Under Scrubs have become increasingly popular among healthcare professionals looking for extra comfort, coverage and practicality during long shifts. Once considered a niche addition to healthcare uniforms, scrub base layers are now commonly worn by nurses, carers, dental professionals, veterinary teams and hospital staff across the UK.
Whether you’re working a twelve-hour shift on a hospital ward, supporting patients in a care setting or moving between treatment rooms in a dental practice, the right base layer can make a noticeable difference to your comfort throughout the day.
In this guide, we’ll explain what under scrubs are, why healthcare professionals wear them and how to choose the right style for your role.
What Are Under Scrubs?
Under scrubs are lightweight base layers worn beneath a scrub top or tunic.
Designed to provide additional comfort and coverage without adding bulk, they are available in a range of styles including:
- Long sleeve under scrubs
- Short sleeve under scrubs
- Compression-style base layers
- Thermal under scrubs
- Moisture-wicking underscrubs
Often made from stretch performance fabrics, under scrub tops are designed to move naturally with the body while remaining comfortable throughout long shifts.
Why Are More Healthcare Professionals Wearing Under Scrubs?
Healthcare environments can be unpredictable.
Temperature changes, long hours and physically demanding roles all create challenges that a simple scrub top alone may not always address.
Modern underscrubs help tackle these issues while improving overall comfort.
Common Reasons Professionals Choose Under Scrubs
- Additional warmth
- Increased comfort
- Sweat management
- Extra coverage
- Protection from colder environments
- Improved confidence during movement
For many professionals, a good base layer quickly becomes an essential part of their work wardrobe.
Long Sleeve vs Short Sleeve Under Scrubs
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to choose long sleeve or short sleeve under scrubs.
Long Sleeve Under Scrubs
Long sleeve base layers are particularly popular during colder months and in healthcare settings where temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day.
Best For
- Hospital wards
- Community healthcare workers
- Care homes
- Winter working
Benefits
- Added warmth
- Improved coverage
- Comfortable layering
- Protection from cool environments
Long sleeve styles remain the most popular option for healthcare professionals seeking year-round versatility.
Short Sleeve Under Scrubs
Short sleeve under scrubs provide many of the same benefits while reducing overall warmth.
Best For
- Dental practices
- Veterinary clinics
- Warm clinical environments
- Summer working
Benefits
- Lightweight feel
- Improved airflow
- Reduced bulk
- Comfortable layering
For professionals working in consistently warm environments, short sleeve styles can often be a practical choice.
What Fabrics Work Best for Under Scrubs?
The fabric you choose can significantly impact comfort.
Unlike traditional healthcare uniforms, underscrubs are designed to sit directly against the skin.
Performance Stretch Fabrics
Most modern scrub base layers use performance fabrics that offer:
- Stretch
- Breathability
- Moisture management
- Shape retention
These materials help maintain comfort throughout demanding shifts.
Moisture-Wicking Fabrics
Many healthcare professionals choose moisture-wicking underscrubs because they’re designed to move perspiration away from the body.
Benefits include:
- Improved comfort
- Reduced overheating
- Better temperature regulation
- Less distraction during long shifts
Cotton-Rich Base Layers
Cotton-rich fabrics provide a natural feel and softness.
Many professionals prefer them because they:
- Feel gentle against the skin
- Provide breathable comfort
- Remain comfortable throughout the day
The ideal choice depends on personal preference and your working environment.
Men’s Under Scrubs vs Women’s Under Scrubs
Today’s scrub base layers are available in styles designed specifically for both men and women.
Men’s Under Scrubs
Many men’s styles offer:
- Athletic cuts
- Longer body lengths
- Enhanced shoulder movement
- Stretch performance fabrics
They are particularly popular with healthcare professionals wearing fitted scrub tops.
Women’s Under Scrubs
Women’s under scrubs often feature:
- Shaped silhouettes
- Flexible stretch fabrics
- Modern athletic styling
- Lightweight construction
Designed for comfort and fit, they work particularly well beneath modern scrub collections.
Which Healthcare Professionals Benefit Most from Under Scrubs?
While almost anyone can benefit from wearing a base layer, some roles gain particular advantages.
Nurses
Nurses often experience long shifts and changing temperatures throughout the day.
Under scrubs can help improve comfort while providing additional coverage during active movement.
Care Professionals
Carers frequently move between different environments, including care homes and community settings.
Lightweight base layers can help support comfort and temperature regulation throughout the day.
Dental Teams
Dental professionals often work in climate-controlled practices where comfort and presentation are equally important.
A fitted under scrub top can provide additional confidence without affecting professional appearance.
Veterinary Professionals
Veterinary nurses and clinicians are often highly active throughout their shifts.
Stretch under scrubs can support mobility while adding an extra layer of comfort.
Are Under Scrubs Worth Wearing All Year Round?
Many people associate base layers with winter, but modern underscrubs are designed for year-round use.
Performance fabrics help regulate temperature rather than simply adding warmth.
This means they can help professionals stay comfortable during both colder and warmer conditions.
For many healthcare workers, under scrubs become just as useful in summer as they are in winter.
Onna Underscrubs: A Modern Healthcare Base Layer
Among the most popular healthcare base layers available today are the Onna Underscrubs range.
Designed specifically for healthcare environments, Onna combines:
- Lightweight performance fabrics
- Stretch comfort
- Modern fits
- Moisture management technology
These features have helped make Onna a popular choice among professionals looking for a comfortable foundation beneath their uniforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under scrubs are lightweight base layers worn beneath healthcare uniforms to provide additional comfort, coverage and temperature regulation.
AWB Recommends: Think Beyond Warmth
At AWB, many healthcare professionals initially enquire about under scrubs because they’re looking for extra warmth.
What often surprises them is how many additional benefits a good base layer provides.
Comfort Is the Biggest Advantage
The professionals who regularly wear under scrubs rarely talk about temperature first.
Instead, they mention:
- Comfort
- Confidence
- Flexibility
- Ease of movement
A quality base layer simply makes long shifts feel more comfortable.
Layering Creates Consistency
Healthcare environments can vary significantly throughout the day.
Moving between wards, treatment rooms, offices and outdoor environments can create constant temperature changes.
Base layers help create a more consistent experience regardless of where you’re working.
Performance Fabrics Make a Difference
Modern under scrubs are very different from traditional base layers.
Lightweight performance fabrics help create comfort without adding unnecessary bulk.
Our Recommendation
If you’re trying under scrubs for the first time, prioritise:
- Stretch performance fabrics
- Comfortable fit
- Moisture management
- Suitable sleeve length for your environment
Most professionals quickly discover that the right base layer improves comfort far more than expected.
The Bottom Line
Under scrubs have become a valuable addition to modern healthcare uniforms.
Whether you’re looking for extra warmth, improved comfort or better coverage beneath your scrubs, a well-chosen base layer can help support you throughout every shift.
Explore the full range of underscrubs and healthcare base layers at AWB to find the right style for your role.
