4 Must-Know Tips Before You Buy New Scrubs (From a Nurse of 5+ Years)

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If you’re shopping for new scrubs, there are a few things you definitely want to pay attention to before you hit “add to cart.”

After 8+ years of wearing scrubs for 12-hour shifts, I’ve learned that the right pair makes a huge difference in your comfort, mobility, and overall energy throughout the day — and the wrong pair can become a regret pretty quickly.

My current favorite set is the Sketchers Reliance scrubs by Barco — they’re incredibly comfortable, flattering, and lightweight, and you can move in every direction without feeling restricted. 

Before you choose any brand, here are the four biggest things I recommend paying attention to first — especially if you wear your scrubs hard like I do.

What do the Reviews Say?

When I was younger, I wasn’t great about checking product reviews before buying online — especially clothing I’d be wearing for 12-hour shifts. As I got older (and my husband reinforced the habit), I became a committed review-checker.

Now I never buy scrubs online without checking hundreds of nurse reviews first, especially for durability, stretch, and pocket strength.

I once bought a pair of Sketchers scrubs in-store without doing any research. They were insanely soft and flattering, but within two weeks a hole developed in my leg pocket — likely from my bandage scissors, which I carry every shift. That’s never happened with any other scrubs I’ve owned.

That experience alone reminded me why reviews matter — and I’ll definitely be sharing feedback with the company and leaving a review online. A coworker with the same set had the exact same issue, so hopefully it’s something they can improve.

Bottom line:
✔️ Look for reviews mentioning pocket durability, stretch, and fabric quality
✔️ Pay extra attention if you carry heavier tools like scissors
✔️ Reviews can save you money, time, and frustration

If you don’t carry bandage scissors, I still highly recommend the Sketchers Reliance set — they are the most comfortable and most flattering scrubs I own.

What Material are the Scrubs Made of?

Comfort isn’t just about softness — it’s about movement.

Since I’m not some fashionista and honestly don’t know the names of the billions of fabrics out there, I’m going to talk about my in-store experience with scrub materials. I will only buy scrubs online after I’ve actually tried the exact pair on first — I like to feel the material and see how it stretches while I’m wearing it before I decide if they’re right for me.

I personally look for scrubs described as “buttery soft” with 4-way stretch, because I’m constantly doing what I call nurse yoga — bending, lunging, and moving quickly between patients. I need my scrubs to be able to move in whatever direction I need to go, always.

On the flip side, scrubs made from stiffer polyester blends may look polished but can:

• Restrict movement
• Wrinkle easily
• Show stains more

And if you work somewhere messy (hospital, ER, etc.) — how well they wash matters. I once spilled blood on a pair of Dickies scrubs, treated them with stain remover, and they came out completely spotless. Needless to say, I wore OR scrubs for the rest of that shift.

Bottom line:
✔️ Look for high-stretch, soft fabrics if you move nonstop
✔️ Reviews should confirm washability + stain resistance
✔️ Mobility + durability are non-negotiables

Don’t Underestimate the Pockets

I cannot stress this enough — pockets are a nurse’s tools.

Whether you work in a hospital or a doctor’s office, if you’re a nurse you’re going to need several reliable pockets. For me, the most important ones are the two front top pockets and a secure side leg pocket — that’s where things like flushes, scissors, or alcohol caps live.

During the pandemic, we were required to wear the hospital’s green OR scrubs. They were stiff, had almost zero stretch, and only came with two total pockets — one chest pocket and one back pocket. That experience made me appreciate functional scrub pockets more than ever.

Read more about my experience as a new grad nurse working in the COVID-19 Pandemic, here.

Now I always look for scrubs with:

• Two front pockets on the scrub top
• A secure side leg pocket (a must for flushes, tools, etc.)

Long story short — I would rather have more pockets than I need than not enough. My pockets are genuinely one of my most valuable nursing tools.

Bottom line:
✔️ Prioritize function over fashion if you carry tools or essentials

What Style Pants Do You Prefer?

Over the past 5 years or so, joggers have become an incredibly popular style of scrub pants. And I’ll admit — I love them now too. The first time I wore a pair, I felt like I was in a comfy set of pajamas. Yes, you could say that about any scrubs — but joggers just have a different feel and silhouette. Plus, it’s nice to switch up your style once in a while.

Cargo scrub pants are another favorite of mine, and they’re still incredibly popular. They almost always offer more pocket options, which is a must-have for me personally. Another perk is that cargo pants make it easier to wear compression socks — whereas with joggers, most nurses prefer that the socks don’t show at the ankle.

If you swear by wearing compression socks every shift and are now worried about switching to joggers, there’s an easy solution — compression sleeves. I recently switched to sleeves instead of full socks on my jogger days, and honestly — game changer. They don’t slip, stay completely hidden under both joggers and cargo pants, and my calves aren’t aching by the time I get home. (Here’s a link to the exact pair that I use and love.)

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your scrubs should support you — not distract you.
You work hard. You deserve to feel confident, comfortable, and unrestricted in what you wear. Scrubs aren’t cheap, which is exactly why it’s worth being picky and intentional when you buy them.

Before you buy:
✔️ Check the reviews
✔️ Feel the fabric (stretch + washability matter)
✔️ Make sure the pockets match your workflow
✔️ Choose a style that fits your shift — not just the mirror

When you love what you’re wearing, your energy, movement, and confidence shift too — and your patients feel that more than you might realize.

You’re the one doing the hard work — your scrubs should make it easier.