Garden Gloves

About Garden Gloves

Garden gloves are an essential piece of protective equipment for anyone working outdoors, whether you're a professional groundskeeper, landscape gardener, or weekend DIY enthusiast tackling the borders. A quality pair of garden gloves not only keeps your hands clean and dry but also provides crucial protection against thorns, sharp tools, blisters, splinters, and skin irritation from plants and soil. From lightweight nitrile-coated gloves for delicate planting work to heavy-duty leather gauntlets for rose pruning and bramble clearance, choosing the right gloves can make gardening tasks more comfortable and significantly safer.

Our comprehensive range features over 40 different styles from trusted brands including Town & Country, Kew Gardens, Draper, Gardena, and Portwest. Whether you need breathable cotton gloves for summer potting, fleece-lined leather gloves for winter work, or specialist grip gloves for handling wet materials and tools, we stock garden gloves to suit every task and budget. Many of our gloves feature ergonomic designs with reinforced palms, knuckle protection, and elasticated wrists to keep debris out whilst maintaining excellent dexterity.

Professional gardeners and landscapers rely on durable, task-specific gloves that can withstand daily use in demanding conditions, whilst home gardeners often prefer versatile multi-purpose gloves that balance protection with comfort. With options ranging from children's sizes through to extra-large gauntlets, and materials including leather, synthetic fabrics, latex, and nitrile coatings, finding the perfect pair for your gardening needs has never been easier.

Jargon Buster

• Nitrile Coating: A synthetic rubber coating applied to glove palms and fingers that provides excellent grip in wet and dry conditions whilst remaining flexible and puncture-resistant. Ideal for general gardening tasks and handling damp materials.
• Gauntlet Style: Extended cuff garden gloves that reach well up the forearm, offering protection from thorns, scratches, and soil when reaching into dense shrubs or working with roses and brambles. The longer cuff also prevents debris falling into the glove.
• Latex Coating: A natural rubber coating that delivers superior grip and abrasion resistance. Heavy-duty latex-coated work gloves are popular for rough gardening tasks, though those with latex allergies should opt for nitrile alternatives.
• Fleece Lined: Garden gloves with an insulating fleece lining that provides warmth during cold weather gardening, making them ideal for winter pruning, composting, and general maintenance work in lower temperatures.
• Leather Palm: Gloves featuring leather reinforcement on the palm and finger areas where wear is greatest, combining the breathability of fabric backs with the durability and grip of leather where you need it most.
• Touchscreen Compatible: Modern garden gloves designed with conductive fingertips that allow you to operate smartphones and tablets without removing your gloves—particularly useful when following online planting guides or taking progress photos.

Who Uses Garden Gloves?

• Professional Landscape Gardeners: Requiring durable, hard-wearing gloves for daily use across multiple client sites
• Groundskeepers and Estate Managers: Managing large properties, parks, and commercial landscapes
• Horticultural Professionals: Working in nurseries, garden centres, and botanical gardens
• Tree Surgeons and Arborists: Needing specialist protective gloves for chainsaw and cutting work
• Allotment Holders: Regular gardeners cultivating vegetable plots and flower beds
• DIY Enthusiasts: Maintaining home gardens, patios, and outdoor spaces
• Garden Designers: Creating and installing planting schemes for clients
• Facilities Maintenance Teams: Responsible for grounds maintenance at commercial and public buildings
• Countryside Rangers and Conservation Workers: Managing wildlife habitats and natural environments
• Green Waste Operatives: Handling garden refuse and composting operations

How to Choose the Right Garden Gloves

Task-Specific Requirements: Consider what gardening activities you'll be undertaking most frequently. Light planting and weeding tasks are best served by thin, flexible gloves with nitrile coating for dexterity, whilst heavy-duty jobs like hedge trimming, moving rocks, or clearing brambles demand thicker leather or reinforced gloves with gauntlet-style cuffs for forearm protection.

Material Selection: Leather gloves offer excellent durability and protection against thorns but can be less breathable in warm weather. Cotton and synthetic blend gloves with latex or nitrile coatings provide a good balance of protection, breathability, and grip. For winter gardening, look for fleece-lined options from brands like Draper and Kew Gardens that keep hands warm without sacrificing flexibility.

Fit and Comfort: Properly fitting garden gloves are crucial for both safety and comfort during extended use. Gloves that are too loose can slip and reduce grip control, whilst overly tight gloves restrict circulation and cause hand fatigue. Most manufacturers offer multiple sizes from small through to extra-large, and many styles feature elasticated or adjustable wrists for a secure, personalised fit.

Grip and Dexterity: For tasks requiring precision—such as handling seeds, transplanting seedlings, or operating secateurs—choose gloves with textured palms and fingers that maintain excellent tactile sensitivity. Nitrile and latex coatings excel here, providing reliable grip even when working with damp soil or wet tools whilst allowing you to feel what you're handling.

Durability and Longevity: Professional gardeners and frequent users should invest in higher-quality gloves with reinforced palm patches, double stitching, and premium materials. Brands like Gardena, Stanley, and Portwest produce gloves specifically designed to withstand regular professional use. Check for reinforcement in high-wear areas and quality construction that won't split at the seams after a few uses.

Washability and Maintenance: Consider how easy the gloves are to clean, as garden gloves inevitably become soiled. Many synthetic and cotton blend gloves are machine washable, whilst leather gloves typically require more careful maintenance. Washable gloves are particularly practical for allotment work and vegetable gardening where soil hygiene matters.

Popular Accessories

• Garden Tool Sets: Complementary spades, forks, trowels, and hand cultivators for complete gardening setups
• Knee Pads and Kneelers: Protecting joints during planting and weeding activities
• Garden Storage Solutions: Tool bags, belts, and organisers for keeping gloves and equipment together
• Hand Cream and Barrier Cream: Additional skin protection and care for regular gardeners
• Secateurs and Pruning Shears: Essential cutting tools best used with protective gloves
• Garden Aprons: Keeping clothes clean whilst providing convenient pockets for small tools
• Safety Glasses: Eye protection for hedge trimming and power tool use
• Work Boots and Wellies: Completing your protective gardening outfit
• Garden Waste Bags: Heavy-duty collection bags for cleared vegetation

Safety Information

Whilst garden gloves provide essential hand protection, it's important to select appropriate gloves for the specific task at hand. Standard gardening gloves are not suitable for use with power tools such as hedge trimmers, chainsaws, or strimmers—these applications require specialist protective gloves meeting relevant EN standards. Always inspect gloves before use for tears, holes, or deterioration that could compromise protection.

When working with chemicals, fertilisers, or pesticides, ensure your gloves are suitable for chemical resistance and follow COSHH guidelines. Nitrile-coated gloves offer better chemical resistance than standard cotton or leather options. If you have latex allergies, opt for nitrile-coated alternatives to avoid allergic reactions. Remove gloves carefully after handling potentially harmful substances to avoid contaminating skin, and wash hands thoroughly.

Replace garden gloves when they show signs of significant wear, as damaged gloves can actually increase injury risk by catching on branches or allowing thorns to penetrate. Store gloves in a dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent material degradation. For professional gardeners using gloves daily, the HSE recommends regular inspection and replacement as part of your PPE maintenance routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between garden gloves and general work gloves?

Garden gloves are specifically designed for horticultural tasks with features like thorn-resistant materials, water-resistant coatings, and flexible designs that maintain dexterity for planting and weeding. They typically offer better breathability than heavy-duty construction work gloves whilst still providing adequate protection against garden-specific hazards like prickles, nettles, and blisters. General work gloves tend to be bulkier and less suitable for delicate gardening tasks.

How do I choose the right size garden gloves?

Measure around your dominant hand at the widest part (usually across the knuckles) excluding the thumb, then compare this measurement in millimetres to the manufacturer's sizing chart. As a general guide: 178-203mm is small, 203-229mm is medium, 229-254mm is large, and over 254mm is extra-large. Gloves should fit snugly without restricting movement or circulation—you should be able to make a fist comfortably whilst wearing them.

Are expensive garden gloves worth the investment?

For regular gardeners and professional landscapers, premium garden gloves from brands like Gardena, Kew Gardens, and Draper Expert range offer significantly better durability, comfort, and protection than budget alternatives. Quality gloves feature reinforced stitching, superior materials, and ergonomic designs that reduce hand fatigue during extended use. Whilst cheaper gloves suit occasional light tasks, they often need replacing more frequently, making quality gloves more cost-effective long-term.

Can I wash my garden gloves?

Most synthetic and cotton blend garden gloves are machine washable on a cool, gentle cycle—check the manufacturer's label for specific care instructions. Leather gloves should be hand-cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air-dried away from direct heat which can cause cracking. Nitrile and latex-coated gloves can typically be rinsed under running water and hung to dry. Regular cleaning extends glove life and maintains hygiene, particularly important when moving between different garden areas.

Do I need different gloves for different gardening tasks?

Professional gardeners often maintain several pairs: lightweight nitrile-coated gloves for planting and weeding, heavier leather gauntlets for rose pruning and bramble work, and general-purpose gloves for everyday tasks. Home gardeners can usually manage with one versatile pair of multi-purpose gloves for most activities, plus a heavier-duty pair for tougher jobs. Consider your most frequent tasks when deciding whether to invest in specialist gloves or opt for an all-rounder.