5 Best Women’s Scrub Caps for Long Hair, All-Day Style
Long hair and scrub caps don't always cooperate. Between awkward bunching and constant slippage, plus that tight-headache feeling by hour six, finding the right fit can be a daily struggle. Women's scrub caps for long hair exist to solve exactly these problems, without sacrificing style or comfort.
At Blue Sky Scrubs, we've spent over 20 years crafting medical apparel that actually works for the people wearing it. We know that healthcare professionals with long hair need caps that accommodate ponytails, buns, and braids while staying secure through surgeries and 12-hour shifts alike. This guide covers five of the best scrub cap styles designed to keep your hair contained and your look polished from clock-in to clock-out.
1. Blue Sky Scrubs pony scrub hats
Blue Sky Scrubs pony scrub hats are specifically engineered for healthcare professionals who need reliable, all-day coverage for long hair. These caps feature a dedicated ponytail opening at the back that eliminates the bunching and pressure points typical of standard scrub caps, making them ideal for women's scrub caps for long hair needs.
Fit and hair capacity
The ponytail opening sits high enough to accommodate thick, voluminous ponytails and buns without creating uncomfortable tension. You can pull your hair through the opening and adjust the cap's position to sit comfortably on your head, regardless of whether you prefer a low ponytail or high bun style. The cap's crown provides ample room while the band stays snug around your forehead.
Comfort, fabric, and breathability
Blue Sky Scrubs constructs these caps from 100% cotton fabric that breathes naturally throughout your shift. The material feels soft against your skin and absorbs moisture effectively, preventing the sweaty-forehead issue common with synthetic alternatives. Machine washing doesn't compromise the fabric's integrity or color vibrancy.
Closure style and adjustability
These caps use an elastic band closure that stretches to fit different head sizes comfortably. The elastic maintains its shape after repeated washing and doesn't pull hair or cause headaches, even during extended wear periods.
Style and color options
You'll find over 100 fabric patterns and colors in the collection, from solid medical blues to novelty prints featuring florals, animals, and seasonal designs. This variety lets you express your personality while maintaining professional standards.
"The extensive pattern selection means you can rotate different caps throughout the week without sacrificing the ponytail-friendly design you need."
Best for
These caps work best for nurses, surgical technicians, and other healthcare professionals who wear their hair in ponytails or buns and need caps that stay put during active patient care.
Price range and what affects cost
Prices range from $12 to $18 per cap, with specialty fabrics and limited-edition prints typically costing more than basic solids.
2. Sunshine Caps Co ponytail scrub caps
Sunshine Caps Co specializes in ponytail scrub caps that prioritize both function and fashion for healthcare workers. Their designs feature a rear opening that accommodates various long hairstyles while maintaining a professional appearance throughout your workday.
Fit and hair capacity
The ponytail opening handles medium to thick hair volumes comfortably, though extremely voluminous buns may feel slightly constrained. You can position your hair at different heights depending on your preferred styling method.
Comfort, fabric, and breathability
These caps use cotton-blend fabrics that provide decent breathability while offering more stretch than pure cotton options. The material maintains its shape and softness after multiple wash cycles.
Closure style and adjustability
An adjustable tie-back closure replaces the standard elastic band, giving you control over tightness levels. This design lets you customize the fit based on your head size and comfort preferences.
Style and color options
Sunshine Caps Co offers approximately 50 pattern choices, ranging from solid colors to themed prints. Their collection includes seasonal designs that rotate throughout the year.
"The tie-back closure makes these women's scrub caps for long hair particularly appealing for healthcare workers who find elastic bands too restrictive."
Best for
These caps suit professionals who prefer customizable fit options and appreciate tie-back closures over elastic bands.
Price range and what affects cost
Expect to pay $15 to $22 per cap, with premium fabrics and limited-edition patterns commanding higher prices.
3. KimKaps ponytail and bouffant scrub caps
KimKaps delivers two distinct cap styles in one brand, offering both ponytail and bouffant options for healthcare professionals seeking women's scrub caps for long hair solutions. Their dual-style approach lets you choose between a structured ponytail opening or a spacious bouffant design based on your hair type and styling preferences.
Fit and hair capacity
The ponytail style accommodates high and low ponytails with a rear opening that handles moderate hair volumes. Their bouffant caps provide extra interior space for buns, braids, and voluminous updos without creating pressure points.
Comfort, fabric, and breathability
KimKaps uses lightweight cotton fabrics that allow airflow while maintaining structure. The material stays soft against your skin and resists wrinkling during your shift.
Closure style and adjustability
Both styles feature elastic band closures that stretch comfortably around your head. The elastic maintains consistent tension without requiring tie adjustments throughout your workday.
Style and color options
You'll find approximately 40 print options spanning florals, geometrics, and solid colors. Their collection includes professional neutrals and playful patterns suitable for various medical settings.
"The bouffant option particularly stands out for healthcare workers with thick, curly, or textured hair that needs extra accommodation."
Best for
These caps work well for professionals who want style flexibility between ponytail and bouffant designs depending on daily hair preferences.
Price range and what affects cost
Prices typically range $14 to $20 per cap, with bouffant styles generally costing slightly more than ponytail versions.
4. Sparkling Earth big hair ponytail scrub caps
Sparkling Earth targets healthcare professionals with extra-thick or voluminous hair by creating ponytail scrub caps with larger openings and expandable designs. Their "big hair" focus makes these caps particularly effective as women's scrub caps for long hair that handle substantial volume without compromising comfort.
Fit and hair capacity
The enlarged rear opening handles thick braids, bulky buns, and high-volume ponytails that typically strain standard cap designs. You can fit multiple hair ties or substantial updos through the opening without experiencing the pulling sensation common in narrower styles.
Comfort, fabric, and breathability
These caps feature 100% cotton construction that stays breathable during extended shifts. The fabric provides natural moisture-wicking properties while maintaining softness against your scalp and hairline.
Closure style and adjustability
Sparkling Earth uses wide elastic bands that distribute pressure evenly across your forehead. The elastic stretches comfortably to accommodate different head sizes without creating indentation marks.
Style and color options
Their collection includes approximately 30 print choices featuring florals, abstracts, and solid colors. The patterns lean toward bright, cheerful designs that add personality to clinical environments.
"The wider elastic band design particularly benefits healthcare workers who experience frequent headaches from tight caps."
Best for
These caps excel for professionals with exceptionally thick, curly, or voluminous hair who find standard ponytail openings too restrictive.
Price range and what affects cost
Prices range $16 to $23 per cap, with specialty prints and limited releases costing more than basic patterns.
5. FIGS expandable scrub caps
FIGS takes a different approach to accommodating long hair by creating expandable scrub caps that stretch to fit various hairstyles without requiring a dedicated ponytail opening. Their patented design uses strategic fabric panels that expand when you tuck your hair inside, making them versatile women's scrub caps for long hair solutions.
Fit and hair capacity
The expandable panels stretch to accommodate buns, ponytails, and braids worn underneath the cap rather than pulled through an opening. You can adjust how you position your hair based on daily preferences without being locked into one styling method.
Comfort, fabric, and breathability
FIGS constructs these caps from moisture-wicking technical fabrics that manage sweat effectively during long shifts. The material maintains four-way stretch properties while staying lightweight against your scalp.
Closure style and adjustability
These caps feature elastic band closures that work with the expandable panels to maintain secure fit. The elastic stays flexible without loosening after repeated wear and washing.
Style and color options
You'll find approximately 20 color choices focused on professional solids and subtle patterns. Their collection emphasizes clean, minimalist designs suitable for sterile environments.
"The expandable design eliminates the need to choose between ponytail or bouffant styles, giving you styling flexibility throughout your workweek."
Best for
These caps work well for professionals who prefer tucking hair inside caps rather than using ponytail openings and appreciate technical fabric performance.
Price range and what affects cost
Prices typically range $18 to $28 per cap, with the technical fabric construction justifying the higher cost compared to standard cotton options.
What to do next
Finding the right womens scrub caps for long hair transforms your daily shifts from frustrating hair battles to comfortable, confident workdays. You now know which cap styles handle thick ponytails, voluminous buns, and textured hair without creating pressure points or constant adjustments. Whether you prefer the dedicated ponytail opening of Blue Sky Scrubs' pony hats, the expandable design of FIGS caps, or the spacious bouffant approach from KimKaps, you have multiple proven options that actually work.
Your next step is choosing caps that match your hair type, styling preferences, and comfort priorities while fitting your professional environment. Consider starting with two or three different styles to test which design works best for your specific needs before committing to a full rotation. Browse women's scrub hats at Blue Sky Scrubs to explore over 100 patterns in ponytail, bouffant, and pixie styles that keep long hair secure through every shift.
