There’s nothing better than getting your hands in the soil. It contains a bacterium mycobacterium vaccae which can stimulate the production of serotonin, a ‘natural antidepressant’ that improves mood. But gardening can put our hands at risk, so it’s important to find the best gardening gloves to protect them.
“There are so many good reasons to wear gardening gloves,” says Alan Down, lifelong avid gardener and nurseryman with more than 35 years of retailing experience. “A good pair of thorn-proof gloves protect your hands from soil borne diseases, cuts and abrasions, and even from damp, cold, nettles and thorns,” he says.
Over the years, gardening gloves have become much more sophisticated, available in a range of materials, styles and sizes, with some offering specialised features. I’ve tested 16 gloves from the most trusted brands below, as well as answered some frequently asked questions. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
The best gardening gloves: At a glance
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How to choose the best gardening gloves
“It’s not one-size fits all,” Alan Down says. “Ideally you need a choice of gardening gloves to enable you to carry out specific garden tasks. You might choose a leather pair for extra protection, or a lighter pair for more dexterous jobs like sowing seeds. In fact, I use hard wearing and heavier weight gloves in autumn and winter but thinner ones in spring and summer, when I’m doing gardening tasks that need more sensitivity.”
Choosing the right gardening gloves could make a tangible difference to your gardening activities, allowing you to carry out specific gardening tasks more safely, comfortably and easily. They can also help with gripping machinery like leaf blowers and pressure washers, especially during the cooler months.
How we test gardening gloves
For this guide, I tested a wide range of gardening gloves from the main players in the garden industry including Ansell, Stonebreaker and Briers. I reviewed some basic styles, some all-purpose designs and some gardening gloves with specific features that could improve your gardening experience such as the ability to use your phone without taking them off. I wore each pair while carrying out a wide range of gardening tasks over the course of two or three days.,
