Best Scrubs for Men in Nursing

Personal Finance / Best Scrubs for Men

Scrubs are essential for men in nursing who work in direct patient care. While scrubs have evolved over the years, designs for nurses were typically targeted toward females. 

Now that the nursing profession is comprised of approximately 12% males, there is more of a demand for nursing scrubs geared toward men. 

This article will cover how men in nursing can choose comfortable fabrics, find the perfect fit, and get an idea of some brands of scrubs that are highly rated by other men in nursing.

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Choosing comfortable fabrics

Nurses work long hours, so comfort is important. Nurses also need workwear that can stand up to the daily demands of being a nurse. This includes breathability (cotton), durability (polyester), and extra stretch (spandex).

Check the labels of your scrubs to see the percentages of the fabrics used and pick the best combination to suit your needs depending on the area where you work.

One size does not fit all, nor should one material. Nurses who work in direct patient care do a lot of pulling, lifting, bending, squatting, and even running! 

Image is important as well. So, make sure you look good in your scrubs. Nurses are professionals, and you want to make sure this is reflected in your appearance. Avoid the baggy, oversized look. It is possible to find the perfect fit without looking sloppy.

Finding the perfect fit

The breathability, durability, and stretch of your scrubs all depend on where you’re working. Even though men work in every area of nursing, they are typically more drawn to flight, emergency, or critical care nursing. So, you definitely want scrubs that are more moveable or stretchy. 

Avoid unisex scrubs as they can be more uncomfortable due to some sizing differences. 

You also want scrubs that are going to allow you to carry necessary equipment that can be accessed quickly. Nurses are often carrying around multiple items including patient report sheets, pens, alcohol swabs, and saline syringes. So, more pockets are a plus. 

Check out these three brands of scrubs highly rated by men in nursing to help you make a decision in purchasing your next set of scrubs. 

When you try on your scrubs, move around in them. Nurses are often in some pretty precarious situations as far as movement, so mimic some of those movements when you are trying on a new pair of scrubs. 

Reach your arms up and forward. Bend over. Squat down. Think of all the different ways you move during your day and test it out. How do the scrubs feel when you’re moving around as you would on your typical shift? They should be comfortable and flexible.

Highly rated scrubs by men in nursing 

FIGS

FIGS are a bit on the pricier side, with scrub tops that range from $38-58. Their pants range from $44- 68. They also have kits made up of scrub tops and pants ranging from $86-106. They’re fashionable, comfortable, and durable.

The Leon^TM Three-Pocket Scrub Top and Tansen^TM Jogger Scrub Pants are best sellers with 5-star reviews. Both are made of 72% polyester, 21% rayon, and 7% spandex.

Features: One chest pocket, one hidden patch pocket, one pen sleeve, and modern V-neck (the Leon^TM). Two trouser pockets, two back pockets, one interior security pocket, and an elastic waistband with adjustable drawcord (Tansen^TM joggers). 

Dickies

Dickies are the all-time classic uniform for many professions. Their signature V-neck scrub tops range from $23.99-26.99. The signature cargo scrub pants range from $25.99-30.99.  

Both the signature scrub tops and cargo pants have an average customer rating of 4.4 stars with many citing the comfortable and functional design. Both are made of 55% cotton and 45% polyester.

Features: Side vents for ease of moving, patch pockets with angled opening, and interior pocket under the right patch pocket (V-neck scrub top). Web drawstring inside the waist, back patch pocket, and double cargo pockets on both sides of the leg (cargo scrub pants).

Jaanuu

Jaanuu features unique designs, details, and performance-enhancing features allowing you to provide excellent patient care. The best-selling FUSEryxTM 4-pocket V-neck top is $36.00, and the FUSEeryxTM drawstring jogger pants are $46.00.

The top and joggers have an average customer rating of 4.7 stars. Reviews typically address the great fit, stretch, and material. The fabric consists of 76% polyester, 18% rayon, and 6% spandex.

Features: Jaanuu scrubs feature a hidden hem badge loop, chest welt pocket, 2 side seam hidden pockets, and even a hidden zipper pocket.

Carhartt

Carhartt is another highly rated brand of scrubs for men in nursing. They offer two options for tops and pants with all being rated at 4 or more stars. 

The solid ripstop scrub utility top ranges from $23.98-31.99 and is 55% cotton and 45% polyester. For a more flexible option, the force cross-flex modern fit chest pocket v-neck top is 94% polyester and 6% spandex. Prices for the v-neck range from $33.99-36.99.

Similarly, the ripstop multi-cargo scrub pants range from $27.99-35.99 and are made of 55% cotton and 45% polyester. The force cross-flex modern fit jogger pants range from $37.99-40.99 and are made of 94% polyester and 6% spandex.

Features: Pleated bi-swing back for extra stretch across the shoulders, tagless neck label for a smooth feel, chest pocket, and droptail hem (scrub utility top); buttonhole at neck for badge, locker loop label at back neck, earbud holder, pen holder, four front lower pockets, double pocket at sleeve, inner cell phone pocket, and inner back mesh venting (v-neck). Triple-stitched outseams, drawcord on waist, zipper fly, eight pockets, and utility look (cargo pants); side and back elastic waist, zipper fly, front slash pockets, one inner pocket, triple cargo pocket with pen slot, back cell phone pocket, two top-loading front pockets (joggers).

Next Steps

Start shopping! If you don’t like buying clothes online, most scrub stores carry the brands mentioned. Of course, there are also other brands of scrubs available in-store, so you can try them on in person and get a good feel for fit. 

Finally, consider the cost. Many nurses aren’t willing to spend a lot of money on scrubs. Especially if they are supplied by your hospital. But, again, consider the comfort and functionality of most hospital-issued scrubs (not the best!) 

Also, find out if your workplace reimburses their nurses for scrubs and see how much they’re willing to pay. Even some of the less expensive brands, ranging between $20 and $30 dollars, still have high reviews from men in nursing as well as more comfort and functionality than free scrubs from the hospital.

Nurses play an important role in the health and well-being of patients. It’s a lot of hard work and requires the appropriate equipment to do the job. Scrubs are an essential piece of equipment and should be comfortable and functional in order for you to provide the highest quality patient care.

Also, make sure to check out our best shoes for male nurses to complete your gear!