If you were going to your day job, would you wear slippers or a pair of flip-flops? Of course not. Those sandals would be fine if you’re going out to dinner. Or if you’re spending the day indoors at home, your slippers are perfectly okay. But you would need a different type of shoe for your day job.
It’s the same when you’re heading out to the garden. You need a pair of shoes that are meant for that job. Something easy to work in but will also support your feet.
Maybe you put on tennis shoes when you’re heading out to your garden. When I first started gardening, that’s what I wore to work in my garden.
The problem with your regular sneakers is that they can get wet and muddy. Working in wet shoes can increase the risk of foot injuries such as blisters, fungal infections, and odor. And of course, it can also damage your shoes. I went through lots of shoes in my early years.
Instead, it’s best to choose a pair of shoes specifically for working outdoors. Although these shoes will cost a little more than a cheap pair of tennis shoes, they will last a lot longer.
Here are four things to consider when choosing shoes for your gardening chores.
What Makes A Good Garden Shoe…
It’s Waterproof
You’ll find yourself slogging through mud and water puddles throughout the growing season. You don’t want to have to worry about your feet getting wet. When you choose waterproof shoes, it doesn’t matter what you step in. Your feet will stay dry.
Supportive to Feet
When you’re bending, stretching, and carrying heavy loads, you don’t want to have to worry about whether your feet will slip and slide in your shoes. And the sole of the shoes should have the traction you need to keep you on your feet.
Provides Protection
It’s no secret that when you’re working in the garden, your feet will be susceptible to you dropping things… like heavy bags of potting soil or your garden clippers. Or when you’re in a hurry, you might trip over something. Having sturdy, closed-toe shoes can help save your feet from serious injury.
Easy to Clean
You’ll want to wash your shoes off when you’ve stepped in something messy. Keeping your shoes in good shape means you should clean them regularly. Being able to hose them off when you’re done gardening is a great way to help maintain your shoes so they last longer. If you have to throw your shoes into the laundry, you end up with a mess in your machine. But also the wear and tear on those shoes will reduce their lifespan.
With these thoughts in mind, here are the 3 best styles of garden shoes that will support and protect your feet while you’re working in the garden. Most are also waterproof so you don’t have to worry about the morning dew or mud puddles. There are many styles and price points you can choose from. So find a shoe that fits your style and your budget.
3 Great Options For Garden Shoes…
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I can make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See Privacy Policy for more details.
Slip-on Garden Shoes
There are a lot of garden shoes out there, but the easiest and most convenient are going to be slip-ons. When you need to run out to the garden to grab some vegetables for dinner, you want something quick and easy to get on. Having to stop and tie laces is inconvenient. This is one of the reasons why slip-ons make the perfect garden shoe.
My favorite slip-on garden shoes are Sloggers. They come in a variety of styles that are perfect for slipping into. I actually keep a pair of these garden shoes at every door (4 doors, 4 pairs of Sloggers).
When I’m running out to the garden, there’s always a chance of stepping into mud or chicken droppings. And I don’t want to track that into my house. So I leave the shoes in a handy place by the door. That way they’re easy to slip into as I go about my gardening work.
Read: How to Create a Beautiful Garden in 30 Minutes a Day
Sloggers is just one brand of slip-on available. There are many brands to choose from. Here are a few options:
Sloggers offer two main styles of slip-on shoes. You can find high-back or clog styles. They also come in fun colors and patterned styles and are completely waterproof.
Price Range: $30-$50
Crocs are waterproof shoes that can work well in the garden. They come in a variety of styles including clogs, high-back, and with a strap. Although they make a flip-flop style, I wouldn’t recommend that for the garden.
Price Range: $30-$50
These are light-weight shoes that might be your perfect choice for the garden. However, the one caveat that I have seen from reviews is they can “shrink” when left in the sun. As long as you plan to store them indoors this shouldn’t be a concern. But if you’re like me and you leave your shoes sitting outside during the growing season, this could pose a problem.
Price Range: $20-$30
The Muck brand is a more expensive shoe. The clogs are a favorite for many people because of their ease to slip on. They also have a pull-on style. Be careful in selecting your size as I saw a number of complaints about the sizes not fitting quite well.
Price Range: $60-$90
You can find clogs or high-back as well as a pull-on style of Bogs. The biggest complaint I found was that the sizes run large.
Price Range: $45-$80
Garden Boots
Another great garden choice for footwear is garden boots. These are especially useful if you have to head to the garden in the winter or early spring. When there’s snow on the ground or muddy spring weather, a pair of garden boots will provide you with ample protection.
There are lots of cute boot styles out there. But my favorite style is inexpensive irrigation boots. They’re not cute. However, they’re easy to get on and off and the calves are wide enough to tuck your pants into. For me, comfort and ease of use beat cuteness.
I do have a really pretty pair of buffalo plaid rain boots that I sometimes wear in the garden. But they can be difficult to get into. I have to sit down to pull them on or off. When you need to get into the garden fast, again you want something that you can step into. That’s why irrigation boots work so well. You can slip your feet into them while standing up. And you can slide them off just as easily.
Here are some garden boot options for you to consider.
These are the boots I have and love. Plain and simple but they work great for me. NOTE: These are listed in men’s size. To find the correct size for women you will see a conversion chart with the shoe images. Just measure the length of your foot to find the appropriate size.
Price Range: $20-$30
These are not only a great way to protect your feet but they are fun to look at. Consider buying a larger size as most complaints revolved around the sizes being a little too small.
Price Range: $35-$45
Another good choice for a garden boot but a little more expensive depending on the style you choose.
Price Range: $50-$90
These come in a variety of styles including short and decorated. Reviews indicate that you might want to buy a larger size, especially when wearing thicker socks. Also, the tall style indicates they are not for a wide calf.
Price Range: $30-$35
These boots come in a variety of styles and heights. The biggest concern I saw was that they tend to run large in size. They are stylish as well as sturdy.
Price Range: $60-$85
Garden Sneakers and Other Shoe Styles
Sneaker style is the third option for garden shoes. Be sure to choose a style that is waterproof or water-resistant… we’re not talking about Keds here.
You want a sneaker that will be easy to clean and easy to get into. Here are some good options. These shoes are specifically made for the garden and are easy to clean. Some have laces and some don’t. If you need a pair of shoes that are lightweight and supportive, these make an excellent choice.
These shoes do not make a good winter garden shoe because of all the air vents. However, for summertime, they might be a perfect choice for hot feet. I read a few reviews about the rubber “shrinking” in the hot sun, so be sure to store them out of the sun.
Price Range: $20-$30
There are several Native brand shoes that would make a good garden shoe. The Jericho and the Jefferson both offer the look of a sneaker without having to tie shoelaces. They both have ventilation holes for air circulation.
Price Range: $25-$45
These boat-style shoes might be a good option for you. The sizes seem to run a little small based on reviews.
Price Range: $30-$50
Sturdy and supportive these pull-on garden shoes offer a comfy insole and good traction.
Price Range: $50-60
When you need more structure in a shoe the Kujo might be for you. While they are more expensive, they do seem to hold up well over time. They are not completely waterproof as they have mesh air venting. But they work well for regular yard jobs such as mowing the lawn. Getting them on and off might be a problem since you have to lace them up each time you put them on.
Price: $120
No matter what type of gardening you’re doing, you’ll need a great pair of garden shoes. Those shoes should be able to support your feet while keeping them dry. You’ll want a pair of shoes that can last you many years of wear. So rather than grab a pair of tennis shoes, flip-flops, or slippers, invest in a pair or two of quality garden shoes. Your feet will thank you.
