How to Choose a Scrub Cap for Your Hair

Most scrub cap advice boils down to "get one that fits." That's true, but not very useful when you're comparing three caps that all say one size fits most. What actually decides the right cap is your hair: how long it is, how much of it there is, and whether it needs to be fully covered at work.

Here's how we'd pick, style by style.

If you have short hair

Go with a close-fitting cap, often called a skull cap or surgical cap. It covers your head without extra fabric bunching at the back. Our Classic Cap is this shape: clean lines, ties at the back, nothing extra.

If you have long hair and need it fully covered

You want a cap with room at the back for your hair. For most people with medium to long hair, that means a bun cap. Put your hair in a medium-high bun, about level with your ears, and the cap wraps over it so nothing peeks out by hour ten.

Our Bun Cap is built around this, and it's our most popular style. It also works as a Euro-style cap if you'd rather not wrap the ties over your bun. A lot of people pair that look with a claw clip.

If you have long hair but don't need it covered

Some people just want their hair out of their face, not tucked away. In that case a skull cap with an opening at the back works well. You loop your bun or ponytail through and tie the cap underneath. The Classic Cap has that opening.

Check your facility's dress code first. Some units require all hair to be covered, especially in the OR.

If your hair is thick, curly, very long, or all of the above

A standard bun cap can feel tight if you have a lot of hair or a larger head. Look for a roomier cap with a pouch for your hair. Our Ponytail Cap is our roomiest style, with a dedicated hair pouch and extra room overall. If other caps have given you a headache by the end of a shift, start here.

Fit details worth paying attention to

  • Adjustable ties. Ties you can cinch let you get a snug fit without squeezing. A cap that's too tight is a common reason for end-of-shift headaches.
  • Ear-saver buttons. If you wear a mask all day, buttons on the sides of the cap hold the mask loops so they don't pull on your ears.
  • Stretch. A little stretch in the fabric helps the cap stay put when you move, bend, or wear a face shield or hood over it.

Fabric and comfort

Long shifts are where fabric matters. Look for something that stretches a bit and breathes, and a lining that deals with sweat. Every Capy uses a soft stretch fabric (95% polyester and 5% spandex for prints, 94% polyester and 6% spandex for solid colors) with a terry cloth liner inside to absorb sweat.

How many caps do you need?

Plan on enough to get through your week without doing laundry mid-week. For most people working three or four shifts, that's three caps or more. Having a few also means you're not stuck if one gets left in a locker. (If you're buying three, our bundle takes 50% off the third one.)

Taking care of a fabric scrub cap

Turn the cap inside out and machine wash cold with like colors. Skip the bleach, tumble dry on low, and iron or steam if you want it crisp. Reusable fabric caps aren't sterile or PPE, so follow your facility's rules for where and how they can be worn.

Quick version

Still torn? Our Style Guide compares all three side by side, with measurements for each style.

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