Best Scrubs for Men (Top Picks for 2022)

QUICK OVERVIEW

A comfortable set of scrubs is a must for medical professionals. However, choosing the right style, color and fit can be an issue, especially when purchasing online.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that difficult. These days using Amazon.com you have access to a range of scrub options, all supported with accurate size guides and previous customer reviews.

However, this can cause another problem: choice overload. Determining which are the best scrubs for you can be a headache. And that’s where this review roundup comes in…

When buying a new set of scrubs, comfort, fit and function are the most important factors. Style and color are up there too.

Below you will find my picks for the best scrub tops and pants currently available for men. The selection is based on my discussion with male colleagues, as well as in-depth research of verified customer reviews.

These are the results…

Best Scrubs for Men: The Reviews

1. BEST SCRUB TOP: Dickies Men’s Signature V-Neck Scrubs Shirt

My top choice men’s scrub top for 2022 is the Dickie’s Signature V-Neck. It not only looks good but according to colleagues that I’ve asked and the many positive reviews online, the top is very comfortable too.

Made from 55% cotton and 45% polyester the top is stitched together with side vents that help ease of movement.

It is slightly thicker than some other men’s scrub tops on the market, which could be a hindrance if you’re prone to sweating or work without good air-conditioning.

It is easy to clean and machine washable of course. And those that wear the top have stated that the color stays true for a long time with multiple washing.

What I do like (as it’s always good to see some color on the ward) is the wide range of color options available.

There is a Dickies logo twill tape at the back neck and an exterior logo on the left sleeve. The pocket is placed on the left chest.

Bottom Line

Overall the Dickies V-Neck scrubs shirt is both very affordable, comfortable and stylish. Male colleagues that wear the top have no complaints, and the online reviews speak for themselves.

An easy pick for the best men’s scrub top available right now.

• Related Content: Top 25 Best Shoes for Nurses – Ultimate Guide

2. Cherokee Originals Unisex V-Neck Scrubs Shirt

The Cherokee unisex v-neck scrubs top is another great option that I highly recommend. This one has a slightly different fabric mix than my top pick from Dickies, with 65% polyester and 35% cotton.

This makes it thinner and looser than the Dickies but I put that down to the unisex nature of the top. The blend also makes for a wrinkle-free top after you’ve pulled it out of the dryer, which is good. (Needless to say, it is machine washable.)

Cherokee has put one chest pocket and two patch pockets on this top. Like the Dickies it also has side vents for better movement.

Some customers have talked of how good the stitching is on this top, which in turn has helped the overall longevity of it.

Again a wide range of colors is available, which means most aesthetic preferences are catered for.

Bottom Line

A very good bet if the top from Dickies doesn’t take your fancy, this option from Cherokee is both comfortable, practical (with the 3 pockets) and stylish.

With the range of colors and easy clean fabric, this is a scrub top that will keep both men and women happy.

3. BEST SCRUB PANTS: CHEROKEE Men’s Originals Cargo Scrubs Pant

My top pick men’s scrub pant is the Cherokee Original Cargo. Following the same blend of the Cherokee top reviewed above, the pants have 65% polyester and 35% cotton. (In fact, if you are looking for a good scrub set, these two complement themselves wonderfully).

Designed with a men’s natural rise, the pants have an elastic waist with a reinforced drawstring making them comfortable and stylish in that they sit very well.

Functionality is great with the four-sided cargo pockets as well as two slash pockets and a back patch pocket.

Customer feedback on Amazon.com is extremely good with many of those buying the pants appreciating the many pockets in the cargo style.

The inseam on the average pant is 31”, however, if you go for the small it is a 28 ½” inseam.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re looking for a single pant or looking for a scrubs set (where I recommend you check out the Cherokee V-neck reviewed above), these cargo pants are a great option.

Stylish, comfortable, and with lots of pockets they have everything you could want in a good, quality pair of scrub pants.

• Related Content: Top 10 Best Watches for Nurses [2022 Edition]

4. Dickies Men’s GenFlex Utility Drawstring Cargo Scrubs Pant

The Dickies Men’s Genflex Utility Cargo scrubs pants are another option that I highly recommend.

This is another natural rise pant that has a bit more stretch than my top pick from Cherokee. Here the blend is 52% cotton 45% poly 3% spandex.

The pants also feature an elastic waist for added comfort and flexibility. This is threaded with a web drawstring.

The contemporary styling extends to the multi-needle top-stitching, as well as some nifty snap details.

There’s a good range of colors too, which as I’ve said before, it’s nice to see something other than blue or green on the ward.

Pockets are in abundance of course. Here, Dickies has added the standard two front pockets, the right contains an exterior triple pen holder with bungee loop, while there left as an additional sleeve for your mobile phone.

There are also two cargo pockets and back pockets.

On the sales page, Dickies states that the men’s small size measures 27-29” at the waist and 36-38” at the hip. The regular size has a 32” inseam, while tall sizes are stitched with a 35” inseam.

Bottom Line

Dickies Men’s GenFlex Utility Drawstring Cargo Scrubs Pant is another great choice and a worthy addition to my top 5.

Borderline bestseller status on Amazon.com (it could well be, by the time you are reading this), and low budget to boot, there is nothing stopping you from picking some of these up along with the Cherokees I have reviewed above.

Bottom line is, that they are both great scrub pants for men. You won’t be disappointed.

• Related Content: Best NCLEX review books – Top 7 for 2022

5. BEST SCRUB SET: Cherokee Workwear Professionals Men’s Scrub Set, V-Neck Top & Drawstring Cargo Pant

The final entry in my top 5 best scrubs for men, is actually a full scrub set.

While the above items are purchased separately and can be mixed and matched should you want to buy both top and bottom, here you buy the full set all in one.

The pros to this, of course, are uniform color and the manufacturer’s intended combined styling.

So is this the way to go? Let’s take a closer look.

The Cherokee scrub top as part of the set is very similar to the V-Neck reviewed above. It’s a 1 pocket v-neck, and much of what was said there applies here.

The top incorporates side vents and a back yoke to aid movement and comfort.

Likewise, the pants are similar to my top pick from Cherokee above. They follow the cargo styling with the 2 cargo pockets and tapered leg design

For extra storage options, the pants have standard front pockets and a single back pocket too.

The blend across both top and pants is great with 63% polyester, 34% cotton, and 3% spandex poplin. It’s lightweight and stretchy and offers the comfort you need for a long and hard-working day.

Both items are also machine washable and there is a range of colors to choose from.

Bottom Line

Basically, if you are after a full scrubs set, I would recommend this one. You have a good quality top and pants all in one purchase. It just makes things easier.

For those that prefer to mix and match or pick and choose (or essentially just want either a top or bottom but not both), should check out the options reviewed above.

• Related Content: Best Maternity Scrubs for Nurses (Tops, Pants & Sets)

What to look for when buying a set of men’s scrubs?

There are a number of things you should consider when buying a new set of scrubs. Let’s take a look at a few of them now.

Style

Like any garment, men’s scrubs come in varying styles. Should you go for a V-neck or a crew neck? Do you prefer jogger style bottoms or are partial to a bit of cargo pant action? Personal preference and function are the main variables here.

V-Neck vs. Crew Neck

Most men’s scrub tops are V-neck as this allows for more room around the neck and are easier to climb in and out of (without ruining your well-groomed hair).

Be careful with lower-cut V-necks however. Visible, sprouting chest hair will not look good on the ward. If you’re prone to this, an underscrub beneath your top is recommended.

Crewnecks are a good choice if you prefer a more enclosed fit, that is more like a t-shirt.

Jogger vs. Cargo vs. Standard Scrub Pants

Dickies and Cherokee provide jogger-style scrub pants that are comfortable and stylistically relatively modern.

Forming to the shape of your lower body, they look especially good on a well-formed physique. However, we are not at work to pose, comfort really is the overriding factor with jogger-style scrub pants.

Cargo pants are extremely popular scrubs because of their utility. They may not look the best, but those extra pockets and storage areas compliment the needs of the medical professional greatly. Important items can be carried with you as you work.

Standard scrub pants do the job and are cheap to replace. They come with different types of waist and are can be cleaned with ease too. On the downside, they are less comfortable than joggers and do not have as many pockets as cargo pants.

Waist Closure

I would argue that beyond the obvious issues of size and color, the waist closure is one of the more important things to think about.

Much of it is down to personal preference, however, the fact there are 3 different types of waist available on men’s scrubs today, means you have a choice.

Here’s a quick note on the differences between them.

Drawstring

Drawstring waists are the most common type of scrub pants. They are cheaper to manufacture, are reliable, and do a good job of adjusting the pant to individual waist sizes.

On the negative side, the drawstring is often less comfortable than other options (we’ve all experienced cord digging into our waists if the draw is too tight), they can also be fiddly to undo if the drawstring has ended up in a knot.

Button Up

Button up pants are good in that they don’t wear out (as elasticated waists do), the button finish can also look stylish.

The negative here is if you do not but exactly to your waist size, the pants will be too big or too small. There is no adjustment function and you can’t wear a belt with your scrubs.

Elastic

Scrub pants with elastic waistbands are some of the cheapest available. Assuming you buy the right size they will fit well upon purchase. Just make sure you do not buy too small as the waistband will dig in and hurt after a 12hour day.

At the end of the shift, the elasticated waist is easy to take on and off. The major downside here is wear and tear. As the pants age, the elastic loses strength and will no longer fit.

The Type of Fabric

Fabric blends can be confusing, however, it is worth knowing as the different fabric blends offer varying levels of comfort. It can also be important to know should you have allergies or irritations to certain materials.

The main fabric types are:

• Cotton
• Polyester
• Spandex / Elastane

Cotton Scrubs

Avoid scrubs that are 100% cotton. While these will be comfortable, they will wrinkle terribly after every wash (and are difficult to iron out), and can also tear quite easily.

All this said, having a blend of cotton is recommended. Around 40% cotton with another fabric will provide much-needed breathability. In other words, it will stop you from sweating as you work.

Polyester

The cotton blend we have mentioned above will often be with polyester. This is because this synthetic material is cheap to manufacture and is strong. You will find at least some polyester in the most available scrubs.

A good rule of thumb is, the higher the cotton ratio, the more breathability, the higher the polyester count, the stronger the fabric.

Polyester also holds its form well which is another benefit. Essentially, you should pay attention to the blend so that you can buy the type of scrubs that will meet your needs.

Spandex / Elastane

You will also find elastane, spandex scrubs. Much like polyester, these are synthetic fibers that may well form part of the blend. The main benefit here is the stretchiness of the material. This provides comfort and strength as there is less chance the material will tear.

The Right Fit

Finally, there is the issue of fit. Clearly, you should be aware of your own dimensions and buy accordingly. Buying one size up is generally better than one down, as comfort won’t be impaired (although style might be). Scrubs that are too small will not make for a good working experience.

Also, pay attention to what other buyers have experienced by reading their reviews. Some scrub brands might run a little large on the sizes they have. Knowing this in advance will help you choose the correct size for you.