Gardening gloves are available in an array of designs, materials and with various features, including waterproofing, added grip, cushioning, and breathable fabrics to help regulate hand temperature. The design and features you need will depend on the gardening jobs you intend to carry out and when. Thin, lightweight gloves are best for duties where dexterity and being able to feel what you’re doing is key, such as potting up, weeding and planting. However, heavy duty gardening gloves are essential for providing for protection and support when using tools or doing hard landscaping jobs.
Looking for more garden gear? Consider our review sof the best wellington boots and the best garden kneelers. If your gardening equipment needs a refresh, consider our test of the best lawn mowers and if it just needs a clean, why not try our expert review of the best pressure washers?
Buying gardening gloves – video
Best gardening gloves at a glance:
Best lightweight gardening gloves
- Best gloves for light work: Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre
- Best gloves for everyday use: Clip Gloves General Purpose
- Best gloves for grip: Donkey Gloves
Best heavy duty gardening gloves
- Best gloves for summer use : Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection High Performance
- Best gloves for heavy duty work: Clip Gloves Shock Absorber
- Best gloves for wet-weather work: Gold Leaf The Dry Touch
- Best gloves for budget: Verve Latex Coated Garden Gloves
- Best gloves for winter use: Stihl ThermoGrip
- Best gloves for year-round use: Burgon & Ball Love the Glove
Our expertise
The BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine team tested a range of gloves, using them through the year in different gardens and situations to see how they fared. Each pair of gloves in our review has a detailed list of pros and cons and has been rated according to comfort and fit, materials, durability and value for money. Every pair of gloves in our round up below has scored a minimum of three out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.
Jump to:
- Best lightweight gardening gloves
- Best heavy duty gardening gloves
- Best of the rest gardening gloves
- How to choose the best gardening gloves
- How we tested gardening gloves
In every review we award the outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best gardening gloves below:
Best lightweight gardening gloves
Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre
RRP: £4.99
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
Pros:
- Comfortable and light
- Second skin fit
- Breathable
- Feel strong
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Bamboo snags occasionally
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for light work, our reviewers found the Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre a good fit, easy to take on and off, comfortable and breathable. The gloves are washable and they come with a carabiner to clip them on to your belt. They did snag occasionally but they’re great for delicate work and all day wear in spring and summer. Available in both men’s and women’s designs.
Read the full Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre review.
Buy now from Amazon
Clip Gloves General Purpose
RRP: £16.95
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Buy now from Amazon (£18.99)
Pros:
- Snug, comfortable fit
- Padded and reinforced
- Great for everyday, medium duty work
- Hard wearing
Cons:
- Lack warmth
- Not water resistant
With an adjustable wrist strap, extra padding and a tailored fit, these gloves were awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for everyday use. They may not be waterproof but the gloves dry well, keeping their shape. Sizes range from small to large in both men’s and women’s styles.
Read the full Clip Gloves General Purpose review.
Buy now from Amazon
Donkey Gloves
RRP: £16.00
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Buy now from Donkey Gloves, (£16)
Pros:
- Snug fit
- Good grip
- Well-designed
- Lightweight but sturdy
Cons:
- Not lined, waterproof or water resistant
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award for grip, these well-designed gloves fit snugly to help with delicate jobs where good grip is required. While they don’t feature an adjustable strap, the stretchy wrist cuff means they’re easy to get on and off, and there’s a helpful sizing-guide on the website to ensure you choose the right pair. Comfortable to wear, they feature an elasticated, breathable polyester back and a soft suede-padded palm and thumb gusset, which offers extra protection if you’re pruning and clearing borders. They feel well-made and sturdy, but while the material on the palm is water-resistant, moisture soaks through the back of the glove. That said, they dry quickly and the suede palm stays soft. Though warm, they’re not lined so won’t keep out the chill of wintery weather, but they’re a reliable, mid-priced option for everyday work. Available in a range of sizes.
Read the full Donkey Gloves review.
Buy now from Donkey Gloves
Best heavy duty gardening gloves
Spear and Jackson Kew Gardens Collection High Performance Gloves
RRP: £18.99
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Buy now from Amazon
Pros
- Durable yet with good sensitivity
- Lightweight and cool
- Elasticated wrist keeps debris out
- Suit most gardening tasks
Cons
- Thin backs vulnerable to stings & thorns
Winner of a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best gloves for Summer use, these stylish gloves are immediately comfortable to wear. Made from non-padded leather with polyester backs that ensure breathability, your hands stay comfortable, even in very hot weather. They’re well made, with reinforcement on the wear points at the palms and fingers, and elasticated wrists ensure a close comfortable fit to keep out debris. They give good grip and usability for a wide range of tasks such as weeding, planting and pruning but the reinforced fingers make them unsuitable for jobs needing fine dexterity, like handling seedlings. There’s a small loop on the wrists for easy hanging and storage and the gloves come in sizes small, medium and large. A donation to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is made from the sale of these gloves.
Read the full Spear and Jackson Kew Gardens Collection high performance gloves review
Buy now from Amazon
Clip Gloves Shock Absorber
RRP: £14.99
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Buy now from Amazon (£21.00)
Pros:
- Comfortable and well fitting
- Good dexterity
- Sturdy and durable
- Good for heavy duty jobs
Cons:
- None
These gloves mould to the hand to provide good dexterity and an excellent fit and our experts praised their well thought out materials. They’re comfortable and durable but not bulky. There’s a carabiner to clip gloves to a belt and padding on the palms for extra protection. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for heavy-duty work they come in both men’s and women’s sizes and design.
Read the full Clip Gloves Shock Absorber review.
Buy now from Wrigley DIY and Amazon
Gold Leaf The Dry Touch
RRP: £20.95
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Buy now from Thompson & Morgan (£21.95) and Crocus (£22.99).
Pros:
- Comfortable with good control
- Soft, high quality leather
- Tough and long lasting
- Water resistant
- Good investment
Cons:
- Expensive
The Dry Touch gloves from Gold Leaf are tough, long-lasting and water resistant, and were awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for wet-weather work. Made from soft, supple leather, the gloves have a sturdy, yet luxurious feel and are available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Read the full Gold Leaf The Dry Touch review.
Buy now from Thompson & Morgan and Crocus
Verve Nylon Gardening Gloves
RRP: £3.00
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Buy now from B&Q, (£3)
Pros:
- Tough, thorn- proof material
- Great for everyday, medium- to heavy-duty work
- Hard wearing
- Great value
Cons:
- Not very breathable
- Lack warmth
- Not water-resistant
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for budget, these gloves offer great protection for tough, thorny jobs at a very reasonable price. We also love that they can be recycled. Featuring a generously-sized elasticated cuff means they’re easy to get on and off, but as they’re made from textured latex, the palm isn’t a snug fit. While the latex is also waterproof, we found that moisture can seep in through the fabric on the back. Great for cold and wet weather, they aren’t lined, so you might need extra protection in harsh winter months. Wipe-clean after use, these tough, durable gloves represent excellent value for money. Available in small, medium and large.
Read the full Verve Nylon Gardening Glove review
Buy now from B&Q
Stihl ThermoGrip
RRP: £8.60
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Buy now from Sam Turner and Sons (£7)
Pros:
- Comfortable and snug
- Warm
- Good grip
- Good value
Cons:
- Bulky
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for winter use these thick gloves have been designed to keep your hands toasty and warm in the winter months. Stihl’s ThermoGrip gloves are sturdy with a snug, knitted fit and although their chunky thickness means they lack a little dexterity they have a good grip and a waterproof latex layer.
Read the full Stihl ThermoGrip Gloves review.
Buy now from Sam Turner and Sons
Burgon and Ball Love The Glove
RRP: £17.49
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Buy now from Waitrose Garden (£16.99)
Pros:
- Comfortable and snug
- Good dexterity and control
- Strong and durable
- Attractive, quality materials
Cons:
- Wrist strap fiddly for some
Made from artificial suede and tweed with a leather trim, the Burgon and Ball Love the Gloves were some of the best ladies gardening gloves on test and were awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for year-round use. The materials are high quality and the gloves are breathable, tough and provide protection all year round. The wrist strap is adjustable for a snug fit but some may find it fiddly. They’re available in two sizes – small/medium and medium/large.
Read the full Burgon and Ball Love the Glove review.
Buy now from Waitrose Garden
Best of the rest:
Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test:
Spear & Jackson’s Kew Garden Collection Gardening Gloves
RRP: £12.49
Our rating: 4.25 out of 5
- Buy now from John Lewis (£13.99)
Pros:
- Easy to get on and off
- Comfortable and well-fitting
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Not lined
- Not waterproof or water-resistant
Spear & Jackson’s Kew Garden Collection Gardening Gloves feature an adjustable velcro strap, so they’re easy to get on and off. Comfortable to wear, the palm is made using soft leather so doesn’t fit snugly, but you can feel what you’re doing and grip tools. The gloves have an elastane back, which makes them lightweight, breathable and flexible. As they’re not lined, waterproof or water-resistant, these gloves are best for dry weather in spring and summer. With double stitching and additional leather reinforcement on the thumb and index finger, they feel sturdy and durable enough to tackle everyday medium work. Available in small, medium and large for men and women.
Homebase Protect & Grip Gardening Gloves
RRP: £4.00
Our rating: 4.25 out of 5
- Buy now from Homebase, (£4.00)
Pros:
- Great value
- Lightweight
- Snug fit
Cons:
- Not lined, waterproof or water-resistant
- Plastic dots for grip will wear
These gloves offer good protection for light work at a very reasonable price. Featuring a stretchy polyester and elastane cuff and back, and polyurethane on the palm, they’re easy to get on and off, and fit snugly. Comfortable to wear and breathable, they have additional protection for the palm and fingers without feeling bulky, making them a sensible choice for carrying out delicate jobs on dry spring and summer days. They’re not waterproof or water-resistant, but they’re quick to dry out, and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. However, while these gloves are well made and offer great value, the PVC-dotting for grip will eventually wear off and you’ll need to buy a new pair, which means they’re not the best option if sustainability is important to you. Available in medium and large sizes.
Buy now from Homebase
Kent and Stowe Luxury Leather Gloves
RRP: £14.99
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Pros:
- Soft and comfortable
- Thorn-proof
- Waterproof and warm
- Thick and shock absorbant
Cons:
- Bulky
The Kent and Stowe Luxury Leather Gloves are easy to get on, offering a great fit that moulds to the hand and up the wrist, even though there isn’t an adjustable strap. Made of leather with a warm polyester lining, these gloves are soft and comfortable, perfect for hard work in the winter. Though they’re only lined, not padded, these gloves are so thick they’ll still cushion your hands when you use a spade or a fork. The keystone stitches around the thumb make for extra durability, and it’s comfortable to lift heavy rocks or logs. They’re thorn-proof and waterproof, and they don’t stiffen after getting wet, even after a good soaking.
However, these gloves are quite bulky and inflexible, which means you’ll struggle with more nimble work like pruning and weeding. In summer, these will be far too hot to be comfortable, but they’re brilliant for wet work in winter. They’re a good value pair of leather gardening gloves. Available in ladie’s small and medium sizes and men’s medium and large.
Clip Gloves Recycled Bottle Glove
RRP: £5.99
Our rating: 3.8 out of 5
- Buy now from home & garden extras (£5.99) and Webbs (£7.99)
Pros
- Snug and comfortable fit
- Good for dextrous work
- Latex covering for good grip
- Keen price
Cons
- Not at all durable
- Low level of protection
Made predominantly from recycled plastic bottles and coated with latex on the palms and fingers to give a good grip, these gloves are well fitting and comfortable. With a snug fit, they are good for light tasks, including jobs needing reasonably fine dexterity. Although not waterproof, they will dry quickly but the main drawback of these gloves is that the covering wears and starts to come off after only a short time. And, although they’re made from recycled bottles, which is good from an environmental point of view, they can’t be recycled once they wear out. The latex covering is also not suitable for people allergic to latex, but the packaging does highlight this. Like all Clip Gloves, they have wrist loops and a small metal carabiner so the gloves can clip onto a belt or bag when not in use or hang up easily. They come in sizes medium and large.
Town & Country Premium Leather Gauntlet
RRP: £19.99
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros:
- Soft and supple
- Generously-sized cuff for extra protection
Cons:
- Not water-resistant
While an extra-wide cuff means they’re easy to get on, the overall shape of these gloves feels loose and baggy.However, as you’ll use them for tackling rose bushes and other thorny shrubs this isn’t too much of an issue and the extra length in the cuff is more important than dexterity. Featuring a suede cuff and ultra-soft leather for the palm and fingers, these gloves are very supple, but there’s a seam at the base of the second and third finger which makes them uncomfortable to grip tools or branches, especially if you’re doing so for any length of time. They’re not lined but the leather provides some warmth, which is important as you’ll be pruning roses in late winter. Simply designed, we like the quality of the leather and suede, which remain soft even after getting wet. To clean, remove dry mud with a suede brush. Available in two sizes, medium to large.
How to choose the best gardening gloves
Choosing the best gardening gloves for you will depend on the jobs you’re planning to do. Gardening gloves are typically categorised as either light, medium or heavy duty.
Light duty gloves will keep your hands clean during low intensity jobs and enable dexterity when seed sowing and undertaking other light, everyday tasks. For potting on, pruning and working in borders, medium duty gloves will suit you needs, while heavy duty gloves will protect your hands during tougher jobs such as landscaping or when you need additional protection from nettles or thorns.
A range of materials are on offer including leather, bamboo, latex and nylon as well as recycled materials. Bamboo fibre is one of the more environmentally-friendly options and is typically soft, close fitting and flexible. Latex and leather are both tear-resistant and are often used to improve grip.
Additional padding or cushioning can also be helpful. Look out for padding on knuckles, fingertips, wrists and palms for increased protection when taking on manual tasks. Elasticated cuffs will provide a snug fit, prevent soil and plant debris falling in and are easy to get on and off.
Finally, if you intend to use gardening gloves all year round, water-resistance is helpful. This is often achieved using latex, leather or synthetic materials that can be specially treated to repel water.
How we tested gardening gloves
The gloves were assessed according to the following criteria with equal marks attributed to each:
- Comfort and fit. Looked at how easy they were to get on and off, and how they fitted. Were they flexible or bulky? Did they allow us to feel what we were doing?
- Materials. Focused on grip, reinforcing and padding? Were they breathable or water resistant and which seasons would they suit?
- Durability. Assessed how sturdy and strong the gloves were. Would they cope with getting wet or being washed?
- Value for money. Considered all of the above as well as plus any special features, overall design, quality and style, and the RRP.
For more information on our testing process see How we Review
This article was last updated in September 2023. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.
from BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://ift.tt/XWVLrat
