Gardening requires walking in dirt, and mud, and gravel, and mulch — you get the idea. Garden shoes are work shoes, and they need to be able to hold up in rugged conditions and keep you comfortable.
Let’s go through our top picks, followed by some basic criteria to look at when deciding which are the best gardening shoes for you.
Our Top Picks
Your Old Sneakers
Estimated price:支付!
There are major advantages to using old running or gym shoes in the garden. One, you won’t waste useful stuff. We’re all for that around here. Two, you’ll save money and space.
Still, there are drawbacks, and you probably already know what they are. Old shoes tend to have worn-out arches and treads. When it comes to waterproof shoes, your old old old sneakers most likely would not fit this criterion. In fact, most cross trainers and running shoes don’t have any sort of waterproofing. Some popular sneakers, like Chuck Taylors, are inappropriate for long periods of hard work.
However, a good pair of performance running shoes or basketball or tennis shoes will serve you well. A friend of mine who owns and operates a landscaping business (and is the biggest UNC hoops fan I’ve ever met) wears his oldest, dirtiest pair of Jordan Ones on the job, and he’s doing great.
Crocs
Estimated price:$12 and up
Crocs are a work shoethat you’ll see in all kinds of damp and slippery environments, including professional kitchens. They perform well in the garden, too: They’re lightweight, have good arch support, and a good grip.
While they won’t stay wet for long, they also aren’t going to keep your feet dry. They also won’t keep them especially warm, either: there are holes in the lowest-end Crocs. These shoes are also the least durable of any that we reviewed.
That being said, reviewers on Amazon love that crocs are super comfy and easy to clean. They’re a great shoe for running errands, taking the dogs out, and of course, cleaning up the garden beds.
Dansko Clogs
Estimated price:$100 and up
Danskoclogs will last forever, are completely waterproof, and will hold their grip in any context, no matter how wet or greasy. They will keep your feet very warm.
然而,丹斯科确实需要一段时间才能进入。它们的支撑性非常好,但要让它们最终变得舒适,还需要大量的使用。这双鞋对于一个敬业的园丁来说是一项长期投资。
Many reviewers wear these as work shoes, where they’re standing on their feet for upwards of 12 hours. Those reviewers mention that their feet stayed supported and dry, no matter what kind of work they were doing. Another reviewer mentioned that the clogs don’t slip off unintentionally as she feared that they would and that her feet felt comfortable and secure.
Sloggers
Estimated Price:$30-40
Possibly the most common gardening shoes,sloggersare well-loved by many serious gardeners,chicken keepers, farmers, and the like. They stand up well to mud, muck, dirt, and everything else and will last for many years to come.
防水合成橡胶外观橡胶设计,确保您的脚会保持干燥,衬里织物有助于保持您的脚出汗和防滑。我是说,拜托,这上面的鸡图案太可爱了!
One reviewer is a flower gardener in the Northwest and says that these boots stand up to a whole day’s worth of rain, mud, and nasty weather. She mentions that the boots are lightweight and flexible, providing you with a good balance of protection from the elements and maneuvrability. Another reviewer adds that these boots have great traction and arch support, and can take on everything from gravel to grass to mud with ease.
Jolly Polyurethane Clogs
Estimated price:$70 and up
Jolly clogs are Crocs’ grown-up cousins. They are a more flexible version of work clogs like Danskos.
Jollys have a very good grip, and their polyurethane plastic is of much higher quality than the plastic in Crocs. Their support, waterproofing, and heat retention all score highly, especially when compared to Crocs.
One reviewer mentions that these clogs are great for sloshing around in the mud while still keeping your feet totally dry.
Hunter Chelsea Boot
Estimated price:$100 and up
Hunter is a well-loved and respected rain boot brand.他们生产的靴子防水耐用。
他们的切尔西靴,在英国也被称为惠灵顿靴,是为园丁设计的。它比大多数雨靴更容易穿脱,但不会像木屐一样滑上滑下。胎面很好。
The Chelsea boot is not as ergonomic as the above clogs, but it is sympathetic over a long day gardening. The boots offer better water protection than any other shoe reviewed here and will last forever.
虽然一些评论者提到这种靴子很难穿,而且可能会对脚踝造成伤害,但也有人提到使用厚而高的袜子有助于保护你的脚。另一位评论者提到,这双猎人靴很容易洗掉,而且在多雨、潮湿的地方也能让你的脚保持舒适和干燥。
What To Look For
Waterproofing And Warmth
Since garden beds are wet — you might have heard of this thing called photosynthesis, which requires water — you’ll need a pair of shoes that can keep the damp out. Wet socks and damp feet are one of life’s truest miseries.
You’ll also want a shoe that can keep your feet warm during the winter, early morning, or late evenings. Your feet play an especially important role inkeeping your body warm.
Tread
Soil and wet rock are slippery. Your shoes must keep you upright and steady, even when you’re climbing a pile of rocks or turning over a bed of soil.
Plus, good tread is ergonomic: If you’re confident that you have a good foundation, you can use your legs more. As you know, using your legs is the healthiest way to do heavy lifting — and schlepping bags of soil, yard waste, or fertilizer definitely qualifies as heavy lifting. Shoes with good tread save your back.
Support
In the same vein, good arch support is critical for your long-term physical health. Good shoes help your legs, knees, and back stay healthy. They’ll also make your movements more efficient.
Remember — gardening involves much more than kneeling in a planter box. You also need to haul, shovel, rake, hoe, and sweep — all of which require a standing position. Good support will make those labors easier and less tiring.
Garden Shoes Cost
Garden shoes available for sale online range in cost from approximately $15 to $200. Most garden shoes fall in the $30 to $70 range. The most important factors in the cost of garden shoes are:
- Material
- Shoes vs. boots
- Foot support
- Lined vs. unlined
The least expensive garden shoes we’d recommend are old sneakers. The cost is low because you already own them.
The most expensive garden shoes on our list are theHunter Chelsea Boot. The cost is high because they’re boots rather than shoes, and are made out of durable rubber.