These Tester-Approved Gardening Shoes Will Keep Your Feet Dry and Protected (2024)

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The Bogs Patch Ankle Boots received perfect scores across all categories (quality, comfort, durability, design, and value), earning our title of best overall shoe. We loved that they were durable and had cushioned insoles to support our feet after many hours outdoors. We also liked the ankle height, which made them easy to get on and off, and the small tab on the back that made them easier to remove. In addition to their durability and quality construction, we also liked these ankle boots because of their stylish design. The simple pattern makes it perfect for a day out at the garden center or a leisurely stroll through town on a gloomy day. But there are some downsides. The waterproof material may be too thick for sweltering summer temps, and the shoes do give off a strong rubbery odor right out of the box.

Despite these design concerns, these shoes' soles are both thick yet flexible, and they accommodate lots of bending and maneuvering in the garden. Since half sizes aren't available, we went up a half size. The fit tends to be roomy, which we didn't mind (socks helped), but we noticed that the generous fit around our ankles took some getting used to. Although the price is a bit high, this pair's performance justified it since we'd be willing to wear them around town. We also really like the company's numerous sustainability initiatives, such as the use of recycled materials and plans to decrease its carbon footprint, which made us feel secure about supporting them.

How They Performed Long-Term

While we opted for other shoes in the warm summer heat, we're excited to have these shoes as a cooler weather option for maintaining a garden. They feel much more maneuverable than other gardening shoes that tend to be clunky and heavy. We also have not noticed any signs of wear on the outside or inside of the shoe.

_{Material: Natural rubber (boot) and algae-based EVA (footbed) | Sizes: Women's 6 to 11 | Type: Ankle boot | Waterproof: Yes}

Our best budget pick, the Amoji Unisex Garden Clogs, is a great under $50 pair, and they are very comparable to similar name-brand shoes in quality and design. We appreciated the good arch support and cushioned soles, which made standing or crouching more endurable. They come with an adjustable strap that may cause them to feel too snug when worn on the back, though it can be easily rotated to the top.

After being worn for a long walk on concrete, the shoes showed signs of wear on the logo and creasing on the top. Also, the air holes allow for breathability but don't keep dirt out during messy gardening tasks. Luckily, they can be easily hosed down at the end of a gardening session. The molded footbed is textured, which helps keep bare feet from slipping and sliding too much when the shoe is wet (something that can be very annoying with these types of clogs).

How They Performed Long-Term

After six months of regular use, these clogs are still a great option to quickly slip on while gathering vegetables or watering in a garden. We also like that the holes are smaller than other open clogs, so larger pieces of debris like mulch or pebbles can't enter the toe bed.

_{Material: Rubber | Sizes: Women's 6 to 15; men's 5 to 13 | Type: Clog | Waterproof: Yes}

After spending several hours testing these shoes, one of our team members called herself a "Crocs convert," saying she appreciated their lightweight material ("You barely notice you're wearing shoes") and pleasant feel ("like walking on a cloud"), adding that they didn't rub or feel tight. Despite the airy construction, these shoes held up well outdoors, and we didn't feel or notice tough materials like rocks or mulch underfoot.

Crocs are super-easy to hose off so that they don't retain odors, and the perforated toe box means they're unlikely to make your feet sweaty on warm days. Since the brand doesn't offer half sizes, we sized up a half size and would describe the fit as "comfortably loose." We do think these shoes are expensive, given their construction, and we think it's more realistic to buy them on sale. Although not everyone likes the way Crocs look, we are totally on board with them, especially given the large variety of colors, patterns, and charms offered.

How They Performed Long-Term

These Crocs became a go-to gardening shoe for hot summer months when clunky boots were unbearable. While there is some obvious wear on the soles, we think they're still in great condition and appreciate how easy they are to rinse off.

_{Material: Croslite (the company's proprietary, rubber-like foam) | Sizes: Women's 6 to 12; men's 4 to 17 | Type: Clog | Waterproof: Yes}

While wearing the L.L.Bean Men’s Wellie Support Shoes, we especially appreciated the solid construction, high-quality materials, good looks, and basic tread that prevent slipping in wet conditions. These shoes look like high-end sneakers but are waterproof and much more grippy, making them a stylish alternative to traditional clogs.

While these shoes are advertised as slip-on, getting them on and off isn't as easy as a pair of clogs. Their snug fit does require you to slip a finger or two onto the heel to slide your foot inside and grip while pulling off. Moisture stayed out completely during wet gardening tasks, but we think these shoes have the potential to get steamy and sweaty if you're doing lots of labor.

This pair is more expensive, especially if you only plan to garden in them, but we think they could also be great shoes for other outdoor activities like going to the river or mowing the lawn. Overall, we would recommend the shoes and think they'd be a great investment that's sure to last you longer than some of our more affordable picks.

How They Performed Long-Term

Despite our concerns that they would become sweaty during longer work periods, these shoes are very comfortable to wear in warmer and wet conditions. We recommend wearing socks with them to facilitate putting them on and taking them off. We have seen no signs of wear, and their waterproof qualities remain unchanged from our initial testing. They've become go-to shoes for watering the lawn, washing cars, and power-washing siding.

_{Materials: Rubber (upper and outsole), neoprene (collar), EVA (footbed) | Sizes: Men's 7 to 14 | Type: Slip-on | Waterproof: Yes}

If you tend to garden during cooler months or wet conditions, we recommend splurging on these versatile boots that are sturdy and tough. They're fairly heavy with deep tread that provides good traction in slippery muck, and when worn unfolded, they gave us the confidence that we could walk into any gardening task and be protected.

Although these boots are advertised as being easy to clean, mud and dirt got really stuck in the sole and required more work to remove. Obviously, these boots are a bit bulkier and not quite as stylish as our best overall pick, but we think functionality is more important than aesthetics anyway. They are extremely watertight, dependable, and a good gardening shoe for wetter climates.

How They Performed Long-Term

After wearing these boots around a garden and completing various tasks in them, we've decided that they function best for serious, heavy-duty tasks. If you're a gardener who isn't constantly working in muddy conditions, we recommend considering some of the lighter clogs in our roundup. However, we still love these shoes and think they'd function great for anyone who may complete more involved tasks like caring for livestock, mulching, or walking through tall grasses.

_{Materials: Rubber, neoprene, nylon | Sizes: Women's 5 to 11 | Type: Boot | Waterproof: Yes}

We all know the feeling of a clunky rain boot, so we were pleasantly surprised by this pair of wellies that hit just above the ankle and are less bulky and clunky than some competitors' offerings. One member of our team said these boots were the comfiest wellies she's ever worn. They come in a mix of solids and playful patterns (think plaids and dots) and they'd work well with shorts or pants, and just like our best overall pick, they're attractive enough to wear while running to the store. They have a deep tread to help guard against slipping and also stand up to their waterproof claims, as we ran the hose over them several times. We also protected our feet as we used a rotary cultivator that churned up lots of mud.

The soft, 100 percent cotton lining is comfortable, but we think it might be tricky to clean if odors or stains pop up in the future. They also are not breathable, but this is a common theme among rubber boots, so we do not consider that a major drawback for this pair. However, they are a great value since they are comfortable to work in for several hours.

How They Performed Long-Term

We still appreciate these boots as a great option when working in very muddy or messy conditions. While we don't think they're best for warmer conditions, we think these boots are a much lighter pair compared to traditional "muck" boots and work boots.

_{Material: Rubber with cotton lining Sizes: Women's 5 to 10 Type: Boot | Waterproof: Yes}

The good news about these design-conscious loafers, which come in playful prints like cheetah and snakeskin, is that they're extremely comfortable and have good arch support. They're also cute enough that the wearer can go from gardening to running errands or eating out. One of the more breathable options on our list, they have a removable insert and also provide good traction during potentially slippery tasks.

The white midsoles, which are standard across all patterns, were difficult to keep clean, even with mild dish soap. We recommend reserving these for less-messy gardening tasks like watering potted plants with a watering can or quickly picking weeds or pruning bushes. These shoes are also not waterproof, so we don't recommend wearing them in muddy conditions. While the price is higher, we think it can be justified based on this pair's versatility compared to other picks in our list.

How They Performed Long-Term

While these shoes do not show any sign of wear after 6 months of use, we think they best perform as an "everyday shoe" or "all-purpose" slip-on, rather than a pair that's specific to gardening. They're challenging to keep clean, and we think their lack of waterproofing makes them only suited for very low-maintenance tasks.

_{Material: Leather, suede, manmade, fabric (or a mix), depending on pattern | Sizes: Women's 4 to 12 | Type: Slip-on | Waterproof: No}

These boots, which were originally designed for fishing in Alaska, are well-designed and very sturdy. They supported our feet while doing a range of different gardening tasks and didn't leak at all. The lining has a cute print, and wearing them folded down makes them feel more versatile and less like full galoshes. They tend to run small, so the company recommends sizing up if you're between sizes.

The soles also have excellent tread, although the deep holes that trapped dirt left chunks of wet mud all over our floors, even after pounding them on a deck and cleaning them with a brush. Another annoyance was that a few days after being unpacked, the boots gave off a slick and oily substance that made us unsure of the best way to store them long-term. They are also a bit heavy and expensive for simple gardening jobs, but for anyone who lives in an area that frequently floods or has farm- or livestock-oriented duties, this pair is perfect and worth the investment.

How They Performed Long-Term

While we love the comfort and durability of these boots, we think they're a bit overkill for basic gardening tasks. We've found they're best suited for very muddy conditions or other tasks like power washing and cleaning up a flooded basem*nt.

_{Material: Latex neoprene | Sizes: Women's 6 through 11 | Type: Boot | Waterproof: Yes}

Final Verdict

The Bogs Women's Patch Ankle Boot is our top pick because it is both stylish and functional, with a sole that strikes the ideal balance between support and flexibility. If you just need a simple pair of gardening shoes for light tasks and don't want to spend a ton of money, our budget choice, the Amoji Unisex Garden Clog AM1761, has a supportive footbed, cleans up easily, and is comparable to its pricier competitors.

FAQ

• What is a gardening shoe?

  A gardening shoe is a sturdy, waterproof shoe with a sole that gives you extra traction to prevent you from slipping on wet soil, grass, or pavers. Gardening shoes are easy to take on and off, so you can do quick gardening tasks without spending your time lacing up boots. Some gardening shoes are meant to be worn in warm or hot weather, while others are insulated, so they not only keep your feet dry but also help keep your feet warm in chilly weather. If you do a lot of shoveling, which involves pressing down on the shovel with your foot, the rubber sole of a gardening shoe does not offer the same protection against pressure as rugged work boots would.

• Do you wear socks with gardening shoes?

  It is always a good idea to wear socks with gardening boots because they protect you from blisters, moisture, insects, and small rocks and debris that get into the shoes during gardening. Socks also provide additional cushioning and stability; the shoes are less likely to slip off your feet when the inside of the shoes gets wet. Socks that wick away moisture are best. "Wool socks offer superior comfort, warmth, and breathability—cotton socks can’t hold a candle to wool," says Quindoy, who adds that she has a variety of wool pairs for both warmer and cooler months. If you do decide to garden without socks, make sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed areas on your feet—especially if you're wearing clogs with holes. "Crocs tan lines or worse yet, burns, are not fun," says Quindoy.

• How do you clean gardening shoes?

  If they are coated with mud, let them dry first, then knock or brush off the dirt before cleaning the shoes with water. "I start by knocking off any big chunks of mud by stomping my feet a couple times on the pavement," says Quindoy. Pull out the insole if it’s removable. Washing the shoes with just water might be sufficient; for pesky stains, add a few drops of dish soap. "If I really want to spiff them up, a warm soapy rag cleans them up as good as new," says Quindoy. Brush or wipe off the dirt and rinse with clean water, and don’t forget to clean the sole. Remove any dirt stuck in between the tread profile and pattern; an old toothbrush comes in handy here. Let the shoes air-dry completely inside and out before putting the insole back in the shoes.

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