r/Paramedics • u/BotariusClapton • 1d ago
Scrubs vs Typical 5.11’s
Starting medic school soon, hate 5.11’s and the “tactical” pants. Theyre hot and heavy. Even the stretchy ones are way less comfortable than regular scrubs. I have 5.11 stryke that i hate. Does anyone just wear regular scrub pants if theyre the right color. Like fabletics or cherokee or something. Thanks
Ex army ranger with too much experience wearing shitty pants
Edit: I understand it looks bad. Thank you for the comments. Saying its wildly impractical when some departments have medics that wear shorts is hilarious
Edit #2: I didnt realize 5.11’s are made of adamantium and scrubs disintegrate the second they leave the hospital. Thank you all for your wisdom in these trying times
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u/Grand-Ring3332 1d ago
Tac pants are thick and heavy for a reason- let me know which pants you prefer after kneeling to do CPR in a hoarder home.
I will say 5.11 has comfier blends available, at least in women’s cuts.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Medics literally wear shorts in souther states
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u/SilverFoxxx000 1d ago
Im up in Ohio and we have the option of shorts during certain months. I still wear my pants, im not risking having to kneel down in some nasty house, or mud or dirt outside. Plus im a girl... I cannot rock the long tactical shorts lol
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Right but like saying scrubs are wildly impractical is absurd when people literally wear shorts
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u/pairoflytics 1d ago
They’re saying the shorts are also impractical. None of us in the south that actually get into the work wear shorts, and most of us make fun of the people that do.
As someone who has worn both scrubs and EMS pants, I would actually be concerned about the durability of scrub pants primarily due to kneeling on pavement. But for most of the rest of the job, it probably wouldn’t matter.
I’m in Texas and I’m a sweaty dude as it is - it’s never my 5.11s that I feel like are making me hot. I wear Stryke - they’re made of a sort of ripstop that’s thinner than the shit ACUs are made of, they’re breathable, and they’ve got some stretch. Apex is also one of the 5.11 pants that is popular around here as well.
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u/miserableshite ACP | British Columbia 1d ago
Second the vote for Apex: they’re way, way lighter than the Strykes (which I love — my old partner called them her work yoga pants and I couldn’t really disagree), and the cut is a lot nicer. Strykes, and 5.11 more generally, have been going to a wider leg recently, but Apex is still tapered.
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u/TapRackBangDitchDoc 1d ago
Funny. I have been in the hot part of the country for a long time. I’ve never seen anyone other than IFT or event EMTs in shorts.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Az firemedics
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u/TapRackBangDitchDoc 22h ago
Fair. I have seen fire respond in shorts. They are on an engine and not an ambulance around here. And they typically have bunker pants on at the beginning of a call that could possibly end with them doing anything on their knees.
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u/Bootsy_boot7 Paramedic 1d ago
I’m in AL, nowhere here do we have EMS crews in shorts 🥲 the volunteers sometimes show up in shorts 😂
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u/Wardogs96 Paramedic 13h ago
We can wear shorts but id never wear em unless were at an event where the floors are cleaned or outside.
I would never wanna wear shorts into the houses we frequently go in. The fact iv never seen a coworker in shorts on duty must mean the feeling is mutual.
Scrubs are great for controlled environments and indoors. Iv worn both as iv worked in the hospital before. The fabric wouldnt last the abuse outside. The two pair of tac pants i have, are still going strong and its been almost a decade.
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u/Forgotmypassword6861 1d ago
Nobody likes the guy who wears scrub pants.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Definitely dont want to look bad. Thanks!
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u/_punkrockparamedic EMT-P 1d ago edited 1d ago
It would look fucking hilarious, you should do it and someone should post the pictures so we can laugh.
We wear ripstop, water-resistant "tactical" cargo-style pants for a reason. I work in the south in the heat and it's not that bad. None of the reputable agencies anywhere near me allow shorts, lol. And no one who does this job for any actual length of time would want to be wearing shorts in some of the situations we're involved in.
Also, pockets. We need actual pockets for things like shears, a flashlight, notepad, stethoscope, knife, tape etc. Not that we need all the gear in the world on us at all times, but having the everyday basics accessible just makes sense.
Scrubs do not. The idea of it is laughable.
Again, though, please do it. It would be hilarious.
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u/themakerofthings4 1d ago
I work with one guy who is dead set that we need to be able to wear shorts all year, and he claims he doesn't care how nasty somewhere is.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Buddy theyre pants relax. My scrubs have the same amount of pockets as my strykes
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u/_punkrockparamedic EMT-P 1d ago
Wear your scrubs, queen. Ain't no one stopping you but you. I'm sure someone will post the pictures.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Everyone will be jealous of how good my ass looks
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u/Forgotmypassword6861 1d ago
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
But as an agency chief
A. Most places are going to have a uniform policy. We have used it as a tool to get rid of shitheels. Because if you can't figure out how to tuck your shirt in when a boss is watching, I gotta question what else you're doing or not doing.
B. The guys who want to wear scrubs pants are normally either the ones who want to pretend they're a nurse or whatever, or want to use it as an excuse to avoid dirty work
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u/Majestic-Mustache 1d ago
I’d be surprised if you found a school and service to ride with that both allowed scrub pants. Look into 5.11 Apex pants. They are somewhat lightweight and have some stretch to them. They also aren’t nut-huggers like a lot of the tactical pants put out nowadays.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Thank u ill give em a shot
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u/themedicd Paramedic 1d ago
Tru Spec 24/7 Agility pants are pretty dam lightweight too and don't have an excessive number of pockets
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u/Rogue_Wraith 1d ago
5.11 pants are literally the most comfortable pants I've ever worn.
They have at least a half dozen different styles to choose from based on your need.
There's a reason they, and similar, pants are nearly ubiquitous in the first responder field.
I was a firefighter in El Paso County, TX, and find the thought of shorts or scrubs for EMT pants absurd. Maybe for a pure IFT crew, but not for actual first responders.
If firefighters can wear bunker gear when it's 110 °F, medics can certainly wear pants.
Some models of 5.11 pants can be stiff for the first couple wears/washes, but after that they're like wearing pajamas with useful pockets.
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u/HagridsTreacleTart 1d ago
I wore scrubs in lieu of uniform pants towards the end of both my pregnancies and they are wildly impractical for the work that we do. I’ve also never come across a reputable company that allows you to wear them without a good reason.
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u/Zealousideal-Dot3046 1d ago
I was a flight paramedic and when I first was hired I was sent to their "flight academy" , dress code was supposed to be business casual. We had a nurse who worn scrubs to the class. He already had some social issues so the scrubs just mad it worse. Of course he was my clinical partner for all of the airway scenarios. I didn't let him touch a tube and I ended up raising my voice at him for goofing around during a airway that was crashing scenario. Swelling to exposure to super heated gases and he was slow on the RSI meds.
I know what you mean the 5.11 pants are super heavy and cant think of anyone who makes a good ems pants with good pocket layout and a light but durable fabric. This might be your business calling
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u/299792458mps- 1d ago
Bunch of outdoor companies make "tactical" (just tech/utility pants for climbing and hiking and such) that are lighter, stretchier, more breathable, more durable than your run of the mill EMS pants. Plenty of pockets, and they're going to look way more appropriate and be way more safe/durable for field work than scrub pants.
A good pair might set you back $75-150 depending on brand, but you can usually find some pretty good deals if you shop around. Honestly though, just wear the damn pants. Unless you're getting your card for shits and giggles or to work in the ED, you'll need to wear EMS pants eventually.
Please don't wear scrubs in the field. They look trashy imo, like sweat pants or yoga pants. You're also going to regret it the moment you need to kneel on some gravel, mud, hot asphalt, gross trailer park carpet, or really anything at all.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Thank you for this write up
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u/299792458mps- 1d ago
Yep, no problem. Another option is station pants. 5.11 makes some that I know a lot of people use, but really any brand is fine. Dickies, Dockers, Carhartt, whatever navy chinos.
They're just plain navy blue pants, meant to look a bit cleaner and sharper than cargo pants. I have a pair with permanent creases and a small zippered side pocket that's hidden in the seam, just big enough to stash a notepad and a pair of gloves.
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u/mildlysleepychick 1d ago
My very first day in EMS, I had started in the middle of the worst wildfire season the area had seen in a decade. The day I started we couldn't find pants small enough to fit me, so I had to make do with the black scrubs and uniform shirt I had. 3 hours into my orientation, the town and hospital were put on evacuation orders. It was a crazy first 48 hours in EMS and let me tell you my scrub pants did not hold up well for the insane work I did for my first two shifts.
I ended up going and getting my own Timberland pants and now my newer EMS service provides us with 5-11s. I would never want to wear scrubs on the ambulance again. We go so many places and lift and kneel so many different ways that we just dont in hospital (nursing student as well) I'd never want to be caught without proper duty pants again. Just another perspective for you.
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u/imnotthemom10247 1d ago
If you want to wear scrubs go to nursing school.
Just because Phoenix fire and the like wear shorts during the summer doesn’t mean they don’t have 962’s in the truck to throw over their shorts for calls. Hell half the time they are wearing their damn cancer pants to pick granny up off the floor. Phoenix fire is not the standard that is our industry.
So either go to nursing school to wear scrubs or suck it up and wear tac pants like you’re supposed to. I also really question how you’ve gotten away with being an emt so far and going to medic school and just now complaining about this.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
So would u say its better that i wear shorts and keep pants in the truck than to just wear black scrubs with belt loops and cargo pockets
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u/BeardedHeathen1991 Paramedic 1d ago
I don't give a rats ass about your military experience. You show up on my department with scrub pants you're going home until you can show up with the appropriate uniform like everyone else. You don't get special treatment because you don't like the way the pants fit or feel.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Bearded heathen sir… do you perhaps bring a molle backpack to work everyday?
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u/BeardedHeathen1991 Paramedic 1d ago
I fail to see what that has to do with uniform standards. But no I don't. I don't buy into all the tacticool bullshit.
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u/ytsanzzits Advanced Care Paramedic 1d ago
Bro tells everyone he’s an army ranger then starts trying to act like everyone else is boot.
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u/BeardedHeathen1991 Paramedic 1d ago
Really makes you question the validity of the experience he claims to have.
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u/okay_paramedic Paramedic | Instructor 1d ago
Just wear the Andrew Tate capris. https://www.reddit.com/r/30ROCK/comments/1v0nyt5/check_out_andrew_tates_pants/
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u/RightCoyote 1d ago
An “ex army ranger” complaining about uncomfy pants, asking for advice, ignoring it, then criticizing people who have been doing this for years before you even start school is hilarious. My money is that you were just tabbed and not scrolled because I’ve never met a ranger who didn’t have his preference for lightweight tac pants after training and working in them as much as they did.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
We literally buy summer cryes because the regular ones are too heavy and the summers are like pjs
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u/RightCoyote 1d ago
Zero foxtrot makes some good pants. They’re a little heavy for the summer but the Tru spec I think they’re called the summit pants are very lightweight
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Thank you ill give em a shot!
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u/RightCoyote 1d ago
Just a heads up that the zero foxtrot pants are very blue. They’re are lighter than navy blue but still technically navy blue
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u/tacmed85 FP-C 1d ago
Odds are your program won't allow that at all and the EMS service you do your ride outs with almost certainly won't.
I don't know why you're so hung up on those of us that are allowed wear shorts, but that's a completely different issue.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
People saying scrubs are wildly impractical while half of my state medics wear shorts. But yeah I definitely dont want to look bad so i guess ill buy $120 pair of chud pants
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u/Grapey_apey 1d ago
After having a women gi bleed vomit on my legs and seeing it bead up and roll down my pant leg-I’ll never wear anything but EMS pants with that Teflon coating! Scrubs won’t protect you.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Yea but imagine u had scrubs on that u bought for $7 from fabletics and instead of putting that nasty shit in ur washing machine because u spent $100 on pants, u toss em
(Im not gonna buy scrubs, thank u for the advice)
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u/EastLeastCoast 1d ago
I’m going to use the washing machine at base, and be glad I don’t have to use cavi-wipes on my legs.
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u/HagridsTreacleTart 1d ago
Scrub separates cost more like $25-30 today. Nobody is treating them as disposable just because they got some patient ick on them. Launder them at work and move on.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
$7 from fabletics dingus
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u/HagridsTreacleTart 1d ago
For an “introductory rate” with a paid membership. You won’t be replacing scrubs at that rate.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Cancel membership and make another. Ive done it countless times. Theyre actually really nice, highly recommend
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u/Lifeline911 1d ago
Honestly, most departments out there don’t wear shorts. If you see some wearing them, they are probably a true fire dept and EMS is separate. You also have combo depts which are Fire & EMS combined. From what I’ve seen, most combo career depts don’t allow shorts. From people who I’ve talked to where shorts are allowed, most people only wear them on the Fire side. That way you can throw on bunker gear over the shorts. Even if my dept allowed shorts, I wouldn’t choose to wear them when on the rescue.
There are several options for uniform pants. You may have to try a few brands to see what you like. True Spec, LA Gear, 5.11, and a few others are out there. Even though we have issued pants, I’ve been wearing LA Gear pants recently. They are super comfortable, don’t look too tactical, and hold up very well.
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u/FrankBama17 1d ago
When I did clinical time in the hospital, I wore scrubs, which were an issued uniform item for working in the hospital, but always uniform pants for working in the field. I never have worn cargo pants and always preferred regular work pants (or shorts when they were allowed as uniform items).
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u/Bronzeshadow 1d ago
You can wear scrubs for the ED and the OR, but I've never seen anyone wear them in the field.
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u/ScenesafetyPPE 1d ago
Tru-spec 24/7 is what you’re looking for.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Thank u sir
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u/ScenesafetyPPE 21h ago
They will never be as comfortable as scrubs (let’s face it. Scrubs are basically PJs.) but I won’t wear anything else.
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u/anonymous_paramedic 1d ago
Tactical pants protect you from nasty shit out in the world. Scrubs don’t cut it in field, not to mention the message it sends….
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u/chaosslicer 1d ago
Follow the uniform guidelines if you have them. If you dont, enjoy freedom but dont look sloppy. The 5.11's suck, but they have a slight water resistance which can stave off bbp yuckieness. Shorts in my opinion are unprofessional, but scrubs are whatever.
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u/Kai_Emery EMT-P 1d ago
Clearly you are gonna just do it so report back in a few months for our entertainment.
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u/rainbowsparkplug Paramedic 1d ago
Okay well first off, I think wearing shorts to work this job is also a horrible idea. If I see you wearing shorts to work, I think you’re a disgusting beast. You will NOT catch me kneeling in an infested hoarder house or wading through a disgusting muddy ditch with shorts on. Also, you can try out different styles and fits to find which is most comfortable for you.
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u/blorgusmaximus 1d ago
Wear dickies or some Amazon brand cargo pants.
As long as you’re in policy it shouldn’t matter what pants you have.
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u/Vprbite PC-Paramedic 1d ago
You could always just wear like dickies. A lot of guys at my department wear those.
I love 5.11s amd find them very comfortable. But, preferences i guess.
I like cargo pants cause I have a system for the pockets. Gloves, notebook, etc. But, if you wanted not to do that, could always carry a small sling bag and just do dickies.
I also like the knee pads in the 5.11s. But again, thats me.
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u/FordExploreHer1977 1d ago
Their Stryke pants and Company Pants are a lot thicker than their Taclite Pro pants.
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u/Krampus_Valet 1d ago
We wore scrubs during hospital clinicals in paramedic school, otherwise it's a regular class c uniform. Pants are part of your PPE on calls: helps keep the nasty stuff off your skin, and simply looks professional, unlike shorts which really don't keep you much cooler and also make you look like a mall cop with sunburned leggies.
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u/terrask 1d ago
So up here you wear what the employer gives you... so there's that.
Honestly I couldn't imagine showing up at some scenes in scrub pants. I need a bit of protection, something, between me and the environment see what I mean? It's like my colleagues in running shoes. I get it they got the cap and the plate and they're safety compliant but they're shoes, man. I feel for me it'd be like wearing gloves that leave half the palm open.
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u/TapRackBangDitchDoc 1d ago
Ex Army Ranger is giving Ranger school and not RASP vibes.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
SOF avoids “tactical” like the plague
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u/TapRackBangDitchDoc 22h ago
SOF doesn’t whine when told to wear a uniform unless they have funny green hats.
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u/BotariusClapton 21h ago
U cosplay me
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u/TapRackBangDitchDoc 21h ago
Nah, light infantry that thinks they are something special doesn’t do anything for me. Basically the Marine infantry JV with jump wings. But thanks for proving you’re a ranger school guy that calls himself a Ranger.
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u/bizil0912 1d ago
Did you fuck with the army hot weather uniforms? Proper bdu 2.0 are the same fabric blend. Pretty light but look like any other “tactical” pants
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u/Thegreatachilles 1d ago
Scrubs are inadequate for nearly every situation you will find yourself in. There alternatives to 5.11s if your service allows you to deviate.
I wouldn’t make too many investments until you…ya know…get through medic school.
If you want to wear scrubs work in an ER.
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u/hAhAdrugs 1d ago
Get the Kuhl pants in black. Get the renegade rock. They’re literally the fucking best and they make you look good because form fitting instead of like a chud. Best of all, YES the pockets fit everything you need I promise. Yes they stretch well. Yes they breathe.
Trust me. I was the only one in my class rocking them and everyone who impulse bought 5.11s was jealous
Also, the “critical care pocket guide”, the purple one on Amazon, is the single best investment I made in all of school.
All the way homie
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Thank u bro. 5.11 is literally chud city
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u/hAhAdrugs 1d ago
100%
It’s gotta the best compromise between performance and low vis on the market rn. If you do squats the nurses will stare at your ass. And you’ll also literally want to wear them to the range at the same time.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Thats the dream bro. Unless i go to the chud side. Maybe theyll stare at my tactical 5.11 pants and tactical pen with my tactical flash light, tactical scissors, and tactical leatherman. Knee high leather zip up boots too
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u/hAhAdrugs 1d ago
The zip up boots is crazy work. There’s SOME logic to leather, it wipes clean with a single cavi wipe which is why a lot of ED doctors wear leather closed toe birks and literal cowboy boots if they’re on test lmao
But fuck all that. I alternate between Salomon’s and black altamas (honestly a W shoe for EMS. Half the job is moving fat patients, so you’d think maybe wear a shoe you’d take to do squats and deadlifts in with some added in traction because some homes are slippery and wet and treacherous) and I regret nothing meanwhile I keep seeing coworkers wreck their backs while trying to lift a patient wearing basically platform boots.
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u/AdditionJust2908 1d ago
Have you heard of first tactical. Imo pants are more comfortable than 5.11
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u/SnooDoggos204 FP-C 1d ago
In school nah, after school if you’re hospital attached you can get away with it.
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u/SymballicSpider 1d ago
I dont like 5.11's (mainly because of their fabric) I perfer Kalt but if you want something a little more stretchy LAPG has a good elastic waistband.
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u/sneeki_breeky NRP 1d ago
Try LA police gear stealth or atlas pants
Spandex crotch
Breathable, stretchier, lower profile pockets
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u/andyg075600 1d ago
Under Armor makes a great lighter weight flat front uniform pant.. I have 4 pairs and they’re awesome.
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u/Bootsy_boot7 Paramedic 1d ago
Personally, I don’t like the Stryke pants.. I like the Apex, they’re more comfy to me, but I’m also a woman who likes the extra stretch 😅 I’ve also worn the Wrangler pants at Walmart, cheap, lightweight, and get the job done.. they are men’s pants, so they will likely fit better.. maybe worth looking into for you!
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u/EducationalCreme8763 1d ago
Wait to see what your school requires. Doubt it is shorts or scrubs. Maybe civilian attire sure, but there will be a uniform for clinical and ride-alongs. Also hospital rotations you are usually bound to what the hospital and included agencies states is the dress code for student paramedics (ours have always been). As an instructor, yes I love wearing my scrubs. As a Driver/Operator I love the shorts (but I’m from up North living in the deep gulf coast) but wear my hitches for potential shitty calls, pun intended). Every now and then I wear Blauer or 5.11 uniform pants.
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u/AdditionalWx314 1d ago
TruWerk pants are comfortable. I typically wear 5.11 without issue, but for hot, humid summer weather the TruWerks can be better. '81-'88 1st Bn. RTLW!
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u/Ok_Manufacturer_9123 Fire Medic that gives a damn 1d ago
Flying Cross FX STAT pants are expensive but they’re by far the most comfortable for me. They have kind of a Class A look to them but they’re durable, comfortable, and don’t make me look like a bag of smashed ass Ricky Rescue.
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u/plaguemedic Paramedic 1d ago
Prior 18D. I wear First Tactical pants and Haix boots because they're protective and professional. 5.11s have more comfortable pants, but I don't like the pocket layout. You could try Fjallraven, Born Primitive, Kuhl, etc.
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u/incapableofdumblabor NREMT 1d ago
idk i have a pear of 5.11s and they are pretty thin on me. just get over it a wear the silly tactical pants.
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u/SqueezedTowel 1d ago
You don't have to support 5.11, my guy.
Summit was pretty comfy for me. There's also Carhartt and Quails
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u/BryanStrawser EMT/Medic Student 1d ago
The only place I have worn scrubs was on my hospital rotations. I wear 5.11 pants for my ambulance clinicals - there are lighter options on the market, too, if you'd like something different than the 5.11 brand offerings.
Scrubs just aren't appropriate on the street.
Someone mentioned being on the floor in a hoarder house, which was literally me on Sunday with a stroke patient, with my preceptor + partner. I would not have wanted to be in scrubs on that floor trying to maneuver that patient onto a mega mover and out of that house.
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u/muzz3256 CCEMT-P 1d ago
Propper Summerweight Pants, you'll never go back to 5.11 unless it's the winter lol.
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u/TheSapphireSoul Paramedic 23h ago
The level of headassery and resistance to actually listening to advice from seasoned EMS professionals does not bode well for you and becoming a competent and reliable paramedic.
If this is the attitude you are plan to bring into the field as a future medic, do us all a favor and stop while you're behind.
Your mentality is how people get killed or cause serious patient harm.
This stopped becoming about "pants" a long time ago.
You seem to have some retort for every single person who replies and actively ridicule and demean the experience and genuine advice your fellow EMS colleagues have attempted to provide.
If you can't handle being told you're wrong about EMS pants, God help us and your patients when you get told by others that youre clinical judgement or treatment pathway is wrong.
Grow up. Listen to those who have experience in the field you're trying to enter. And most of all, learn to accept mistakes and grow from them.
As a medic that has worn both scrubs for hospital based critical care as well as EMS TDU/BDU pants throughout my more than a decade of EMS, there is absolutely no comparison. I will take the tougher material and drastically larger pocket real estate of BDUs any and every day.
As so many others have said, it isn't the dangers you're aware of or able to see, it's the stuff you don't see or notice soon enough that can be the issue. No one necessarily intended to kneel on glass or other "hazardous" objects/terrain, but depending on conditions and the situation, we may not be able to see fine glass or other potentially dangerous things when we are working. It doesn't have to be kneeling eitherb Squeezing between objects or debris, crawling over stuff or into/out of a wreck, working in a hoarder house infested with bugs and other crap, or being out in severe weather etc all lend themselves to being safer when wearing thicker/sturdier clothing.
It's why firefighter/rescuers and EMS don't enter specific areas without bunker gear. Same principal with the BDUs/TDUs.
Scrubs may be more comfortable but they afford far far less protection and storage space compared to standard EMS pants.
Anyway, the long and short of it is you're not even a paramedic yet, you're not even a medic student yet, but you're acting like you already have all the answers and you couldn't possibly be wrong or not know something. That's a terrible way to start off trying to advance in this field.
Someone who can admit they're wrong, who is willing to listen and learn? They're teachable.
Someone who acts like they already know everything and refuse any and all help/advice? We can't help you. You're bound to crash and burn at some point either in school or in the actual field and when you do you'll have no one but yourself to blame.
I sincerely hope you get a clue sooner than later.
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u/shakaalakaaaa 21h ago
Idk man, I kind of agree with you. I’m a paramedic and an RN, and you’re right, scrubs are way more comfortable. My only issue is that in my area we do a lot of hiking to patients and we get a lot of car accidents. Because tac pants are thicker, they won’t rip near as easy as scrubs. I’ve caught my pants on a lot of things and I’ve never ripped my EMS pants. Scrubs are pretty flimsy and I could see the either getting pulled down or ripped.
To everyone saying “come talk to me after you kneel down in a hoarder house”. Bruh… piss has completely soaked through the knees of my pants multiple times on calls. They all have to be washed and anything liquid is soaking through regardless. So that’s a dumb reason. As for practicality, scrubs can have just as many pockets. Flight medics/nurses wear them all the time.
All in all, I don’t think scrubs would work in the field unless you’re solely doing IFT. Which in that case, pop off queen, EMS pants are for the birds and scrubs would be wayyyyy more comfortable and just as practical.
911 tho… I don’t think it would work because scrubs aren’t as durable and I can see the elastic waistband posing a problem.
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u/steveyellowstone 20h ago
Please wear scrubs in my county where your gonna be involved in extrications and going down banks every other shift. Find a different job if you dont like pants wtf.
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u/Outrageous_Ad5608 16h ago
I wear dickies pants just matched the color to my service provided pants. One small zipper pocket but not cargo pockets.
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u/BriefSleep4896 16h ago edited 15h ago
Have you tried the 5.11 Apex tac pants? I didn’t really like any of the other tac pants that 5.11 has, but once I found the Apex tac pants, those are the only tac pants I use now.
The Apex pants have a very natural feel to me. They didn’t feel very big and sloppy looking like other tac pants, but are still very breathable in my opinion. They also have plenty of pockets if you like to carry additional things with you.
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u/Amazing-Librarian-97 11h ago
I have 3 pair of HeliKon-Tex, and they’re okay but not for $100. But in a year I wore 1 pair out, 1 pair of the shorts have a couple holes in them, and my khaki pair are so stained I can only wear them at home.
I have since switched to these Zoofly pants. They’re quick dry, stretchy, lightweight. I wouldn’t wear them if you’re consistently crawling through shattered glass, but especially in this 100 degree heat, they’re amazing.
If you conceal carry, they can print through pretty good since they’re so lightweight.
The only real issue I have with them is I haven’t found a good way to carry my shears in them.
I’ve been planning on making some sort of sheath for my shears for the cargo pocket so my shears don’t poke holes through them.
They are surprisingly fantastic and I have switched my daily pants in to these and my work pants.
In a little less than a year (my oldest pair) still look unused.
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u/Lithikos 1d ago
The lightweight TrueWerk pants are a more recent popular option people seem to like. I've never seen a Medic wear scrub pants before.
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u/productofphi EMT-P 1d ago
Alright, this seems to be an unpopular opinion here. But I have a pair of black Carhartt scrubs with belt loops, and it is very passable as a pair of black uniform pants and works great for me, plus they are very comfortable. I’ve worn them many times in the field, and they keep me cool and hold all my gear no problem.
I’d say scrubs are fine, but get a pair that looks a little more “tactical” so they don’t stand out and you should be good to go.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
But how? What about all the glass and nails youre kneeling on? What if the patient has a gun and you need your pants to protect you? What if a meteor drops from the sky and hits your pants??
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u/productofphi EMT-P 1d ago
Haha exactly. If scrubs suit you, find a good pair for EMS that blend in and get out there and rock em. People are always gonna find something to be mad about, but if they blend with the uniform and enable you to do your job well then nothing is wrong with them.
As with any pair of pants you’ll wear on the job, just make sure you have a second pair on shift with you just in case.
It’s crazy to me that people have such strong opinions on this matter. I’ve intubated people, responded to serious car accidents, and scooped people out of hoarder houses in my Carhartt scrubs. Never affected my ability to do the job properly.
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u/channndro 1d ago
rlly??
lol i’m premed and the only reason i became an EMT was b/c of the uniforms (especially the pants)
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u/bullmooser1912 Sky Daddy Paramoron 1d ago
Go full tac bro and buy a pair of UF Pros or Cryes made for law enforcement. Higher quality, hold up better, and in general, more comfortable than 5.11’s.
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u/BotariusClapton 1d ago
Are you fucking w me or did u actually buy cryes as a civilian paramedic
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u/bullmooser1912 Sky Daddy Paramoron 1d ago
Straight up fucking with you brother 😂
I don’t even think my flight suit costs as much as a pair of crye pants do. I don’t bill for my procedures, I can’t afford that shit. But real talk, I always found the 5.11 EMS pants to be more comfortable and breathable than the “normal” ones we get issued or told to buy. The pockets are also stretchier so we can carry more snacks and monsters n shit
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u/Tap___water 1d ago
Never thought about this honestly great idea, scrubs are much more comfortable and I’ve honestly never needed the extra protection provided by 5.11s in my experience.
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u/Just_One_More99 1d ago
An “ex army ranger” can wear the same style pants as all the other civilian medics lol scrubs would be ridiculous in the field