A few years ago, after getting yet another pair of good running sneakers caked in mud from what was meant to be a “quick” garden bed clean-up, I decided to finally invest in dedicated gardening shoes. That decision resulted in the pair of 585 Blundstone Chelsea Boots that I still own and wear in the garden to this today, but my collection of gardening footwear has also expanded since then.
Planting, pruning, installing a new patio, or simply wandering from plant to plant to inspect, pinch, and deadhead, all involve some level of being on your feet and getting a little dirty in the garden. You need footwear that will provide the traction, support, and protection that your body needs for whatever project you’re tackling. If you can wrap all those qualities up in a waterproof package that keeps your feet dry and makes the shoes a breeze to clean, even better. From work boots to clogs and some specialty sneakers, the following expert-recommended shoes will have you gliding through the garden with ease.
Perfect for lighter tasks, these sneakers are still super durable
Tested by Jason Reeves
There are very few tennis shoes I’ve tried over the years that have had enough support for gardening. Skechers do—particularly, my After Burn Memory Fit models. I wear boots for heavy-duty work, but these shoes are the perfect fit for light-duty tasks and still tough enough to handle a shovel or spade. They offer a 1½-inch heel with a shock-absorbing, supportive, and flexible midsole, plus a memory foam insole. I was worried that this material would make the shoes too warm and stuffy, but that hasn’t been the case. These sneakers provide excellent traction and stability, and they’re super durable as well. While I detest the feeling of wet feet, footwear that is truly waterproof, which is often made of rubber, tends to make my feet too hot and sweaty. But these shoes, made of synthetic materials and leather, are breathable and much more comfortable. They’re not waterproof, but they are reasonably priced, so I keep a second pair around and swap them out when they get too wet.
Skechers Men’s After Burn Memory Fit Sneakers
These shoes are the perfect fit for light-duty tasks and still tough enough to handle a shovel or spade. They offer a 1½-inch heel with a shock-absorbing, supportive, and flexible midsole, plus a memory foam insole. A leather and mesh exterior are durable and breathable for lasting comfort.
Price: $53.99 at the time of writing
A strong, all-around shoe for any season
Tested by Susan Calhoun
The 585 Blundstone Chelsea Boot is my favorite pick for year-round gardening. During wet and cold weather in fall and winter, the water-resistant leather keeps my feet dry and the nonslip soles stay clean. I’ll often pair them with a lightweight wool sock for greater warmth. In summertime, I switch those out for thin sports socks and find that the boots perform just as well. These shoes are flexible, with elastic sides that stretch. They are supportive and comfortable, and even come with extra footbeds to swap out for a better fit. While they are perfect for more intense jobs like carrying soil or debris, they are also so attractive that you can wear them outside of the garden. Mine have shown up under a long skirt or shorts, and even at a line dance.
Blundstone Classic 585 Chelsea Boots
These shoes are flexible, with elastic sides that stretch. They are supportive and comfortable, and even come with extra footbeds to swap out for a better fit. Crafted with water-resistant leather and a lightweight TPU outsole for durability and comfort.
Price: $199.95 at the time of writing
A slip-on shoe that allows you to trudge through mud in style
Tested by Laurel Startzel & Sheila Schultz
Sloggers are waterproof gardening shoes that keep your everyday shoes clean and allow you to sludge around in the mud and dirt without feeling the littlest bit of guilt. When you’re done getting dirty, just rinse them off and leave them outside for the next gardening session. Sloggers come in many fun and different patterns, allowing you to pick a special pattern for your special gardener. We went with the hummingbirds!
Sloggers Original Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe
These waterproof slip-on gardening shoes are crafted from a soft, rubber-like material that prioritize the well-being of your feet and makes for easy clean up. Features a rugged lug tread outsole for traction and stability, and all-day comfort insoles. Available in a wide range of colors and designs to match your personality and style.
Price: $34.99 at the time of writing
Stay on your feet all day with these supportive, heavy-duty boots
Tested by Jason Reeves
Working at a botanical garden, it’s not uncommon for me to be on my feet for 12 to 16 hours a day, so I’ve always had difficulty finding shoes that keep my feet from hurting by the time I get home. My go-to pair of boots is the Durashocks SR Direct-Attach 6-inch Work Boots from Wolverine. These boots provide the extra protection I need when doing more strenuous work. With plenty of room in the toes, they have a double-density cushioning footbed that can be removed, a lining that wicks away sweat, and a polyurethane outer sole that absorbs shock. They are tough yet lightweight, and I find that the soles help stabilize my feet and reduce fatigue. I even wear them in the mornings when there is a lot of dew on the ground. While moderately waterproof on their own, the addition of a leather conditioner provides extra protection and will extend the life of the boots.
Wolverine Men’s Durashocks Sr Direct-Attach 6-inch Work Boots
These boots have a double-density cushioning footbed that can be removed, a lining that wicks away sweat, and a polyurethane outer sole that absorbs shock. While moderately waterproof on their own, the addition of a leather conditioner provides extra protection and will extend the life of the boots.
Price: $128.96 at the time of writing
If you’re working with stones, you need these sneaks
Tested by Danielle Sherry
It might seem like overkill to some that I’m recommending a steel-toe shoe for gardening, but if you’ve ever tackled a hardscaping project involving heavy stones, you know it’s not. The New Balance 589v1 work sneaker sports a composite toe cap, which means that this shoe is lighter, made with nonmetal materials, and doesn’t heat up as quickly compared to true steel-toed models. However, it offers the same protection when lifting heavy stones, fence posts, or large branches and logs. These are lightweight shoes, weighing just over 1 pound, so they can be worn for long periods of time without feeling like you’re hauling around sandbags on your feet. The mesh outer shell and fabric inner lining are super breathable, and the removable, cushioned insole adds extra comfort. I wore regular sneakers when installing my first bluestone patio years ago and dropped not one, but two chunks of rock onto my toes. Having to wait for a pair of black toenails to fall off was all the convincing I needed to upgrade to a safer shoe before the next hardscaping project.
New Balance Women’s 589v1 Work Sneaker
This work sneaker features a composite toe cap, which means that this shoe is lighter, made with nonmetal materials, and doesn’t heat up as quickly compared to true steel-toed models. The mesh outer shell and fabric inner lining are super breathable, and the removable, cushioned insole adds extra comfort.
Price: $49.95 at the time of writing
