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8 best gardening gloves for protecting your hands from thorns and nettles
Keep those green fingers and thumbs safe with our experts' best gardening gloves
Those who enjoy gardening know it’s dirty, sweaty, and a real workout. While the Chelsea Flower Show, Kew Gardens and the Eden Project present polished landscapes, the reality is that getting to that point requires plenty of mud, thorns and back-breaking work.
This all takes its toll on your hands. And that's where the best gardening gloves come in, helping to protect your mitts from the elements. We’ve tried 41 pairs, looking for styles that fit snugly, provided protection and are durable.
In a rush to get planting? These are our top picks at a glance but read on for our detailed reviews.
Best gardening gloves to buy in 2026
How we chose the best gardening gloves
We have been hands on with many of the gloves in this roundup; for those we haven’t tried, we’ve done extensive research, looking at fabrics, features and positive customer reviews online. When trying them out ourselves, we see how well each pair of gloves performs while doing a range of everyday gardening tasks. We wear them to do light, delicate work, such as potting small plants, and while doing more heavy-duty jobs like digging and pruning large bushes.
We judge them on the following criteria:
- Whether they’re resistant to thorns and prickly plants
- How water-resistant they are while picking up damp plants
- The grip they offer when handling tools and plants
- The general fit, including whether they cover the wrist well and whether they mould nicely to the palms and fingers
- How breathable the fabric is – we consider any moisture-wicking properties as well as how insulating they are
These are our top-picks for sprucing up the garden this year.
Clip Gloves Cosy Gardening Gloves
Clip Gloves Cosy Gardening Gloves
Pros
- Comfortable to wear thanks to the soft material
- Quality design
- Comes with a carabiner clip for storage
Cons
- Not fully protective against thorns
These are for medium to heavy-duty work and, like all Clip Gloves designs, they come with a handy carabiner clip for easy storage when not in use. They cover the wrist well and the latex coating on the palm offers a sturdy grip.
There’s still plenty of flexibility in these gloves though, making them ideal for cleaning damp leaves, digging, and holding small tools. But they won’t fully protect you against thorny rose bushes, so be vigilant when handling any holly or roses.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Medium duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | Women’s: Small/Medium. Men’s: Medium/Large |
| Material | Polyester, latex |
| Waterproof | No |
| Arm protection | No |
Briers All Seasons Gardener Gloves
Briers All Seasons Gardener Gloves
Pros
- Elasticated cuff
- Water-resistant
- Great value
Cons
- Not thorn-proof
- No inner seam so feel slightly like washing up gloves when wearing
While the other styles in this list aren’t overly pricey, these budget gloves are worth considering if you want a cheap yet reliable pair of gardening gloves. The tapered cuffs keep them securely on your hands (while also preventing any debris from getting inside) and the latex palms offer plenty of grip and flexibility.
The latex also offers some water-resistance, making them ideal for picking up damp leaves. They’re not thorn-proof but they’ll well-made and comfortable to wear.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Medium duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | Medium, large |
| Material | Latex |
| Waterproof | No |
| Arm protection | No |
Gold Leaf RHS Dry Touch Gardening Gloves
Gold Leaf RHS Dry Touch Gardening Gloves
Pros
- Ideal for heavy duty jobs
- Comfortable fleece lining
- Water resistant
Cons
- No cleaning instructions
- Limited sizes
Made of leather, these gardening gloves are ideal for heavy duty jobs. They’re also water resistant, and we like the elasticated wrist that offers a snug fit. The fleece lining inside provides extra comfort and cosiness too. A smart buy for anyone doing gardening jobs in the colder months.
There are only two sizes available (one for men and one for women) but otherwise they’re hard to fault.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Heavy duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | One size for women and one size for men |
| Material | Deerskin leather, fleece |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Arm protection | No |
Gold Leaf Malvern Deerskin Leather Gardening Gloves
Gold Leaf Malvern Deerskin Leather Gardening Gloves
Pros
- Comfortable and well-designed
- Thorn-proof
- Provide good grip
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Limited sizing
The elasticated wrist cuffs and padded palms on these gloves provide extra comfort when tackling a variety of tasks, and they have excellent grip too.
The deerskin leather protected our hands against brambles, so you’ll be safe when pruning thorny bushes and prickly plants, but moisture seeped through the leather quickly, so avoid using them for damp jobs like potting or weeding. Note that they’re one-size only, so they probably won’t fit everyone perfectly.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Medium duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | One size |
| Material | Deerskin leather, nylon |
| Waterproof | No |
| Arm protection | No |
Town & Country Heavy Duty Gauntlet Garden Gloves
Town & Country Heavy Duty Gauntlet Garden Gloves
Pros
- Gauntlet-style design
- Waterproof
- Good grip
Cons
- Slip down slightly when wearing
- Can make your hands hot
The gauntlet-style design of these gloves, complete with a suede cuff, offers plenty of protection for your wrists and arms. The supple leather makes picking up delicate plants easy and no moisture seeps through when handling damp foliage and debris either.
The leather also protects against thorns and thistles, so these are a good option for pruning rose bushes. They tend to slip down slightly during wear though, and the long-sleeved design might make you hot. All in all, however, they’re a great choice for the more prickly jobs.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Heavy duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | Medium, large |
| Material | Leather, suede |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Arm protection | Yes |
Clip Gloves Watertight Gardening Gloves
Clip Gloves Watertight Gardening Gloves
Pros
- Snug fit
- Good grip
- Waterproof
Cons
- Not overly warm
- Not totally thorn-proof
These medium-duty Clip Gloves are totally waterproof, making them ideal for wet weather gardening, potting and weeding.
They provide excellent grip when handling secateurs and trowels, and the soft inner lining made them feel super comfortable against the skin. While they aren’t fully thorn-proof, they’re a good pick for light-medium jobs.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Medium duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | Women’s: Small/Medium. Men’s: Medium/Large |
| Material | Latex, polyester, TPR |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Arm protection | No |
Pros
- Elasticated wrist
- Padded palm
Cons
- Limited sizing
- Not waterproof
These gingham print gloves are a must-have for stylish gardeners. They have an elasticated wrist to prevent debris falling into the palms and fingers and the stretchy design provides flexibility and comfort.
While they’re not waterproof, we do love the padded palm that provides extra cushioning when kneeling and reaching into the border. Plus, you can easily keep them looking their best thanks to the machine washable design.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Light duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | One size |
| Material | Nitrile and cotton |
| Waterproof | No |
| Arm protection | No |
Pros
- Affordable
- Snug fit around the fingers and wrists
- Plenty of grip
Cons
- Not thorn-proof
- Not waterproof
With a slim, snug-fit, these gardening gloves are ideal of any jobs that need better touch sensitivity, such as when pulling weeds or potting small plants. The nitrile coating on the fingertips provides plenty of grip too, making it easier to handle tools like secateurs.
The material is breathable but not thorn-proof or water-resistant. Otherwise, these are great, all-round gardening gloves for a mixture of tasks.
Key specifications
| Type of work | Light to heavy duty |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | Small, medium, large, extra large |
| Material | Nylon, spandex, nitrile |
| Waterproof | No |
| Arm protection | No |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We conducted hours of research before selecting the best gardening gloves. We looked at materials, design, styles and any useful additional features, making sure we had a range of options for different needs and tasks. We chose brands that we’ve previously as well as those that have received the most five-star customer reviews online.
Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, is also a keen gardener and has donned many pairs of gardening gloves over the years. She understands what you need from a quality pair of gloves and understands the benefits of different fabrics and features.
How to choose gardening gloves
There’s a lot more to a gardening glove than you may think. In fact, there are a whole range of factors to consider. To start, you need to make sure the gloves you buy suit the type of gardening work you generally do.
- Light duty gloves are for non-intensive work like sowing seeds, weeding and general gardening tasks
- Medium duty gloves are for slightly hardier work such as potting, pruning or clearing
- Heavy duty gloves are for intensive jobs, including landscaping, digging and mowing
Once you’ve narrowed down what you’re looking for, here are the other factors to consider.
Material: Gardening gloves are made in an array of fabrics – and each offers different benefits. You’ll find more information on this below.
Waterproofing: Gardening can be wet work, so if you like to garden year-round, you’ll need a pair of waterproof gloves. These are great for heavy-duty tasks, but are often thicker than general purpose designs, so aren’t as suited to more delicate jobs – for those, opt for water-resistant ones instead.
Arm protection: Most gardening gloves finish at the wrists, but some extend further or have a gauntlet (a long cuff). This is particularly helpful if your garden has lots of prickly plants (hello, roses) or tangled brambles.
Knuckle and vein guards: Some gardening gloves have protective reinforcements across the knuckles and wrists. While this tends to reduce flexibility, if you’re undertaking particularly heavy-duty work, they’re a must.
Reinforced fingertip protection: Padded fingertips protect against thorns and digging. They’ll make things more difficult during more delicate jobs, so keep them for heavy duty work.
Padded palms: Some gardening gloves have protection across the palms, which is ideal if you’re kneeling and leaning on your hands a lot when working.
What material is best for gardening gloves?
You’ll find a mix of materials in the gloves in our list. Below, we’ve listed the pros and cons of each.
- Bamboo fibre is environmentally friendly, soft and flexible, but isn’t waterproof.
- Elastane is stretchy, abrasion-resistant, strong and durable.
- Latex is wear-and-tear-resistant and has a strong grip. It’s a good alternative to animal products but avoid if you’re allergic.
- Leather is resistant to punctures and tears and becomes more flexible after prolonged use.
- Linen is strong, dries quickly and stays cool in hot weather, but it isn’t waterproof.
- Polyester is strong, durable and quick to dry, but it isn’t waterproof.
- Nylon is strong, stretchy, lightweight and less absorbent than polyester.
- PU, or artificial leather, has good tensile strength, which means it doesn't tear easily and is puncture resistant.
- Suede is durable, pliable and offers a good grip, but it’s thin and permeable.
- TPR is a water-resistant material that has both the characteristics of rubber and plastic, making it abrasion resistant and flexible.
- Nitrile is a type of synthetic, latex-free rubber that is durable and puncture resistant.
The verdict: What are the best gardening gloves to buy?
Our favourite gardening gloves are the Clip Gloves Cosy Gardening Gloves, which are great all-rounders for cleaning the garden, digging, and using small tools.
They’re not waterproof though, so if that’s a priority, opt for the Town & Country Heavy Duty Gauntlet Garden Gloves, which are also excellent for pruning prickly or thorny bushes.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
