Gardening season is in full swing, which means it’s time to stock up on the right equipment, including seed starting trays, raised garden beds, weeding tools, and of course, gardening gloves. I’m deeply committed to both my garden bed and my bi-weekly nail appointment, so gardening gloves are a staple in my growing season lineup to keep my hands and nails secure while I’m outside.
To help you find the best gardening gloves, I spoke to gardening experts about things to keep in mind when looking for a pair of your own. I also compiled a list of their recommendations for you to shop.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best gardening gloves | The best gardening gloves in 2024 | How to shop for gardening gloves | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best gardening gloves
Aside from an editor’s pick, courtesy of a fellow NBC Select gardener, all of the gardening gloves below come recommended by the experts I spoke to. The list includes gauntlets, which are gloves with longer cuffs — these are best for pruning or working with thorny plants, according to Carmen DeVito, founder of garden and landscape design company Garden Cult and a certified New York State landscape professional.
Although some options may be labeled as women’s gloves, gardeners of any gender can benefit from each option. A variety of materials — cloth, rubber and leather — is included since each one is best for specific tasks– more details on this, and other shopping advice is also below.
The best gardening gloves in 2024
Best overall gardening gloves: Firm Grip Utility Working Gloves (3-Pack)
These gloves are lightweight, breathable, and one of DeVito’s favorites for day to day garden work. The gloves are reinforced at areas where the most wear and tear is expected, like the fingertips and knuckles, and have an elastic cuff that makes them easy to take on and off. The gloves are also touchscreen-compatible, and available in both single pairs and packs of three.
Material: Synthetic leather | Sizing: S-XL | Water-resistant: No
Best gauntlet gardening gloves: Duluth Trading Co. Gauntlet Gardening Gloves
What we like
- Very durable
- Comfortable
- Great for pruning
Something to note
- Must be hand-washed
- Higher price
These gloves are soft on the inside and durable on the outside, according to the brand, and another favorite of DeVito’s. They’re prickproof and extra-long for added protection from any thorns or rough plants and brush you might be working with. The gloves are also padded on the palms for another layer of comfort, says Duluth.
Material: Goatskin and pigskin leathers | Sizing: M, L | Water-resistant: No
Best leather gardening gloves: Womanswork Deerskin Work Glove
Something to note
- Hand wash only
- runs a little snug
This form-fitting pair also comes recommended by DeVito because they’re smooth, supple, and pliable enough to be used for everyday gardening. To clean them, the brand recommends hand washing the gloves in cold water with a mild detergent.
Material: Deerskin | Sizing: S-L | Water-resistant: No
Best value gardening gloves: Handlandy Rose Pruning Gloves
What we like
- Longer cuffs
- Thorn-proof
- Breathable
These gauntlet gloves are the pruning go-to for Julie Bawden-Davis, a professional gardener and founder of Healthy Houseplants. They provide extended protection along the forearms, and are also comfortable and soft, she says. The gloves are reinforced along the palms and fingertips for added puncture protection, and come in a range of colors.
Material: Pigskin leather | Sizing: XS-XL | Water-resistant: Yes
Best lightweight gardening gloves: Wildflower Tools Nitrile Gardening Gloves
What we like
- Long-lasting
- Comfortable
- Breathable
For general gardening chores like potting plants and cleaning, Bawden-Davis recommends this dual pack of nitrile gloves from Wildflower Tools. “They are very comfortable and feel like a second skin, which makes garden tasks really easy while protecting your hands,” she says. They can also be machine-washed.
Material: Pigskin leather | Sizing: XS-XL | Water-resistant: Yes
Best gardening gloves multipack: Womanswork Weeding Gloves (3-Pack)
What we like
- Lightweight
- Mostly water-resistant
- Good value for money
Something to note
- Not fully water-resistant
According to the brand, this three-pack of gloves is lightweight and form fitting, making them a great choice for daily garden tasks. Each one is dipped in latex foam to stop water from getting through to your palms and fingers, according to the brand. They also have a grippy palm and finger feel for more precise, detailed work — and are machine-washable.
Material: Nylon, latex | Sizing: S-L | Water-resistant: Yes
Editor’s Pick: Coohorn Grip Safety Work Gloves
What we like
- Affordable
- Great for gripping
- Snug fit
“My landlord gave me a large stack of these gloves a few years ago and I’ve been using them in my garden ever since,” says Nikki Brown, NBC Select SEO editor. “They’re snug and not too thick so I can still feel the soil and plants I’m working with. I also know that going glove-free isn’t an option with my acrylic nails, so these gloves feel like a happy medium, especially with the anti-slip dots that make gripping things easier. When I’m working with anything wet, I’ll either double up or layer with a pair of rubber gloves but more often than not, these alone suffice. And they’re machine-washable, which is why I haven’t had to order a new pair yet, though I recommend air-drying to keep the blue dots intact longer.”
How to shop for gardening gloves
When shopping for gardening gloves, experts suggest taking into account the glove’s material and sizing. DeVito also recommends buying more than one pair, and getting bright colors so they can be easily found around your garden.
- Materials: Gardening gloves often come in cloth, leather and rubber materials, all of which are best for different gardening activities, according to DeVito. For all-purpose use, she suggests using lightweight, stretchy fabric and cloth materials that allow for a soft feel and breathability. However, she warns against buying solely fabric gloves — “they never last,” she says. Instead, she recommends fabric gloves with rubber palms, which she says are “practical but also give you a good, tactile feeling while gardening.” For heavier garden chores, DeVito suggests leather or rubber gloves. Because of their thicker weight, they’re also ideal for wintertime — She likes leather “to keep [her] hands warm and to protect them from getting hurt.”
- Sizing: If you’re shopping in-person, try on the gloves if possible to check how well they fit and move with your hands. When shopping online, DeVito suggests measuring your palm width — “Most good online sources have a guide based on palm width or middle finger length,” she says.
- Length: Gardening gloves come in a variety of lengths, from gloves ending at the wrist to gloves that reach well past your elbows. For everyday gardening tasks, you may not need longer gloves — gloves coming to the wrist or mid forearm are a great option for activities like watering, seeding, and smaller pruning jobs. If you’re doing more rigorous work, or handling thorn, brush or prickly plants, longer, full-arm gloves (like the gauntlets above) work best.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Carmen DeVito is the founder of garden and landscape design company Garden Cult and a certified New York State landscape professional.
- Julie Bawden-Davis is a professional gardener and founder of Healthy Houseplants, and the author of “Indoor Gardening the Organic Way” and “Southern California Vegetable Gardening.”
Why trust NBC Select?
Ashley Morris is an NBC Select associate SEO reporter for NBC Select covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more. For this piece, she interviewed two gardening experts on the best gardening gloves, including their guidance, recommendations and tips for purchasing one of your own.
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