The Best Gardening Gloves

Gardening is a fun and relaxing hobby, but digging in the dirt can take a toll on your hands. The right pair of gloves can make all the difference because they protect your hands from thorns and sticks and keep soil from getting under your nails. There are many different types of gloves available, such as breathable fabric gloves for small tasks and heavy-duty leather gloves that are great for working with thorny plants like roses or cacti. To help you find the best pair for your own yardwork needs, we’ve researched the best gardening gloves available online and compiled them here.

What to Look For

When you’re searching for gardening gloves, we suggest asking yourself three important questions: Do the gloves provide an adequate range of motion? Are they protective enough for your needs? And are they worth their cost? Those criteria led us to a few of our own favorites. For example, Pine Tree Tools makes an excellent all-purpose pair. Thanks to their breathable, flexible design, they won’t limit your range of motion. And their touchscreen-friendly fingertips make it easy to check your phone. But for something more heavy-duty, we’d recommend HandLandy’s gauntlet gloves, which can protect against thorns and the like. Read on to discover the rest of our favorites.

Pine Tree Tools Bamboo Gardening Gloves

Green thumb

For sturdy, all-purpose gloves, look no further than this breathable rubber pair.
Best Overall

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Some people avoid gloves because they’re bulky, but this pair fits like a second skin. Although they’re thin, they’re pretty durable. Plus, the comfortable bamboo material is reinforced with a rubber coating on the palms and fingers, making it easy to grasp tools like spades and pruning shears. Highly breathable, the bamboo fabric absorbs sweat and oil quite well, so your hands won’t get slippery while you work. As a bonus, the fingertips are touchscreen-friendly. This means you can easily check your phone or tablet without struggling to take your gloves off.

Pros:

  • When it comes to flex and comfort, few pairs can beat this one.
  • Even some of the best gardening gloves tend to make the hands clammy. But thanks to this pair’s breathable fabric, you won’t have to worry about that.

Cons:

  • The gloves are designed to be tight, so you may need to size up if you prefer a looser fit.

CoolJob Breathable Rubber Coated Gardening Gloves

Keeping cool

You won't have to worry about sweaty hands while you're wearing these highly breathable gloves.
Most Breathable

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Say sayonara to slick hands with these breathable, lightweight gloves. The fingertips are reinforced to protect your nails, and the fabric will keep your hands cool and dry. The base is knit for superior comfort and fit, while the micro-foamed latex covering adds protection and grip. Because the gloves have long, close-fitting cuffs, you won’t get itchy weeds stuck in them, nor will you have to worry about bugs crawling inside.

Pros:

  • The lightweight knitted base results in a comfortable fit. But these are durable, too, so you can count on them to last.
  • Once you’re done planting, digging, seeding, and weeding, simply toss your dirty gloves in the washer and hang them dry until you’re ready to head back outside.

Cons:

  • These are designed to be a women’s size medium, so if you have much larger or smaller hands, the gloves might not fit as well.

G & F Soft Jersey Garden Gloves

Prune your spending

Who says you have to dish out the big bucks just to protect your hands during yardwork?
Best Value

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These cute gloves can’t be beaten when it comes to less strenuous tasks like raking leaves, weeding, potting seedlings, or pruning plants without thorns. They’re made of 100% natural jersey cotton, which is medium-weight. This provides good coverage for your hands without sacrificing dexterity, and the PVC dots on the palm and thumb increase your grip so that your tools don’t slide around in your hands. They come in a pack of three, and they all sport a cheery floral pattern in various colors.

Pros:

  • The color variety makes it easy to color-code them if you want to use different pairs for different tasks.
  • The three-pack configuration also makes this a great option for families with multiple gardeners.

Cons:

  • These are not strong enough to protect against stickers and thorns.

HandLandy Thornproof Long Gauntlet Gloves

Heavy-duty

Keep your fingers and forearms safe from pesky thorns with the help of these leather gloves.
Best Thorn-Proof

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Roses and cacti are beautiful, but their tough thorns can make them difficult to handle. These heavyweight leather gloves are up to the task, and the thick pigskin prevents sharp thorns from penetrating through to your skin. The cuffs go up very high, so your forearms will also be safe from stickers if you’re pruning or reaching into a shrub. Because the fingers are reinforced with leather and the palm is padded, these comfortable and durable gloves will last for years of gardening.

Pros:

  • The long sleeves set these gloves apart from much of the competition. If simple wrist-length gloves won’t cut it, look no further than these.
  • Various colors are available, so you can choose the one that best suits your tastes.

Cons:

  • The leather is not waterproof, so you should keep the gloves dry if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for gardening gloves?

For general yard work, rubberized polyester, spandex, and bamboo are all durable and comfortable materials. Pure cotton is a great choice if your main reason for wearing gloves is to keep your hands clean. If you will be working with thorny plants like roses, cacti, or bougainvillea, choose heavy-duty materials that are resistant to punctures, such as leather.

What are the benefits of wearing gardening gloves?

Besides keeping your hands and fingernails clean, wearing gloves also helps prevent blisters and calluses. Gloves also protect your hands from bug bites, scrapes, and cuts that can happen while you’re working in the yard. Finally, they create a barrier that protects your hands from substances like herbicides, pesticides, and plant sap, which can all irritate the skin.

About the Author

Madeleine is always on the lookout for new styles, so you can usually find her perusing Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. She treats herself to the occasional splurge on nice shoes, but she also loves bargain-hunting at the thrift store. She's developed quite the eye for fashion through the years, and now she wants to share her expertise with anyone looking to give their wardrobe an upgrade.

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