The 12 Best Gardening Shoes of 2024, According to a California Gardener

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Boots, slip-on shoes, and clogs from Crocs, L.L.Bean, Merry People, and more start at $18

Gardening might not be considered a sport, per se, but it can be just as physical. Much like the right pair of walking shoes or figure skates, having the proper footwear for tending a garden helps ensure safety and prevents injuries in the long run. But which one should you choose?

As an avid gardener based in southern California, I wanted to get to the root of what makes a great gardening shoe, so I spoke with a garden industry expert and researched the market to find the best options for all your sowing, planting, and tending needs. And while the most popular style of gardening shoes are clogs — designed with a comfortable round toe box and an open-back design for easy on and off — slip-on shoes and rubber boots work equally well (if not better, considering coverage).

Keep reading for the best gardening shoes, boots, and clogs I found (including the pair I actually wear!) that offer solid traction and protection from the outdoors.

Best Gardening Shoes Under $30

Western Chief Women's Garden Clog

$30 at Amazon

These Western Chief garden shoes from Amazon are another excellent option around $30. Made from waterproof rubber, they offer some heel coverage for those needing more support and protection. And don’t worry about getting your toes wet: The neoprene lining also helps keep your feet dry when watering is part of your day’s work.

Sizes: 6-11 | Colors: 27 | Material: Rubber | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Yes

Pro Tip!

“For those who are gardening consistently, the perfect shoe would provide safety first for their feet, traction to keep from slipping, and comfort for all-day wear. For weekend and patio gardeners, they might want to invest in gardening shoes made primarily for easy access.” — Donna Letier, founder and CEO of Gardenuity

Related: The 8 Best Garden Hoses of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Natural Uniforms Ultralite Clogs with Strap

$18 at Amazon

If you're a fan of Crocs, you'll love these Natural Uniforms Ultralite Clogs. These clogs are constructed from a durable, lightweight material and have a convertible strap (just like Crocs) that you can wear wrapped around your heel for added support or push up against the upper to wear as mules. With the look and feel of the viral clog style but without any Jibbitz holes on the uppers, no need to worry about getting dirt and moisture inside. They’re also non-slip and easy to hose off when dirty.

Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 8 | Material: EVA | Traction: Some | Arch Support: Yes

Muk Luks Women's Garden Clog and Glove Set

$27 at Target

$36 at Macy's

This Muk Luks set comes with matching gloves, making it one of the best values on our list. The clogs’ soles help grip wet surfaces, so you can maneuver around your garden without slipping and sliding, and they come in green, lavender, and blue to match your garden’s aesthetic.

Sizes: S–L | Colors: 3 | Material: Thermoplastic rubber, polyester | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Some

Best Gardening Clogs

Merry People Billie Clogs

$100 at us.merrypeople.com

Merry People Billie Clogs are a favorite of PEOPLE Senior Shopping Editor Erika Reals. Designed as an alternative to rainboots, these are plenty functional for gardening but stylish enough for everyday wear — rain or shine. Constructed from a slip-free natural rubber material with neoprene lining, they're easy to wipe clean and offer plenty of arch support for the long summer days you’re outside sowing your seeds.

Sizes: 5-12 | Colors: 4 | Material: Natural rubber, neoprene | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Yes

Our Editors Say

“I don’t have a garden (yet!), but these clogs make me wish I did. These are my shoes of choice for walks in the park on dewy mornings because they’re super comfortable, easy to wipe clean after walking through the mud, and provide steady traction when stepping through puddles, gravel, and slippery grass. I even wear them as house shoes in the summer!” —Erika Reals, senior shopping editor

Related: The Best Clogs of 2024 That Boast Function and Style

Ugg Tasman X

$80 at ugg.com

$80 at Amazon

One of my go-to gardening shoes, the Ugg Tasman X prioritizes comfort. These slip-on clogs have a slight lip on the back that helps keep my heels in place to avoid easily sliding out of them while working. A platform heel provides extra cushion and traction on wet surfaces (I've even worn them in the snow with no issue).

My favorite detail is the removable sock, which wraps comfortably around the ankle and has an UggPlush footbed for extra warmth. In the spring and summer, I slip the socks out and wear them à la carte, and then in the fall and winter, I add the socks back in for optimal coziness.

Sizes: 5-12 | Colors: 4 | Material: EVA, Tencel, lyocell, upcycled wool | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Some

Birkenstock Super-Birki

$80 at birkenstock.com

$80 at Zappos

If you’re obsessed with Birkenstock Boston clogs, then these are the best gardening shoes for you. The durable shoes have a sweat-wicking fabric lining to keep your toes dry no matter what season you’re sowing seeds. These Birkenstock clogs are also oil- and grease-resistant and provide plenty of traction for slippery terrain.

Sizes: 4-12.5 | Colors: 10 | Material: Polyurethane, cork-latex, fabric | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Yes

Related: These Are the Best Birkenstocks of 2024, Worn by Our Favorite Celebrities

Crocs Dylan Clog

$40 at crocs.com

$40 at Amazon

We love Crocs for gardening, but the classic clogs let dirt and moisture fall through the Jibbitz holes, leaving your feet filthy. Instead, we recommend the Crocs Dylan Clog, which is also constructed from a single piece of durable molded Croslite — but without all of the holes.

From a style standpoint, we love that the texture mimics the look of leather, which means you can wear these Crocs outside of the garden, too. One thing to note: While they do have some traction on the sole, it’s more subtle than others on this list.

Sizes: 6-12 | Colors: 6 | Material: Croslite | Traction: Some | Arch Support: Some

Best Slip-On Gardening Shoes

L.L.Bean Rugged Wellie Shoes

$89 at L.L.Bean

If you want gardening shoes with good heel coverage that aren’t boots, we recommend L.L.Bean’s wellies, which feature VertiGrip rubber soles with foam pods in the midsole for added comfort. They also have a stretchy gore material around the ankle that makes them easy to slip in and out of and provides additional protection from the elements.

Sizes: 6-11 | Colors: 5 | Material: VertiGrip rubber, EVA, vulcanized rubber, synthetic knit | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Yes

Hisea Unisex Waterproof Garden Shoes

$38 at Amazon

These unisex shoes from Amazon resemble a classic water shoe, only they’re made with a sturdy rubber material and feature impressive traction. They also have a neoprene ankle collar for comfort and reinforced rubber shell for protection while in the garden. Ultimately, they are an excellent choice for those who prefer the security of a shoe that wraps around the entire foot and are wary of mule-style clog for outdoor work.

Sizes: 8-14.5 (women), 7-13 (men) | Colors: 5 | Material: Rubber, neoprene | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Some

Best Gardening Boots

Hunter Women's Short Gardener Rain Boots

$105 at hunterboots.com

$81 at Amazon

The Hunter Short Gardener Rain Boots feature the functionality of a Hunter rain boot through the lens of gardening — in other words, you’ll like them even more than the styles Sarah Jessica Parker and Hilary Duff wear.

Specifically, these gardening rain boots feature a dig pad on the bottom sole and a thick ankle patch for added protection when using spades. In reviews, some customers swear by their arch support and more spacious calf shaft, which helps keep things nice and cool while working outside.

Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 1 | Material: Rubber | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Yes

Merry People Tully Boot

$140 at us.merrypeople.com

If you love the look of the Merry People Billie Clogs but not their open backs, then the Merry People Tully Boot is the next best thing. These ankle boots keep soles dry in rainy weather, making them a fantastic choice for gardening, too.

They’re 100 percent waterproof and constructed from a natural rubber material with a neoprene cuff to seal your feet into the boots and protect against moisture. On top of that, they have built-in arch support, offer plenty of traction, and are easy to slip in and out of.

Sizes: 5-12 | Colors: 3 | Material: Neoprene, rubber | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Yes

Planone Tall Waterproof Garden Shoes

$40 at Amazon

For those who prefer to garden in tall rain boots, consider the Planone Tall Waterproof Gardening Shoes from Amazon. These boots are constructed from durable rubber and feature a classic rain boot design with a 12.4-inch shaft height, high-traction sole, and pull tab.

Some reviewers say the shaft is a bit narrow, which may not be suitable for wide calves, while others recommend adding more supportive insoles, especially if you have high arches. However, the under-$50 price tag is truly surprising for a tall rain boot that offers quality, comfort, and function.

Sizes: 6-10 | Colors: 8 | Material: Synthetic rubber | Traction: Yes | Arch Support: Some

Our Experts Say

“Gardening of any kind has you moving around, lifting, squatting, bending, and getting dirty. Shoes that help you feel steady on your feet are always a good thing.” — Donna Letier

Add to Cart

Woheer Gardening Gloves

$14 at Amazon

In addition to gardening shoes, you’ll want to invest in a pair of gardening gloves, which protect your hands from the sun, dirt (which can have a drying effect on skin), and sharp gardening tools.

These under-$15 gardening gloves on Amazon have nearly 1,500 5-star ratings from customers who praise them for their durability. They come in several colors and prints as well as different sizes (although some reviewers say they run small). The microfiber leather is abrasion-resistant yet flexible enough for potting and planting.

Lmlalml Sun Hat

$15 at Amazon

A sun hat is another one of those must-have gardening accessories. We love this option from Amazon because it puts a stylish spin on one of the more functional sun hat styles. With seven colors and prints, its lightweight yet durable cotton linen material is breathable, windproof, and adjustable. It has a longer brim on the back for added neck protection and UPF 50+, so it protects you from the sun’s UV rays beyond just providing some shade.

What to Know About Gardening Shoes

• Traction: Gardening shoes need proper traction to provide enough support and stability on outdoor terrain. Outsoles with deep grooves and grippy lugs are a good indicator of solid traction. All shoes on this list feature traction, although to various degrees.

• Arch Support: Finding shoes with arch support is crucial in avoiding foot aches and pains, especially if you plan on wearing them for hours at a time. All shoes on this list have some degree of arch support. Some shoes, like the Planone Tall Waterproof Garden Shoes, can be supplemented with orthotic insoles if more support is needed.

• Protection: Look for styles that have waterproof construction designed for keeping soles dry. A great pair of gardening shoes should also offer plenty of coverage for keeping dirt at bay and protecting areas such as the top of the foot, ankles, and/or calves from thorny stems, rocks, and more.

Take Our Word For It

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, and more. Jessie is an avid gardener with experience growing vegetables in everything from vegetable garden beds in a backyard to pots on a balcony to her beloved indoor Lettuce Grow farmstand. When researching the best gardening shoes, she leaned on her personal experience, as well as advice from experts, to find the best styles, fits, and features for all different types of gardening activities.

To determine which gardening shoes are the best to buy this spring, she looked at specifics like traction, arch support, durability, and coverage. She also considered additional perks such as convertible styles (like the Natural Uniforms Ultralite Women's Clogs with Strap and the Ugg Tasman X) and options that can be worn both in and out of the garden (hello, Birkenstock Super-Birki).

Meet Our Expert

Donna Letier is the founder and CEO of Gardenuity, a company that specializes in container gardens for indoor and outdoor environments.

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Read the original article on People.