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The Spruce / Caitlin Sole
When you head outdoors to work in your yard or garden, the first gardening tool you reach for is a pair of sturdy gloves. However, wearing gardening gloves doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort or style. “Now, I love pretty painted fingernails, and people always want to know how I can keep mine clean when I dig in the dirt all day long,” says Carmen Johnston, founder and owner of Bespoke Garden Plans. “My secret is to put on a pair of clear disposable latex gloves underneath the Digz [Nitrile Dipped] gloves!”
We used 22 pairs of gardening gloves in our own home gardens over a two-week period to evaluate each pair based on quality, durability, comfort, design, and value. We then tested 12 stand-out pairs for six additional months to determine how well they hold up to regular use in a garden. Whether you prefer a sturdy leather glove or a rubber glove that offers plenty of grip, these are the best gardening gloves for any task.
Best Overall
Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves
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Home Depot
Breathable fabric
Extra padding
Adjustable wrist strap
Thumb sizing is off
The Firm Grip Women’s General Purpose Synthetic Leather Gloves are our top pick because of their durable construction and thoughtful features, such as a terry cloth thumb to wipe damp foreheads and touchscreen-compatible fingertips. We wore these gloves for approximately 30 minutes (at one time) while regularly caring for a garden and thought they were comfortable and well-made gloves. Thanks to breathable mesh backs and synthetic leather palms, these gloves felt durable without being “heavy duty” like some work gloves are designed.
We love that these gloves are touchscreen compatible, so you won’t have to worry about yanking them off whenever your phone rings. The thumbs, forefingers, and palms have additional padding to make gripping gardening tools and equipment a little more comfortable. And the terry cloth finish on both thumbs allows you to wipe away dirt effectively and absorb sweat.
Our one complaint about these gloves is the thumbs had about an inch too much fabric on the end, making certain tasks difficult to complete. However, we recognize that sizing is generalized to fit the majority of users. Despite this fit issue, the adjustable strap around the wrist of these gloves made it easy to secure them in place, and overall we enjoyed wearing these gloves to prevent blisters and bruises during gardening tasks. These gloves are not only a great option for gardening enthusiasts but are also loaded with practical features that can help you tackle many outdoor tasks comfortably.
How They Performed Long-Term
We continued to use these gloves while gardening for six months and have no complaints about durability or comfort. While they're not best for high dexterity tasks because of the awkward thumb length, we appreciate the padded palm and finger grips, which help make tasks that require more muscle a breeze. We also think the price is very reasonable given their long-term performance and additional features.
Price at time of publish: $14
Material: Synthetic leather and mesh | Machine Washable: Yes | Waterproof: No
Best Budget
Amazing Stuff for You! Grippy Gardening Gloves
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Amazon
Two-pack
Waterproof coating on palms
Stretchy shell
Loose fit on fingers
These grippy gardening gloves by Amazing Stuff for You are a great option for anyone on the hunt for a basic glove that can handle your entire garden and lawn checklist. Aside from the affordable pricing and the convenience of offering two pairs of gloves per pack, these gloves held up well for all of our gardening needs, from watering flowers to gripping shovels and other equipment. The water-resistant coating not only protects from moisture but also protects against dirt stains.
In our experience, these gloves fit well around the palm of our hands and wrists, but the fingers were exaggerated in size, which may make them difficult to maneuver for users with especially small hands. And while these gloves are not revolutionary in design, they’re a great option for everyday gardening needs and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
How They Performed Long-Term
These gloves quickly became our go-to pair for any gardening needs. While we didn't notice any structural change after wearing and washing these gloves over six months, we will point out that the logo started to peel off. However, this doesn't bother us too much as the rest of the glove continued to perform well. These gloves are almost so grippy that they could be a hindrance to high-dexterity tasks, but for any tasks requiring extra muscle, we think they're a great choice.
Price at time of publish: $10
Material: Coated palms with nylon shell | Machine Washable: Yes | Waterproof: No, water resistant
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The Spruce / Viveka Neveln
Best Multi-Pack
Ansell Hyflex 11-600 Nylon Work Gloves
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Ansell
Designed for high dexterity jobs
Comfortable
Variety of sizes
Somewhat disposable
Where quality for the price is concerned, gardening gloves don’t get much better than these Ansell Hyflex Extra Thin Nylon Work Gloves. These gloves were our team member's favorite pair out of the four pairs she tested at home. She said they not only fit her hand as if they were made for her but also were thin enough for delicate jobs like repotting plants and separating roots. These gloves have a breathable nylon shell that prevents sweat and moisture. It was also completely comfortable to wear these gloves while working for over an hour in a garden.
We were surprised by the quality of these gloves because we thought they’d be somewhat disposable since they came in a 12-pack. We also have not switched out the first pair for a new pair from the pack. These gloves even stayed comfortable through watering and repotting with wet soil. Although they’re definitely more durable than anticipated, we do think these gloves are more disposable than other options on the market, which might not be ideal for everyone’s working conditions. We also wouldn’t recommend using these gloves for any heavy-duty work involving sharp blades, as they could easily be sliced open. Overall, we were highly impressed with the durability and comfort of these gloves and our team member said she would definitely consider repurchasing them—if she ever gets through the whole pack of 12.
How They Performed Long-Term
After six months, we still have the entire pack of these gloves. While our team member has started using three of the extra pairs for various tasks, she said the first pair she started with is still intact and very functional for any task.
Price at time of publish: $37
Material: Nylon | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: Yes
Best Men's
Bionic Tough Pro Natural Fit Gloves
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Amazon
High quality design
Grippy padding
Comfortable for long-term wear
Expensive
Not waterproof
Sizing on gloves can vary slightly between men and women, and we were impressed by the fit of these Bionic Men’s Tough Pro Gloves. These gloves felt so nice that we almost didn’t want to get them super dirty with soil and other debris. Some leather gloves can be quite uncomfortable during their first wear, but we did not experience a discernible “breaking in” with this pair. The grippy rubber on the palms and fingertips also gave us added confidence while working with certain tools.
These gloves also have vented knuckle seams, so your skin can breathe while staying protected. The inside of these gloves features additional padding on the palms and fingers for more comfort while gripping machinery for long periods of time. We also wore these gloves for almost three hours at a time with no complaints. Although these gloves have a hydrophobic coating, we wouldn’t recommend getting them wet, as water may damage the performance and durability of the leather over time. These gloves are certainly one of the most expensive options we tested, but they were well worth the extra cost as they’re sure to last several seasons, and their comfort stands out among other designs.
How They Performed Long-Term
These gloves have become even more comfortable with wear over six months, and we're still impressed by the quality and thoughtful design. We haven't noticed any tears or deterioration in the leather, and we think they're a great investment for anyone who wants a leather glove without the expected break-in period.
Price at time of publish: $57
Material: Leather | Machine Washable: No | Waterproof: No
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The Spruce / Alex Colby
Best Thorn-Proof
Magid Professional Rose Pruning Gardening Gloves
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Amazon
Protective sleeve
Durable
Knuckle guard
Back of hand not protected
Pilling on inside lining after one use
A reliable pair of thornproof gloves are an essential tool for rose garden enthusiasts. These gloves from Magid impressed us with not only their durability but also their comfortable fit. The thumb was slightly too large for our hand, but the rest of the glove fit well and stayed on while we were working in rose bushes. After several uses around thorn bushes, these gloves had no pricks or visible signs of wear on them. However, we did note that the back of these gloves can easily be pulled, snagged, or punctured because they are made of a spandex material rather than the synthetic leather that makes up the rest of the glove. We also noticed pilling on the inner liner of these gloves after just one use, so they may not be the best to use in incredibly hot climates.
While the back of our hands was not well protected in these gloves, we loved the knuckle guard, which is made out of synthetic leather, and protected our knuckles and fingers from thorn pricks. The protective gauntlet attached to these gloves reached our elbow, which provided plenty of protection from thorn bush branches. Although these gloves are slightly more expensive than other options on the market, they offered excellent thorn protection, making them worthy of the splurge in our book.
How They Performed Long-Term
These gloves have become our go-to pair for any tasks working with pokey bushes and plants. We no longer dread caring for cactuses and roses thanks to these gloves. Even though they're definitely warmer than other options, we don't mind the sweat instead of scratched hands.
Price at time of publish: $30
Material: Synthetic leather and spandex | Machine Washable: No | Waterproof: No
Best Leather
StoneBreaker Rancher Work Gloves
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Amazon
Durable
Can be used during high dexterity tasks
Soft texture
May not fit smaller hands
Not breathable
Leather gardening gloves are always a great option, especially if you prefer your gloves to withstand heavy-duty tasks such as removing unwanted branches or collecting firewood. These gloves from StoneBreaker impressed us with their heavy-duty leather exterior yet soft, comfortable interior. Two layers of lining protect against blisters thanks to double stitching and a thick leather exterior. We noted that these gloves did not fit our testing team member's hands but did fit her boyfriend’s hands, who happily used them while gardening and doing yard work for several hours. If you have smaller hands, these gloves may not be the best option for you.
Despite their lack of range in sizing, these gloves are not only a great option for heavy-duty work but can also be used for gardening tasks that require high dexterity and finger mobility. Even though the gloves were too large for our team member, she still felt like she had a full range of motion and was capable of performing detailed tasks. Although these leather gloves are not waterproof, we think they are a great option for heavy-duty tasks and stand up well against thorns and branches.
How They Performed Long-Term
Although we have noticed some thinning on the fingertips of these gloves, they still protect our hands well. As we mentioned, our team member's boyfriend gets much more use out of this pair, since they are larger in size, but they are a great option for heavy-duty tasks and dealing with thorny bushes.
Price at time of publish: $25
Material: Leather | Machine Washable: No | Waterproof: No
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The Spruce / Caitlin Sole
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The Spruce / Caitlin Sole
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The Spruce / Caitlin Sole
Best Rubber
Cooljob Rubber Coated Gardening Gloves
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Amazon
Comfortable
Breathable
Well-fitted
Will not protect against thorns
If comfort and breathability are at the top of your list for gardening gloves, we recommend these gloves from COOLJOB. These gloves were by far the most comfortable pair out of the four that one of our team members tested. She said the rubber-coated palms not only accurately fit her hand but also kept water and moisture out of the gloves while she handled wet soil and watered flowers. She also appreciated that the wrist portion of the glove was actually long enough to keep out dirt.
Aside from their fit and overall durability, these gloves made it easier to grip gardening tools while also being compatible with delicate tasks like replanting flowers. Although they’re a pretty basic design and might be considered a more disposable option compared to other gloves available, these gloves performed very well. Keep in mind that this pair is not meant to protect against thorns, so they may not be best if your gardening needs fall into heavy-duty categories.
How They Performed Long-Term
These gloves are still in great shape after six months of use, but they do have a bit of staining on the fingers and palms. We've also noticed that the rubber has worn down a bit, but we're not too concerned about its overall durability as we haven't noticed significant wear. We recommend these gloves as a great breathable option for quick gardening tasks like watering or planting seedlings.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: Micro-foamed latex coating | Machine Washable: Yes | Waterproof: Yes
Best Lightweight
Garden Works Bamboo Garden Gloves
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Terrain
Breathable
Moisture wicking
Well-fitted
Show wear easily
These gloves claim to be “the most comfortable pair of gloves you will ever wear,” and we think they’re definitely high up on our gardening gloves list for comfort and breathability. The bamboo fibers wick away sweat, while the foam latex palm protects against outside moisture. They’re about as close to a second skin as can be, and the thin fabric is stretchy and cooling without feeling too tight and itchy.
Our major concern with this pair of gloves is their long-term durability because they quickly showed pulls and nicks from small twigs after a few uses. We also think the price tag was somewhat expensive for this pair's basic design, although we recognize the merits of their cooling effect may justify the price. All in all, these gloves are a great option if you value comfort while working in your garden and don’t mind having to potentially replace them after one season of use.
How They Performed Long-Term
These gloves have defied our original expectations and continue to hold up after six months of use. While they do have a few snags and stains, they have not torn or otherwise developed any signs of wear. One member of our team has already recommended them to a friend as her go-to pair of gloves while gardening.
Price at time of publish: $12
Material: Bamboo fiber and foam latex | Machine Washable: Not listed | Waterproof: Not listed
Best Long Sleeve
G & F Products Florist Pro Longsleeve Garden Gloves
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Amazon
Provide protection without restricting movement
Comfortable to wear for long periods of time
Durable outer shell
Material could be pierced
Pruning rose bushes and other thorny varieties in a garden can be a painful task, but these gloves from G & F Products completely changed our experience. These gloves protected our arms and hands while pruning rose bushes, and we still had full mobility and comfort, even with the gloves’ bulky finish. We especially enjoyed how these gloves did not bunch up around our wrists, so we were still able to maneuver through branches with ease.
Although these gloves are very similar to our pick for the best thorn-proof category, our team member noted (she also tested the best thorn-proof pick) that these gloves were slightly more comfortable to wear for a long period of time because the inner shell offered more breathability and did not become hot and sticky with wear. Our only concern is that some thorns did stick into these gloves. Even though the overall integrity of the gloves was unharmed, we worry that over time a larger tear or pre-existing hole could result in scratches. Despite this long-term durability concern, we still recommend these gloves for their effectiveness in preventing scrapes and remaining comfortable during thorny tasks.
How They Performed Long-Term
Surprisingly, these gloves have exceeded our expectations with their long-term durability. We have not noticed any major signs of wear. Our team member uses these gloves interchangeably with our best thorn-proof pair and says they're very comfortable to wear for longer periods of time and offer excellent protection against gnarly branches.
Price at time of publish: $14
Material: Synthetic leather and spandex | Machine Washable: No | Waterproof: No
Best Patterns
Bamllum Leather Gardening Gloves
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Amazon
13 pattern options
Heavy duty
Protect from sharp plants
Not best for detailed tasks
Gardening is always more fun with a playful pattern on your gloves, which is why we love these gloves from Bamllum. Not only are these gloves made of high-quality leather, but they’re also great for performing heavy-duty tasks around your garden, such as clearing debris, moving spiky or sharp plants, and pulling weeds. These gloves are quite thick, which made them less than ideal for fine motor tasks such as handling seedlings and replanting flowers. However, they performed well in other tasks around a garden and lawn.
Our only other note of concern was that the yellow color became stained quickly, and we could not wash them. While gardening gloves don’t have to be pristine, the yellow color may not be the prettiest toward the end of a season of use. She also said these gloves were rather hot to wear for a long period of time, so they may not be best for warmer climates. All in all, we may not choose these gloves for long-term comfort, but we were certainly impressed by the range of patterns and colors available and thought they were well worth their price for high-performance tasks.
How They Performed Long-Term
While these gloves are great to wear while raking leaves and picking up debris around a garden, we've found they're not best for high-dexterity tasks. They are very durable, and we have not noticed any signs of wear other than the staining from dirt. The patterns are certainly pretty and a fun refresh from the otherwise utilitarian designs in our roundup.
Price at time of publish: $12
Material: Leather | Machine Washable: No | Waterproof: No
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The Spruce / Christine Colby
Compare
Overall Rating | Quality | Comfort | Design | Durability | Value | ||
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Best Overall:
Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves
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Amazon | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Budget:
Amazing Stuff for You! Grippy Gardening Gloves
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Amazon | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Multi-Pack:
Ansell Hyflex Nylon Work Gloves
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Amazon | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Men's:
Bionic Tough Pro Natural Fit Gloves
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Amazon | ||||||
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Best Thorn-Proof:
Magid Gardening Gloves
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Amazon | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | |
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Best Leather:
StoneBreaker Rancher Work Gloves
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Amazon | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | |
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Best Rubber:
Cooljob Rubber Coated Gardening Gloves
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Amazon | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | |
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Best Lightweight:
Garden Works Bamboo Garden Gloves
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Amazon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | |
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Best Long Sleeve:
G & F Products Florist Pro Garden Gloves
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Amazon | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Patterns:
Bamllum Leather Gardening Gloves
|
Amazon | 4.5 | 3.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
While many of the gardening gloves we tested stood out for their durability and comfort, our favorite gloves are the Firm Grip Women’s General Purpose Synthetic Leather Gloves. These gloves stood apart from the rest for their innovative design that offered protection and comfort and their unique features that made gardening an even more enjoyable experience for our tester. If you’re looking for an affordable option that can last you through a season, we recommend the Amazing Stuff for You! Grippy Gardening Gloves, which are sold in a pack of two and offer great protection and added grip while handling tools and equipment.
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The Spruce / Christine Colby
Other Options We Tested
Firm Grip Pigskin Work Gloves: These gloves are what we would consider a typical leather glove. After working in a garden and mowing a lawn, our team member developed a bit of chaffing and some blisters while wearing these. While that's to be expected of true leather gloves, we think the heavy-duty options we listed in this roundup can save your hands the pain of a break-in period.
G & F Products Soft Jersey Garden Gloves: The best thing about these gloves is the price they sell for three pairs in one pack. They aren't noteworthy in design and wore down after just one wash. The jersey fabric also offers no protection against thick thorns and branches, so these gloves are basically just a shield from dirt.
How We Tested the Gardening Gloves
To simulate the most accurate setting for gardening gloves, we purchased 22 pairs of gardening gloves from a variety of brands and used each pair in our own gardens and lawns over a two-week period. Altogether we spent 33.5 hours examining every feature and protection that these gloves had to offer. When we first received the gloves, we evaluated the initial quality of each pair, looking at the gloves’ construction and sizing and comparing them to manufacturer claims. For glove styles that claimed to be waterproof, we spent at least 30 minutes wearing the gloves while watering or completing other yard work that involved handling moist soil. While we wore the gloves in our gardens, we also considered the overall comfort and feel of the gloves during extended use. We also made a note of whether the gloves became hot and sticky or kept our hands feeling cool.
For gloves designed for handling thorns and completing other heavy-duty tasks, we kept in mind that their durability may affect their comfort, but we still considered if they were practical for long-term wear. We also considered those gloves’ designs and noted any helpful features that made certain pairs stand out. To test durability, we thought about how each pair of gloves held up compared to other gloves of similar design and how they may perform long-term with appropriate use. We also followed manufacturer care instructions and washed any gloves listed as machine washable. We took note of shrinkage, change in texture, or performance after washing. Finally, after wearing each pair of gloves for multiple hours, we looked at the list price of the gloves and considered the overall value based on their performance as a whole. We made a note of any situations or circumstances where the gloves would be especially helpful or not useful at all. To further test the durability of 12 standout pairs of gloves, we continued to wear them for six months. During this period, we noted any signs of wear and considered whether the gloves became more comfortable or less effective at protecting our hands. Lastly, we collected all of our testing data, and our team of editors reviewed it to create the product descriptions in this roundup.
What to Look for in Gardening Gloves
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. Avoid gloves that leave extra room at your fingertips or ones that don’t offer a firm but flexible fit where your fingers attach to your hand. Gloves often come in sizes small, medium, or large and may be labeled as “Men’s” or “Women’s.” If you have particularly large, wide hands or small hands, don’t worry about labels and choose the ones that feel right.
Comfort and Protection
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. Our best overall pick, the Firm Grip Women’s General Purpose Synthetic Leather Gloves, features a breathable mesh back and comfortable reinforced padding on the palms and fingertips.
Reinforced fingertips stand up to repetitive tasks like weeding and help protect your nails and fingers from poking through, breaking, or splitting. Leather is soft but tough. While wearing leather gloves, you'll feel confident about pruning shrubs or removing brambles. Elbow-length gloves protect your hands and arms when you prune your roses, such as our Best Long Sleeve pick, the G & F Florist Pro Garden and Rose Gloves, which our tester found to protect her arms without restricting her movement. The best gloves are comfortable to wear and provide the right protection for the task.
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.
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How do you soften leather gardening gloves?
Leather is a material that softens naturally with repeated use and a little care. Leather gardening gloves are most often made with cowhide, deerskin, or goatskin, with goatskin as the softest. Keeping your leather gloves clean and conditioned with mink oil or another mild lubricant will help keep them pliable. Old unused leather can become hard and cracked. If this is the case, apply small amounts of mink or coconut oil or work vaseline into the gloves to recondition them.
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Why should you wear gardening gloves?
The primary purpose of gardening gloves is to protect your hands from elements like soil, plants with rough surfaces or thorns, and insects and against painful skin cracking and other conditions that result from heavy use. Some gloves also make gardening chores easier by improving your grip and reinforcing strength in your fingertips.
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Can you wash gardening gloves?
How to clean your garden gloves depends on the material used to make them. Gloves made entirely of cloth can be washed as any normal item of clothing. Specialty gloves like leather or nitrile must be cleaned differently. Saddle soap is a common leather cleaner. Nitrile gloves should be washed with antibacterial soap inside and out. Gloves with webbing or reinforced fingertips or palms can be hand washed with mild detergent. Gardening gloves of all materials will hold up longer when they are dried completely before the next wear.
“Depending on how dirty or wet my gloves get, I wash them every one to three times I garden,” says Carmen Johnston, founder and owner of Bespoke Garden Plans. “Sometimes, I simply hose them off, but I definitely toss them in the washing machine! I’d rather have extra time outdoors than inside hand-washing! I throw them in with a scoop of Oxi-Clean and—for super dirty days—treat them first with Spray N Wash."
She adds, “I never, ever use the dryer, though; just lay them out to air dry. I probably have 10 to 15 pairs of gloves, and I store them in a Tupperware container in the laundry room.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was updated by Emma Phelps, an Updates Writer for The Spruce, who has previous experience reporting on gardening and outdoor equipment. For this roundup, our senior editors analyzed our testing data and our at-home testing methodology to select the top-performing gloves from the entire batch tested. Phelps then analyzed our testing insights and updated this product list to reflect new selections and provide an in-depth analysis of the user experience with each of these gardening gloves. Phelps also conducted market research to consider what consumers look for in a pair of gardening gloves and identify any popular brands and styles of gloves. Finally, Phelps consulted Carmen Johnston, founder and owner of Bespoke Garden Plans, who provided insight on how to keep gardening gloves clean and her personal tricks for keeping her hands clean. Johnston’s work also can be found on Instagram and TikTok. Phelps also updated this roundup to include our latest testing insights from a long-term, six-month testing period.
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. Additional research for this article was provided by Barbara Gillette, a master gardener and herbalist who keeps all her garden gloves handy. She works with honeybees and other pollinators to grow organic vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flowers on her 8-acre hobby farm.
What Is The Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut.