Home LivingGardenBest gardening gloves 2025: tough hand protectors for digging the dirtProtect your hands from nature’s weapons with the best garden gloves you can buyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingGardenBest gardening gloves 2025: tough hand protectors for digging the dirtProtect your hands from nature’s weapons with the best garden gloves you can buyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Protect your hands from nature’s weapons with the best garden gloves you can buy
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Burgon & Ball)
(Image credit: Burgon & Ball)
Gardening doesn’t do the hands any favours. Aside from thorns, sharp twigs and rough bark causing inevitable injury, the worst offender is soil, because it literally draws all moisture out of the skin, leaving the hands as dry and chapped as the Bonneville Salt Flats.
What you need is a decent pair of general gardening gloves for working in the rough, whether it’s replacing turf, planting or pottering or, in some instances, dealing with prickly issues like rose, bramble, thistle and holly clearance.
We’ve called in a bunch of different gloves designed for both gardening and general household use and put them through their paces while performing a number of different tasks, from digging and pruning to heavy lifting. Only the best made it to this list so, without further ado, we suggest you read on to find out which gloves are the best for your gardening needs.
And to make your gardening experience even easier, we also recommend checking out our guides to theBest Garden Shears,Best SecateursandBest Manual Garden Tools.
The best gardening gloves you can buy in 2023
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Niwaki)
(Image credit: Niwaki)
Niwaki Gardening GlovesUltra grippy garden gloves from the Japanese house of NiwakiToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Rubberised for extra grip+Perfect for light duties+Breathable+Superb fit+Great priceReasons to avoid-They won’t protect against thorns
Niwaki Gardening Gloves
1. Niwaki Gardening Gloves
Ultra grippy garden gloves from the Japanese house of Niwaki
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Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Rubberised for extra grip+Perfect for light duties+Breathable+Superb fit+Great price
+Rubberised for extra grip+Perfect for light duties+Breathable+Superb fit+Great price
Rubberised for extra grip
Perfect for light duties
Breathable
Superb fit
Great price
Reasons to avoid-They won’t protect against thorns
-They won’t protect against thorns
They won’t protect against thorns
Made from a pliable layer of textured nitrile rubber and a thin, breathable nylon/spandex liner, these ‘second skin’ gloves provide impeccable grip while protecting the hands from scratches and your skin from all that earth you’ll be handling. They are also equipped with elasticated cuffs for a snug fit.
The Niwakis are ideal for light summertime gardening that requires sensitivity and feedback, like pruning, potting and ground prep. They are not designed for thorny tasks like clearing brambles, nettles and roses because, while the rubber finger and palm sections are quite robust, the breathable nylon backing provides zero protection against anything sharp and pointy.
On the plus side, these gloves are also really useful for getting a good firm grip on heavy items you may need to carry, like plant pots, urns, washing machines, fridges, pianos, safes, anvils, uranium, etc.
If you’re after a pair of light, stretchy gardening gloves that fit like a sock and grip like a salamander’s feet, make this very keenly-priced pair your first port of call.
(Image credit: Stihl)
(Image credit: Stihl)
Stihl Dynamic VentHigh-comfort stretchy gloves for light summer gardeningToday’s Best DealsVisit SiteReasons to buy+Ventilation holes reduce sweat+They stretch for added comfort+Good gripReasons to avoid-Not thorn proof
Stihl Dynamic Vent
2. Stihl Dynamic Vent
High-comfort stretchy gloves for light summer gardening
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Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
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Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Ventilation holes reduce sweat+They stretch for added comfort+Good grip
+Ventilation holes reduce sweat+They stretch for added comfort+Good grip
Ventilation holes reduce sweat
They stretch for added comfort
Good grip
Reasons to avoid-Not thorn proof
-Not thorn proof
Not thorn proof
Although these gloves aren’t thorn proof, they do provide excellent protection against sharp sticks and soil while providing good grip on machinery and heavy garden ornaments. But it’s those little cooling air vents that you’ll come to appreciate in the heat of the summer sun. Highly recommended.
(Image credit: Cobra)
(Image credit: Cobra)
Cobra Gardening GlovesMacho mitts for heavy-duty horticultural shenanigansToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonBuy Cobra Gardening GlovesReasons to buy+Comfy+Tough as a boot+Plenty of sizes availableReasons to avoid-Not waterproof-Not very breathable
Cobra Gardening Gloves
3. Cobra Gardening Gloves
Macho mitts for heavy-duty horticultural shenanigans
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonBuy Cobra Gardening Gloves
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonBuy Cobra Gardening Gloves
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonBuy Cobra Gardening Gloves
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonBuy Cobra Gardening Gloves
Today’s Best Deals
Check AmazonBuy Cobra Gardening Gloves
Check Amazon
Check Amazon
Buy Cobra Gardening Gloves
Buy Cobra Gardening Gloves
Reasons to buy+Comfy+Tough as a boot+Plenty of sizes available
+Comfy+Tough as a boot+Plenty of sizes available
Comfy
Tough as a boot
Plenty of sizes available
Reasons to avoid-Not waterproof-Not very breathable
-Not waterproof-Not very breathable
Not waterproof
Not very breathable
Constructed out of stretchy ribbed PVC with reinforced leather palms and silicon fingertips for gripping stuff like heavy terracotta pots, power tools and cliff tops, these mountain bike-style gloves are tough enough for most gardening duties, including rose bush clearance, soil toiling and carrying heavy stuff with sharp edges.
They’re available in a wider range of sizes than others we’ve seen (Medium, Large, X-Large and XXX-Large) and they’re easy enough to get in and out of. At around £9.99, they’re cheap, too.
(Image credit: Burgon & Ball)
(Image credit: Burgon & Ball)
Burgon & Ball Dig The GloveTrendy summer gloves for light gardening dutiesToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Designed for smaller hands+Also suitable for left-handed users+Lovely springy actionReasons to avoid-The blades open a tad too wide
Burgon & Ball Dig The Glove
4. Burgon & Ball Dig The Glove
Trendy summer gloves for light gardening duties
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Reasons to buy+Designed for smaller hands+Also suitable for left-handed users+Lovely springy action
+Designed for smaller hands+Also suitable for left-handed users+Lovely springy action
Designed for smaller hands
Also suitable for left-handed users
Lovely springy action
Reasons to avoid-The blades open a tad too wide
-The blades open a tad too wide
The blades open a tad too wide
Available in two sizes (M/L and L/XL), these gloves fit very comfortably though they are quite narrow at the cuff so bear that in mind if you have chunky hands. The Dig The Glove is constructed out of breathable denim with padded palms, genuine leather trim and temperature regulating stretched mesh between the fingers.
Although the gloves' palms, finger and fingertips are covered in puncture-resistant suede-like material, most stiff rose thorns will penetrate if gripped too hard. However, for lighter duties like pruning and general tool work, they perform admirably well. If you’re looking for a light, breathable and stylish looking glove for summer gardening, put these on the shopping list.
(Image credit: Skytec)
(Image credit: Skytec)
Skytec Pro ArgonWarm, grippy safety gloves for heavy duty cool-weather useToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Outrageously comfortable+Really warm+They offer superb protection+CheapReasons to avoid-Too warm for summer use-Look ugly-Not breathable
Skytec Pro Argon
5. Skytec Pro Argon
Warm, grippy safety gloves for heavy duty cool-weather use
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Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Outrageously comfortable+Really warm+They offer superb protection+Cheap
+Outrageously comfortable+Really warm+They offer superb protection+Cheap
Outrageously comfortable
Really warm
They offer superb protection
Cheap
Reasons to avoid-Too warm for summer use-Look ugly-Not breathable
-Too warm for summer use-Look ugly-Not breathable
Too warm for summer use
Look ugly
Not breathable
Although they’re advertised as ‘safety gloves’ these manly rubberised and double insulated gloves are absolutely perfect for winter gardening. In fact they’re so warm you could wear them as normal gloves for snowball fights.
The first thing that strikes you as you put your hand inside is how impeccably well they fit – the sizing seems consistent with most other gloves – and how cosy they feel. Their ability to grip knows no bounds and, as a result, I use them for a plethora of both garden and general home tasks like relaying turf that the dogs have destroyed, carrying heavy York stones, lifting shiny home appliances, picking up broken glass, etc. The encapsulated air molecules in the HPT foam coating also provide an inherent cushioning effect that protects the hands even further.
The rubber coating on these thermal gloves is super thick but extremely pliable and that means you can dig right into that hideously thorny rose bush with complete confidence that you won’t feel even the smallest prick, if you’ll pardon the expression. The main rubber section is naturally fully waterproof.
Available in S, M, L and XL – and also in a range of other models – you really can’t go wrong with a pair of these. Especially as they’re so cheap, too.
(Image credit: Stihl)
(Image credit: Stihl)
Stihl Function MS Protect Cut-protection GlovesUltra tough leather gloves for maximum protectionToday’s Best DealsBuy Stihl Function MS Protect GlovesReasons to buy+Offers mild protection against chainsaw cuts+Super comfy+Great for all-round garden useReasons to avoid-Not cheap
Stihl Function MS Protect Cut-protection Gloves
6. Stihl Function MS Protect Cut-protection Gloves
Ultra tough leather gloves for maximum protection
Today’s Best DealsBuy Stihl Function MS Protect Gloves
Today’s Best DealsBuy Stihl Function MS Protect Gloves
Today’s Best DealsBuy Stihl Function MS Protect Gloves
Today’s Best DealsBuy Stihl Function MS Protect Gloves
Today’s Best Deals
Buy Stihl Function MS Protect Gloves
Buy Stihl Function MS Protect Gloves
Buy Stihl Function MS Protect Gloves
Reasons to buy+Offers mild protection against chainsaw cuts+Super comfy+Great for all-round garden use
+Offers mild protection against chainsaw cuts+Super comfy+Great for all-round garden use
Offers mild protection against chainsaw cuts
Super comfy
Great for all-round garden use
Reasons to avoid-Not cheap
-Not cheap
Not cheap
If you’re looking for an ultra tough pair of gardening gloves that offer great protection when performing heavy-duty tasks like tree surgery, consider this robust leather and textile pair from Stihl.
Aside from being really comfortable gloves per se, the Function MS Protect are also designed for light chainsaw protection to the back of the hands. This particular model is classed 0 in a chainsaw clothing scale of 0 to 3. This means the back of the hands will be protected against a chain spinning at 16 metres per second. Of course, that’s a difficult statistic to get a handle on so if you’re a keen chainsaw enthusiast, consider a pair with a rating of 3.
Nevertheless, even some protection is better than no protection at all so in that respect, these gloves will at least keep your hands safe to some degree when operating a chainsaw – as long as the saw isn’t too powerful and is quickly pulled away if it makes any contact.
On the other hand (if you still have it), these are just great gardening gloves for a range of tough tasks like piling thorn-covered stalks into the green wheelie bin or on the compost heap. They’re also handy for carrying paving stones, picking up the glass remnants of an accident in the greenhouse, lifting heavy garden ornaments and a zillion other garden jobs.
Now read our guides to theBest Manual Garden Tools, as well asBest SecateursandBest Garden Sprinklers
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