The 10 best gardening shoes, tested by a gardener

I looked for shoes that were safe, easy to clean and comfortable to walk or garden in.

I walked a mile in every pair of shoes I tested, from clogs to small wellies, using them on my regular dog walk. The route includes grass, mud, a gravel path, steps and pavements. I wore lighter clogs in warmer weather and more enclosed shoes when it was cooler. Back home, I headed to the allotment for a bit of weeding and light digging.

Next, I cleaned the shoes using a hose and scrubbing brush. Some pairs were not designed for muddy grounds, so I rubbed them in some dirt first to test how easy they were to clean without also needing to wash my feet.

I wanted each pair to perform for its intended purpose, or prove itself a good all-rounder. As with the best pair of gardening gloves, fit matters. I asked two friends to try them on: one with narrow feet and one with wider feet. This helped me judge how they perform across different foot shapes.

Although I tested women’s gardening shoes, most are unisex. You will find links for both men’s and women’s versions throughout the guide.

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