The Best Gardening Gloves of 2023

When to use these gloves: West County Classic Slate Gloves are great for all-around medium-to-heavy duty gardening, especially with thorny brush.

Sizing: West County gloves come in sizes extra small to large. A West County medium is approximately a size 7 glove.

Pros: These sturdy gloves have enough padding on palm and fingertips to thwart the thorniest rose. The combination of nylon/polyurethane palm is sturdy and flexible, and the fabric back of the glove is light and breathable.

Cons: The thick padding on fingers reduces sensitivity for fine garden work. Although the wrist has a velcro adjustment, the fabric folds under the velcro create gaps and allow dirt to fall into the fingers. Underside of fingers feels stiff and awkward when you’re closing your fist. The palm side of the glove does not dry quickly in wet conditions. Once the palm or underside of the fingers get wet, they stay wet, and the glove feels like a heavy sponge until it’s had a chance to dry out.

Washability: Rinse obvious dirt off the gloves, then throw them in the washer/dryer.

Bonus Features: These 100% synthetic gloves are vegan-friendly.

When to use these gloves: These gloves are best for medium-to-heavy work that doesn’t involve much digging or handling dirt.

Sizing: These gloves come in small, medium, and large. The medium is roughly equivalent to glove size 7.

Pros: The padded cowhide leather palm-side provides protection against thorns and sharp edges, but feels soft and supple.

Cons: The stiff velcro wrist closure has a natural gap that allows dirt and water to fall into the glove. The fingertip seams are more prominent than in other sewn gloves, and may bother some users. The stiff seams also reduce fingertip sensitivity. The gloves are stapled to their packaging, making it difficult to remove the packaging without tearing the glove.

Washability: Although some users report washing their Wells Lamont gloves in a machine, that approach isn’t recommended for leather. Hand wash the gloves in cold water, then let them air dry.

Bonus Features: The HydraHyde fabric is breathable and water-resistant (as long as water doesn’t come in through the wrist closure).

When to use these gloves: These gloves are great for scratching and digging in fine, loose soil. They’re awful for using any sort of tool or digging in soil that’s at all compacted or rocky, or doing any sort of work that involves fine movements.

Sizing: Garden Genie gloves only come in one size.

Pros: The “high-density rubber” coating protects hands from scratches and thorns. Scratching the dirt with these gloves’ claws is an effective way to uproot small weeds, spread mulch, and dig compost into the top layers of soil. These gloves are also fairly water-resistant due to their coating, which extends to the knuckles on the back of the hand.

Cons: It is awkward and frustrating to hold any object with thick plastic claws on your fingers—trowels, loppers, pruners, wheelbarrow handles, you name it. Thick rubber coating is hot in the sun and the claws don’t provide enough leverage to dig in many types of garden soil, but can’t be removed.

Washability: Rinse in cold water and air dry.

Bonus Features: Claws! If you always wanted claws, these are the gloves for you. If you actually want to dig in the garden, go buy a trowel. If you want garden gloves that will protect your hands while you work, get one of our top three picks.

When to use these gloves: The Dig it gloves are designed for medium to heavy-duty garden work.

Sizing: These gloves come in sizes small to extra large, but the sizes seem to be one size smaller than standard American sizes. The large is roughly glove size 7, or a medium in most other glove brands.

Pros: The long cuff and velcro wrist closure keep dirt out, and silicon dots increase grip. All-synthetic construction will appeal to vegans while the breathable polyester/spandex back fabric dries quickly.

Cons: Disproportionately short fingers made of inflexible leather and bulky fingertip seams will make these gloves uncomfortable for many users, and reduce dexterity and sensitivity.

Washability: Machine wash in cold water, air dry.

Bonus Features: Extra “pillow top” padding on tops of fingertips may help protect fingers from crushing.

When to use these gloves: These gloves are best for medium to heavy-duty brush clearing and other garden work that doesn’t involve contact with soil.

Sizing: These gloves come in women’s size extra small to large, and men’s size medium to extra, extra large. A women’s medium is roughly glove size 8—one size larger than most other brands.

Pros: These 100% synthetic gloves have a sturdy, protective palm that keeps hands safe from thorns. The thumb has stretchy fabric backing that makes the gloves more flexible and doubles as a brow wipe. The fingertip seams are relatively unobtrusive for a protective glove, and stretchy fabric on the sides of the fingers and back of the palm make this glove flexible and comfortable.

Cons: The short cuff closes with a velcro band with a gap. Gardeners who dig and move soil will end up with dirt inside their gloves.

Washability: Machine wash and dry.

Bonus Features: These gloves come in three different men’s colors and five women’s colors. Both men’s and women’s gloves come in bright red, making it easy to find the gloves you left out by the woodpile.

When to use these gloves: These gloves are made of thick goatskin leather, which keeps your hands safe from thorns and other sharp objects in nature. They're also ideal for hot and humid days outside since their leather material is breathable.

Sizing: These gloves come in women's sizes extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large.

Pros: These women's, thorn-friendly gloves include an adjustable cuff for a custom fit. They stay secure, which keeps out unwanted pests and debris, as well as protects your skin from cuts and scratches. They're also a durable set of gloves, meaning they'll last for several gardening seasons.

Cons: These gloves are designed for women, meaning their slim design may be too fitted for men, depending on the size and shape of your hands.

Washability: Gently brush these gloves with a suede brush. They cannot be washed because it will wash away the protective oils in them.

Bonus Features: Extra protective sleeves. These gloves expand to fit over your sleeves in order to keep your upper forearms safe from poison ivy, thorns, and other gardening hazards.