of a sweatshirt with a more polished, professional appearance. The problem has always been price - most quality quarter-zips start at $25-40+ wholesale, making bulk orders expensive. The Jerzees 995MR changes that equation entirely, delivering a genuinely professional-looking garment at a price point that makes large-scale uniform orders feasible.
In this comprehensive review, we break down everything you need to know about the Jerzees 995MR - from NuBlend fleece technology and the cadet collar design to embroidery performance and how it compares to popular alternatives.
Fabric and Quality
The Jerzees 995MR features 8.0 oz (271 gsm) NuBlend pill-resistant fleece in a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend (the Oxford colourway uses a 48/52 blend). This is a heavyweight fleece that provides genuine warmth and structure. The NuBlend technology is the key differentiator here - it is Jerzees' proprietary pill-resistant treatment that keeps the fleece looking fresh far longer than standard blends.
Pilling is the enemy of fleece garments, especially in corporate settings where appearance matters. Those small fabric balls that form from friction and washing can make even an expensive sweatshirt look cheap and worn after a few months. The NuBlend treatment significantly reduces pilling, which means the 995MR maintains its professional appearance through many more wash cycles than you would expect at this price point.
Key Fabric Features
- 8.0 oz NuBlend pill-resistant fleece - Heavyweight warmth with anti-pilling technology
- 50/50 cotton/polyester blend - Balanced comfort and durability (Oxford: 48/52)
- Cadet collar - Clean, stand-up collar for a professional look
- Concealed 7" aluminum zipper - Hidden behind fabric placket for smooth appearance
- Tear-away label - Easy removal for custom branding and relabelling
- 1x1 rib cuffs and waistband - Maintain shape and provide a tailored finish
- Quarter-turned body - Eliminates center crease from manufacturing
Fit and Sizing
The 995MR has a relaxed, classic fit that accommodates a wide range of body types. This is intentional - when you are ordering 50 quarter-zips for your staff, you need a garment that fits comfortably on everyone from the slim receptionist to the larger warehouse worker. The 995MR delivers that versatility.
The cadet collar sits close to the neck without being tight or restrictive. The quarter-zip opening provides ventilation control and makes it easy to put on and take off. The body has comfortable room through the chest and midsection without being excessively baggy. Sleeves are cut with enough room for layering over a dress shirt or polo.
Available in sizes S through 3XL, the 995MR covers standard sizing needs for most corporate orders. The quarter-turned construction eliminates the center crease that can occur during manufacturing, ensuring the garment hangs properly from day one.
Sizing Recommendations
- For a standard fit: Order your normal size
- For layering over dress shirts: Your normal size should accommodate the layer underneath
- For a slimmer look: Consider sizing down one, but test first
- For corporate orders: Request a size sample set before placing bulk orders
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unbeatable price point for a quarter-zip (~$12-15 wholesale)
- NuBlend pill-resistant fleece stays looking professional
- Cadet collar provides a clean, corporate-appropriate look
- Concealed zipper creates smooth surface for embroidery
- Excellent for left-chest logo embroidery placement
- Jerzees supply chain ensures reliable stock availability
- Tear-away label for easy custom branding
- Quarter-turned to eliminate center crease
Cons
- Only 13 colours available - limited palette
- 50/50 blend does not feel as premium as 100% cotton fleece
- Relaxed fit may be too boxy for style-conscious wearers
- Not ideal for screen printing large designs on front
- 8.0 oz weight is too warm for spring/summer wear
- No extended sizing beyond 3XL
Decoration Performance
The Jerzees 995MR is a decoration-friendly garment, particularly for embroidery. The quarter-zip design and cadet collar lend themselves naturally to embroidered logos and branding, which is the most common decoration method for this category of garment.
Embroidery (Preferred Method)
This is where the 995MR truly excels. The 8.0 oz fleece provides an excellent base for embroidery stitching - dense enough to hold stitches firmly without puckering, but not so thick that needles struggle to penetrate. The left chest area is the prime real estate here, and the concealed zipper means your logo sits on a smooth, uninterrupted surface. The cadet collar area also works well for subtle branding. For corporate uniforms and professional apparel, embroidery on the 995MR looks sharp and sophisticated.
Screen Printing
Screen printing works well on the back panel and is viable on the left chest area. The concealed zipper helps create a flatter front surface compared to exposed-zipper quarter-zips. However, large front designs are challenging due to the zipper placement. For back panel printing and smaller left-chest prints, the 995MR performs reliably. The fleece surface accepts ink well and produces vibrant colours.
DTF and Heat Transfer
DTF transfers and heat transfers adhere well to the 50/50 blend fabric. The polyester content actually helps with transfer adhesion compared to 100% cotton fleece. The heat press temperature and pressure need to be calibrated for the thicker fleece material, but experienced decorators will have no issues.
Best Uses
Jerzees 995MR vs Alternatives
How does the 995MR stack up against other popular fleece options? Here is a detailed comparison with garments you might consider as alternatives:
| Feature | Jerzees 995MR | Gildan 18600 | Champion S700 | Comfort Colors 1580 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Quarter-Zip Cadet | Full-Zip Hoodie | Pullover Hoodie | Quarter-Zip (Garment-Dyed) |
| Weight | 8.0 oz | 8.0 oz | 9.0 oz | 10.0 oz |
| Material | 50/50 NuBlend | 50/50 Blend | 50/50 Blend | 100% Ring-Spun Cotton |
| Pill-Resistant | Yes (NuBlend) | No | No | No |
| Collar | Cadet (Stand-Up) | Hood | Hood | Standard |
| Zipper | Concealed Quarter | Full-Zip | None | Quarter-Zip |
| Colours | 13 | 15+ | 20+ | 10+ |
| Sizes | S-3XL | S-5XL | S-3XL | S-2XL |
| Price Range | $ | $ | $$ | $$$ |
| Best For | Corporate/Value | Casual Wear | Athletic/Casual | Premium/Retail |
For a deeper look at these alternatives, check out our Gildan 18600 full-zip hoodie review and our Champion S700 pullover hoodie review.
Who Should Choose the 995MR?
The Jerzees 995MR NuBlend Quarter-Zip is the ideal choice for a specific buyer profile. Here is how to know if it is right for you:
Choose the 995MR if:
- You need affordable quarter-zips for corporate uniforms or team apparel
- Embroidered left-chest logos are your primary decoration method
- You want a professional cadet collar look without the premium price tag
- Pill-resistance matters because the garments will be washed frequently
- You are ordering in bulk and need to keep per-unit costs under control
- You need a polished layering piece for trade shows or golf events
Consider alternatives if:
- You need a wider colour selection (try the Champion S700 or Gildan 18600)
- You want a hood rather than a cadet collar
- You need a premium garment-dyed look (try the Comfort Colors 1580)
- You want a slim, athletic fit (look at sport-specific quarter-zips)
- You need sizes beyond 3XL
- You want 100% cotton fleece for a softer, more natural hand feel
For a complete guide to choosing the right fleece garment for your project, see our Custom Fleece Quarter-Zips Buyer's Guide.
Our Verdict
The Jerzees 995MR NuBlend Quarter-Zip Cadet Collar Sweatshirt is the best-value quarter-zip available in Canada. It does not try to be a premium fashion piece, and that is exactly its strength. What it delivers is a professional-looking, pill-resistant, well-constructed quarter-zip at a wholesale price that makes competitors look overpriced.
The cadet collar and concealed zipper create a clean, corporate-appropriate silhouette that works for everything from office uniforms to golf outings to trade show teams. The NuBlend pill-resistant fleece ensures the garment maintains its professional appearance wash after wash, which is critical for uniform applications where appearance standards matter.
Yes, the colour selection is limited. Yes, the 50/50 blend does not feel as luxurious as premium cotton fleece. But when you are outfitting a team of 50 employees and every dollar counts, the Jerzees 995MR delivers a polished result that looks and feels more expensive than it is. For bulk corporate orders, trade show uniforms, and embroidered team apparel, this is the quarter-zip to beat.
