In this guide we’ll take a look at the best gardening gloves to protect your hands.
I’ve compared material quality, comfort, design and cost
to give you my top recommendations.
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7 Best Gardening Gloves For Protection Against Thorns, Splinters & Nettles! (2021 Review)
Updated: July 28, 2021
What are the Best Gardening Gloves?
In a rush? Here's my top choice...
Exemplary Gardens Unisex Leather Gardening Gloves
Adjustable, breathable and hardwearing gloves.
These Exemplary Gardens Unisex Leather Gardening Gloves are perfect for all gardeners. Made from breathable spandex they'll keep your hands cool as you work, whilst the layer of goatskin leather on the palms and fingers will protect you from thorns or nettles. The adjustable Velcro fastening provides an excellent fit.
CHECK PRICE →Everything I Recommend
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More Detailed Gardening Gloves Reviews
Clive Harris
Exemplary Gardens Unisex Leather Gardening Gloves
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Clive Harris
Exemplary Gardens Unisex Leather Gardening Gloves Review
These Exemplary Gardens Unisex Leather Gardening Gloves are made of breathable spandex to keep your hands cool, with tough goatskin leather on the palm and fingers.
Thanks to the combination of these two materials, these gloves are comfy whilst offering a high level of protection from sharp thorns.
They’re easy to put on and take off, fastening with a Velcro strap around your wrist, which offers a snug and adjustable fit.
In my opinion, these are the best leather gardening gloves on the market, for both men and women.
Pros
- A good option for light gardening work as they are supple and soft
- Offer good mobility so suitable for gardening tasks that require precision
- Very breathable so suitable for the summer months
- 5 sizes available to suit most hand sizes
- The strap makes them very easy to secure
Cons
- The sizes seem to come up small, so those with large hands may find even the largest sizes too tight
- Not suitable for heavy gardening work as they don’t offer much protection against thorns
- May become slippery when wet
- The white leather on the palms and fingers gets dirty extremely quickly
- The fingertips aren’t reinforced which makes them not as durable as other gloves on the market
Clive Harris
Viridescent Leather Ladies Gardening Gloves
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Clive Harris
Viridescent Leather Ladies Gardening Gloves Review
If you’re looking for a pair of gardening gloves that are both stylish and strong, these Viridescent Leather Ladies Gardening Gloves are for you.
The palm and fingers are protected by genuine, thorn-proof leather, and the back of your hands are covered by chic, colourful, breathable fabric.
The adjustable Velcro wrist strap makes sure for a comfortable fit even for very slight hands.
Pros
- A good option for the summer due to their breathability
- Offer good mobility thanks to the elastic back and supple leather
- Suitable for light to medium gardening work
- Very comfortable so can be worn for long periods of time
Cons
- The sizes come up small, so many people buy a size larger than they usually would
- Not suitable for heavy gardening work as they may not withstand large thorns and brambles
- The Medium and Small sizes are only available in bright pink which may not appeal to all gardeners
- The fingers aren’t reinforced so may become worn over time
Clive Harris
Pine Tree Tools Unisex Bamboo Working Gloves
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Clive Harris
Pine Tree Tools Unisex Bamboo Working Gloves Review
These Pine Tree Tools Unisex Bamboo Working Gloves are extremely lightweight, but offer great protection too.
Bamboo is a really clever material to use as it is very absorbent, taking in your perspiration and keeping your hands nice and cool. They’ll work to keep you comfortable all year round – warm in winter and fresh in summer
What’s more, the bamboo plant is very sustainable which is great news for the environment.
The palm and fingers of these gloves offer excellent grip and are very durable, plus – they’re touch-screen compatible! If you need to set a reminder or send a text whilst in the middle of gardening, you won’t even have to take your gloves off!
If you’re looking for a highly durable set of gloves made from a sustainable and comfortable material, these are the best gardening gloves for you!
Pros
- Offer protection for both your hands and wrists
- Made using bamboo which is both sustainable and highly breathable - a good option for hot weather gardening
- Give a ‘bare hand’ feeling, offering full mobility to your hands and fingers for more precise tasks
- Offer good grip when carrying both large and small items
Cons
- It’s recommended users size up as they come up very small
- Due to the thin design, they are best suited to light work
- Although they soften the more you wear them, some users may find the inside uncomfortable for the first few uses
- They are not fully waterproof so shouldn’t be used in wet weather
Clive Harris
Exemplary Gardens Leather Rose Pruning Gloves
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Clive Harris
Exemplary Gardens Leather Rose Pruning Gloves Review
Rose pruning is both therapeutic and hazardous. And, more often than not, a pair of standard gardening gloves just won’t do.
These Exemplary Gardens Leather Rose Pruning Gloves go all the way up to your elbow, keeping your hands and arms protected.
Importantly though, they’re also soft and flexible, giving you controlled dexterity for your pruning. Plus, it keeps them comfortable – you don’t feel like you’re pruning in a pair of marigolds!
Because of the high level of protection offered, these heavy duty gardening gloves are, in my opinion, the best gardening gloves for thorns. They’ll keep your hands and arm safe from scratches!
Pros
- Offer both hand and forearm protection
- Both durable and strong - protecting your hands against scratches, stings and some thorns
- Relatively soft and supple with good hand and finger mobility despite their large size
- The hand section fits very snugly, and they are comfortable to wear for long periods of time
Cons
- As they are designed with comfort as well as protection in mind, these gloves are made from thinner leather that may not protect you against very sharp thorns
- Offer less protection than many other leather gardening gloves on the market
- The maroon colour may stain your hands, although this is relatively easy to clean off
- The cuffs are very snug so won’t fit over thicker items of clothing or jackets
Clive Harris
Briers Gruffalo Gardening Gloves For Kids
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Clive Harris
Briers Gruffalo Gardening Gloves For Kids Review
If you’re looking for a pair of kids gardening gloves that are both safe and fun, these Briers Gruffalo Gardening Gloves are ideal.
Whether you’re teaching your children how to garden, showing them how to grow their own plants, or even playing in a mud kitchen (not sure what that is? Check it out – your kids will love it!), these are the best gardening gloves for little gardeners to keep their hands clean and protected.
Pros
- Bright and engaging Gruffalo design that kids will love
- Suitable for small hands and kids as young as 4
- A good option for winter thanks to their snug fit
- Can be cleaned in the washing machine with no deterioration to the fabric
Cons
- Children with very small hands may find these gloves are too large
- They are a little short in the fingers, which some children may find uncomfortable
- Not particularly protective so care will still need to be taken around thorns and brambles
Clive Harris
Town & Country Deluxe Premium Gardening Gloves
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Clive Harris
Town & Country Deluxe Premium Gardening Gloves Review
Sometimes, standard gloves just won’t do. Perhaps you’re putting up a fence, moving heavy rubble, or have to tackle prickly brambles. If this is the case, you want the Town & Country Deluxe Premium Gardening Gloves.
These are hardwearing gloves which are ready to take on some seriously tough jobs.
They have extra-long safety cuffs to protect your wrists and are made of tough, genuine leather. This is incredibly impressive at such a reasonable price -they’re great value for money.
These leather gardening gloves are some of the best gardening gloves for the money.
Pros
- The extra long cuff ensures your elbows are protected as well as your hands
- Offer great protection against nettles and most thistles
- Thinner than others on the market which provides enough mobility for more precise tasks
- A great option for everyday use thanks to their comfort and suppleness
Cons
- Care will still need to be taken around thorns and brambles, as the gloves are not 100% puncture-proof
- Some customers find the yellow dye stains their hands after the first use - which can take a while to wash off
- Come up quite small so many people opt to buy a size larger
- Fairly stiff when you initially put them on, but they do loosen
Clive Harris
Burgon and Ball Men's Gardening Gloves
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Clive Harris
Burgon and Ball Men's Gardening Gloves Review
Burgon and Ball have done a great job with these gloves for larger hands. Underneath the stylish, modern colour pallet lies some very clever manufacturing.
There is a smartly-integrated stretchy mesh between the fingers to keep your hands cool, whilst improving dexterity.
These Burgon and Ball Men’s Gardening Gloves are also made of an ultra-soft fabric that doesn’t harden when it dries – hallelujah!
They’ve got a very distinguished, yet modern design. Whether they’re a gift or just for you, these heavy duty gardening gloves make a great purchase.
Pros
- Have a stylish denim design that looks very smart
- Offer a good grip on gardening tools and machinery
- The real leather trim is durable and stylish
- Easy to clean in the washing machine at a low temperature
Cons
- Not as thick as some users expect - may not be suitable for heavy duty gardening tasks
- The fit is very small, and most users opt to size up
- These gloves are short so your wrists and forearms will still be exposed
Things to Know Before Buying Gardening Gloves
Those who have been gardening for a while will know there are highs and lows to the hobby – gardening is tough physical work, and without the right equipment, it can really take its toll on your body.
To keep your green fingers fresh, the perfect pair of gardening gloves is a must-have. The right gloves can protect against dirt, mud and chemicals; they’ll also help prevent those nasty blisters that develop from long periods of time using tools and equipment.
Gloves will also keep your hands dry and warm on cold and rainy days! (Always a plus in our slightly grey UK climate!)
There are a huge range of gardening gloves on the market, and I will say that I recommend spending a little more on a quality pair – I’ve learned the hard way! Having said that, good quality budget-friendly options are available, you just need to know what you’re looking for.
If you’re considering purchasing a pair of gardening gloves but aren’t sure where to start, the following tips will help you make an informed decision.
Firstly, you want to make sure that the gloves you’re buying offer good flexibility. You should have full use of each finger, able to grip machinery and tools firmly. Look for gloves which are made from stretchy, breathable materials to ensure good flexibility. Mentions of elastane, stretch mesh, and stretchy fabrics in general are good to look out for. Leather gloves can be stiff to start with, but they will get more supple and flexible with use.
Next, it’s paramount to get well-fitting gloves – deliberately buying gloves that are too big isn’t going to help improve comfort. This is why it’s important to look for gloves with good flexibility – they’ll be comfortable enough that they won’t feel too tight when they fit well.
How to Measure Your Glove Size:
- Take a tape measure and measure your dominant hand.
- Wrap the tape measure around your hand, below your knuckles.
- Make a fist to ensure there will be enough space in the gloves for movement.
- Take the measurement.
Tip: Most glove sizing is done in inches, so you may have to convert the measurement from cm to inches depending on the units of your tape measure. Some brands do their sizing by only measuring across the palm, in which case you can divide your measurement by two.
The best gardening gloves are made from pigskin leather. This is durable, comfortable and thorn-proof. Goatskin leather is another good option, but this can be more expensive.
Remember that leather will grow more flexible after long-term use, so while you may feel a little restricted at first, they will soon become more supple!
For lighter tasks, cotton gloves will do the trick. These are affordable and comfortable, but they don’t offer the same protection against thorns as leather gloves.
There are several other lightweight fabrics to look out for when it comes to gardening gloves: bamboo is a breathable, comfortable and sustainable fabric. A polyester/Lycra blend also offers comfort and is easy to care for. These are usually good materials for the backs of gloves, and then you’ll want to look out for a tougher material on the palms and fingers.
Another good option is latex. This is wear and tear resistant, and you’ll find it easy to grip garden tools. Latex is a good alternative if you’re uncomfortable using leather, but it’s not suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
If you’re going to be applying pesticide to your garden, a pair of latex or neoprene coated gloves are the best option. These are non absorbent, therefore preventing your hands from coming into contact with the chemicals.
The fingertips are often subject to the most wear, so the best quality gardening gloves often come with reinforced fingertips. This also gives you an extra layer of padding against thorns.
The downside to reinforced fingertips is they tend to reduce your mobility, so they’re not as suitable for delicate and more precise tasks like planting seeds by hand.
Some gardening gloves also have knuckle and wrist reinforcements. These too will reduce flexibility when it comes to delicate jobs, but they are a must-have for heavy duty work.
Working in gloves without adequate breathability will cause your hands to get sweaty and uncomfortable.
Gloves made from a breathable fabric are best for warmer days.
Natural fabrics tend to be more breathable, so those like cotton, leather, bamboo, and linen will breathe well.
Synthetic fabrics don’t tend to be as breathable because they contain plastic polymers. 100% polyester doesn’t breathe well, but if it has a looser weave, or is combined with a more breathable fibre, it can offer more breathability.
You need to consider not only the outside material of the gloves, but the lining fabric. If the shell of the gloves are breathable but the lining has a high polyester content, moisture won’t be able to escape easily.
Remember that even if it’s not raining, gardening isn’t generally the driest of jobs.
Waterproof gloves are great for heavy-duty tasks or jobs where you are working deep in the soil.
Remember that if you are working with chemicals, waterproof gloves are an essential.
The downside is that they are often thicker than non-waterproof gloves which means you won’t have as much mobility.
It’s not the best idea to get weather gloves wet, even though the material has some water resistance. If leather is wet, and then dries, the material loses a lot of moisture and dries out. This can lead to leather cracking and becoming stiff. If your leather gloves do get wet, you should condition them to keep them supple.
Gardening Gloves FAQs
Gardening gloves not only keep your hands clean, they also protect against thorns, sharp objects and harsh chemicals. There’s a number of nasty infections that can be picked up in the garden, especially if you cut yourself on sharp tools.
In the summer months, long gloves will protect your arms from sunburn.
This depends on what your gloves are made from. Most gardening gloves can be soaked in a bowl of lukewarm water after use to dislodge any mud, then left to air dry. Don’t be tempted to dry your gloves on the radiator, as this can change their shape.
If you have leather gloves, avoid getting them wet. Instead, brush off as much dirt as you can and apply a leather conditioner to keep them in good shape.
Some gardening gloves can be cleaned in the washing machine, but you should check with the manufacturer how best to clean your gloves.
Softening your leather garden gloves will prolong their lifespan and make them a lot more comfortable to wear. Increased flexibility will give you better grip when handling tools, and treating your leather gloves can also help them be water resistant.
Remove any dirt from your gloves using a soft cleaning brush. Apply saddle soap or traditional leather cleaner to your gloves, working in soft circular motions with a cloth.
Once your gloves are clean, applying boot oil or leather balm. You may find this easier to do if you are wearing the gloves. Liberally apply the oil or balm all over the gloves, then remove the gloves and leave them in a clean and dry space.
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