The 6 Best Garden Gloves Available Online & What to Look for in Your Next Pair

The 6 Best Garden Gloves Available Online & What to Look for in Your Next Pair

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Best Garden Gloves - Planting a young plant with gardening gloves on

To find the best garden gloves for you, choose a pair that combines comfort, function and protection

In a rush or want to compare for yourself? Here is my pick for best garden gloves for general garden work and also heavy duty work (men's and women's)

F YOU ARE GOING TO grow a garden, chop firewood, perform any one of many types of outdoor work, one of the most important tools you are going to need a good pair of gloves.

No matter whether you are simply placing bedding plants in loose soil or digging a fresh patch of garden, the gloves you choose are going to be different for each task. So, let's take a look at what you should be looking for in a glove and then we will go over the best pairs for each task.

What You Need to Look for in a Garden Glove

Comfort First and Foremost

No matter what type of garden glove you decide to buy, it is important for you to choose a pair that combines a perfect blend of comfort and function.

However, you should be aware that if you buy a pair of gloves based simply on comfort, you are likely to end up with a pair of gloves that aren’t going to last very long.

For example, a pair of cloth gloves may feel great on your hands, but they don't over much in the way of protection. By the same token, leather gloves offer much better protection, but they tend to be stiff and hard to work with.

You should look for gloves that meet a happy medium, those that breathe, protect, and are easy to work in.

Best Garden Gloves - Closeup on gloves in action

A good way to tell if you have the right type of garden gloves on is how much you notice having them on when working. If you don't notice them, they are the right gloves

IF YOU ARE GOING TO grow a garden, chop firewood, perform any one of many types of outdoor work, one of the most important tools you are going to need a good pair of gloves.

No matter whether you are simply placing bedding plants in loose soil or digging a fresh patch of garden, the gloves you choose are going to be different for each task. So, let's take a look at what you should be looking for in a glove and then we will go over the best pairs for each task.

Construction

There are several things you need to know about the construction of a good pair of garden gloves. From reinforced fingertips to double seam stitching and padding.

Each of these issues is worth paying close attention to and have their advantages and disadvantages you need to be aware of.

Best Garden Gloves - Close up of well loved and used gloves

A well made pair feel great to put on and will protect your hands for years

The Fingertips

When it comes to the average pair of garden gloves, the fingertips are typically the first things to wear out. I can't tell you how many pairs I have gone through weeding and picking rocks out of my gardens.

A good pair of gloves will have fingertips that are reinforced with a layer of leather. This layer protects your fingers from sharp thorns, rocks, old rusty nails, pieces of broken glass, bugs that bite or sting.

The only problem with these types of fingertips is that they can make it hard to feel anything you are working with.

Best Garden Gloves - Workers laying turf with garden gloves on

The more rugged the task, the stronger the gloves will need to be

Single or Double-Stitching

Seams are rated as one of the most common points of failure when it comes to gloves. With this in mind, you should always look for a pair that are made using double-stitching for the seams.

They are easy to spot as these gloves have double rows of stitching at any point where two parts of material come together. Be sure to look for quality stitching as cheap ones tend to bunch up around the seams and can make the gloves hard to work with and uncomfortable.

Best Garden Gloves - Gloves used for small gardening jobs. pruning etc.

A good cloth pair of garden gloves are comfortable to wear, flexible and offer enough protection for small gardening tasks

Flexibility

In order for the gloves you buy to work well, they need to be very flexible, especially in the fingers.

When you are using thinner gloves such as those made from cloth or rubber, this isn't much of a problem. But when it comes to heavy-duty leather work gloves, this can be a major problem.

Beware of any gloves you think you can “break in” as chances are good you won't wear them long enough for this to happen. The gloves you choose should be relatively flexible from the moment you put them on.

Also, beware of gloves that have a lot of padding as this can make them hard to work in, a little padding goes a long way.

A Word or Two about Materials

No matter what type of work you plan to do, the best garden gloves can be made from any one of a number of materials. Choosing which material is right depends on how you plan to use the gloves you buy.

Here are the most common materials used:

  • Pigskin: A very tough type of leather that is reasonably flexible and affordable.
  • Goatskin: Thought to be the most durable leather, it is exceptionally soft and very flexible, but expensive.
  • Split cowhide: Very common material used for outdoor work, but stiff and best for working around roses etc.
  • Manmade Leather: Used in many inexpensive gloves and can be tossed in the laundry to be washed.
  • Cotton: Used in light-duty gloves, this material breathes well, is very flexible, and inexpensive. Will not protect your hands from sharp objects and will wear out quickly.
  • Neoprene, rubber, spandex, lycra: Most gloves are not made entirely of these materials, but some use them on the palms, fingers, and backs to reinforce them and make them sturdier.
Best Garden Gloves - Potatoes pulled straight from the ground with gloves on

Cost

The simple reality is that when buying a pair of gloves, as with most things, you are going to get what you pay for.

This does not mean to say that you should simply rush out and spend a bundle on a pair of gloves. But at the same time it does mean that if you aren’t prepared to invest a little on a pair of gloves,  you will not be happy with the results.

You can pick up a decent pair of cotton gloves for around $10 or less. If you want a good pair of double stitched, heavy-duty leather gloves with reinforced fingertips and a good wrist closure, you should be prepared to spend $50 or more.

Best Garden Gloves - Hand trimming with gloves on

My Pick for the 6 Best Garden Gloves

So now that you have a good idea what to look for if you want the best garden gloves for your money, here are the best ones I have found and used. For convenience, they are sorted based on the type of work they are designed for.

Light-Duty

These gloves are typically made from cotton or nitrile and are only made to be used for light duty chores as they offer little in the way of protection from sharp objects. Cotton gloves are often sold in bundles as they wear out quickly.

Wells Lamont Work Gloves, Jersey Basic, Wearpower

Simple, Lightweight, Cotton-Poly Gloves for Simple Tasks

These gloves are made from a polyester and cotton jersey blend. They feature a Clute cut and straight thumb so that there are no seams on the palms for added comfort and functionality.

The knit wrist cuff helps to keep out dirt and debris, protecting your hands from damage. They come in size large that will fit most hands and are extremely flexible. Ideal for light-duty gardening tasks like planting, raking leaves, some trimming, and pruning work.

Pros

Cons

Inexpensive

Not puncture proof

Soft, flexible, and comfortable

Only one size

No seams on palms for more comfort

Not for medium to heavy duty use 

G & F 1852-3 Women Soft Jersey Garden Gloves

These are Perfect for Women Who Love to Get Out in the Garden

As I said above, not all gloves are made to fit a woman's smaller hands, which can make for a painful experience.

These gloves are made from 100 percent cotton with flower prints and knit wrist cuffs. To help you grip things like flower pots and garden tools, they have PVC dots all over the palms.

They are super soft, flexible, and comfortable, making them an excellent choice for light garden work.  The dots help keep things from slipping out of your hands.

Pros

Cons

Perfect fit for smaller hands

Not puncture proof

PVC dots let you grip everything including wet stuff

Gloves are stapled together leaving holes in cuffs

Knit Cuffs keep dirt and debris at bay

They will shrink in the dryer

Best Gloves for Weeding

f you are a lot like me and spend a fair amount of time out in the garden taking care of the weeding, you need a pair of garden gloves that are flexible enough to grab the weeds and strong enough to keep your fingers from getting stabbed, pinched, stung, or bitten.

Here are my favorite weeding gloves for you to consider.

NoCry Puncture Resistant Gardening Gloves

The Extra-Long Cuffs Keep Your Forearms Safe while Working in the Garden

Weeding your garden can be a relaxing and rewarding experience, that is until you cut yourself on a sharp rock or piece of broken glass. The best way to keep this from happening is a good pair of gloves like these.

They are made from puncture resistant goatskin that is quite flexible. The offer long cuffs that keep the rest of your forearm protected (which makes them great for pruning as well). The lightweight material makes them a joy to work in and will not restrict your movement.

Pros

Cons

Lightweight and flexible

Not for vegans

Puncture resistant goatskin

Take some getting used to with long cuffs

Long cuffs for more protection

Moderately expensive

Heavy-Duty

Here is where we get serious about garden gloves. If you have a lot of digging to do, need to move big rocks, are building a cement block wall, or any one of several other heavy duty jobs, you need a pair of gloves that are up to the job.  

Here are my two favorites for your consideration:

Bellingham Glove 8202 Heavy Duty Cowhide Leather Gloves

Extra-Strong for Those Tough Jobs

There are those times when you need a heavy-duty pair of gardening gloves, such as when you are hand digging a fresh garden bed or spreading manure.

These gloves feature a canvas body with split grain cowhide leather fingers and palms. They are thin enough to be very flexible, yet tough enough to take on the hardest chores. The extended cuff comes in handy to help keep dirt and debris out of the body of the gloves.

Pros

Cons

Double-layer split cowhide palms for added protection

Slightly bigger than size listed you may need to go down a size for best fit

Canvas body for flexibility

Very stiff at first

Ideal for digging, working with thorny plants

Not made for working with smaller plants etc.

True Grip Heavy Duty Work Gloves, Large

Polyurethane Reinforced and Built-In Knuckle Protection

If you are looking for a pair of heavy-duty gardening gloves that will keep your fingers protected from being banged up, these may be just what you need. They have reinforced knuckles and polyurethane reinforcement designed to take on your toughest chores.

The adjustable wrist strap gives you a more perfect fit. Best of all since they are made from all-synthetic materials, they are completely machine washable.

Pros

Cons

Polyurethane reinforcement for added protection

Cuffs are made from a flimsy material

Very flexible

Sizing may be a bit big

Machine washable

Shell may rip under extreme usage

Extreme Duty

Okay, so now we look at those gloves that are made to take on virtually any task, no matter how heavy-duty it might be. For tasks like this, you need gloves that won't puncture, won't rip, won't tear, and will keep your hands protected at all costs.

Bear in mind these gloves are going to be stiff and may never fully break in. Most are made from natural leather as this material is capable of meeting all of the above standards.

Bionic Glove Tough Pro Men's Work Gloves

Made to Take on The Toughest Jobs

When you have to take on the toughest jobs like chopping down trees, pulling bushes out by the roots, or spending hours using a shovel or garden fork, these gloves may be just what you need.

I keep a pair on hand for those days. They were designed by an orthopedic hand specialist to offer superior grip, fit, and performance. In fact, they are the first glove to be awarded the Ease of Use Endorsement given by the Arthritis Foundation.

They are made from full-grain goat leather and reinforced using silicone on the palms, thumbs, and fingertips.

Pros

Cons

Made of goat leather for durability and flexibility

Fingertips tend to wear out quickly

Designed by an orthopedic hand specialist

Plastic fingertips come unsewn

Designed to relieve hand stress

Do not breath so your hands get hot

When the Gloves are Off...

With so many different styles, brands, and materials to choose from, finding the best hand protection to fit your needs can be challenging. Use the guidelines above to help you, but be prepared to pick up several different pairs for the many jobs you have to do around your yard.

I have six different pairs so that I always have the right ones for the job at hand, but I love my pair of Bionic Gloves for the heavy-duty work and use my NoCry gloves for almost any job have.

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If you have any information you would like to see here, please contact us here. If your still looking for more info, here is a conversation that I found on a forum that is worth reading here 

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