Fabletics vs. Figs Scrubs: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
Fabletics specializes in trendy, budget-friendly activewear designed for workouts and casual athleisure, operating on a popular subscription model. In contrast, Figs is a premium brand focused exclusively on creating high-performance, stylish medical scrubs for healthcare professionals. The fundamental difference lies in their target audience and product function: Fabletics is for fitness and lifestyle, while Figs is for professional workwear in medical settings.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your needs.
Fabletics: The Trend-Forward Activewear Brand
Fabletics is a major player in the activewear market, offering stylish and accessible workout clothing through a flexible membership model. The brand is known for vibrant designs, an inclusive size range, and versatile pieces that easily transition from a gym session to running errands, appealing to a young, fashion-conscious demographic that wants performance without a high price tag.
- Product mix: A wide range of activewear including leggings, sports bras, tops, and outerwear. Their collections balance performance features with current fashion trends, making them suitable for both athletic activities and everyday casual looks.
- Price point: Very accessible, with leggings ranging from $25 to $60 and sports bras from $20 to $40 for members. The VIP membership offers significant savings and bundled outfits.
- Quality & Materials: Fabletics utilizes synthetic blends like polyester and elastane for stretch and moisture-wicking capabilities. The quality is good for the price and holds up well for general fitness and daily wear, though some items may show wear faster than premium alternatives.
- Style: Bold, energetic, and trendy. Expect to find vibrant colors, unique prints, and modern silhouettes that keep up with fast-fashion cycles.
- Sizing/Fit: Fabletics is known for its inclusive sizing, offering products from XXS to 4X. The fit is generally true to size, with detailed online guides to help find the perfect fit.
- Shopping Experience: Primarily online through a VIP membership model, which offers discounts in exchange for monthly credits. They also operate some physical retail stores for an in-person experience.
Fabletics is the perfect choice for anyone looking for stylish, affordable activewear for general fitness and lifestyle use, particularly if they enjoy having new and trendy options each month.
Shop Fabletics: fabletics.com
Figs: The Premium Medical Apparel Innovator
Figs transformed the medical uniform industry by creating scrubs that are not only highly functional but also stylish and remarkably comfortable. The brand is a direct-to-consumer favorite among healthcare professionals, offering high-quality apparel made from proprietary technical fabrics designed to withstand the demands of long, taxing shifts. Their focus is on elevating workwear for those in the medical field.
- Product mix: The core offering is medical scrubs, including jogger and straight-leg pants, various scrub top styles, underscrubs, and outerwear like fleece jackets and vests, all designed for a professional healthcare environment.
- Price point: Premium pricing reflects the technical quality and durability. Scrub tops typically range from $40 to $70, while pants cost between $50 and $80.
- Quality & Materials: Figs uses its proprietary FIONx fabric, which features four-way stretch, moisture-wicking and anti-wrinkle properties, and an antimicrobial finish. The apparel is engineered for durability, comfort, and longevity through countless washes.
- Style: Sleek, professional, and modern. Figs focuses on minimalist designs, clean lines, and a curated palette of bold, solid colors that give a polished and contemporary look.
- Sizing/Fit: Sizing is consistent and generally true to size. They provide detailed fit guides and various style options (e.g., tailored, classic fit) to accommodate different body types and preferences for a professional appearance.
- Shopping Experience: Simple and user-friendly online store tailored to busy professionals. They offer easy returns and are known for building a strong community around the healthcare industry.
Figs is a clear winner for medical professionals seeking reliable, comfortable, and stylish scrubs that perform like high-end athletic wear but are designed for a clinical setting.
Shop Figs: figs.com
Fabletics vs. Figs Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a significant price difference between the two brands because they serve completely different purposes. Fabletics is a budget-friendly option in the activewear market, with member pricing often bringing an entire two-piece set to under $60. Frequent sales and promotions make it easy to build a large workout wardrobe without a major investment.
Figs operates in the premium workwear category. A single set of scrubs can easily cost over $100. This price reflects the investment in proprietary fabric technology, durability required for daily wear in a demanding profession, and features like antimicrobial treatment. While more expensive upfront, many healthcare workers consider them a long-term value due to their longevity.
Quality & Materials
Each brand's quality is tailored to its product's intended use. Fabletics fabrics are soft, stretchy, and suitable for moderate-intensity workouts and daily errands. While generally durable for their price point, they are not designed to withstand the same level of wear and tear, industrial laundering, or exposure to harsh conditions as medical apparel.
Figs' FIONx fabric is where the brand truly sets itself apart. It is engineered to be antimicrobial, moisture-wicking, ridiculously soft, and resistant to wrinkles and fading. This technical material is built for 12+ hour shifts, ensuring professionals stay comfortable and look polished in environments where performance and hygiene are critical.
Style & Aesthetic
The style divide is stark. Fabletics is all about embracing trends, with bold prints, cutouts, mesh panels, and vibrant seasonal color palettes. Their aesthetic is designed to be seen and is perfect for making a fashion statement at the gym or on the street.
Figs focuses on a refined and professional aesthetic. The styles are minimalist with clean silhouettes like jogger pants and tailored tops. The colors are solid and consistent, from classic neutrals like navy and graphite to limited-edition bold hues, giving healthcare professionals a chance to express personal style while maintaining a uniform look.
Fit & Sizing
Both brands offer generally true-to-size fits. Fabletics provides a more extensive size range, from XXS to 4X, catering to a broad casual and fitness audience. The fit is compressive for performance pieces and relaxed for loungewear.
Figs provides fits tailored to a professional workplace. The cut is intended to be non-restrictive for movement while still maintaining a sharp, clean silhouette. They provide different length options and specific cuts to ensure medical professionals can find a comfortable, functional, and flattering fit for their body type.
Which One Should You Choose?
These two brilliant brands cater to completely different lifestyles, so your choice should be straightforward based on your daily needs.
Choose Fabletics if:
- You're looking for stylish and affordable clothes for workouts, yoga, or running errands.
- You enjoy keeping up with the latest athleisure trends and like having a variety of prints and colors.
- You want workout clothes versatile enough to wear for casual social outings.
- A budget-friendly price point and frequent sales are important to you.
Choose Figs if:
- You are an EMT, nurse, doctor, dental student, veterinarian, or other healthcare professional who needs work apparel.
- You need scrubs that are extremely durable, comfortable for long shifts, and easy to care for.
- You value technical features like antimicrobial, wrinkle-resistant, and moisture-wicking fabric.
- You are willing to invest in premium workwear that will last and maintain a professional appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fabletics or Figs cheaper?
Fabletics is significantly cheaper. As a fast-fashion activewear brand with a subscription model, it offers leggings, bras, and tops at a much lower price point than Figs, which is a premium professional wear brand. A single Figs scrub top often costs as much as a full Fabletics outfit.
Which brand has better quality?
"Better" depends on the intended use. Figs has superior quality in terms of fabric technology, durability, and features needed for a demanding medical environment. Fabletics offers good quality for its price point, perfectly suitable for general fitness activities and casual wear.
Do Fabletics clothes work as scrubs?
No. Fabletics activewear is not designed for clinical settings. It lacks the antimicrobial properties, required durability, and professional aesthetic of medical scrubs.
Can you wear Figs scrubs to the gym?
While Figs are comfortable and use technical fabric, they are cut and styled as medical uniforms. Wearing them in a non-medical setting like a gym would look out of place. They are not designed for the specific range of motion needed in many exercises.
Does Fabletics sell medical scrubs?
No, Fabletics does not have a medical apparel line. Their product range is focused entirely on activewear, athleisure, swimwear, and accessories.
Does Figs sell general activewear?
No, Figs specializes exclusively in apparel for healthcare professionals. All of their products, from tops to jackets, are designed to function as medical workwear.
Why are Figs scrubs so expensive?
Figs scrubs are priced as premium performance workwear due to their proprietary technical fabric (FIONx), which has four-way stretch and is antimicrobial, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistant. Their investment in creating a durable, comfortable, and stylish uniform for professionals is reflected in the price.
What exactly is the Fabletics VIP membership?
The Fabletics VIP Membership is a flexible subscription. Each month you're charged a fee that becomes a shopping credit to spend on any outfit or item. You have the option to "Skip the Month" and not be charged. Members get exclusive access to lower prices - typically 20-50% off retail.
