Looking for the best garden gloves?
Gardening is a popular hobby in Australia, and as food gets expensive and scarce, more and more people are starting to garden. It can be tough on your hands, and some might be getting frowned upon when they come into the office with hands looking like a farmer.
Digging, pruning, and weeding can lead to blisters, calluses, and dirt sticking in cracks and cuts. That’s why wearing the right gloves when working in the garden is a justifiable consideration. I do not like gloves I like to feel the dirt feel the tools, but I do not work in an office, so how my hands look does not matter. In this article, I try to show the different types of garden gloves that I think are the best garden gloves that are currently available in Australia to protect your hands and make gardening easier and more enjoyable.
Why Do You Need Garden Gloves?
Before we dive into the best garden gloves, let’s discuss why you need them in the first place. Garden gloves offer protection from thorns, rough surfaces, and chemicals that can harm your skin. They also provide a better grip on tools, making it easier to handle them. Wearing garden gloves prevents blisters, calluses, and cuts, keeping your hands soft and healthy. After cutting myself or getting some pins and needles from plants, I realise I should have worn garden gloves.
Types of Garden Gloves
Garden gloves come in various materials, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Where I live, it gets hot and humid, so wearing gloves is not something I prefer doing, but when I do, my hands must stay dry, and the gloves are not sweating up on the inside. There are many different materials used to make garden gloves. We can group them in:
- Leather Gloves are the most durable and long-lasting garden gloves. They offer excellent protection against thorns, prickly branches, and sharp tools. However, they are not suitable for wet conditions, as they tend to get stiff and hard when wet.
- Rubber Gloves are perfect for working in wet conditions or handling chemicals. They are waterproof and protect your hands from harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation or burns. However, they are less durable than leather gloves, can easily tear or puncture, and can cause sweating of your hands on the inside, which is a “pet hate” of mine.
- Nitrile Gloves are a great alternative to rubber gloves. They are made from synthetic rubber and are resistant to punctures, tears, and chemicals. They are also more comfortable to wear than rubber gloves and provide better dexterity, making it easier to handle tools.
- Cotton Gloves are lightweight and breathable, ideal for light gardening tasks like planting or weeding. They are less durable than leather or rubber gloves but are perfect for people who have sensitive skin or allergies to other materials.
Top 4 Best Garden Gloves
Now that you know the different types of garden gloves available, let’s look at the top 5 best garden gloves based on material, durability, comfort, and affordability, available in Australia.
Pine Tree Tools Bamboo Working Gloves
These gloves are made from breathable bamboo and offer excellent protection against thorns, splinters, and blisters. They are also lightweight and comfortable, perfect for extended gardening sessions. Looking at amazon these gloves have a 4.5star rating.
Mechanix Wear M-Pact Coyote Tactical Gloves
These gloves are perfect if you are looking for durable gloves that can withstand heavy-duty gardening tasks. They are made from synthetic leather and are reinforced with padding on the palms and knuckles. They also offer excellent grip and dexterity, making it easier to handle tools.
WILDFLOWER Tools Gardening Gloves
These gloves are Nylon and offer excellent protection against thorns, prickly bushes, and sharp tools. They are also breathable and comfortable, making them perfect for extended gardening sessions.
Showa Atlas 370 Garden Gloves
These gloves are made from lightweight nylon and coated with nitrile for better grip and dexterity. They are perfect for tasks that require precision and flexibility, like pruning or trimming.
How to Choose the Right Garden Gloves
When I look at buying some garden gloves, there are a few factors I consider:
- Material, as discussed earlier, garden gloves come in various materials, each with advantages and disadvantages. Consider the tasks you’ll be doing and choose gloves that offer protection and comfort.
- Size, make sure to choose gloves that fit properly. Too-tight gloves can restrict movement and cause discomfort, while too-loose gloves can slip off or get in the way.
- Durability, consider how often you’ll use your gloves and how long you want them to last. Leather gloves are the most durable, while cotton gloves are less durable but more comfortable.
- Grip, ensure your gloves offer a good grip, especially if you’ll be handling tools. Gloves with textured surfaces or coated with rubber or nitrile offer better grip.
Conclusion
I do not wear gloves often, if at all, and every time I grab a prickly thing or cut myself, I realise I should be wearing gloves. Wearing the right garden gloves is essential for protecting your hands while gardening, but I like to feel the soil and get my hands dirty, so to speak. That said, I have started to wear them more often and always wear my garden gloves when handling power tools.
Although I have yet to test them, the gloves listed above are some of the best available in Australia, and they offer a range of options depending on your needs and preferences. Like many things in life, the best garden gloves, might not work for you. This article about the potential best garden gloves is just to spark your interest and give you some ideas on what could be categorised as the best garden gloves.
You have to consider the factors I mentioned when choosing the right gloves and ensure they fit properly, offer adequate protection, and are comfortable to wear.
FAQs
What are the best garden gloves for heavy-duty tasks?
The Mechanix Wear M-Pact Coyote Tactical Gloves are perfect for heavy-duty gardening tasks.Can I use rubber gloves for gardening?
Yes, rubber gloves are perfect for working in wet conditions or handling chemicals.What are the most durable garden gloves?
Leather gloves are the most durable and long-lasting garden gloves.Can I wash my garden gloves?
Yes, most garden gloves can be washed in cold water and mild detergent. Make sure to read the care instructions before washing.Are cotton gloves suitable for gardening?
Cotton gloves are lightweight and breathable, ideal for light gardening tasks like planting or weeding. However, they are less durable than leather or rubber gloves.