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Footwear for gardening?

notsaf

Veteran

Among the outdoor activities I've taken up this year is tending to the small patch of garden that runs along the edge of my property. After spending too much time out there in Birkenstocks, I realize that I don't really know what is appropriate footwear for gardening. Obviously something that's easy to clean and that covers the feet so toes don't get so dirty.

For those who garden, what do you wear?

Thanks!

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Runcarla

Veteran

I had a pair of proper work boots that I wore for the longest time, followed by demoted hiking boots. These days it is a pair of demoted sneakers.

If you are doing spade and shovel work, you’ll want a thick sturdy sole to absorb shock. If you are carrying or moving heavy things (rocks, statuary) you want good protection over your toes and forefoot. If it’s simpler activities, like hand weeding and trowel work - sneakers will do.

For some people it’s rubber boots or clogs.

kellygirl

Veteran

I just rotate out my old running shoes into gardening shoes. The only thing that is annoying is the treads hold the mud. I've often thought about getting some gardening clogs but since it's a very part time job--I decided it wasn't worth it.

JAileen

Veteran

I have Crocs and flip flops.

Mainelady

Veteran

If I am really in the thick of it and working in areas with tall plants and grasses Or out in th orchard I wear an old pair of tall hunter boots to minimize the opportunity for ticks to find me.
For general weeding, watering and puttering I wear a pair of garden clogs. I rinse them off with the hose and leave them on the porch when I go inside.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I wear an old pair of running shoes or hiking boots.

rachylou

Veteran

Rubber clogs from the hardware store
I don’t do landscaping, just vegetable gardening … a little weeding and watering.

LaPed

Veteran

I use my Bogs unless it's very hot, in which case I wear demoted trail runners. The boots are great because you can hose them off and they keep out raspberry thorns, poison ivy, dew, mud, ticks, etc.

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Anonymous

I use my birks! That said we have sandy soil that drains quick so no mud.

cat2

Veteran

Rubber clogs.

unfrumped

Veteran

I have used demoted athletic shoes in the past- had some leather NB tgst lasted for years.
But after they fell apart I I didn’t have any suitable demotions and was doing hours of gardening daily. I do have some slip on low Muck boot type that I really like but don’t give enough support for all day wear. They are great for running out in wet grass to do a few things, though.
Last spring I worked out a “ gardening footwear” capsule that I got all on sale at Academy Sports:
Magellan leather hiking boot- for winter , damp conditions and working with pickaxe etc when I want more protection; a pair of Columbia leather and mesh ankle boots, hiking type, for lighter weight; Columbia low trail shoes I wear most of summer when it’s so hot.
I picked these by trying on a lot, looking for wide toebox, sizing for thicker socks , no pinching, laceup for fit and support because I have some uneven and rocky areas in yard. I do wear socks and spray for ticks.
These have worked out well in steady rotation and going strong.

Windchime

Veteran

I second what Runcarla says about a thick, sturdy sole for spade and shovel work. For a couple decades, I did any kind of gardening work in sneakers or crocs. In the past year, my feet have become a bit fussier, so I bought a pair of actual women’s work boots by Caterpillar, no less. They have been brilliant for support; I wish I’d done it years ago.

Anonymous

"Demoted sneakers" are good but demoted hiking shoes are even better.

Jules

Veteran

I spend a lot of time gardening as a matter of choice (it’s a relaxing activity for me) and after a dumb accident where I dropped my open shears on my toe and cut the nail badly, I ordered Sloggers gardening clogs from Amazon. They are inexpensive, VERY comfortable (as much so as Birks; I’m even tempted to order a second pair for indoor wear), and come in a variety of colours - I got lime green which I love and matches my kitchen more than my wardrobe.

notsaf

Veteran

Such expertise and experience in this group. As always, I'm so impressed. Laid my first mulch today (better late than never!), so that was a feat. I'll learn by and by. I based on your recs, I grabbed an old pair of trainers that would otherwise have been donated/recycled and they were indeed better that Birks. Will be keeping my eye out for rubber clogs, too, as I think those would be useful. I have just a little urban patch so probably don't need much more than that.

bj1111

Veteran

Flip flops which worried mr bj1111 so much he too over the spade and pruning work. Heh heh heh

Joy

Veteran

My Crocs from the Goodwill work fine for light work. Mine have been washed with towels in the washer and washed off with the hose. I learned the importance of covered toes after putting a pitch fork through my big toe while digging in flip flops a few years ago.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I use old sneakers, but if I gardened more I’d get rubber clogs or even boots.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I am on the old sneakers train also- mine are 11 year old Skechers which are slip on and are good with or without socks. Better to have some toe protection I feel.

Kate

Veteran

A pair of old sneakers or my Birks.

Helena

Veteran

Another vote for Crocs

smittie

Veteran

I think some sort of slip-on rubber shoe would be so handy, not just for gardening, but any kind of quick in-and-out of the house errand — or camping. Right now I use flip flops amd old running shoes for these purposes but neither is ideal.

Bogs, Hunter, Jolly’s, LLBean all have an assortment.

I like Natives too, but the holes are questionable for gardening.

cat2

Veteran

Jules, we wear Sloggers too.

The Cat

Veteran

Depending on the weather and the soil, either Crocs or sturdy rubber boots.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I got a pair of Crocs, which are a little wide for me, but useful and easy-on, easy-off; they also shed water and dirt pretty well. I also sometimes wear older sneakers or hiking shoes, esp. for the spade work, but I'm eager to follow up with Jules's recommendation now!

madeline

Veteran

Garden clogs on deep discount in case you want to take a look. I don’t have any experience with this brand. But price seems right!
https://www.nordstromrack.com/.....en/6092024

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

For weeding, watering, minor clipping--barefoot!

But yeah, back when my dad had a load of mulch dumped in the yard every summer and we ferried it to trees around the whole yard by the wheelbarrowfull, I wore old tennies. And for planting trees, or even rosebushes, you'll want boots or something else with that sturdy sole.