If you want to get in touch with nature without getting your hands dirty, then you need to get yourself a good pair of gloves. Luckily, we did the work for you and compiled a list of the best gardening gloves that will keep your hands clean as a whistle.
Gardening gloves keep your hands well-protected while working outdoors. Whether it’s pulling weeds, planting perennials, or pruning trees, you’ll want to invest in the best gardening gloves to keep your hands safeguarded.
Read on if you want to find the perfect pair of gloves for all your yard work needs.
9 of the Best Gardening Gloves You Can Buy
Best Overall Gardening Gloves
Showna Atlas 300 Work Gloves
If you pick up a pair of Showna Atlas 300 Work Gloves, you’ll see why they rank the best overall. These gloves are designed for optimal fit and comfort, perfect for long days of working in the garden.
These gloves are lightweight and breathable enough to be worn comfortably during extended periods of time in the summer sun, but heavy enough for optimal durability. The lightweight rubber coating provides you with a great, rough-textured grip that’s perfect for using any garden tool.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- The gloves feature an open back for ultimate breathability
- Ergonomic design that reduces hand fatigue
- The wrist cuff prevents debris from entering the gloves
Cons:
- Not ideal for intense yard work (i.e digging up trees)
Most Environmentally Friendly Garden Gloves
Pine Tree Tools Gardening Gloves
These garden gloves are as durable as they are sustainable. The gloves are lined with a bamboo rubber coating, a more eco-friendly alternative compared to other rubber products.
Not only does the bamboo rubber check off the environmentally-friendly box, but it also absorbs perspiration, keeping your hands nice and cool while you go about your yard work. These gloves are flexible and fit you like a second skin, while still providing optimal protection.
Pros:
- The bamboo rubber is great for people with sensitive skin
- Great ventilation and breathability
- Dry quickly when wet
Cons:
- Bamboo rubber can start to split after long-term use
Best Budget-Friendly Garden Gloves
G&F 3100-10 Rubber Latex Coated Work Gloves
If you’re trying to keep your gardening budget slim this season, then these garden gloves will give you the most bang for your buck. These gloves are double-dipped in a latex coating so you can get extra protection from any stray thorns or wood slivers.
These gloves are crafted from a cotton-poly blend for optimal stretch and comfort. These garden gloves come in a 12-pack so you can leave some in your garden shed, basement, or anywhere you’ll need the last-minute protection.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable
- Durable for the price
Cons:
- Not easy to use a touch-screen
- Not the most breathable
Best Durable Garden Gloves
FIRM GRIP Goatskin Leather Gloves
If you’re looking for something durable to power you through some heavy yard work, these are the garden gloves for you.
These gloves feature goatskin leather on the palms and knuckles for complete protection. The rugged design adds an extra level of durability to these tough-as-nails gloves. Despite all these protective layers, these garden gloves manage to be lightweight, comfortable, and soft.
Pros:
- These gloves offer optimal dexterity
- The safety cuff adds another level of protection
Cons:
- A little bulky due to their durability
Most Breathable Garden Gloves
COOLJOB Gardening Gloves
We all know the feeling of wearing a pair of garden gloves for too long and getting the dreaded hand sweat. That’s why these gloves are perfect for long days of hard labor in the sun.
These gardening gloves were specially crafted for optimal breathability so you can say goodbye to sweaty hands in the garden. Each glove features a lightweight, knitted base that keeps dirt out while letting air flow in.
The flexible rubber coating does double duty by keeping your hands cool and dry while also protecting them. The great thing about these gardening gloves is that they’re durable and flexible at the same time, so you can stay protected while maintaining the utmost dexterity.
Pros:
- The non-sticky grip makes it easy to clean soil off
- Each fingertip is extra padded for more protection
Cons:
- Not machine washable
Best Rose Gardening Gloves
G&F Products Superior Garden Rose Gloves
Rose thorns are one of the biggest obstacles when gardening, so before you plant the pretty petals be sure you’re suited up.
These Superior Garden Rose Gloves by G&F products offer the best protection against thorny vines. Not only do these garden gloves protect your hands, but they even shield your wrists and forearms too.
Each glove is crafted from synthetic leather for longevity. The fabric feels soft and silky against your hands which is an added perk. Best of all, these gloves are machine washable for easy clean-up.
Pros:
- Features an elastic cuff to prevent dirt from getting into the glove
- Double patched fingers and extra padding on the hand for the best protection
- Two pretty colors to choose from
Cons:
- A bit bulky due to the large size
- The wrist and forearm fabric is thinner than the glove
Prettiest Gardening Gloves
G&F Products Soft Jersey Gardening Gloves
Sometimes, it’s all about the style! If you want your gloves to represent your chic sense of fashion, then these floral gloves will fit the bill. Each glove features a pretty floral design that comes in three colors: green, red, and blue.
Don’t let the pretty facade fool you, these gloves are also designed with function in mind. The knit wrist helps keep the dirt out, and the lightweight cotton material allows breathability and ventilation. You won’t have to worry about your hands overheating even on the hottest of days.
You’ll also find PVC dots on the palms which offer a firm grip, so you can weed away without worry about slippage.
Pros:
- Easy to wash
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Soak easily
- Not the most durable
Best Gardening Gloves for Kids
Digz Youth Girls Nitrile Coated Gardening Gloves
What better way to teach the kiddos about work than to have them help you in the garden? Luckily, these garden gloves are so cute, that they may even motivate them to get out there and garden.
The smooth nitrile coating on these gloves creates an even grip and helps prevent abrasions. Best of all, these water-resistant gloves are machine washable for easy cleanup after all that time in the dirt.
Pros:
- Youth size
- Knit cuff keeps debris out of the glove
- Breathable
- Cute patterns
Cons:
- Doesn’t protect from sharp tools
(If you have younger kids or just want to browse other styles of gloves for young gardeners, check out our post on the Best Kids Gardening Gloves for even more great choices.)
Best Cold Weather Gardening Gloves
Ergodyne ProFlex 817 WP Work Gloves
Sometimes your gardening starts in the frigid months of March, in which case you need good pair of work gloves to keep you warm. That’s why these insulated garden gloves are perfect for yard work when the temperature is a little less than balmy.
Pros:
- Thermal protection
- Waterproof
- Touch screen capable
Cons:
- Expensive
- Low dexterity
Different Types of Gardening Gloves
With all the gardening gloves out there, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by choice! That’s why we put together this guide on the different types to help you make the most informed decision.
Rubber Coated Gloves
These gloves are definitely durable and waterproof, but the downside is that rubber isn’t the most breathable material. You can combat this by purchasing gloves that only have a rubber coating on the palms and fingers, so the back of your hand stays nice and cool.
Cotton Gardening Gloves
Cotton gloves are usually always the cheapest option and are great for light gardening. They’ll keep your hands clean as you dig through dirt, but they won’t keep you dry. Cotton gloves are also widely available at most hardware and gardening stores and are almost always machine washable.
Leather Gardening Gloves
These gloves will usually be the most expensive option, but sometimes it’s worth paying the price for the quality. If you want to garden without worrying about thorns or slivers poking at you, then shelling out for some leather gardening gloves might be the best option. These gloves may be bulky, but they are super durable.
Nitrile Gardening Gloves
Nitrile is a synthetic rubber that’s breathable and flexible, making it a great coating for garden gloves. The downside is that thorns can still pierce through the thin fabric, so you can’t use these gloves with roses.
How to Choose the Best Gardening Gloves
We’ve broken down the different types of gardening gloves and the ones we think are the best. Now it’s time to school you on choosing the best gloves for your green thumb.
If you’re stuck on deciding the best gloves for your needs, consider your garden first and foremost. What kinds of flowers do you tend to grow? What’s the moisture level of your soil? These are questions that will help guide you on your gardening glove journey.
If you live in a region that’s prone to rainfall, then a good pair of rubber gloves may be a necessity for keeping your hands dry. If you want to plant an array of roses, be sure you buy gloves that will protect you from sharp thorns.
If you’re able to purchase your gardening gloves in person, try a couple of pairs on and see how they fit. Now imagine wearing them all day long, if they feel kinda itchy or if the fit seems off, keep on looking. Gardening is such a fun, rewarding pastime and you don’t want to rush through it just because your gloves are uncomfortable.
Consider the size of your garden too; larger gardens mean you’re going to be wearing your gloves for a long period, so you might want to invest in a decent pair. Small gardens mean less maintenance time, so you can get by with a cheaper set of gloves.
Gardening Gloves Keep Hands Beautiful and Protected
Whether you’re gardening for fun or homesteading for necessity, a good pair of gardening gloves will make your yard work a lot more enjoyable. Not only will your hands be protected, but you won’t have to sacrifice attractive hands and nails in order to have a healthy, thriving garden.
For more tips and tricks to help you on your planting journey, visit our Garden Clothes page where we dive into topics on the best things to wear while tending to your garden.
Shopping for your garden can get overwhelming, fast. So if you’re looking for advice on tools and supplies, then you’re in the right place!