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Treating yourself to new gardening gloves seems like a simple enough act. But with so many options out there, you'll want to make sure you get a high-quality pair that fits your needs. Some are designed for women's hands, some are for men, while others boast a more universal fit. There are breathable bamboo gloves, stretchy jersey-knit, and durable leather pairs, plus thorn-proof, and even some thermal designs.
The most important thing, though, is that your work gloves are comfortable and offer adequate protection from pokes, scratches, and pricks while you grow your garden. We scoured the Internet in search of top-tier pairs in every category, for everyone and every budget.
Check out our picks for the best gardening gloves below.
Best Overall: Amazing Stuff for You! Gardening Gloves for Everyone
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Material: Nylon shell | Machine Washable: Yes | Waterproof: No
Made of a breathable and sturdy knit fabric with an extra-durable yet flexible protective coating on the palms and fingers, these unisex garden gloves are tough to beat. The coating is grippy but not too sticky, allowing you to handle tools and plants comfortably.
They come in small, medium, or large, and you'll get two pairs with every order. We also like that these long-lasting, versatile gloves are machine-washable. When they get muddy or too dirty to wear, just toss them in the wash and grab your spare pair.
Best Women's: G & F 1852-3 Women Soft Jersey Garden Gloves
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Material: Cotton | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
The best gardening gloves for women are these jersey-knit floral beauties from G & F. Woven from 100 percent cotton with an ultra-thick weave, they're endlessly comfortable. And thanks to PVC (thermoplastic) dots on the palms and fingers, these gloves offer a decent amount of protection and grip.
Best Men's: Digz Men's Large Gardening Fabric Gloves
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Material: Leather and spandex | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
For the guys, we recommend Digz. These large gloves are made of a stretchy fabric for ultimate comfort and flexibility, padded for protection, and reinforced with leather on the palms. They're ideal for light-duty yard work, gardening, or general home maintenance. Plus, the touch-screen fingertips allow you to use your smartphone without taking them off.
Best Unisex: The Floral Society Garden Gloves
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Material: Nylon and Nitrile | Machine Washable: Yes | Waterproof: Yes
When it comes to universal gardening gloves, we're big fans of this pair from The Floral Society, which has a one-size-fits-most unisex fit. Made of stretchy, flexible nylon and dipped in rubbery nitrile, they offer a comfy feel, a natural grip, and all-day protection.
Best for Small Hands: Mytops Bamboo Gardening Work Gloves
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Material: Bamboo rayon fiber and nitrile | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
If you have small hands or need a youth pair, your best bet is Mytops. These landscaping gloves come in three sizes and offer a comfortable, snug, and secure fit, so you won't have to worry about debris getting inside. Woven from breathable bamboo with nitrile-padded palms and fingers, they wick away moisture while safeguarding your hands from prickly leaves and brambles.
Best Thorn-Proof: Magid Glove & Safety HandMaster TE195T Women's Professional Rose Glove
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Material: Synthetic leather palm | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
When working with roses, cacti, berry bushes, or other thorny plants, you'll want something designed to protect not only your hands but also your forearms from pokes—and this professional-grade pair is up for the task. These elbow-length, puncture-proof pruning gloves are made of super-durable synthetic leather with padded palms, knuckle guards, and reinforced fingertips.
Best for Brambles: Acdyion Gardening Gloves for Women/Men
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Material: Leather | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
Need something that stands up to prickly, thorny bramble bushes or barbed plants? Reach for Acdyion Gardening Gloves. Carefully stitched out of premium cowhide and extending all the way up to the elbows, they offer unbeatable protection against scratches and cuts. Plus, the thumb design helps you grip your pruning tools with ease.
Best for Weeding: Yofit Garden Genie Gloves with Claws
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Material: Latex rubber and plastic | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: Yes
Yofit Garden Genie gloves are definitely the best option for tackling weeds. With a flexible knit lining, puncture-resistant latex palms and fingers, they're comfy and protective. But that's not all. These weeding gloves also come with four plastic claws for each hand that attach to the fingers to make your job easier and more efficient.
Best Lightweight: Pine Tree Tools Bamboo Working Gloves
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Material: Bamboo | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
If you want something lightweight, we highly recommend trying this pair by Pine Tree Tools. The bamboo-woven lining wicks away sweat while allowing your skin to breathe.
And with rubber-dipped palms and fingers, you'll be protected from scratches, nicks, and scrapes. We also like that these gardening gloves come in sizes small through extra-extra-large.
Best Leather: Firm Grip Full Grain Pigskin Leather
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Material: Leather | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
Made of 100 percent genuine pigskin, these leather work gloves are naturally breathable, durable, and fairly moisture-resistant. They're notably soft and flexible with a keystone thumb design for a snug yet non-restricting fit that's easy to get on and off. We also appreciate that they come in four sizes, ranging from small to extra-large.
Best Thermal: Wells Lamont Thermal Knit Latex Winter Grip Gloves
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Material: Thermal knit shell with latex coating | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: No
What should you wear when you need to work with your hands outside in the winter? Look no further than this pair. These wintertime gardening gloves have stretchy, tear-resistant thermal knit lining with a textured latex coating for a solid grip, even in the freezing cold. Since you get two pairs of gloves with an order, you'll always have a spare on hand. However, if you want to use them in the snow, note that the backs of these gloves are not waterproof.
The best gardening gloves overall are the Amazing Stuff for You! Gardening Gloves for Everyone on account of their breathable, flexible knit linings, protective coating, and the perfect level of grip (view at Amazon). However, if you need a thorn-proof pair, go with Magid HandMaster TE195T Women's Professional Rose Glove (view at Amazon). And if you need a thermal option for winter gardening, your best bet is Wells Lamont Thermal Knit Latex Winter Grip Gloves (view at Amazon).
What to Look for in Gardening Gloves
Design
Gardening gloves are meant for gardening, but they're not all created equal. For the most part, you'll find options with stretchy knit linings and some sort of latex or rubber coating on the palms and fingers for grip and protection.
However, there are also different varieties of work gloves, including thorn-proof, leather, puncture-resistant, thermal, orthopedic, and clawed designs for weeding. Consider your working conditions and look for a pair that can accommodate your unique needs.
Size and Fit
One of the most important things to look for when shopping for gardening gloves is a good fit. You want them to be snug enough to keep dirt out but not so tight that they restrict your range of movement. If you're lucky enough to have medium-sized hands, you shouldn't have a hard time finding a pair that fits. Having said that, those with smaller or larger hands should look for a design that comes in multiple sizes.
Comfort
The fit of your gardening gloves has a lot to do with their overall comfort, but there are a few other factors to consider. The material should be stretchy, breathable, and flexible.
Moisture-wicking fabrics can also reduce friction and keep your hands dry while you work. Additionally, some gloves have ergonomic thumbs or webbing through the palms, which some people find more comfortable.
Why Trust The Spruce?
The Spruce contributor Theresa Holland is an experienced commerce writer specializing in home and garden. Growing up on a farm with a mother who kept two gigantic gardens, she knows a thing or two about weeding and planting tools, including gloves. You can also find more of her work on MyDomaine.
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