FIGS vs Mandala Scrubs: Which Is Better for Fit, Price, and Comfort?
Both brands have devoted fans among healthcare workers. Here's how the FIGS Catarina/Zamora line and Mandala's Soft Stretch line actually stack up — fabric, pockets, inseams, price and returns — across what matters on a 12-hour shift.
Quick answer
Choose FIGS for a slim, tailored fit, the widest size range (XXS–6XL), and a 60-day exchange window. Choose Mandala to pay roughly half as much (top $19.99 / jogger $29.99 vs FIGS $42 / $52, as of June 2026), get more pockets, and a roomier cut.
| Spec | FIGS | Mandala |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship top (price, Jun 2026) | Catarina One-Pocket — $42.00 | V-Neck 6-Pocket — $19.99 |
| Flagship pant (price, Jun 2026) | Zamora Jogger — $52.00 | Mid-Rise 9-Pocket Jogger — $29.99 |
| Fabric blend | FIONx — 72% polyester / 21% rayon / 7% spandex | Equa-Tek — 75% polyester / 19% viscose / 6% spandex |
| Fabric weight (GSM) | Not published | Not published |
| Pockets — top / pant | 1 / 6 | 6 / 9 |
| Inseams — petite / regular / tall | 27" / 29" / 31" | 27–28" / 29–30" / 31–32" |
| Size range | XXS–6XL | XXS–5XL |
| Treatments | Silvadur antimicrobial, moisture-wicking, water-repellent finish | Equa-Tek spill-resistant, antimicrobial, moisture-wicking |
| Shipping (US) | 3–7 business days (+1–2 day processing); free over $50, else $5 | 3–5 business days; free over $50, else $3.50 |
| Returns / exchanges | 30-day return, 60-day exchange (unworn, tags on) | 30-day return; final-sale items exchange-only |
Prices and policies pulled from each brand's US site, as of June 2026. GSM is not published by either brand.
Which brand fits better?
FIGS runs slim. The core FIONx line (the Catarina top and Zamora jogger are the canonical pairing) is tailored close to the body, especially through the hip and thigh. Athletic builds and curvier shapes commonly size up one notch.
Mandala's Soft Stretch cut is more relaxed and forgiving, and is generally reported true-to-size — size down only if you want a fitted look. Both brands offer petite, regular and tall inseams, so length isn't the deciding factor; cut and price usually are.
Cross-brand sizing: wear this in FIGS → try this in Mandala
We aligned each brand's published body-measurement size chart (bust / waist / hip). They run nearly identical from XS to XL, so your letter size carries over one-to-one by measurement. The catch is fit, not numbers: FIGS is cut slim and tailored, while Mandala is cut roomier and trends slightly more generous in the waist and hip at L–XL. If you want the same fitted look you get from FIGS, size down one in Mandala.
| If you wear (FIGS) | Try (Mandala) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| XS | XS | Same bust 33–34", waist ~25–26". Size to XXS for a FIGS-like fitted look. |
| S | S | Same bust 35–36", waist ~27–28". Charts match closely. |
| M | M | Identical: bust 37–38", waist 29–31", hip 39–41". |
| L | L | Same bust 39–40"; Mandala waist/hip run ~1" more generous. |
| XL | XL | Same bust 41–43"; Mandala waist runs ~1–2" larger (36–39" vs 35–37"). |
Which is more affordable?
Mandala wins clearly on price. As of June 2026, the Mandala V-Neck 6-Pocket top is $19.99 and the Mid-Rise 9-Pocket Jogger is $29.99 on the brand's US site. The comparable FIGS pieces — the Catarina One-Pocket top ($42.00) and Zamora jogger ($52.00) — run more than double. A full FIGS set is roughly $94 vs about $50 for Mandala, before any promotions.
Durability after repeated washes
FIGS FIONx generally keeps its shape and structure, but wearer reviews consistently flag three issues over time: pilling at the inner thigh and knee (sometimes within the first couple of washes), fading on dark colors, and shrinkage when dried on high heat. Washing cold and hang-drying mitigates all three.
Mandala reviewers report comparatively little pilling, and the brand claims its Equa-Tek fabric resists shrinking. Most Mandala durability complaints are not about the fabric itself but about getting the right item in the first place (see negatives below).
Fluid-resistant & antimicrobial treatments
Both brands build protection into the fabric rather than as a topical coating. FIGS FIONx carries a Silvadur antimicrobial treatment (marketed for odor and bacterial-growth control) plus a water-repellent finish that beads light liquid on the surface. Note: FIGS reserves its explicit "fluid-resistant" rating for lab coats, not standard FIONx scrubs.
Mandala's Equa-Tek is marketed as spill-resistant (woven into the fibers), antimicrobial against odor-causing bacteria, and moisture-wicking. Neither finish replaces a gown for high-fluid procedures — treat both as splash resistance, not a barrier.
Are they see-through?
Neither brand publishes an opacity rating. FIGS FIONx is widely reported as opaque with reliable coverage. Mandala is mostly opaque, but multiple wearers call out specific thinner styles as revealing — if opacity matters, buy darker colorways and read style-specific reviews before relying on a single layer.
Tall & petite sizing availability
Both brands cover petite, regular and tall inseams, so neither forces a tailor visit. FIGS offers a wider overall size range (XXS–6XL) and recommends petite for roughly 5'4" and under; the Zamora jogger comes in measured 27" / 29" / 31" inseams. Mandala spans XXS–5XL with petite/regular/tall joggers at roughly 27–28" / 29–30" / 31–32", plus maternity and men's lines.
Shipping & returns
Mandala ships within the US in 3–5 business days, free over $50 and $3.50 flat otherwise, with a 30-day return window — but final-sale items are exchange-only and refunds can take 2–5 business days to process. FIGS ships standard in 3–7 business days after 1–2 business days of processing (free over $50, otherwise $5), and allows 30-day returns plus a more generous 60-day exchange window (unworn, tags on; return shipping is via Happy Returns drop-off or a prepaid FedEx label).
Honest negatives — both brands
Where FIGS disappoints
- Pilling at the inner thigh/knee, sometimes within the first 1–2 washes.
- Dark colors fade; seams can weaken and high heat shrinks the fabric.
- Recurring "quality has slipped" reviews versus the price (the top is $42).
- Zamora inseam can ride short when crouching.
Where Mandala disappoints
- Customer service is the top complaint — no phone line, slow email, delayed refunds (BBB rating ~1.4/5).
- Order-accuracy issues: wrong sizes, incomplete orders, status stuck past the 3–5 day window.
- Certain thinner styles are reported as see-through.
- Final-sale items are exchange-only — no refund.
Which should you choose?
- Want a structured, tailored silhouette and the widest size range (XXS–6XL) → FIGS
- Want the lowest price and the most pockets (9-pocket jogger) → Mandala
- Want a roomier, more forgiving cut → Mandala
- Want a longer 60-day exchange window → FIGS
Frequently asked questions
Which fits better, FIGS or Mandala?
FIGS runs slim and tailored — the Catarina/Zamora line sits close through the hip and thigh, so athletic and curvier builds often size up. Mandala's Soft Stretch cut is more relaxed and forgiving. Both offer petite, regular and tall inseams (FIGS Zamora: 27"/29"/31"; Mandala 9-Pocket Jogger: roughly 27–28"/29–30"/31–32").
Which is cheaper, FIGS or Mandala?
Mandala is significantly cheaper. As of June 2026, a Mandala V-Neck 6-Pocket top is $19.99 and the Mid-Rise 9-Pocket Jogger is $29.99, versus $42.00 for the FIGS Catarina top and $52.00 for the Zamora jogger on each brand's US site.
Which is better for long shifts?
Both use a poly/spandex four-way-stretch blend with moisture-wicking and antimicrobial finishes. FIGS FIONx (72% polyester / 21% rayon / 7% spandex) holds a structured shape; Mandala's Equa-Tek blend (75% polyester / 19% viscose / 6% spandex) is softer and adds a spill-resistant finish. For hot units, the softer Mandala fabric and 9-pocket storage edge ahead; for a crisp look that survives daily wear, FIGS.
Which should you choose, FIGS or Mandala?
Choose FIGS for a tailored fit, the broadest size range (XXS–6XL) and a 60-day exchange window. Choose Mandala to spend roughly half as much, get more pockets, and a roomier cut — accepting that Mandala's customer service and final-sale return rules draw more complaints.
Are FIGS or Mandala scrubs see-through?
Neither brand publishes an opacity rating. FIGS FIONx is generally reported as opaque with good coverage. Mandala is mostly opaque, but several wearers flag specific thinner styles as revealing — buy darker colors or check reviews for the exact style before relying on it solo.
How durable are FIGS and Mandala scrubs after repeated washing?
FIGS holds color and shape well overall, but wearers report pilling at the inner thigh and knee, fading on dark colors, and shrinkage if dried on high heat. Mandala reviewers report minimal pilling and the brand claims its Equa-Tek fabric resists shrinking; the more common Mandala complaints are about service and order accuracy, not fabric wear.
Last updated June 2026. How we compare: we pull fabric blends, pocket counts, inseams, size ranges, prices and return policies directly from each brand's US product and policy pages, then cross-check fit, durability and opacity against aggregated wearer reviews. Prices reflect each brand's own site on the date shown and exclude promotions.