The design and features you need will depend on the gardening jobs you intend to carry out. Thin, lightweight gloves are best for duties such as potting and planting where dexterity and being able to feel what you’re doing is key. Heavy duty gardening gloves are better for protection and support when using tools or doing hard landscaping jobs.
Our expert reviewers spend hours trialling tools and equipment from essentials like the best garden hoes and secateurs to the investment spends of lawn mowers and pressure washers.
In this article, we’ve reviewed the best gardening gloves to find out which are the most comfortable, durable, value for money and protective, safeguarding your hands from damage. Each pair of gloves has been given a score out of 5 depending on how well they performed, and has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity. Only the stand out gloves have made our list, so you can buy with confidence.
If you’re in need of other gardening essentials, have a look at our recommendations for the best garden kneelers and garden hand trowels, or find the best kids’ gardening gloves to get the whole family involved.
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Best gardening gloves at a glance
Through extensive testing, we have determined the best gardening gloves to keep your hands warm, protected and clean no matter which gardening task you’re doing.
All of the gardening gloves within this list received a rating of four (out of five) or above so we can be certain of their high quality and performance.
Best lightweight gardening gloves:
Best heavy duty gardening gloves:
Browse our pick of the best gardening gloves, below.
Best lightweight gardening gloves
1
Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre
RRP: £4.99
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre
Pros:
- Comfortable and light
- Second skin fit
- Breathable
- Feel strong
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Bamboo snags occasionally
Awarded Best Buy for light use, 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
2
Clip Gloves General Purpose
RRP: £16.95
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Clip Gloves General Purpose
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 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
3
Donkey Gloves
RRP: £16
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Donkey Gloves
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
4
Clip Gloves Shock Absorber
RRP: £14.99
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
Clip Gloves Shock Absorber
Pros:
- Comfortable and well fitting
- Good dexterity
- Sturdy and durable
- Good for heavy duty jobs
Cons:
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 Best Buy for heavy duty work. Clip Gloves Shock Absorber 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
5
Gold Leaf The Dry Touch
RRP: £20.95
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
Gold Leaf The Dry Touch
Pros:
- Comfortable with good control
- Soft, high quality leather
- Tough and long lasting
- Water resistant
- Good investment
Cons:
The Dry Touch gloves from Gold Leaf are tough, long-lasting and water resistant, making them the best for wet work. Made from soft, supple leather, the gloves have a sturdy, yet luxurious feel. They’re available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Read the full Gold Leaf The Dry Touch review.
Buy now from Amazon and Crocus
6
Verve Nylon Gardening Gloves
RRP: £3.00
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
Verve Nylon Gardening Gloves
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
7
Stihl ThermoGrip
RRP: £7.50
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Stihl ThermoGrip
Pros:
- Comfortable and snug
- Warm
- Good grip
- Good value
Cons:
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
8
Burgon and Ball Love The Glove
RRP: £17.49
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Burgon and Ball Love The Glove
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:
Lightweight gardening gloves
9
Spear & Jackson’s Kew Garden Collection Gardening Gloves
RRP: £12.49
Our rating: 4.25 out of 5
Spear & Jackson Kew Garden Gloves
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.
10
Homebase Protect & Grip Gardening Gloves
RRP: £2.95
Our rating: 4.25 out of 5
Homebase Gardening Gloves
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
Heavy duty gardening gloves
11
Thorn Armor® 3092
RRP: £49.42
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Buy the Thorn Armor 3092 gardening gloves from Amazon and eBay
Thorn Amor Gardening Gloves
Pros:
- Hard wearing
- Great for heavy-duty jobs
- Thorn-resistant
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Inflexible fingers
- Not water-resistant
These super-tough gloves made by HexArmor have an adjustable velcro cuff, which means they’re easy to get on and off, and fit well. The material on the palm and fingers is stiff and inflexible, but as they’re designed for heavy-duty jobs, like lifting logs and moving equipment, as well as tackling thorns and spiky plants, this isn’t too much of an issue.
Comfortable to wear, the back area features a breathable vent so your hands don’t get too sweaty, there are also three layers of reinforced fabric on the palm and fingers, which means they’re really tough and durable. They’re also lined, use thermal plastic rubber and are machine-washable, which means they’re a great choice for autumn and winter in the garden. We like the double-stitching and additional reinforced fabric on the fingertips, but they’re not waterproof as moisture can seep through the back of the gloves. Available in a range of sizes from XXS-XXL.
Buy the Thorn Armor 3092 gardening gloves from Amazonand eBay
12
Kent and Stowe Luxury Leather Gloves
RRP: £14.99
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Kent & Stowe Luxury Leather Gardening Gloves
Pros:
- Soft and comfortable
- Thorn-proof
- Waterproof and warm
- Thick and shock absorbant
Cons:
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.
Gauntlet gloves
13
Clip Glove Pruner Gardening Gloves
RRP: £19.99
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Soft leather
- Warm
Cons:
- Slightly shorter cuff
- Not waterproof or water-resistant
These gloves feature wide, faux-suede cuffs, which means they’re easy to get on and off. However, they’re also slightly nipped in around the wrist, so they’re a neater fit than the Town & Country Premier Leather Gauntlets. Soft leather palms and backs means they’re comfortable to wear and are flexible enough to pick up things or use larger tools like loppers and shears. However, the cuffs only go part-way up the forearm, which isn’t as long as the Town & Country Premier Leather Gauntlets, so although they offer good protection against thorns and prickly plants they only extends just beyond the wrist. Though these gloves are soft, they feel durable, and we like the poly-cotton lining for warmth and extra protection. To clean, remove dirt with a brush when gloves are dry. Available in men’s medium and large, and ladies small and medium.
14
Town & Country Premium Leather Gauntlet
RRP: £17.99 – £18.99
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros:
- Soft and supple
- Generously-sized cuff for extra protection
Cons:
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. 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 done using latex or leather or synthetic materials can be specially treated to repel water.
How we tested the gardening gloves
Our experts trialled each pair of gloves throughout the gardening year across a range of gardening tasks, from delicate work such as sowing seeds to more physical jobs like digging and heavy pruning. Once the test was complete, each product was rated out of five and the gardening gloves that really impressed our experts were awarded Best Buy status.
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 August 2022. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.