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Gardening often involves stepping in soil, spraying water everywhere, or trudging through mud. (Not to mention the chemicals you sometimes use.)
In summer I wear some cheap sneakers - very comfy and they’re fine for most jobs. But when it’s wet, cold, or I need to potter around my mounds I need some proper footwear.
After a lot of research, my personal preference is for an ankle-high MuckBoot (see below), because for me the most important qualities in a garden shoe are extreme comfort and being able to slip them on and off easily.
But that’s just me. Gardening shoes come in many types: both ventilated and non ventilated, clog, shoe, and boot. Here’s where I recommend you start looking:
The Best Gardening Footwear from Sandals and Clogs to Boots
Best Garden Sandals - ALEADER Unisex Sandal
Let’s start with the basics - sandals.
Sandals are a great choice when you’re doing light garden work or just zipping through your yard. Unlike boots that need some time and effort to put on, you can just slip these on and off in seconds. Clean-up is also fast as it’s just a matter of hosing them down quickly and then propping them against a wall to air dry.
These slippers are very popular and they’re also perfect for use inside the house. They’re soft and comfortable. The holes let your feet breathe unlike closed plastic clogs.
Pros
Ideal for light gardening in the summer, walking the dogs, getting the mail, and nipping out to pick some herbs, flowers, or fruit
Very well-made; could be mistaken for expensive brands like Crocs
The holes ensure very good ventilation preventing sweating and smelly feet
Very easy to wash with a quick hose-down; similarly very easy to (air) dry
Come in bright fun colors that make them easy to find in the yard or indoors
Very affordable
Cons
They come wrapped in a plastic and have a distinct plastic smell. Give them a quick wash, then let them air out in the open or in the garage till the smell dissipates.
Best Garden Clogs - Sloggers 260KW07
When you’re doing real gardening work with heavy tools, you want a shoe like these traditional gardening clogs. They’re closed in front so your toes are safe from any heavy object and they’re easy to slip in and out of because of the low back.
While sandals with holes are comfortable to work in if you’re just walking through the garden in summer, it’s a different prospect when you’re transplanting seedlings or working with soil. I used to wear Crocs and gunk would fall into the holes and get in between my toes. Wearing these closed clogs solved the problem.
Another notable feature to mention is that they come with a removable insole. I used to have symptomatic plantar fasciitis and I still can’t wear anything totally flat. These Sloggers clogs had the arch exactly where I needed it. It’s a huge bonus that for a very affordable price, they also really feel good on my feet.
Pros
Keep your feet cleaner and safer from heavy tools
Easy to slip in and out of
Have a removable insole that’s moisture-wicking and anti-microbial
Easy to hose dirt and mud off
More affordable than other well-known brands
Very durable; mine are still going and going
Made in the USA
100% recyclable and the company has a recycling program
Cons
No half sizes
Pro Tip
If you’re torn between two sizes, go for the larger one so that you have some wriggle room especially if you want to wear them with socks.
Best Rubber Garden Shoes - The Original Muck Boots
I do a lot of muddy gardening and my wife works with horses so we’re often in Muck Boots. They’re very reliable and of great quality.
The design is such that your feet are fully enclosed and protected. They’re warm and cozy in winter and yet cool and comfortable even in the warmer seasons.
One of the best things about them is the rubber sole. I don’t worry as much about sliding and slipping when I’m wearing these because they have awesome traction.
Overall great quality. They’re worth every cent.
Pros
Ideal for muddy gardening and colder months with snow and ice (great for summer, too!)
Super comfortable and snug, easy to clean and hose down, and easy slip on and off
Very durable and high quality; they’ll last you a long time
Can be worn all day and not just in the garden
They’re unisex so they’re good for everybody
Cons
No arch support; they’re not orthotic
More narrow than wide so if you have really wide feet, it might be a problem
Affordable Waterproof Garden Shoe - Sloggers 5102BK08
Do you need a cheaper alternative? These rain and garden shoes by Sloggers give you most of the good stuff you’ll get from the Muck Boots but at half the price. They’re perfect for rainy weather because they definitely keep your feet dry.
They’re made of plastic but they still manage to be comfortable even during first-time use. A lot of nurses also buy them and if you didn’t know, they’re on their feet for most of the day so that’s saying something right there.
They also come in some wild and fun designs. I didn’t think they’d look good in real life but when you’re wearing a pair, they actually look great especially if you pair them well with the right clothes.
Pros
Ideal for going out in your wet lawn or garden as they will keep your feet dry
Surprisingly comfortable
Comes with a removable insole with good arch support
Love the fun designs on these garden shoes
Made in the USA
Cons
Not ideal for really cold weather because they can’t keep your feet warm
Some buyers are not comfortable with the “short” heel
Best Low-Calf Muck Boots - The Original MuckBoots Scrub Boot
I just think this is the best compromise between a shoe (that doesn’t stop mud or cold getting in) and a knee-length boot (which I’m too lazy to sit down and drag onto my feet).
If you do some serious gardening wherein mud is liable to get into regular rubber shoes, and branches or sharp objects have a tendency to strike you around the ankle area, then you need this workhorse of a muck boot.
They are extremely comfortable. I’m a 10.5 and bought the next size up. They fit great.
Pros
Mid-height is the best height
Easy to clean; you can brush them off and hose clean with water and/or disinfectant
Waterproof yet breathable
Neoprene uppers make the extra length comfortable; overall, this particular model is very flexible and comfortable
You can use them in cold weather especially if you wear socks
Good for folks with wide feet
Cons
Quite expensive and some people wear them out fast
Best Outdoor Winter Boot - Muck Boot Arctic Sport
Most gardeners can get by with just the regular rubber shoes and the calf-length Muck Boots. However, I really wanted to add in gardening shoes for those who have very harsh winter weather. Hence, I’ve added these Arctic Sport Winter Boots.
As expected, the price point is higher but apart from gardening, you can use them for hunting or fishing in frigid weather. They’ll keep your feet warm in slush and snow.
This is what my wife uses around the stable, and she wouldn’t ever buy anything else.
Pros
Ideal for outside work in freezing temperatures; can be used for gardening, fishing, hunting, and other sports activities
Absolutely waterproof
Made with neoprene and with a thin fleece lining inside so they can keep your feet warm
Soft and comfortable; you’ll be able to move around these boots with no problem
Offer protection from undergrowth such as sage, cacti, and oak brush
Cons
No half sizes
Pro Tip
When ordering, allow for some room between your toes and the front of the boot. The circulating heat will keep your feet warmer.
Gardening Shoe Buying Guide
When it comes to garden shoes, there are several different styles and options to choose from, and it's important that you think about what conditions you will be using them in before settling on the ones to buy.
The first thing to consider is what weather you will be doing most of your gardening in and whether you actually need two different pairs for different times of year.
If you are gardening in warm weather, you will preferably want a pair of clogs, and possibly ventilated clogs. Ventilated clogs may let some water in if you are watering plants while wearing them, but as you are likely to be wearing them in the Summer this isn’t such an issue. In the Winter it definitely would be!
Clogs are also very handy to just keep by the back door at any time of year when you just want to nip out to the yard or the garage.
If the weather is a lot colder you want something with more coverage and thicker material like the full boots above.
You may find that it really is best to have two pairs, one for the late Spring, Summer, and early Fall, and another pair for the late Fall, Winter and early Spring.
If you only want to buy one pair then an in-between choice like the calf-length Muck Boots above would be best. They have more coverage for the colder months and you could add thick socks for the cold, but the material isn’t too thick and hot for the Summer.
You may also want to consider how muddy or even snowy conditions may be as you may need to look for a pair with a very good tread.
Important Gardening Shoe Considerations
Comfort
Obviously you are going to want a pair of gardening shoes that are comfortable and that is one of the factors that I considered in picking out our favorites in the reviews above.
However, there are a few extra things to think about in regards to the comfort of your gardening shoes. If you wish to wear them with thick socks or special orthotics, then you may need to go up a size or make sure that you are not selecting a pair that tend to run narrow in size. If you need more arch support, then it would be a good idea to look for a pair that offer that like the Sloggers gardening shoes.
Ease Of Use
If you are in and out of the yard and house, then you will want a pair of gardening shoes that you can slip on and off easily, not a pair of boots that you have to sit down and struggle with to get on. Look for either clog or low sided styles.
Waterproofing
Most gardening shoes are waterproof but if you are going to be walking through tall, wet grass or doing a lot of spraying etc. then you should look for a pair that come higher up the ankle or even full-length boots. Ventilated clogs are not fully waterproof but as they are mostly used in warmer weather, that’s not such an issue.
The Sloggers clogs I chose are a good option but if you MUST have holes, then choose a style that has them on top rather than on the sides. Having holes on the sides will surely let in mud, water, and all sorts of debris.
Maintenance Needs
Gardening shoes don’t generally require a lot of maintenance. The most important thing about them being that you can just hose them off after use.
You may need to replace the insoles if they have them (some styles don’t) if they get dirty after a while. If they are made of natural rubber, you can polish them up with a silicone polish to restore their shine and also protect them from corrosion from chemicals or even from manure if that is something you use in your yard.
Weight
Some gardening shoes are made of heavier materials which can make them a bit tiring to walk around in for long periods. If you are wearing a thicker pair because you’re working in colder weather, this may be somewhat unavoidable.
Soles
If you are going to be doing a lot of heavy digging or hoeing you will want a pair with a very sturdy, heavy sole as with thinner soles it can get uncomfortable stepping on the shovel repeatedly.
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