The Best Gardening Shoes to Keep Your Feet Dry and Protected

Best Overall

Bogs Patch Ankle Garden Boots

4.8

View On Amazon View On Bogsfootwear.com View On Moosejaw.com

Our Ratings

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

The Bogs Patch Ankle Boots received perfect scores across all categories (quality, comfort, durability, design, and value), earning our title of best overall shoe. Our home tester loved that they were durable and had cushioned insoles to support her feet after many hours outdoors. She liked the ankle height, which made them easy to get on and off ("I found I didn't even need the handy cut-outs on the sides"), and appreciated the small tab on the back that made them easier to remove. These ankle boots aren't just well made and sturdy, they also look good, which our tester appreciated, saying, "The simple pattern adds a little fun and stylishness. I would use these as a commuter rain boot on a wet day."

The soles are both thick yet flexible and able to accommodate lots of bending and maneuvering in the garden. Since half sizes aren't available, our tester went up a half size. The fit tends to be roomy, which she didn't mind (think socks helped), but she noticed that the generous fit around her ankles took some getting used to. Although the price was a bit high, she felt that they were worth it since she'd be willing to wear them around town. She also praised the company's numerous sustainability initiatives, such as the use of recycled materials and plans to decrease their carbon footprint, which would make her feel good about supporting them. But, there are a few downsides. The waterproof material may be too thick for sweltering summer temps, and the shoes do give off a strong rubbery odor right out of the box.

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Material: Natural rubber (boot) and algae-based EVA (footbed) | Sizes: Women's 6 to 11 | Type: Ankle boot | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Budget

Amoji Unisex Garden Clog Yard Shoes

4.4

View On Amazon View On Amoji.com

Our Ratings

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

Our budget winner, the Amoji Unisex Garden Clogs "feel like a bargain" according to our tester and were very comparable to similar name-brand shoes in quality and design "but cost about half the price." She appreciated the good arch support and cushioned soles. They come with an adjustable strap that may cause them to feel too snug when worn on the back, though it can be easily rotated to the top.

After being worn for a long walk on concrete, the shoes did show some signs of wear on the logo as well as creasing on the top. Also, the air holes allow for breathability, but they don't keep dirt out during messy gardening tasks. Luckily they can be easily hosed down at the end of a gardening session. The molded footbed is textured, which helps keep bare feet from slipping and sliding too much when the shoe is wet (something that can be very annoying with these types of clogs).

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Material: Rubber | Sizes: Women's 6 to 15; men's 5 to 13 | Type: Clog | Waterproof: Yes}

Best All-Purpose

Crocs Unisex Adult Classic Clogs

4.2

View On Academy.com View On Crocs.com View On Debenhams.com

Our Ratings

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

After spending several hours testing these shoes, our tester called herself a "Crocs convert," saying she appreciated their lightweight material ("You barely notice you're wearing shoes") and pleasant feel ("like walking on a cloud"), adding that they didn't rub or feel tight. Despite the airy vibe, the shoes held up well outdoors, and our tester said she didn't feel or notice tough materials like rocks or mulch underfoot.

Crocs are super-easy to hose off so that they don't retain odors, and the perforated toe box means they're unlikely to make your feet sweaty on warm days. Since the brand doesn't offer half sizes, our tester sized up a half size and described the fit as "comfortably loose." One complaint was the value, noting that at press time, full-price Crocs clogs started at $50, and she'd be more likely to buy them if she could find them on sale.

Our tester did admit that the look of Crocs isn't for everyone, calling them "a bit of a clown shoe," but also said she was fully onboard with them, especially considering the dozens of colors, patterns, and charms available. "While their appearance is super basic and a bit bulky, they are lightweight and comfy. They also come in about a zillion colors and patterns, so the world is your oyster when it comes to finding a style that suits your personality," she said.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Material: Croslite (the company's proprietary, rubber-like foam) | Sizes: Women's 6 to 12; men's 4 to 17 | Type: Clog | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Men's

L. L. Bean Men’s Wellie Sport Shoes, Slip-On

4.2

View On L.L.Bean

Our Ratings

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

While wearing the L.L. Bean Men’s Wellie Support Shoes, our tester especially appreciated the solid construction and high-quality materials, as well as the good looks and basic tread that helps prevent slipping in wet conditions. "They look like nice grownup sneakers at a glance, and feel almost as comfortable," he said, although he noted that they have minimal arch support.

Note that although they're advertised as slip-on, getting them on and off isn't a no-brainer like a pair of clogs. "They don't buckle or lace, but you do need to slip your fingers down to help slide your foot into them," he said. He described the waterproofing as "gasket-like" and said that moisture stayed out completely during wet gardening tasks but also pointed out that they have the potential to get "steamy" if you're doing lots of labor.

He felt the price tag was a bit high if you're only going to garden in them, but that he'd recommend them to "those who have cash to burn on kicks for the yard but are at least semi-serious about their active gardening." Overall, he recommended the shoes with a caveat: "They have style and performance going for them, and if you don't mind parting with the better part of a hundred dollars for something along these lines, these are a good choice."

Price at time of publish: $89

_{Materials: Rubber (upper and outsole), neoprene (collar), EVA (footbed) | Sizes: Men's 7 to 14 | Type: Slip-on | Waterproof:  Yes}

Best Splurge

The Original Muck Boot Company Women's Muckster II Mid Boot

4.2

View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Muckbootcompany.com

If you tend to garden during cooler months or wet conditions, you won’t mind splurging on these versatile boots, which our tester called “sturdy and tough.” They're fairly heavy with deep tread that provides good traction in slippery muck, and when worn in the high position, give the wearer "the feeling that you can walk into nearly any gardening situation and be good to go."

Although the boots are advertised as being easy to clean, our tester did comment that "mud and dirt really like to get stuck up in the sole." These aren't necessarily shoes you'll be wearing to drinks with friends, as looks were called "an afterthought to performance." That said, they are extremely watertight, dependable, and, as our tester said, "a pretty decent gardening shoe."

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Materials: Rubber, neoprene, nylon | Sizes: Women's 5 to 11 | Type: Boot | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Boot

Evercreatures Women's Rain Ankle Boot

4.8

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

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

"The comfiest wellies I've ever worn," was how our home tester described these waterproof boots, which hit at a "comfortable height" just above the ankle and are less bulky and clunky than some competitors' offerings. They come in a mix of solids and playful patterns (think plaids and dots) and she said they'd work well with shorts or pants as they're "attractive enough for running to the store." They have a deep tread to help guard against slipping and also stand up to their waterproof claims, as our tester ran the hose over them several times. They also protected her feet as she used a rotary cultivator that churned up lots of mud.

The soft, 100 percent cotton lining was deemed comfortable, but our tester expressed concern that it might be tricky to clean if odors or stains popped up in the future. She also noted their lack of breathability, although she admitted she had yet to find a pair of all-rubber boots that was "super breathable." However, we feel like they are a great value since, as our tester noted, "The price seems fair for a well-performing waterproof wellie that's comfortable to work in for hours at a time."

Price at time of publish: $60

_{Material: Rubber with cotton lining Sizes: Women's 5 to 10 Type: Boot | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Arch Support

Naturalizer Womens Marianne Loafer

4.8

View On Amazon View On Catherines.com View On Dick's

Our Ratings

• Fit
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

The good news about these design-conscious loafers, which come in playful prints like cheetah and snakeskin, is that they're "extremely comfortable and have good arch support," two things that Naturalizer shoes are known for. They're cute enough that the wearer can go from "gardening to running errands or eating out." One of the more breathable options on our list, they have a removable insert and also provide good traction during potentially slippery tasks.

Our tester mentioned that the white midsoles, which are standard across all patterns, were difficult to keep clean, even with mild dish soap. "I'll reserve these for less dirty work like watering potted plants or weeding a bed, but I wouldn't want to subject them to messy activities that would require frequent cleaning," she said. As for the price, she called it "quite high for what is essentially a slip-on sneaker."

Price at time of publish: $84

_{Material: Leather, suede, manmade, fabric (or a mix), depending on pattern | Sizes: Women's 4 to 12 | Type: Slip-on | Waterproof: No}