The Best Gardening Gloves, Tested by Us

Best Overall: Firm Grip Women’s General Purpose Synthetic Leather Gloves

4.9

View On Home Depot

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

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. Our tester wore these gloves for approximately 30 minutes while regularly caring for her garden and said they were comfortable and well-made gloves. Thanks to their breathable mesh backs and synthetic leather palms, she said 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 every time 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 enables you to wipe away dirt effectively and absorb sweat. 

Our tester’s 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, our tester said that the adjustable strap around the wrist of these gloves made it easy to secure them in place, and overall she enjoyed wearing these gloves to prevent blisters and bruises during her 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.

Best Budget: Amazing Stuff for You! Grippy Gardening Gloves

4.9

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

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 their affordable pricing and the convenience of offering two pairs of gloves per pack, our tester said these gloves held up well for all of her 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.

Our tester said she thought these gloves fit well around the palm of her 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, our tester said they’re a great option for everyday gardening needs and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Best Multi-Pack: Ansell HYFLEX 11-600 Light Duty Nylon Industrial Gloves

4.6

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Design
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Where quality for price is concerned, gardening gloves don’t get much better than these Ansell Hyflex Extra Thin Nylon Work Gloves. Our tester said these gloves were her 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. Our tester said she was completely comfortable wearing these gloves while working for over an hour in her garden. 

Our tester also said she was surprised by the quality of these gloves because she had assumed they’d be somewhat disposable since they came in a 12-pack. She has yet to switch 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, our tester was highly impressed with the durability and comfort of these gloves and said she would definitely consider repurchasing them—if she ever gets through the whole pack of 12.

Best Men's: Bionic Men’s Tough Pro Gloves

4.8

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

Sizing on gloves can vary slightly between men and women, and our tester loved the fit of these Bionic Men’s Tough Pro Gloves. Our home gardener said these gloves felt so nice that they 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 our tester said there was no discernible “breaking in” necessary with this pair. The grippy rubber on the palms and fingertips also gave our home gardener 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. Our tester said they 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 our tester said they were well worth the extra cost as they’re sure to last several seasons and their comfort stands out among other designs.

Best Thorn-Proof: Magid Thornproof Gardening Gloves

4.6

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Value
  4/5

A reliable pair of thornproof gloves are an essential tool for rose garden enthusiasts. These gloves from Magid impressed our tester with not only their durability but also their comfortable fit. Our tester said that the thumb was slightly too large for her hand, but the rest of the glove fit well and stayed on while she was working in her rose bushes. After several uses around her thorn bushes, our tester said these gloves had no pricks or visible signs of wear on them. However, she did note that the back of these gloves can easily be pulled, snagged, or punctured because they are a spandex material, rather than the synthetic leather that makes up the rest of the glove. She also said she 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 her hand was not well protected in these gloves, our tester loved the knuckle guard, which is made out of synthetic leather, and protected her knuckles and fingers from thorn pricks. The protective gauntlet attached to these gloves reached our tester’s elbow, which provided plenty of protection from her thorn bushes. Although these gloves are slightly more expensive than other options on the market, our tester said they offered excellent thorn protection, making them worthy of the splurge in our book.

Best Leather: StoneBreaker Gloves Rancher Work Glove

4.2

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

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 our tester 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. Our tester also noted that these gloves did not fit her 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. Our tester said that even though the gloves were too large for her, she still felt like she had a full range of motion and was capable of performing detailed tasks. Although they are 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.

Best Rubber: COOLJOB Rubber Coated Gardening Gloves

4

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Design
  3/5
• Durability
  3/5
• Value
  5/5

If comfort and breathability are at the top of your list for gardening gloves, we recommend these gloves from COOLJOB. Our tester said these gloves were by far the most comfortable pair out of the four she tested in her garden. 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, our tester said that these gloves made it easier to grip gardening tools, while also being compatible for 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, our tester said these gloves performed very well. Keep in mind that these gloves are not meant to protect against thorns, so they may not be best if your gardening needs fall into heavy-duty categories.

Best Lightweight: Garden Works Bamboo Garden Gloves

4.7

View On Shopterrain.com

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Value
  4.5/5

These gloves claim to be “the most comfortable pair of gloves you will ever wear,” and our tester said they’re definitely high up on her gardening gloves list for comfort and breathability. She said the bamboo fibers wick away sweat, while the foam latex palm protects against outside moisture. She also said they’re about as close to a second skin as can be, adding that the thin fabric is stretchy and cooling without feeling too tight and itchy. 

Our tester’s 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. She also felt that their price tag was somewhat expensive for their basic design, although she recognized 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.

Best Long Sleeve: G & F Products Florist Pro Garden and Rose Gloves

4.9

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

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 tester’s experience. She said these gloves protected her arms and hands while pruning her rose bushes and she still had full mobility and comfort, even with the gloves’ bulky finish. She especially enjoyed how these gloves did not bunch up around her wrists, so she was still able to maneuver through branches with ease. 

Although these gloves are very similar to our pick for the Best Thorn-Proof category, our tester 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 tester’s only concern is that she had some thorns stick into these gloves. Even though she said 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.