“Look for shoes with a deep tread to help you get the best footing on wet, slippery surfaces,” says Erinn Witz, co-founder of Seeds And Spades, an educational website focused on gardening. Witz says she might use waterproof boots for heavy-duty tasks that require more protection, but usually “a shoe with a water treatment coat on the lower portion is enough.” We spent nearly 70 hours testing 15 pairs of shoes, rating them for quality, comfort, durability, design, and value. Our testers wore each pair for at least 30 minutes (often much longer) doing moderate yard work tasks. They also did things like crouching, bending, and removing caked-on mud. For shoes that claimed to be waterproof or water-resistant, they spent at least an hour getting them soggy, whether that meant gardening in moist soil, stomping in muddy puddles, or soaking them with a hose. The Bogs Women’s Patch Ankle Boot was our overall winner for its sturdy construction, thick-yet-flexible sole, and eye-catching design that’s cute enough to wear outside the garden. Based on our testing, here are the best gardening shoes. The soles are both thick yet flexible and able to accommodate lots of bending and maneuvering in the garden. Since half sizes aren’t available, our tester went up a half size. The fit tends to be roomy, which she didn’t mind (think socks helped), but she noticed that the generous fit around her ankles took some getting used to. Although the price was a bit high, she felt that they were worth it since she’d be willing to wear them around town. She also praised the company’s numerous sustainability initiatives, such as the use of recycled materials and plans to decrease their carbon footprint, which would make her feel good about supporting them. But, there are a few 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. Price at time of publish: $70 After being worn for a long walk on concrete, the shoes did show some signs of wear on the logo as well as creasing on the top. Also, the air holes allow for breathability, but they 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). Price at time of publish: $40 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, our tester sized up a half size and described the fit as “comfortably loose.” One complaint was the value, noting that at press time, full-price Crocs clogs started at $50, and she’d be more likely to buy them if she could find them on sale. Our tester did admit that the look of Crocs isn’t for everyone, calling them “a bit of a clown shoe,” but also said she was fully onboard with them, especially considering the dozens of colors, patterns, and charms available. “While their appearance is super basic and a bit bulky, they are lightweight and comfy. They also come in about a zillion colors and patterns, so the world is your oyster when it comes to finding a style that suits your personality,” she said. Price at time of publish: $50 Note that although they’re advertised as slip-on, getting them on and off isn’t a no-brainer like a pair of clogs. “They don’t buckle or lace, but you do need to slip your fingers down to help slide your foot into them,” he said. He described the waterproofing as “gasket-like” and said that moisture stayed out completely during wet gardening tasks but also pointed out that they have the potential to get “steamy” if you’re doing lots of labor. He felt the price tag was a bit high if you’re only going to garden in them, but that he’d recommend them to “those who have cash to burn on kicks for the yard but are at least semi-serious about their active gardening.” Overall, he recommended the shoes with a caveat: “They have style and performance going for them, and if you don’t mind parting with the better part of a hundred dollars for something along these lines, these are a good choice.” Price at time of publish: $89 Although the boots are advertised as being easy to clean, our tester did comment that “mud and dirt really like to get stuck up in the sole.” These aren’t necessarily shoes you’ll be wearing to drinks with friends, as looks were called “an afterthought to performance.” That said, they are extremely watertight, dependable, and, as our tester said, “a pretty decent gardening shoe.” Price at time of publish: $70 The soft, 100 percent cotton lining was deemed comfortable, but our tester expressed concern that it might be tricky to clean if odors or stains popped up in the future. She also noted their lack of breathability, although she admitted she had yet to find a pair of all-rubber boots that was “super breathable.” However, we feel like they are a great value since, as our tester noted, “The price seems fair for a well-performing waterproof wellie that’s comfortable to work in for hours at a time.” Price at time of publish: $60 Our tester mentioned that the white midsoles, which are standard across all patterns, were difficult to keep clean, even with mild dish soap. “I’ll reserve these for less dirty work like watering potted plants or weeding a bed, but I wouldn’t want to subject them to messy activities that would require frequent cleaning,” she said. As for the price, she called it “quite high for what is essentially a slip-on sneaker.” Price at time of publish: $84 She noted that the soles have excellent tread, although the deep holes that trapped dirt left “little zig-zaggy chunks of wet mud all over my floors,” even after she pounded them on her deck and cleaned 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 her unsure of the best way to store them long-term. She also found them a bit heavy and expensive for simple gardening jobs but noted that “for anyone who lives in an area that frequently floods or has farm- or livestock-oriented duties, these are probably perfect and worth the investment.” Price at time of publish: $160 To assess their durability, we asked our testers to note any changes in appearance or smell after hours of use and to clean the shoes according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We then asked them to note any design features that stand out and add functionality such as a pull-on tab (to help with putting shoes on), a stretchy inner layer (to eliminate the need for socks), or a fold-down top (to make boots more versatile). If they felt especially lightweight or heavy, we asked them to note that as well. We also asked them to note if they felt the shoes were stylish and versatile enough to wear while running errands. Lastly, we asked our testers to look at the price and assess the shoe’s overall value, including whether or not they felt their performance was worth the cost, or if they would only buy them on sale (or not at all).
What to Look for in a Gardening Shoe
Coverage
Gardening shoes tend to come in three different styles: boots (which can be taller or shorter), clogs, and slip-ons. If you’re working on tasks that require moving heavy objects, such as planting trees or working with tools like spades or shovels, you’ll need more protection than if you’re just stepping outside to water or plant a few bulbs. Boots can also protect your calves and ankles from insect bites. Note that clogs with holes may not resist mud and dirt, but this shouldn’t be a problem if they’re easy to clean with the hose, such as our best budget pick, the Amoji Unisex Garden Clog Yard Shoes, and the Crocs Unisex Adult Classic Clogs, our best all-purpose shoe. Whatever coverage you choose, try to pick something with good tread. “I like a shoe that provides good traction so wet, muddy, sloped, or irregular surfaces won’t slow me down,” says Zolene Quindoy, Head of Horticulture at online landscaping service Yardzen.
Material
Rubber is the gold standard for keeping feet dry and happy. “Material that’s naturally water-repellent, like rubber, keeps moisture out, reducing the chances for blisters and discomfort,” says Witz. If you aren’t planning to wear socks, choose a material like molded resin or polyurethane, which may be more breathable than leather or traditional rubber. Ventilation holes can also help since they allow air to flow through the shoe, preventing moisture and odor from building up. Planning on especially wet conditions but still want something breathable for warmer months? “My work usually includes watering plants, working with irrigation, or hosing down surfaces, and splashing is inevitable. Gore-Tex provides the best of both worlds—it keeps water out, while still letting my feet breathe,” Quindoy says. If you’re planning to garden into the chillier fall and winter months, waterproof rubber boots should still work well, but if they aren’t lined, consider wearing warmer socks.
Fit
If your foot is especially narrow or wide, look for a shoe that comes in more than one width option. This will allow for a more customized, comfortable fit that you’ll appreciate after being on your feet for hours. If multiple width options aren’t available, you can size up or down a half size. If you prefer shoes with insoles for additional support, try to find ones that are removable so that they can be taken out for airing and cleaning and eventually replaced. “I prefer nice cushioning under the heel and footbed, as well as around the ankle, and I sometimes add a removable insole for extra arch support if I feel I need it,” says Quindoy. Our best overall pick, the Bogs Women’s Patch Ankle Boot offers a flexible, supportive fit, and is also easy to slip on.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was updated by Lexi Dwyer, a freelance writer and product reviewer for The Spruce since 2019, who compiled the current roundup based on exclusive results from our at-home testers. Each of the selected gardening shoes in this tested roundup stand out for their quality, comfort, durability, design, and value. For extra insight, Lexi consulted Zolene Quindoy, Head of Horticulture at online landscaping service Yardzen, who has experience working in plant nurseries, greenhouses, and private gardens and wears her shoes 10 hours each day, five or six days each week. Lexi also spoke to Erinn Witz, co-founder of Seeds And Spades, an educational website focused on gardening. Given their garden-related expertise, both Quindoy and Witz gave useful suggestions on what to look for when choosing a pair of shoes and which styles and materials work best for different situations.
What Is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
