Spending a day working hard in your garden always leaves you with that sense of satisfaction of a job well done. Whether it be planting in Spring, cutting back in Autumn, or just any general gardening that you complete through the year – chances are your hands are going to get dirty. Not only this but you can be left with dry hands from the soil which then leads to cracking skin, nails that are filled with dirt and chipped, plus scratches and scrapes from those bushes that just don’t want to be tamed!
Best Pick Gardening Gloves
- The only gardening gloves endorsed by The Royal Horticultural Society
- Warm, waterproof, comfortable, winter gardening gloves.
- Made from soft, supple, high quality, deerskin leather
- Featuring a Thinsulate thermal lining and additional innovative Ski-Driwaterproof membrane.
- Designed in the U.K and widely recognised as "The World's Finest Gardening Gloves".
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Gardening gloves will protect your hands not just from the dirt but from the cuts and scrapes that come from working long hours in the garden. They will also help you to avoid sore blisters or splinters if you are working with gardening tools or cutting wood. Not only this but any cuts that you already had on your hands will be protected from the dirt, helping to prevent any nasty infections.
We have found some of the best gardening gloves on the market and considered the features that make the best gardening gloves to help make your gardening a much more enjoyable experience!
Only Got 5 Minutes
If you are sick of applying moisturiser to dry, cracked hands, or being embarrassed by your dirt-stained fingers or nails then look no further! All the most important features you need to look out for when purchasing gardening gloves!
What To Look For
There are some main things that we think you need to consider before making your gardening gloves purchase.
- Colour – In theory the colour of your gardening gloves shouldn’t matter, they are practical gloves that are being used to complete a job so we appreciate it doesn’t matter massively what they look like. However, there are a considerable number of gardening gloves that are on the market that are shades of brown, black and green, which is lovely but it doesn’t exactly mean that your gardening gloves are going to be easy to spot in your garden if you happen to put them down! We would recommend looking out for bright colours that will stand out in your garden, making them easy to spot and less likely to go missing in your garden waste!
- Size – Make sure to check the size of your gloves before purchasing and choosing the wrong size is likely to be the biggest mistake you can make in terms of gardening gloves! Too big and they will stop you from being able to complete your gardening jobs to the same standard as they will get in the way and stop you from working any tools that you are trying to use. Too small and they will be more likely to rip and tear (never mind the fact that they will be very uncomfortable!)
- Material – The material that you choose for your gloves will determine if they are going to be warm, waterproof, durable and dexterous. Not many gloves will tick all the boxes so it is important to think about what is most important for you. Gloves tend to come in cloth, sheepskin, leather, rubber and much more (many of these will be discussed in more detail below!).
- Brand – The brand of your gardening gloves will tend to determine the quality that you can expect to receive. Look out for brands that are well known and reliable, offering a good warranty and customer care should anything go wrong with your gloves!
- Budget – Gardening gloves aren’t particularly expensive, but it would definitely be worth opting for a more expensive pair that will be likely to last longer. Cheap pairs can be bought for as little as £10, going up to around £50 for a high-quality pair that will protect your hands from anything!
- Comfort – Unfortunately you will often find that the most comfortable pair of gardening gloves will be the ones that will protect your hands the least! Try to find a pair that is a good compromise between the two, so that your hands are protected but also comfortable while you are working in the garden. Many models will have fleece or wool linings that will make the gloves softer on your skin.
Types of Gardening Gloves
There are lots of different types of gardening gloves and they will all have a type of job that they are better suited for! This could mean that you are better off purchasing a couple of different pairs if you are out in the garden a lot – or one generic pair that is going to be able to work with you to get different jobs done!
Cloth Gloves
Cloth gloves will always be best used if you are doing small, easy tasks in your garden such as planting, mixing soil and raking. They will not be the longest-lasting of gloves, nor are they waterproof, but they offer you a lot of manoeuvrability when you are working and are cheaper than many other makes. Consider looking for ones that have leather or latex on the fingers and palms to make them last longer.
Sheepskin Gloves
These gloves will be relatively waterproof and will keep your hands warmer. They are also a lot more durable so can be used for tougher jobs such as cutting back plants and raking or digging. Be aware that they will tear if you are working with sharp thorns or branches or working with abrasive materials. They are thicker though so can sometimes be a nuisance if you are trying to complete more fiddly jobs. There are also so makes that are made with goatskin which will be even more durable and comfortable.
Cowhide and Pigskin Gloves
These are the even more durable version of the sheepskin and goatskin gloves. They are much better able to cope with abrasive work that you might be completing and won’t tear in the same way that some sheepskin gloves can. Although they will already be pretty warm, some models will also be lined with wool or fleece to keep your hands toasty and warm.
Rubber and PVC Coated Gloves
These gloves will stand the test of time and be able to protect your hands from any sharp branches or bushes that you are working with! Durable, waterproof and long-lasting, these are the gloves for you if you have a number of trees or branches that need pruning back, especially if you opt for the models that go all the way up your arms! However, they are quite bulky so won’t be suitable if you have smaller, more delicate jobs to complete.
Neoprene Gloves
If you regularly have tools to grease or have to use types of caustic herbicides or pesticides in your garden then these are the gloves that we would recommend you purchasing as they will be sure to protect your hands from anything too harmful! It is worth keeping these gloves apart from your other gardening gloves though so that they cannot become mixed up and end up damaging your plants if they are any residue on them. Neoprene lined gloves are also handy just general gardening gloves due to them being waterproof.
Best Budget Gardening Gloves
- Breathable gardening gloves with distinctive grip
- True-to-size fit ensures comfortable use
- Ideal for general gardening tasks
- Machine washable
- Available in seven colours
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Finding the Right Fit
Different glove brands will have slightly different sizing that they use, however, our general size guide will be able to help you find the right size gardening gloves for you. It is a good idea to try on your gardening gloves before purchasing if possible (and remember to check that you can put your hand into a fist easily and that your fingers reach towards the end of the gloves. This will allow you to complete the most amount of work with your gardening gloves without them being too tight or cumbersome and getting in the way.
- 6 – 7 ½ inches – Small
- 7 ½ – 8 inches – Medium
- 8 – 9 inches – Large
- 9 – 10 inches – X-Large
- 10-11 inches – XX-Large
- 11-12 inches – XXX-Large
Additional Features to Look Out For
There are some extra features that you can look out for when purchasing your gardening gloves to make sure that you are getting the most for your money.
- Look out for material gloves that have elastase in them so that your gloves are easier to put on and take off. This will also make them more flexible when you are working.
- Gloves with extra padding in the palms will help to provide extra protection from blisters if you are going to be working with tools.
- Wrist straps will help the gardening gloves to fit neatly on your hands meaning that you will be able to work easier and better.
- Touchscreen fingers! – If you are sick of having to take your gardening gloves off every time you need to go on your phone then look out for gardening gloves that have a conductive thread in the fingers that will allow you to continue to use your phone while wearing your gloves. Just make sure to keep your gardening gloves clean or the conductive thread won’t be as effective!
- Double stitching – This is a feature that is well worth looking out for when purchasing your gardening gloves as they are going to be completing a lot of difficult tasks when you are working in the garden. Double stitching will help the gloves to last as long as possible.
- Elasticated wrists will help to keep the gloves tight against your skin stopping any soil or debris from getting into the gloves while you are working.
TOP TIP: Avoid gloves that are advertised as being “unisex” as these will likely be the wrong size for both men and women, being either too tight or too loose (unless you can see the actual measurements on the product description of course).
Looking After Your Gardening Gloves
If you have been willing to go to all of this effort to help you choose the right gardening gloves then it’s safe to assume that you are wanting your gardening gloves to last as long as possible. Gardening gloves don’t have easy jobs – they will be contending with thorns, sharp branches, soil, manure and every other thing imaginable – so it is important to give them the best chance of lasting and providing you with good value for money.
- Keep your gloves as dry as possible when not being used (don’t just dump them in the garden!!)
- Remove any dirt from your gloves
- Gloves that are washable should be washed whenever you think you won’t be using them for a while. Whereas gloves that can’t be washed (such as sheepskin makes) can be wiped off with water or hosed with water providing they are dried thoroughly afterwards
- Leather, sheepskin and cowskin gloves will need to be well looked after to stop them stiffening and losing their shape. Wipe them off with a wet cloth and either leave them flat or hang them up so that they are ok to be used when you next need them.
Best of the Rest
- A great garden workhorse, that’s tough, well designed and keeps on going
- These gloves are a practical choice for those tougher garden tasks
- Extra palm and forefinger protection with an extended loose safety cuff for forearm protection
- Carefully sourced compliant leather from our audited tannery
- Large / 9
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- 【 Premium Material】Gardening glove is made of high-quality suede cowhide leather fits skin to provide optimal comfort, has strong grip, high abrasion resistance and reduce hand force.
- 【Reinforced Protection】Double layer leather for the palm and index finger of the glove provides additional protection and better durability, and the forearm has an extended loose safety cuff to keep away burns and cuts during mechanical operations.
- 【Comfortable & Durable】 Pure cotton cloth is breathable, comfortable and suitable for long working hours.It's the perfect stab-resistant gardening glove and also has the flexibility to hold gardening tools and high tensile strength.
- 【Multi-Purpose Gloves】The safe work gloves are perfect for grown-up when doing tougher tasks, housework or outdoor activities, such as gardening, welding, carrying, mechanical operation work, pruning etc.
- 【Perfect Hand Protection】KINGLAKE leather glove is real strong work safety gloves provide the perfect hand protection for palms and fingers during heavy work, can be used by both man and woman.
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Hardwearing leather construction
- Extra long protective safety cuff
- Ideal protection for stinging nettles and prickly tasks
- Model number: TGL415
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What material do I need for waterproof gardening gloves?
If it is important that your gardening gloves are waterproof then look out for gloves that are dipped in neoprene or nitrile as these will be completely waterproof.
Are there good quality gardening gloves for children?
Yes! There are a number of brands that have now released good quality gardening gloves for children that will be comfortable, waterproof and strong for those little hands that are wanting to help you in the garden. Most brands are also relatively cheap so you will be able to replace them every time they grow out of the pair they currently have.
What are the best, all-round gardening gloves?
Look for material gloves with rubber, neoprene or nitrile layers if you are wanting flexible gloves but that will be relatively durable and waterproof. These are the best all-round gloves as they will keep your hands protected from dirt and debris (and some light scratches and scrapes from branches) but will also allow you to be flexible when completing smaller gloves while being relatively flexible.
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