If you have a green thumb, you know that gardening without the right protection can quickly result in a cut, bruised, or dirty thumb. Whether you're digging, weeding, pruning, or planting, wearing gardening gloves to keep your hands and fingers clean is important. Not only do they protect you from physical injury, but they also keep you safe from bacteria and chemicals.
That's why we scoured the internet for the best gardening gloves and compiled a list of the 10 best pairs. For light gardening, especially in hot areas, we recommend Pine Tree Tools' Bamboo Working Gloves, which are lightweight and flexible but still protective. See the rest of our picks below and check out our buying guide for tips on how to choose the right gloves for your garden.
Quick List - Top Gardening Gloves
Gardening and wildcrafting food for her family, Amy grows in a variety of gardens including hydroponic, raised beds, containers, and in the ground. As a master gardener, she has successfully gardened across the country.
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Cotton or leather? Grip dots or claws? There are so many different types of gardening gloves that it can be hard to choose. Here, we'll break down the various factors to consider when buying a pair.
There are many different tasks to work on in a garden, each with different requirements for protection and flexibility. Having gloves that suit the job can make your life easier and more efficient.
For a job that requires grabbing small things, you’ll want gloves that are fairly lightweight and flexible. This will ensure you get a good grasp and let you feel what’s between your fingers. Look for gloves in a stretchy knit fabric that fits snugly around your hands.
Some gloves are just made from cotton, while others add synthetics like Spandex, lycra, cotton, or neoprene for added stretch. Not all lightweight gloves are waterproof, though. If you live in a wet environment, nitrile-dipped gloves won't get soggy as you work.
If you do a lot of digging, laying stones, or working with rocks, you’ll want gloves that can take a beating. Look for a thick material like leather, with reinforcements on the knuckles, fingertips, and palms. Many real leather gloves are made from cowhide, a thick, sturdy material.
While thick gloves can feel bulky and less flexible than cloth gloves, the longer you wear leather the softer it becomes. Leather is long-lasting and provides more protection from hard, jagged edges. In its natural state, leather can be damaged by too much water, but many leather gardening gloves are treated to be water-resistant.
However, the dye in leather gloves can stain your hands depending on how it was treated. Synthetic leather gloves are a great middle ground, providing protection and durability, as well as wiggle room and a better fit.
When pruning, gathering, or moving thorny plants like roses, look for gloves that provide more coverage for your arms. Rose gardening gloves have a long gauntlet to protect your forearm.
Also, make sure the material is thick enough to withstand spikes and thorns. Leather or synthetic leather are your best bets. These gloves will also help with handling cacti and other thorny plants like blackberry bushes.
It’s important to get gardening gloves that fit well. Gloves that are too tight won’t be comfortable to wear for long periods of time, but gloves that are too loose will impede your dexterity. In addition, the wrists should fit snugly so that dirt and debris don’t get inside.
Look for gloves that come in a range of sizes to find the optimal fit. Many brands come in both women's and men's sizes, which will provide a more tailored fit. If the manufacturer provides a size guide, this is the best way to find the right size. You can also check out reviews to see if there are any common issues with the fit.
Adjustable straps and cinches help secure the fit of your glove and keep dirt, debris, and water from entering the inside of your glove. These straps make the gloves easy to use and keep your hands clean.
Gardening gloves come with different details that can increase the gloves' durability and make your gardening work easier.
The fingers are often the first to wear out since they come into contact with so many objects. For extra durability, look for fingertips reinforced with leather, synthetic leather, or another strong material.
The extra layer will reduce how much you can feel through the gloves and may not be ideal for delicate work. However, reinforced fingers provide added protection from sharp objects.
Aside from the fingertips, the seams of the gloves are another high-stress area. Look for double-stitched seams, which look like two parallel rows of stitching.
These seams add longevity and durability to your gloves. If one thread starts to fray, the other will keep the fabric together. Double-stiched seams are common on leather gloves. Also, make sure the seams lie flat. Bulky seams can cause irritation and blisters.
If you’re working with gardening tools, look for gloves that provide extra grip to prevent the smooth fabric from slipping against the handles. You’ll often see gloves with grip dots or different textures on the fingers and palms. Some gloves have rubber, latex, and nitrile coatings that can also help you get a better grip.
While they may look a little scary, gardening gloves with claws are very useful! You can use the claws to dig, weed, and plant without needing additional tools.
However, the claws can get in the way when carrying things or doing more delicate work, so you may want to have multiple pairs of gloves depending on what kind of gardening you’re doing.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pine Tree Tools Bamboo Working Gloves | ![]() | Best for Working on Hot, Sunny Days | |
2 | G&F Products Women's Soft Jersey Garden Gloves|1852-3 | ![]() | Best for Casual Gardening | |
3 | Digz Leather Gardening Gloves for Women and Men | ![]() | Best Gloves for Comfort, Protection and Dexterity | |
4 | G&F Products Long Sleeve Gardening Gloves|2430M | ![]() | Best Gloves for Protection from Prickly Plants | |
5 | Feishdek Kids Genuine Leather Work Gloves | ![]() | Best Gardening Gloves for Kids | |
6 | Cooljob Gardening Gloves for Women | ![]() | Best Coated Gloves for Large Hands | |
7 | Ozero Long Leather Gardening Gloves | ![]() | Best for Heavy-Duty Gardening | |
8 | Vgo Nitrile Coating Gardening and Work Gloves|NT2110 | ![]() | Best Gloves for Water Work | |
9 | Exemplary Gardens Rose Pruning Gloves | ![]() | Best Gloves for Cacti and Roses | |
10 | Grynker Garden Genie Gloves with Claws | ![]() | Best Gloves for Digging |
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These bamboo gloves from Pine Tree Tools are made to be breathable and wick away moisture, keeping your hands cool in summer and warm in winter. The knit wrist gives you a snug fit for comfort and maximum range of motion while keeping out dirt. The reinforced fingertips are also touchscreen-friendly.
Some reviewers say that these gloves aren't very durable and wear out quickly. They also wish the palms were more water-resistant. Still, most reviewers say they are very stretchy and comfortable and love the great grip. Other reviewers comment that they are soft inside and feel like a second skin.
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G&F Products women's gloves are made of flexible cotton with PVC grips for light gardening projects. The knit wrist ensures a snug fit and prevents most debris and dirt from entering as you work. They're available in a pack of three with beautiful floral designs.
Some reviewers mention that the gloves run small and that they don't protect their hands from water or prickly weeds. However, most reviewers say that these gloves are durable, wash well, and are beautiful. Most users also note these are great for weeding and everyday planting.
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These women's gardening gloves by Digz have a variety of useful features. They are touchscreen compatible and thickly padded to protect the user from cuts and pokes. The thick adjustable strap keeps out dirt. There's even a terry cloth strip across the knuckles for wiping away sweat on a sunny day.
Some reviewers say that these gloves aren't suitable for large hands and don't hold up when performing heavy gardening work. On the other hand, most customers find that these gloves protect their hands well and are long-lasting, and the adjustable strap does an excellent job of keeping their hands clean.
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These gloves provide all-around protection and comfort when weeding prickly plants. The double-stitched, padded synthetic leather is thick and durable enough to protect your hands from cuts or scrapes. The cinched wrist prevents dirt and debris from entering the glove, and the 15-inch gauntlet protects the arms.
Some reviewers mention that rose or blackberry thorns still pierced their gloves and poked them. They also say that these gloves are not water-resistant. On the other hand, most customers find these gloves to be well-made and comfortable. They love the up-to-the-elbow protection these gloves provide, as well.
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These Kids Work Gloves by Feishdek are perfect for your little helper. These gloves are genuine deerskin leather, which is thick and durable yet soft and flexible for small hands. The wrist cinch is adjustable for a more comfortable fit and to keep your child's hands clean.
Several reviewers say that these gloves run small and the fingers are too long. Mostly, customers are happy with how well these gloves fit. They also comment that the gloves are very soft, protective, and comfortable. They note that these gloves work for a variety of outdoor chores besides gardening, too.
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Some reviewers mention that these gloves are quite large, even the medium size. A few also wish the finger pads were thicker. But, most customers find these gloves to be comfortable and great for clearing up yard debris. Customers also like that they're machine-washable.
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Ozero's Leather Work Gloves are made of thick, double-threaded genuine cowhide leather, making them durable enough to handle heavy-duty yard work, rose thorns, and cactus spines. The soft cowhide lining is breathable, sweat-wicking, and comfortable, so you can work in hot weather without a problem.
Some reviewers say that these gloves left a yellow residue on their hands and became rigid and stiff after getting wet. They also mention that these gloves run large. On the other hand, most customers love that these gloves are very flexible despite their thickness. They report that they're great for a variety of tasks and protect their hands well.
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VGO’s Safety Work Gloves have a waterproof nitrile coating, so you can use them when watering plants or picking up wet weeds or debris. The coating also provides an anti-slip grip and protection from oils, acids, and alkaline chemicals. The polyester keeps these gloves flexible and they are available in black, blue and gray, and pink.
Some customers say that these gloves are not breathable or suitable for working in hot weather. However, many reviewers say that these gloves provide excellent grip while doing outdoor tasks. They also say these gloves protect their hands from cuts and stains.
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Cons:
Some reviewers comment the gloves stain their hands and that these gloves aren't totally thorn-proof. On the other hand, many reviewers report that the long sleeves are thicker than the hands and protect the forearms perfectly. They also say that the gloves are very soft, and the dexterity is great, despite the thickness.
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Grynker's gardening gloves' set includes one right and one left with sturdy claws for hands-on gardeners. You can make rows for seedlings, dig deep holes, and dig up weeds. They have a latex coating that makes them water-resistant and protects your hands from prickly plants and cuts. Another pair with no claws is also included.
Some reviewers comment that these gloves wear out quickly, and the fingers are too long. However, many reviewers find these gloves to be easy to use and comfortable. They also say that these gloves are tough enough to dig up rocks, thorny plants, and perform more heavy-duty garden work.
Now that you've found a durable pair of gardening gloves, why not grab a few more gardening essentials? Take a look at some of our favorite products below!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Pine Tree Tools|Bamboo Working Gloves
No. 2: G&F Products|Women's Soft Jersey Garden Gloves|1852-3
No. 3: Digz|Leather Gardening Gloves for Women and Men
No. 4: G&F Products|Long Sleeve Gardening Gloves|2430M
No. 5: Feishdek|Kids Genuine Leather Work Gloves
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