From comfortable fabrics to fashionable styles, the scrubs revolution is here! And when it comes to the best scrubs, shoes, and essential workwear, you have more options than ever. Here’s a guide to sorting it all out, and the inside scoop on where to begin with ten top picks from healthcare pros!
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How to Find the Best Scrubs, Shoes, and Gear for Your Needs
Whether you work as a per diem nurse, travel therapist, technologist, or virtually any other type of clinical job, you have more options than ever when it comes to scrubs.
In fact, there might be too many options! From designer brands to budget buys, it can be hard to sort out what’s good and what’s not — or, more to the point, what’s right for you and your unique situation.
Before you start, one good way to narrow down your options is to break into four categories: Function, comfort, safety, and style. Got it? If so, get ready to explore the top scrubs that nurses are buzzing about! Plus, kick it in style with some of the best shoes for nurses and clinicians.
> Pro tip: Always check your facility's dress code to see if different designs or colors are allowed. And remember, colors have meanings! Check this list to see how your colored scrubs may be interpreted by others.
The Best Scrubs for Daily Use and Functionality
No matter what type of scrubs you need to function at your best, there’s an option out there for you. That includes tall, plus, and petite sizes, as well as scrubs designed for pregnancy. Some scrubs offer more room for essentials with extra loops and deeper pockets; some even have integrated skirts or hijabs.
Activewear like jogging and yoga pants are also popular, catering to those who must stay very active during their shifts. You can choose cargo-style pants if you need more pockets, or jackets and under-scrubs for more protection or warmth,
Where to begin? This list from Nurse.org offers a helpful breakdown of the main types of scrubs, including those for specific genders or larger and petite sizes.
Top picks: Some of the most popular scrubs for functionality include:
- Care+Wear's 6-Pocket V-Neck Scrub Top is a multi-pocket favorite designed in collaboration with fashion brand The Natori Company.
- The Basics Holly 8-Pocket Stretch Cargo Scrub Pants from koi feature an elastic waistband with drawstring tie, and are loaded with pockets — two in the front, two in the back and four on the side, plus an extra hidden pocket for your phone.
The Best Scrubs for Comfort
They may cost a little more, but better-fitting scrubs pay off by keeping you comfy. It's like working in your favorite outfit, instead of scratchy, badly fitting clothes you can't wait to get out of. The result isn’t just a better day at work, but a better you — happy, confident, and delivering the best possible care.
Of course, basic comfort can be as simple as taking the time to find your right size. But you can take it even further by buying flexible, breathable fabrics that stretch with your movements and help keep your body temp steady. And that can make a big difference in settings that run hot, or need to be kept cool.
Where to begin? Ranked by actual nurses, this list of the 10 best scrubs is a good place to start to find scrubs that'll keep you comfy during your shift.
Top picks: From that list, some of the most popular scrubs for comfort include:
- Livingston Basic Scrub Pants from FIGS are made with the brand's famous, unique, comfy fabric and feature a flexible yoga waistband.
- Wink's W123 Women's Flex-n-Reach V-Neck Scrub Top is also made to stretch in a breathable fabric for full mobility and comfort, with plenty of loops to keep your essentials secure.
The Best Scrubs for Safety
Fabrics that help regulate your body temperature aren't just comfier, but potentially safer, too. Overheating during busy shifts is a real thing, and it doesn't just make work tougher than it needs to be, but could hurt your ability to deliver the best possible care.
Stretchable fabrics can also help keep you safe by improving your range of movement. Higher-quality scrubs may also offer better protection against fluids, objects, and other common dangers, including lots of options for antimicrobial and moisture-wicking technology as well as water-repellent jackets.
Where to begin? Keep yourself and your patients safe by ensuring full freedom of movement in this list of the top stretchy scrubs for healthcare workers.
Top picks: Some of the top scrubs for safety include:
- The Newland Essential Scrub Set from Jaanuu offers antimicrobial protection, comfort, and a stylish look, too.
- Combining moisture-wicking and its Certain(R) antimicrobial technology, the Cherokee Infinity Round Neck Two-Pocket Top also sports a side-slit design to give you plenty of room to move.
The Best Scrubs for Style & Fashion
Designer scrubs have certainly come far in recent years, including a starring role in the recent Paris Olympics. FIGS, the sponsor of Team USA, is just one of the better-known brands offering sleek and sophisticated designs, stylish in their elegance and simplicity.
And, while those brands tend to come at a higher price point, you can also find more fun and colorful designs oriented around humor or seasonal designs. And needless to say, you can find scrubs in every color of the rainbow — but always make sure to consult your employer's dress code first!
Where to begin: This list of "cute designer scrubs" ranges from dressy tops to "lovely print patterns with flare."
Top picks: Few people would disagree that FIGS are the probably the hottest brand for scrubs right now. But some other great choices nurses mention include:
- The Women's Breakthrough Plus Scrub Set from ADAR is stylishly simple (and wrinkle resistant) with its double-stitched V neckline and curved princess seaming.
- Carhartt's Unisex Force Essentials Chore Scrub Coat is as functional as it is stylish, with tons of pockets and loops, plus both quick-drying and stretch technology.
The Best Shoes for Nurses & Healthcare Professionals
Lastly, don't forget footwear! As many healthcare workers will be quick to tell you, nothing is more important than having comfortable shoes. And, just as with scrubs, comfort, function, safety, and fashion come into play.
Yes, there shoes designed just for nurses and healthcare professionals. But today, many prefer to wear high-quality clogs, work shoes, or athletic shoes instead. And of course, you should only buy shoes that meet any special needs like wide feet, high arches, or plantar fasciitis.
Where to begin / top picks: This list of best shoes tends to favor clogs, landing on Dansko Professional Clogs as its top pick. And this list ranks athletic shoes higher, with the Brooks Ghost 15 Neutral Running Shoe as its #1 choice.
Both of those lists are worth a look — and stay tuned to the HealthTrust ENGAGE blog for a deeper dive into the best shoes for nurses, aides, therapists, and other healthcare professionals, coming soon!
New Gear, New Career, New You!
Now that you know what to wear, it’s time to find your next assignment! The new HealthTrust jobsite has thousands of career opportunities for nurses, therapists, and many more, all across the U.S.A. Apply directly for priority access and pay!
