The Best Gardening Gloves

Buying Guide for Gardening Gloves

Why buy gardening gloves?

You may think that gloves keep you from the full gardening sensory experience, but in fact, they are necessary for your protection. Digging in soil (even potting soil or compost) can expose you to several types of fungi that can cause disease. Sporotrichosis, or rose picker’s disease, for example, is caused by the fungus Sporothrix, which can infect you through cuts and scrapes and leads to sores and lesions; bacterial diseases like tetanus and Legionnaires’ disease are also possibilities when working with soil.

Gloves also protect you from cuts, abrasions, calluses, and blisters, as well as any chemicals there may be in your gardening materials. Plus, activities like digging in your garden, moving gravel or mulch, or raking leaves can leave their mark on your hands with calluses and blisters. You can also preserve your manicure with gardening gloves. They add a much-needed layer of protection to your hands while working in your yard or garden.

What should you consider in gardening gloves?

• Size: Your gloves should fit you as snugly as possible without being uncomfortable or restricting your movement. Check the exact measurements needed for sizing a particular glove when shopping, but as a general rule, to find your glove size, measure the distance around your knuckles just under your four fingers for the circumference of your hand. Generally speaking, a small glove fits hands with a 6.5- to 7.25-inch circumference; a medium is 7.5 to 7.75 inches around; a large is 8.0 to 8.75 inches; extra-large sizes are above 9 inches in circumference.
• Gardening Needs: For some garden jobs, you need to be able to feel and handle small objects, which requires a thinner, more flexible material. For wet gardening tasks, you need gloves that provide a moisture-resistant barrier. Leather gloves are for tasks that may involve cuts or a lot of wear and tear on your hands.
• Breathability: If you’re going to spend a lot of time working in the garden, you don’t want to wind up with stinky, sweaty palms. A great pair of everyday gardening gloves will be breathable for your comfort. Puncture-proof gloves will likely not be as breathable and are made for heavy-duty jobs. Unfortunately, breathable gloves will not protect as well, so they’re best for light work.

How long will your gardening gloves last?

If you make good use of your gardening gloves, they should last you about a year or a season. If you’re tackling a lot of tough tasks, it may be a good idea to order a multi-pack since you could go through them faster. That being said, there are gardening gloves that may last longer than a year if you only use them every so often and for lighter projects. Just be sure to replace them regularly or as soon as you notice holes forming to be sure you have enough protection. Worn-out gloves won’t protect your hands nearly as well as a new pair.

Our Picks for the Best Gardening Gloves

Pros: These gardening gloves are built for comfort, so you can wear them for long projects. They have good grips, so you won’t drop your tools, and you’ll have more control over the task at hand. Plus, they’re washable to keep them looking good. Since they’re lightweight and breathable, you shouldn’t feel hindered by them at all, and your hands won’t get as sweaty.

Cons: These gloves aren’t built for heavy-duty protection.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a great set of everyday gardening gloves, try this one. They’re available in multi-packs, helping you to save time and money. Despite the porous texture that keeps your hands from sweating buckets, they do a great job of keeping the dirt away from your skin and nails.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for a great value, these gloves are it. They come in assorted colors to match your style, and they’re super comfortable. They’re made from 100% cotton with PVC dots for a good grip on trowels and weeds.

Cons: These gloves won’t protect your hands from prickles or thorns.

Bottom Line: Soft and flexible, these gardening gloves are made specifically for women’s hands. They’re machine washable, so you can reuse them again and again. These gardening gloves are best for digging and planting, and they’re great for pulling those stubborn weeds.

 

Pros: While most leather gloves are difficult to find in smaller sizes, these are not. They’re lighter in texture than some other leather gloves, so your hands won’t dump sweat in them. Plus, they’re nice and flexible, marrying comfort with durability.

Cons: These gardening gloves may stain your hands a little bit at first.

Bottom Line: These gardening gloves work great for most tough jobs around your yard. The elastic around the wrist keeps them firmly in place. They’re both wear-resistant and reusable.

 

Pros: While these gardening gloves are mostly no-frills, they do come in a couple of colors. Unlike many other heavy-duty gloves, they come in a smaller size, perfect for petite hands. They extend to cover the forearms for better protection. Plus, they’re easy to clean.

Cons: They aren’t as resistant to thorns as many would prefer.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for heavy-duty gloves at a great value, these gloves may be just what you need. And since they aren’t made from genuine leather, you don’t need to worry about shrinking or stiffening after use.

 

Pros: These gloves combine fashion with modern functionality. They’re touch screen compatible, so you don’t have to take them off to answer your phone or send a quick text. They have a secure Velcro strap at the wrist, keeping them from sliding off during tough jobs. They’re also super comfortable for all-day projects, and the grips make it easy to hang onto your tools.

Cons: The fingertips will wear down after long-term use.

Bottom Line: It’s such a pain to have to remove your gloves to answer the phone. These gardening gloves have solved that problem for you. They’re tough yet stretchy, so your hands won’t feel constricted.

Final Thoughts

Gardening gloves are essential tools for caring for your yard or plants. Our top picks should serve you well as you tackle projects around your yard.