Scrubs for Men: Best Brand and Fit Options
To help you choose the best scrubs for men, we've outlined the eight essential steps to finding the perfect scrub set. Then, we wrap up the guide by highlighting five brands that make some of our favorite medical scrubs for men.
How to Choose Medical Scrubs for Men
Whether you buy a budget medical uniform or invest in a top-of-the-line set, you could be wearing your scrubs for 12 or more hours a day, so it's worth making sure your scrub top and pant set fit correctly and hold up over time. Here are the eight steps to follow when selecting the best men's scrubs for you.
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Take Your Measurements
The first step to choosing clothes of any kind, including scrubs, is taking your measurements. Get a flexible tape measure and measure your chest at its widest point, your natural waistline, your hips at the widest point while standing with feet together, and your inseam, from the inside of your leg to about an inch above the ankle. Write these down so you have them handy for reference.
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Choose Your Size
Now that you have your measurements, compare them to the size chart for each brand you're considering. If you like a more fitted uniform, choose your true size, or size up for a roomier fit. It's important to check each brand's specific size chart, since companies cut and size garments differently. A medium at one brand may run closer to a small at another, even when buying both from the same retailer.
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Investigate the Fabric Blend
We've published an entire guide to scrub fabric, but here's the quick version. The four main fiber types are cotton, polyester, spandex, and rayon. Cotton is lightweight, soft, flattering, and durable, but it may shrink and soils and wrinkles easily. Polyester is wrinkle-resistant, easy to care for, durable, quick-drying, and resistant to stretching and shrinking, though it tends to trap moisture and can feel a bit rough. Cotton-polyester blends are popular in scrubs because the two fibers balance each other out.
Spandex adds stretch and is often blended with cotton or polyester, while rayon can mimic the look and feel of many other fabrics and is also commonly blended in. The qualities of the final fabric depend on the exact fiber percentages, so it's worth checking the label. Generally, the higher the spandex content, the stretchier the scrubs.
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Learn About Fabric Weaves
Fiber content isn't the only factor. The weave of the fabric, meaning how the horizontal and vertical threads interlace, affects texture and durability almost as much as the fibers themselves. There are three main weaves used in scrubs: poplin, dobby, and twill.
Poplin is a plain weave with crosswise ribs that give it a corded surface and help resist wrinkles. It looks the same on both sides, making it a popular choice for printed fabrics. Dobby fabric features unique textures and geometric patterns created by raising and lowering the vertical threads individually, resulting in an absorbent, wrinkle-resistant fabric. Twill fabrics have diagonal, parallel ribs, giving them texture that helps disguise stains and resist wrinkles, a useful quality for scrubs.
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Examine Fabric Finishes and Treatments
After weaving, fabric may be treated to add specific qualities. Brushing cotton, for example, removes excess lint and results in a smoother, softer feel. Fluid-repellent and moisture-wicking finishes are also common in scrubs, and antimicrobial scrubs are typically treated with a coating designed to help reduce the spread of bacteria and germs. These finishes can affect how the fabric feels, so it's worth reading the details before you buy.
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Decide What Features You Need
Not all men's scrubs are built the same. While most follow a similar basic design, each brand and style offers a slightly different mix of features. A single chest pocket is fairly standard on a scrub top, but hip pockets aren't guaranteed. Some professionals prefer side slits for ease of movement, and certain performance scrubs include mesh panels for ventilation. Pants may offer a drawstring or elastic waist and different pocket combinations. There's no single right answer here, just think about which features matter most to you and use that to narrow your search.
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Select a Color or Print
Now for the fun part. Scrubs come in dozens of colors to fit any skin tone or facility color code: black, white, red, green, blue, navy, orange, pink, dark grey, light grey, khaki, purple, teal, and more. Choose a top and bottom in the same color for a monochrome look (make sure both pieces are from the same brand and line to guarantee an exact color match), or mix complementary or contrasting hues for a color-blocked look. And of course, there's a wide range of printed scrub tops available too, from camouflage and abstract patterns to licensed character designs.
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Consider Personalization
The last step is deciding whether to personalize your scrubs with custom embroidery. Usually, only solid garments can be personalized, since embroidery doesn't show up well on patterned fabric. You can choose an emblem or logo and up to three lines of text on either side of the chest, or both, with a range of thread colors and fonts to get the look you want. Beyond scrubs, other garments like lab coats, t-shirts, and scrub caps can be personalized too.
5 Best Scrub Brands for Men
Now that you know how to shop for men's scrubs, here are a few of our favorite brands to consider, from everyday basics to more elevated options.
Medelita
Medelita takes a more elevated approach to men's scrubs, with a refined, tailored fit and precise construction. It's especially popular among physicians, dentists, and advanced practice clinicians who want a clean, professional look that holds up through a demanding shift.
Allheart
We had to include our own brand on this list. AllHeart's in-house scrubs offer dependable basics at an accessible price point, with a range of colors and styles to build out a full work wardrobe, along with lab coats, scrub caps, and other essentials.
Cherokee
Cherokee has been a staple in the medical uniform market for decades, offering scrubs, lab coats, jackets, caps, and more. Beyond classic colors, Cherokee also offers a range of prints, including its popular Tooniforms line, which features officially licensed character designs for professionals who want a bit of fun in their workwear.
Dickies
Dickies brings decades of workwear heritage to its men's scrub lineup, known for durable construction and reliable performance at a fair price. Beyond scrub tops and pants, Dickies also makes lab coats, jackets, caps, and shirts.
Healing Hands
Healing Hands focuses on soft, comfort-first fabric designed to move with you through a long shift, without sacrificing a clean, professional look.
It takes a bit of effort to find the perfect pair of scrubs for men, but it's worth it once you do. Best of luck shopping, and don't hesitate to reach out to our customer care team if you have any questions.