The best gardening gloves in 2024

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Buying gardening gloves - video

Follow our tips to find the right gardening gloves for you

Best gardening gloves at a glance:

Best lightweight gardening gloves

• Best lightweight gloves for winter use: Niwaki winter gloves
• Best gloves for light work: Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre
• Best gloves for versatility: Feverfew Garden Company
• Best gloves for everyday use: Clip Gloves General Purpose
• Best gloves for grip: Donkey Gloves

Best heavy duty gardening gloves

• Best gloves for summer use : Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection High Performance
• Best gloves for heavy duty work: Clip Gloves Shock Absorber
• Best gloves for wet-weather work: Gold Leaf The Dry Touch
• Best gloves for budget: Verve Latex Coated Garden Gloves
• Best gloves for winter use 2024: Clip Gloves Warm 'n' Waterproof
• Best gloves for winter use: Stihl ThermoGrip
• Best gloves for year-round use: Burgon & Ball Love the Glove

Best gauntlet gloves

• Best men's gauntlet gloves: Kent and Stowe luxury leather men's gauntlet gloves

Jump to:

• Best lightweight gardening gloves
• Best heavy duty gardening gloves
• Best gauntlet gloves
• Best of the rest gardening gloves
• How to choose the best gardening gloves
• How we tested gardening gloves

In every review we award the outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best gardening gloves below:

Best lightweight gardening gloves

Niwaki winter gloves

RRP: £12.00

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Pros

• Fit well
• Warm and all but cuffs waterproof
• Bright so wont loose them easily
• Good value

Cons

• A little bulky
• Not thornproof
• Cuffs aren't waterproof

These gloves are a great, snug fit and very easy to get on and off thanks to their well fitting elasticated cuff. Made from latex, acrylic and polyester they mould well to the hand and although the bright orange fleece lining makes them a little bulky they’re still soft and flexible and offer a good amount of dexterity. They’re ideal for a wide range of winter jobs including finer weeding and keep your hands really warm and dry. However the cuffs are not waterproof so take care not to get these wet as they take a while to dry. Otherwise, the gloves dry well though and keep their shape. They won't completely protect you against thorns and brambles but they dont tear the latex. They’re excellent value for money for the protection they give and we awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award for the best lightweight winter gloves. They’re available in sizes small, medium, large and extra large.

Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre

RRP: £6.49

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Pros:

• Comfortable and light
• Second skin fit
• Breathable
• Feel strong
• Excellent value

Cons:

• Bamboo snags occasionally

Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for light work, 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.

Feverfew Garden Company Gloves

RRP: £22.95

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Marshalls Garden

Pros

• Robust
• Comfortable with a good fit
• Touch screen fingers work well

Good all rounder

Cons

• A little difficult to get on and off
• Not dextrous for fine jobs

These good-looking gloves by Feverfew have been designed specifically to fit women’s hands and our female testers found them to be a good fit, once they’d softened with a few wears. The elasticated neoprene cuff and Velcro strap make them a little tricky to get on and off, but they’re snug once on and the gloves are stretchy and flexible and ideal for all general gardening jobs, such as weeding, pruning and using tools. They have reinforced fingers, so they’re not for fine work like seed sowing, but they have a padded, microfibre palm and spandex and foam back so they’re comfortable and protective. They’re not waterproof, particularly on the palms, although they do have water resistance and are best for spring and summer wear. They also have handy ‘touch screen’ forefingers and thumbs that work very well, so you can look things up or answer a call if you need to without having to take them off. After use the gloves can be wiped down or machine washed at 30 degree C or below, and there’s a useful clip to secure them together and hang them up. Available in four sizes, XS-L and in a choice of green or plum, they also come in a protective cloth bag, which is a nice touch. They may not be the cheapest gardening gloves but they’re well fitting, comfortable and durable. We gave them a BBC Gardener’s World Magazine Best Buy award for the best lightweight gloves for versatility.

Buy the Feverfew Garden Company gloves from Marshalls Garden (£22.95)

Clip Gloves General Purpose

RRP: £14.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from ManoMano

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 a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine 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 Treadstone

Donkey Gloves

RRP: £16.00

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon, Sarah Raven

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

Best heavy duty gardening gloves

Spear and Jackson Kew Gardens Collection High Performance Gloves

RRP: £18.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Durable yet with good sensitivity
• Lightweight and cool
• Elasticated wrist keeps debris out
• Suit most gardening tasks

Cons

• Thin backs vulnerable to stings & thorns

Winner of a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best gloves for Summer use, these stylish gloves are immediately comfortable to wear. Made from non-padded leather with polyester backs that ensure breathability, your hands stay comfortable, even in very hot weather. They're well made, with reinforcement on the wear points at the palms and fingers, and elasticated wrists ensure a close comfortable fit to keep out debris. They give good grip and usability for a wide range of tasks such as weeding, planting and pruning but the reinforced fingers make them unsuitable for jobs needing fine dexterity, like handling seedlings. There’s a small loop on the wrists for easy hanging and storage and the gloves come in sizes small, medium and large. A donation to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is made from the sale of these gloves.

Read the full Spear and Jackson Kew Gardens Collection high performance gloves review

Clip Gloves Shock Absorber

RRP: £18.49

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from ManoMano

Pros:

• Comfortable and well fitting
• Good dexterity
• Sturdy and durable
• Good for heavy duty jobs

Cons:

• None

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 a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for heavy-duty work they come in both men's and women's sizes and design.

Read the full Clip Gloves Shock Absorber review.

Buy from Treadstone

Gold Leaf The Dry Touch

RRP: £22.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from Crocus, Waitrose

Pros:

• Comfortable with good control
• Soft, high quality leather
• Tough and long lasting
• Water resistant
• Good investment

Cons:

• Expensive

The Dry Touch gloves from Gold Leaf are tough, long-lasting and water resistant, and were awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for wet-weather work. Made from soft, supple leather, the gloves have a sturdy, yet luxurious feel and are available in both men's and women's sizes.

Read the full Gold Leaf The Dry Touch review.

Verve Nylon Gardening Gloves

RRP: £2.50

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from B & Q

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

Clip Gloves Warm 'n' Waterproof

RRP: £12.99

Our Rating: 4.8 out of 5

• Buy now from: Treadstone

Pros:

• Comfortable and warm
• Waterproof
• Sandy texture for good grip
• Lots of dexterity

Cons:

• No good for latex allergies

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for winter use, the Clip Gloves’ Warm ‘N’ Waterproof edition are indeed as warm and waterproof as their name suggests. They offer a great fit, and the fleece-lining is excellent for keeping your hands warm in the chilly weather. The double-dipped latex also makes these gloves completely waterproof – working in damp conditions there was no sign of seep-through. The sandy latex covering on the palm and fingertips is excellent for grip, and the comfortably snug fit allows for very good dexterity, even though the thick lining can make your finger movements occasionally feel a little clumsy when it comes to finer tasks. The additional latex coating on the thumb joint offers extra protection for more heavy duty tasks. Like all other gloves in the Clip Gloves range, the carabiner clip is a handy addition to keep the gloves paired together. Great multi-purpose gloves, they’re ideal for working snugly through cold wet winters rather than year round use as they’re a little too toasty for the summer months. They come in women’s small and medium sizes, and men’s medium and large.

Buy now from: Treadstone

Stihl ThermoGrip

RRP: £8.60

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Buy now from Sam Turner and Sons

Pros:

• Comfortable and snug
• Warm
• Good grip
• Good value

Cons:

• Bulky

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

Burgon and Ball Love The Glove

RRP: £19.49

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon

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 Burgon and Ball

Best gauntlet gloves

Kent & Stowe men’s luxury leather gauntlet gloves

RRP: £15.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from Amazon, ManoMano, Electrical World (£15.44) and Marshalls Garden (£15.99)

Pros

• Comfortable, warm and well sized
• Good quality leather with strong stitching
• Excellent protection against thorns
• Great value

Cons

• Cuff a little snug
• Not waterproof
• One size only

These simple but tough gauntlet gloves provide excellent protection from thorns and prickles in both the thick sturdy hand and the long suede cuff, although the cuff can be a little tight depending on the thickness of the coat you're pulling them over. Available in men’s large size only, they’re a good fit for large hands with the leather moulding well to the hand. They feel tough but flexible and comfortable and there's enough dexterity to grip secateurs and loppers for regular pruning jobs, although these gloves are not for finer work like planting. They’re also warm enough to wear throughout the colder pruning months of the autumn and winter. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best men's gauntlets, they’re comfortable, protective and sturdy and excellent value for money.

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:

Genus Waterproof gardening gloves

RRP: £20.00

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from Genus

Pros

• Flexible
• Totally waterproof
• Dry well
• Available in a wide range of sizes

Cons

• Loose fit at the wrists and the fingers are long
• Liner loose
• Dexterity tricky with fit

These well-made gloves are ideal for keeping your hands totally dry when weeding, planting and working in wet weather. They’re well made with synthetic leather palms, polyester backs and tough seams, and although they won’t completely protect you from thorns and brambles they won’t snag or tear. They’re reasonably thin and better for fine rather than heavy work, however, despite measuring our hands before ordering, the fingers are long, which makes very fine delicate work difficult. The elasticated wrist is also quite loose, which is a bit drafty and lets in debris when you work. But they are waterproof and the fleecy style lining keeps your hands warm, just watch when you take them on and off as it does work loose. They're quite expensive but if you’ve got wet work to do, like leaf raking or digging they would be useful. They're available in sizes - XS, S,M, L, XL,XXL and 3XL.

Buy now from Genus

Town & Country Eco-Flex Finesse

RRP: £5.99

Our Rating : 4.3 out of 5

• Buy now from Tooled Up (£5.49)

Pros:

• Super light and comfortable
• Excellent dexterity
• Machine washable
• Made from sustainable materials

Cons:

• Very thin
• Early wear and tear evident
• Slippery fingertip coating

Extremely thin and breathable, these are a good pair of gloves to use in the spring and summer months. They’re excellently suited for delicate potting and sowing, as you can still feel what you’re doing, although we found that the coating on the fingertips was slippery, which is a shame when you’re attempting to tackle those finer, more fiddly tasks. Made from plastic bottles sourced from the ocean, their sustainability credentials are great, and they’re a bargain at £5.99. It’s also handy to have a machine-washable glove and running them through a cold cycle left them mostly stain-free and ready to use again. However, because of their thinness they’0re susceptible to ripping; just a small snag on a thorn or wayward branch results in holes on the back of the hand. They’re not a go-to, all-rounder glove, but if you’re looking for something to protect your hands while you do light work, they’re a nice addition to your collection. They’re available in sizes extra small, small, medium and large.

Buy now from Town and Country

Town & Country Eco-Flex Pro

RRP: £8.99

Our Rating: 4.3 out of 5

• Buy now from Tooled Up and Town and Country

Pros:

• Good protection
• Comfortable
• Sustainable

Cons:

• Not waterproof
• Fingers a little loose

As with other gloves in Town & Country’s Eco-Flex range, these gloves are made from recycled plastic sourced from the ocean and the materials themselves feel great - the elasticated wrist is snug and comfortable, and the coated palm and fingertips offers sturdy protection when tackling more heavy-duty tasks, including handling thorny stems and clearing waste. The rubber coating is somewhat stiff and doesn’t soften with use, and it can feel a little strange for the glove to want to snap back to its resting position. This also makes you feel less dexterous when tackling more tactile tasks or handling secateurs. The thin lining keeps your hands warm, but the backs of the glove soak through easily and are unpleasant to wear when wet. It’s very handy that they’re machine washable, and they come out looking clean with no signs of damage from a 30℃ cycle. They’re a good pair of multi-purpose gloves for the price, and their sustainable credentials are a big plus. They come in sizes small, medium, large and extra-large.

Buy now from Town and Country

Spear & Jackson’s Kew Garden Collection Gardening Gloves

RRP: £12.49

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Available from Amazon , Tooled Up and John Lewis & Partners

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.

Homebase Protect & Grip Gardening Gloves

RRP: £4.00

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Available from Homebase

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.

Kent and Stowe Luxury Leather Gloves

RRP: £14.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Marshalls Garden and Electrical World

Pros:

• Soft and comfortable
• Thorn-proof
• Waterproof and warm
• Thick and shock absorbant

Cons:

• Bulky

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.

Clip Gloves Recycled Bottle Glove

RRP: £5.99

Our rating: 3.8 out of 5

• Buy now from Home & Garden Extras and Webbs

Pros

• Snug and comfortable fit
• Good for dextrous work
• Latex covering for good grip
• Keen price

Cons

• Not at all durable
• Low level of protection

Made predominantly from recycled plastic bottles and coated with latex on the palms and fingers to give a good grip, these gloves are well fitting and comfortable. With a snug fit, they are good for light tasks, including jobs needing reasonably fine dexterity. Although not waterproof, they will dry quickly but the main drawback of these gloves is that the covering wears and starts to come off after only a short time. And, although they're made from recycled bottles, which is good from an environmental point of view, they can't be recycled once they wear out. The latex covering is also not suitable for people allergic to latex, but the packaging does highlight this. Like all Clip Gloves, they have wrist loops and a small metal carabiner so the gloves can clip onto a belt or bag when not in use or hang up easily. They come in sizes medium and large.

Town & Country Premium Leather Gauntlet

RRP: £16.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros:

• Soft and supple
• Generously-sized cuff for extra protection

Cons:

• Not water-resistant

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.

Clip Glove pruners

RRP: £19.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Soft leather with comfortable lining
• Good protection
• Water resistant

Cons

• Bulky
• Short cuff
• Leather catches and tears easily

With leather palms, a faux suede cuff and reinforced fingers and thumbs these pruning gloves from Clip Glove offer good protection, whether you’re tackling roses or grappling with brambles. The leather softens quickly and is water resistant, so they’re ideal for working in damp weather but, it catches and tears easily, meaning the gloves age quickly. A soft poly cotton lining gives extra warmth and protection but unfortunately, it’s bulky, which makes the fingers feel thick and limits dexterity quite a bit. The gloves are easy to get on and off and the cuff is wide enough to slip over most coats but it is short, only coming halfway up the forearm, so although the gloves give you the confidence to grab even the thorniest stem, it would be helpful if the cuffs offered the same protection to the elbow.They come in women’s sizes small and medium and men’s medium and large.

Sarah Raven gauntlet gloves

RRP: £62.95

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Sarah Raven

Pros

• Long cuff offers excellent protection
• Comfortable
• Good dexterity

Cons

• Hands lack padding and can feel thorns
• Colour dirties easily
• Limited choice of sizes
• Cuff a little snug

These simple gauntlets have soft, white leather hands and long suede cuffs that protect the forearm all the way to the elbow.
They’re soft and comfortable, moulding quickly to the hand, although we found the limited sizes meant they weren’t the best fit in the fingers for some of our testers. They’re easy to pull on, even though the cuff did struggle over thicker coats and a lining to the hands offers some extra warmth and protection. However, they are thin and without any additional padding we could feel the odd thorn as we worked which isn’t ideal. The leather is waterproof but as it’s white, dirties quickly which given the price of them is a shame.They re available in one colour and sizes small and large.

Kent & Stowe Luxury Leather Gauntlet Gloves

RRP: £15.99

Our Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Available from B and Q, Amazon and OnBuy

Pros:

• Attractive design
• Long protective cuff
• Easy to slide on and off

Cons:

• Tough leather around fingertips make fine work tricky
• Hard to clean
• Tough poppers
• Limited sizes available

With their lush yellow leather and classy herringbone backs, these gloves have a classic look, but unfortunately style may have been favoured over substance. They’re incredibly easy to slide on and off, especially with the elongated leather cuff, which comfortably covers most of the lower arm and provides good protection when pruning thorny shrubs and climbers or tackling brambles and nettles. The fleece lining feels cosy, and they‘re water-resistant when working in wet weather. However, even after a good amount of wear, it’s hard to get the leather to soften around the fingertips, which reduces dexterity and makes it difficult to feel or grip fine material. An adjustable strap on the back of the gloves allows you to choose the fit, but the poppers are tough to snap on and off and the difference between the two fits is negligible, so it feels more like an aesthetic offering rather than a practical one. The yellow leather also gets dirty quickly, although that can add to its charm. They are available in ladies medium size only.

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 as well as recycled materials. 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 achieved using latex, leather or synthetic materials that can be specially treated to repel water.

How we tested 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 October 2024. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.