The best gardening shoes, tested by a gardener for comfort and practicality

Telegraph

14-05-2025

As a gardener for nearly 20 years, a lifelong hiker and a former sports injury specialist, I take footwear seriously. I often do more steps around my garden and allotment in a day than I would on a hike, so I consider it essential to own a good pair of gardening shoes.
The most practical buy depends on your garden and the season. But broadly speaking, there are two types of garden shoe: clogs and ankle boots. Clogs are easy to slide on and off and protect your feet enough for quick jobs. Ankle boots take longer to pop on, but keep your feet dry in wetter conditions and won't fill up with dirt when you're digging. If you generally head out with a cup of tea in hand to do odd jobs, clogs should suit, but if you're more likely to be found carrying a garden fork or weeding tool, opt for an ankle boot.
You can pay anything from £25 to £90 with high-end brands like Hunter, Merry People and Barbour offering shoes that would be as fitting on the catwalk as the garden path. I tested nine and these are my top picks in one quick list. My full reviews and common FAQs are below.
The best garden shoes: At a glance
How to choose the best gardening shoes
When I was a sports injury specialist and gardening was still just a hobby, I treated countless injuries inflicted by people wearing the wrong footwear, so I cannot overstate the importance of wearing something that fits well and feels comfortable.
Look for a shoe you can take on and off easily and that is quick to clean. For summer, you'll need shoes that are lightweight and breathable, whereas in the winter, you'll want a warm, waterproof pair. Deciding between buying one type or both comes down to preference and (let's be honest) whether you're more of a fair-weather gardener.
If you're planning to wear them for an extended period, make sure to find a design that doesn't slip around. If your foot is continually moving inside a shoe, it will naturally cause you to curl your toes in an attempt to grip on. Doing this regularly could lead to a painful but common condition called plantar fasciitis, which if unchecked, can also lead to Achilles and calf problems.
Gardening shoes are important for outdoor safety too, particularly when using sharp tools like lawn mowers and secateurs. Look for enclosed pairs for protection from thorns, mud and heavy-duty equipment like strimmers. Pairs with ventilation holes, however, will suit if you generally potter around a greenhouse or carry out smaller jobs.
How we test gardening shoes
I decided to literally walk a mile in each pair of shoes I tested, wearing everything from small wellies to clogs on my regular dog walk. The route takes me through grass, a muddy patch, down a gravel path, up and down steps and along pavements. I chose the lighter clogs for sunny weather and the more enclosed shoes when it was cooler. Afterwards, with the dog safely back home, I took to my allotment for a spot of weeding and a little light digging.
Next, the shoes were taken home and cleaned using a hose pipe and scrubbing brush. Some pairs were not designed for muddy conditions, so in these cases, I rubbed them in some mud so that I could still try cleaning them without also needing to clean my feet.
Throughout, I was looking for shoes that I could comfortably walk or carry out gardening jobs safely in and easily maintain. I wanted something that excelled at the task for which it was designed or was a good all-rounder. And, as with finding the perfect pair of gardening gloves, I wanted them to fit well too. So I enlisted the help of a couple of friends, one with narrow feet and one with wider feet to help me gauge which shoes would be best for the different shapes and sizes of foot. While I tested women's gardening shoes, most are available for both men and women and you'll find links for both throughout.
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The best gardening shoes of 2025
1. Best Buy Gardening Shoe: Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs
Well designed, protective and comfortable, these are the best gardening slip-on shoes I tried. They are made from vegan rubber, lined with neoprene for breathability and have an insole made from recycled polyester and latex sponge. This combination makes shoes that feel comfortable, even when worn for extended periods.
What I particularly loved about these shoes is that despite the clog style, they were supportive, holding the foot firmly so that I could walk over uneven ground in the garden without worrying about rolling my ankle. They didn't feel tight or rub and they didn't gather debris while I was digging or walking through long grass. Generally, a clog isn't the best choice for mud, but these protected my feet and fared well in mildly muddy conditions.
The colour choices are limited; choose between Gravel/Biscuit or Black for women and Black or Dark Olive for men. Personally, I liked the offerings and less choice sometimes makes life easier. My test pair was the light gravel colourway and I was surprised by how well it cleaned up. There's a slight grain in the rubber which picks up dirt, but this was rinsed away easily under the tap.
Key specifications
2. Best Value Gardening Shoe: Lakeland Active Dockray Classic Garden Clogs
At the lower end of the market, these Lakeland Active shoes are excellent value for money, while still delivering the performance, comfort and durability that you need. I found them easy to slip on and off and liked the sling-back strap (similar to the Crocs below) for holding my foot securely.
Unlike the Crocs, however, the Dockray Classic Garden Clogs have a solid upper and toe, meaning that they offer more protection if you're walking in long grass or anywhere with a loose surface. They won't stop debris getting into your shoe (they're still a clog, after all), but they'll keep your toes safe from thorns and spikes.
The shoes are light and there isn't a great deal of cushioning in the soles, so they're great for short periods, but not if you're planning to be outside for a while. They are easy to clean and maintain and feel durable for the price, so if you're looking for a good all-rounder without spending too much, these are a good choice.
Key specifications
3. Best Gardening Shoes for Summer: Crocs Classic Clog
£49.99
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Crocs
Crocs might not be to everyone's taste, but they're instantly recognisable and, in my experience, most people who don't like them just haven't tried them yet. Known for the dazzling range of colours, these shoes aren't just fun, they're practical and comfortable too.
If you're prone to hot feet in summer and you want a pair of shoes to slide on and off, opt for Crocs. The well-made and durable shoes are comfortable for long periods of wear, lightweight and easy to slip on and off. Even the strap is well thought out; either sling it around your ankle for extra grip support or fold it up out of the way.
The best thing about Crocs is that, despite the minimalist design, they're still supportive for your feet. The insole is slightly textured, so it grips well to the sole of the foot and there's no lining to worry about becoming worn or damaged. Leave them muddy and they will stain, but they are straightforward to wash so there's little excuse; spray them with water and they spruce up and dry almost instantly.
If you're prone to getting hot feet, these are by far the best choice. But if you're looking for protection while gardening, they're not the most sensible shoes; the large holes might boost ventilation and comfort, but they let a lot in, including dust and debris when mowing the lawn, gravel or bark chips when walking on loose surfaces and dirt when digging or planting.
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4. Best Waterproof Gardening Shoes: Merry People Bobbi Ankle Wellington Boot
£89.95
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Merry People
If you're looking for a hard-wearing and comfortable shoe to wear year-round, the Bobbi Ankle Wellington Boot delivers. A fully waterproof shoe, it's a halfway house between a full Wellington and a clog, so will keep your feet dry in winter without getting too hot or uncomfortable in summer.
It's also one of the best gardening shoes with arch support (an advantage over the similarly designed Barbour boots below), making it comfortable for walking as well as working. The thick, quality rubber offers great protection for your feet while the neoprene lining and durable soles are flexible enough for extended wear.
One of the more fashion-forward designs out there, it's available in no fewer than seventeen colour combinations. They're relatively easy to keep looking box fresh, but a slight grain to the rubber meant I needed a brush to fully clean it. Don't worry about dirty footprints; the tread on the soles is ample to prevent any sliding around in the mud but shallow enough to avoid picking up large amounts to bring indoors.
In all, the Bobbi Wellington feels well-made and is easy to wear for an entire day if needed. It has rapidly become my shoe of choice when heading up to my allotment, whether I'm just doing the watering or something more involved.
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5. Best Shoes for Gardening and Yard Work: Lamb Maple Gardening Clog
If you're looking for a clog for those serious gardening jobs, look no further than the Lamb Maple Gardening Clog. Designed for garden work where a Wellington boot doesn't feel quite right, they can easily cope with small amounts of mud. The uppers are made from hard-wearing rubber, they have a deep tread for a more secure grip on slippery surfaces and even the neoprene lining helps, keeping your foot at a good temperature and preventing most muck and debris from entering the clog.
They're a lot heavier than the other clogs on this list but the heel and sole are well cushioned and reinforced, making them more durable and useful if you're wielding a spade or fork. While the neoprene collar helps make them comfortable for walking, it doesn't hold the foot particularly firmly, so take care on uneven paths. I also found that the shoe slipped slightly off my heel because of the low back.
The neoprene wouldn't stand up to proper scrubbing, but it rinses easily. And the rest of the shoe was simple to clean. Overall, I would still recommend the Lamb clog for serious gardeners looking for a summer alternative to wellies. They just weren't quite as comfortable as the similar Hunters, which took my top spot.
Key specifications
6. Best Gardening Shoes for Wide Feet: Muck Boot Muckster Lite Clogs
£70
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Muck Boot
These clogs have the light, breathable feel of Crocs with the protection of the Dockray Classic Clogs, thanks to the smaller ventilation holes strategically positioned at the sides. They're supportive, comfortable and easy to slide on without needing to bend down.
The Muckster Lites are made from a foam called Bio Lite, which has been independently verified as biodegradable. Despite these eco-friendlier credentials, it still feels hard-wearing and is easy to clean. The soles are grippy and sturdy enough for use when digging or carrying out other heavy gardening jobs.
Available in a range of patterns, these shoes will look lovely by your door. As with all the clogs on this list, they're not designed for muddy conditions, but rather to keep your feet protected and cool in the summer. If you wear them straight on bare feet, you may find that the uppers become a little uncomfortable as there are neither ventilation holes nor any form of lining. This aside, I was surprised by how versatile they are – I wouldn't shy away from wearing them on a dog walk, or for a full day out at my allotment.
Key specifications
7. Best Garden Shoes for All Seasons: Barbour Mallow Wellingtons
£39
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Price at
Frasers
If you're looking for a small Wellington to pull on at the back door and keep your feet dry as you tend to your garden throughout the year, these should serve you well. They are comfortable, easy to pull on and off and have Barbour's trademark good looks. I would happily wear these around town or on winter walks.
Imitating a Chelsea boot, with elasticated sides to fit wider ankles if needed, they are made from a blend of rubber and other fibres and lined with polyester. The rubber blend is quite soft and supple, but if you're not wearing high socks, the front can rub while you walk.
They're more lightweight than the Merry People Bobbi Boot, but the thinner material makes them more suitable for summer. The soles feel sturdy, though and have a good amount of flex, meaning they are well-suited to walking and provide protection when using a digging tool that requires the aid of your foot.
This boot needs to be looked after and the rich Devon red soil I have at my allotment did threaten to stain them, but I managed to return them to their best with a cloth and some water.
Key specifications
Made from: rubber and other fibres and polyester
Size range: 3 to 9
Colour range: two
Options available: Women's; the Men's equivalent are the Nimbus Wellingtons
8. Best Gardening Shoes for Men: Birkenstock Super Birki 2.0
Birkenstock's Super Birki 2.0 is a straightforward and brilliantly designed gardening shoe, combining the comfort and feel of the brand's iconic sandal with the protection needed for outdoor jobs. As a clog, they're designed to be slipped on and off at the back door and the lined insoles provide good grip while the firm uppers protect your feet from the elements and hold them in place.
They are made from a flexible polyurethane but they feel firm and don't have a lot of give. This makes them good for jobs such as mowing the lawn and pruning, where there is a risk of things falling onto your toes, but isn't particularly comfortable for longer periods.
The soles are moulded and provide some arch support, which is good if your feet tend to roll or pronate inwards. There's not much cushioning, so the Super Birkis are a good choice if you prefer a firm shoe, but I'd suggest steering clear if you already suffer from some foot pain. They also come up a little large, so size down if you're in between.
Because of their solid design, these shoes feel well-made and dependable. They are great at handling uneven surfaces and the style is not too fussy, making them good for men or women who are looking for a shoe, rather than a fashion statement. They're also easy to clean – either rinse them or put them in the washing machine on a cool wash.
Key specifications
9. Best Gardening Shoes for Women: Backdoorshoes Clog
£34.90
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Price at
QVC
The Backdoorshoes Meadow clog is a fun take on the standard garden clog; their easy slip-on design is great for those short trips into the garden. They come in a range of bright, flowery patterns, making them a nice choice if you want to bring a pop of colour to your morning garden rounds.
These clogs fit quite snugly, with stiff material around the toe and uppers, so they would likely work well for gardeners with narrower feet but may prove a little uncomfortable for wider feet like mine. This meant they didn't hold or support my feet that well. And while the shoes are softly lined (and so theoretically comfortable to wear without socks), I found that the collar rubbed when I tried them barefoot.
However, I liked how the soles are designed to give you some grip while walking around the garden, but not to pick up dirt and muck and bring it back into the house. I wouldn't recommend them for extended wear, but they're certainly useful if you need a pair of door shoes for taking the bins out or nipping out for occasional garden jobs.
Key specifications
Gardening Shoe FAQs
What are the most comfortable gardening shoes?
The most comfortable gardening shoes will have some cushioning for your foot, won't allow your foot to slip and will be either warm in the winter or cool in the summer. Try the Merry People Bobbi Wellington for winter or the Crocs Classic Clogs for summer.
Are waterproof gardening shoes worth it?
Even if you're not planning to walk through any puddles or thick mud, gardens are often wet places, either from watering or from dew. It's a good idea to invest in some waterproof gardening shoes or make sure that your shoes are well ventilated. Having wet feet can increase the risk of infections such as athlete's foot.
Where do I store gardening shoes?
Store your gardening shoes either by the back door for easy access, or with your other shoes. Don't store them outside, or in direct sunlight as this may cause them to become brittle and less waterproof, shortening their lifespan.
What features should I look for in gardening shoes?
Try and find a shoe that will handle the jobs you want to do, whether that is slipping them on and off quickly for short trips into the garden, or more serious gardening jobs like digging and mowing the lawn. Make sure your shoe fits well and feels comfortable.
Throughout this article, I've referred to the different parts of a shoe. Here's a breakdown of common gardening shoe terms:
Insole: the part of the shoe where the foot rests, at the bottom of the inside. This should feel supportive.
Lining: the material that covers the inside of the shoe and helps make it more breathable and comfortable. Some linings also provide warmth in winter.
Collar: the padded area around the opening of the shoe that cushions the ankle.
Toe: the front part of the shoe that protects your toes.
Sole: the base of the shoe that makes contact with the ground.
Uppers: the entire top section of the shoe from the toe to the collar.
Neoprene: a flexible, waterproof and insulating material most associated with wetsuits, but often found on gardening boots and shoes.
Can gardening shoes be used for other outdoor activities?
Yes, you can use gardening shoes for various outdoor activities, though they are not generally recommended for long walks as they don't provide the cushioning and ankle support you get from trainers or walking boots.
The jobs that you want to carry out most regularly in your garden will determine which shoes are best for gardening. Be sure to choose a shoe with good toe protection if you want to do more than just walk around and do the watering. My Best Buy is the Hunter Neoprene Lined Clogs, as they should be suitable for most jobs.