13 of the Best Footwear Choices for the Garden

1. Birkenstock Super-Birki Unisex Clog

This unisex high-grip clog is from the Birkenstock Professional Collection of footwear.

It’s made of vegan-friendly, anatomically-shaped polyurethane and is certified occupational footwear in accordance with EN ISO 20347:2012 OB E (SRC category).

This means it has deep treads for excellent traction, and has been tested on ceramic wetted with diluted soap, and steel wetted with glycerol, for use in culinary and medical settings.

It resists abrasions, dirt, grease, oil, and water, and the sole has a tread pattern designed to provide slip resistance and easy dirt release.

Birkenstock Unisex Clogs Super-Birki in Raspberry Sorbet

If you’ve never had washable garden shoes before, you’re going to love these Birkis. Drenched, muddied, and covered with grass? No problem. And they’re so colorful, you’ll want to wear them with your favorite outfits, too.

Inside this functional and fashionable clog is an anatomically-shaped cork-latex footbed with a woven acrylic lining that absorbs moisture and provides exceptional arch support with minimal cushioning, in keeping with the classic, or “regular” Birkenstock style.

Cleanup is easy: simply remove the footbed and wash the clogs in water up to 176°F, with or without disinfectant. Wash the footbed in water up to 86°F.

Birkenstock Unisex Clogs Super-Birki in Apple Green

Choose from an array of colors. Per customer service, a pair of women’s Super- Birki’s in size six weighs approximately one pound. Birkenstocks are made in Germany.

Exceptional Features:

• Birkenstock durability
• Plentiful color choices
• Replaceable footbed
• Hot water washable

Potential Drawbacks:

• May leave ankles vulnerable to injury
• Foot may slip from clog with sudden movement
• Minimal cushioning

The unisex Super-Birki is available in eight colors including apple green, blue, black, brown, green, raspberry sorbet, red, and white. It’s available in whole sizes only.

Replacement footbeds and maintenance products are available from Birkenstock.

Check prices and read customer reviews on Amazon now.

2. Crocs Crocband Unisex Clog

The Crocs brand has become synonymous with long-wearing comfort, and this unisex clog is no exception.

It’s made entirely of a lightweight closed-cell foam resin that is the property of Crocs, called Croslite™. The fit is snug and the feel is soft and supportive.

Crocs Crocband Unisex Clog in Stucco/Melon

Choose from an array of hues with contrasting bands of color in retro-sneaker style.

Each has a pivoting heel strap that swings backwards for added support, or forward for slip-on ease. Enjoy secure footing on a footbed comprised of tiny bumps that inhibit slipping when wet.

This Crocs clog makes a great summer garden shoe. Stepped in the mud? No problem. Just hose off and keep right on going, clean and cool all day long.

Crocs Crocband Unisex Clog in Charcoal/Ocean

Per Crocs customer service, this clog weighs an average of just over six ounces per shoe with some slight variation depending on the size, so light it’s buoyant.

Ventilation ports allow for comfortable airflow, and the heavy-duty tread is designed to provide solid traction and release soil easily. This product is completely washable.

Exceptional Features:

• Plenty of color choices
• Flexible
• Lightweight
• Optional heel strap
• Patented cushion comfort
• Ventilated

Potential Drawbacks:

• Clog may leave heel vulnerable to injury

The Crocs Crocband™ Unisex Clog is available from Amazon in 15 solid colors and color combinations including black, charcoal/ocean, khaki/navy, lavender/purple, melon/ice blue, navy/citrus, new mint/tropical teal, pearl pink/wild orchid, pomegranate/rose dust, and white.

Available in whole sizes only, the manufacturer recommends ordering a size up if you need to.

A similar shoe is also available for children, the Crocs Kid Crocband™ Clog. You can find it on Amazon.

Check prices and read customer reviews now on Amazon.

3. Dansko Kane Women’s Clog

Tired of heavy gardening shoes? Try the Kane clogs from Dansko.

These mule-style clogs are extremely lightweight, made of over 50 percent bio-based EVA sourced from renewable sugar cane. And the removable cushioned footbed is made of the same light and eco-friendly material.

Dansko Kane in Pineapples

They offer better arch support than we’ve seen in most shoes of this style, with Dansko’s Natural Arch® technology. And treads on the bottom help to prevent slips on wet grass.

The uppers are perforated along the side so they’re not fully waterproof, but this helps to provide some ventilation in the summer heat.

Easy to slide on and off and wipe clean, you’ll want to keep a pair of these by the back door so they’re ready to go whenever you need them.

Dansko Kane in Flower Party

Available in European whole sizes, it’s easy to compare to your US size to find the best fit. Choose from various colors and patterns including purple and light blue tie dye, pineapples, and multicolored Flower Party.

Exceptional Features:

• Made of eco-friendly materials
• Removeable insole with arch support
• Extremely lightweight
• Ventilated to keep feet cool

Potential Drawbacks:

• Not fully waterproof
• Don’t provide ankle or toe protection

Check current prices and find your size now on Amazon.

4. Hunter Women’s Gardener Clog

Hunter has been producing boots and shoes since the 1800s, and this high-grip garden clog lives up to the company’s reputation for quality and durability.

This attractive matte-finish model is handcrafted of vulcanized natural rubber, for maximum flexibility and a waterproof exterior. (Natural rubber is the most flexible kind.)

Hunter Women’s Garden Clog in Dark Olive/Clay

The inside is lined with neoprene, or synthetic rubber, for warmth. There’s also a three-millimeter neoprene insole to cushion the foot.

This shoe offers the slip-on-and-off convenience of a lightweight clog with the solid feel you’d expect to find in a work boot, and thanks to the high grip, it’s got you covered on dry or wet ground.

The outsole consists of a “field tread” with excellent traction that readily releases debris and mud. Wash with water, and maintain with Hunter Boot Shine and Rubber Boot Buffer, as recommended by the manufacturer.

Hunter Women’s Garden Clog in Vintage Green

Per Hunter, the heel height is approximately two centimeters (0.79 inches) and each pair weighs about 1.37 kilograms, or a little over three pounds. Hunter Boot Ltd. is based in Scotland.

Exceptional Features:

• Flexible natural rubber
• Field tread
• Neoprene insulation

Potential Drawbacks:

• High-grip clog may leave upper heel vulnerable to injury
• May be too warm for all-day summer wear

The Hunter Women’s Garden Clog is available in dark olive/clay and vintage green. It comes in whole sizes only. Men’s sizes are available in this style as well, direct from the manufacturer.

Check prices and read customer reviews now on Terrain.

5. Jambu Women’s JBU Gwen Garden Ready Duck Shoe

This slip-on duck-style shoe is perfect for light gardening or a stroll over dewy grass.

The upper is made of water-resistant rubber, and the inside is ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) with a memory foam insole, for a vegan-friendly product.

Jambu Women’s JBU Gwen Garden Ready Duck Shoe in Navy/Lilac Floral

An array of color choices are available. Each has faux suede or faux leather trim, depending upon your choice of shoe, that is adorned with eyelets and a tied shoelace in typical duck fashion.

This is the type of shoe you want to keep handy for a quick run into the garden, perhaps with the dog, or the trash, or to pull those weeds you just can’t leave until after you get back from work.

It has a patented All-Terra™ Traction slip-resistant rubber outsole that is made of partially recycled, compressed rubber that is long-lasting, won’t mark surfaces, ensures secure footing, and releases soil easily. These have a half-inch heel.

This is a very lightweight shoe that weighs only 12.34 ounces per pair. Arch support is minimal. A Microban® antimicrobial treatment inhibits odors.

The insoles are removable, and the manufacturer recommends hand washing them with dish detergent and a soft toothbrush.

Exceptional Features:

• Plenty of color choices
• Lightweight
• Patented non-slip sole
• Removable, washable insoles

Potential Drawbacks:

• Faux suede/leather may stain
• Minimal arch support

The Jambu Women’s JBU Gwen Garden Ready Duck Shoe is available in blush floral, gray/stone blue solid, honeydew floral, navy/lilac floral, navy/whiskey floral, and stone blue floral.

Half sizes are available, and the manufacturer recommends ordering a half size up from what you normally wear, as these run small.

Check prices on Amazon now.

6. Joules Women’s Wellibob Rain Boot

Made from 100 percent rubber, these ankle-height waterproof boots are available in a variety of fun, hand-drawn designs.

The hard-wearing outsole features deep lugs for excellent traction, and a slightly elevated heel makes them stylish as well as practical.

Joules Women’s Wellibob Rain Boot – Yellow Bees

The elasticated side gussets and a tab at the back of the boot makes slipping them on and off a breeze, and the removable faux fur insole keeps your feet warm and toasty on those cooler days.

With a comfortable fit and arch support, these low rise boots are ideal for gardening chores in wet weather and even walking the dog!

The fit is roomy, and the manufacturer recommends ordering a size down if you are in between sizes.

Exceptional Features:

• Cute designs
• Comfortable fit
• Fully waterproof
• Easy to slip on and off

Potential Drawbacks:

• Sizing runs slightly large

You can choose from 12 different designs: yellow with bees, black with bugs, navy florals, navy spot, black metallic bees, navy beach dogs, French navy stripe, navy rose gingham, navy vegetable, navy ducks, khaki chickens, and tan leopard.

Check out the fun prints and find your size now on Amazon.

7. Kujo Yardwear Kujo Yard Shoe for Men and Women

This innovative product by Kujo Yardwear is called a “hybrid” work shoe because it combines the durability and water resistance of a work boot with the flexibility, light weight, and ventilation of a sneaker.

It’s part of an exciting line launched originally on Kickstarter by Shawn Langton, whose years of lawn and garden work inspired him to partner with his sister, Kelsey Langton Martin, and brother-in-law, Craig Martin, to create the “ultimate yard shoe.”

The Kujo Yardwear company is based in Michigan.

Kujo Yardwear Kujo Yard Shoe in Gray/Green

Landscapers love this shoe because it stays dry during early morning work, and the cut grass just slips right off after a job of mowing.

And, without the weight of a heavy work boot, there’s less strain on the back and legs. All this, and the look of an attractive sneaker at day’s end, make for a truly unique yard shoe.

Tough and easy on the eyes, the Kujo features a quarter-inch rubber sole with six-millimeter lugs and grip pods for excellent traction, firm pressure on a shovel, and easy dirt release. The grooves in the tread flex for optimal mobility.

The toe cap is reinforced with segmented polyurethane (SPU) for optimal resistance to abrasion and water.

Arch support is also top notch, with a quarter-inch-thick ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) midsole and a removable insole that cushions the foot and inhibits fatigue.

The manufacturer does not sell replacement insoles, but advises that customers may insert their own, which is particularly useful for those who require the orthotic type.

An exclusive feature is the “flex window” of air mesh between the laces and toe, for added flexibility and air circulation.

The sides of these shoes are also made of air mesh to provide the airflow needed to stay cool and dry. There’s also an inner lining that inhibits soil and water penetration.

A trim of “sonic welds” compresses the air mesh and provides added strength in the lace eyelet and collar areas. And an antimicrobial padded collar reduces the buildup of bacteria around the ankle.

This product fits snugly, and has a pull tab to aid with putting them on and taking them off at the end of a long gardening session. Per the manufacturer, each weighs between 12 and 18 ounces, for a total weight of approximately two pounds.

Exceptional Features:

• Air circulation
• Flexible
• Lightweight
• Lug traction sole
• Multiple color options

Potential Drawbacks:

• Expensive
• Not a slip-on

The Kujo Yardwear Kujo Yard Shoe is available from Amazon in black, black/green, gray/green and gray/purple. It comes in half and whole sizes.

8. Men’s Mossy Oak® Country DNA™ MUCKSTER Lite Clog

No hands are needed to slip into these stylish one-piece molded garden clogs that are comfortable enough to wear all day in the spring-to-fall garden.

They’re made from a single piece of eco-friendly Bio Lite injection molded EVA foam, and are Green Leaf-certified biodegradable (ASTM D5511-18 / ISO 15985-14).

Men’s Mossy Oak® Country DNA™ MUCKSTER Lite Clog

This is a lightweight product that is 50 percent lighter than standard foam clogs, so your feet feel like they’re floating on a cushion of air.

A textured insole affords stability while breathable side ports let air in while keeping water and debris out, to keep your feet cool and clean.

SRC-rated slip resistance and multi-surface traction mean you’re on sure footing every step of the way through the garden and beyond.

Exceptional Features:

• All-day wear
• Breathable
• Easy to clean
• Environmentally friendly
• Flexible
• Lightweight
• Slip-resistant with multi-surface traction

Potential Drawbacks:

• Expensive
• May slip off during strenuous activity

Check prices and read reviews now at the Original Muck Boot Company.

9. Muck Boot Men’s Muckster II Ankle

The Muck Boot Men’s Muckster II Ankle is a versatile ankle boot that’s perfect for those wet, muddy days. The waterproof rubber outer extends into a flexible ankle cuff made from neoprene.

They’re easy to get in and out of and the roomy cuff allows you to tuck in your pant legs, protecting the hems from mud and debris.

Muck Boot Men’s Muckster II Ankle Boot in Moss Green

The molded rubber sole has adequate traction to keep you upright in moderately slippery conditions and the neoprene air mesh interior allows for some breathability.

Ideal for conditions where you need a bit more than a shoe, but don’t require full-length boots, each Muckster Ankle boot weighs just 21 ounces.

Muck Boot Men’s Muckster II Ankle Boot in Bark/Otter

The traction is “self-cleaning” with shallow lugs that won’t hold the dirt, and a light hose-down will keep them looking shipshape.

They don’t provide as much foot support as a more snug-fitting ankle boot as the cuff is roomy and flexible, rather than rigid, so if you’re stomping up and down muddy hillsides the Muckster may not be the best option.

If you’re looking for a waterproof, lightweight, comfortable option the Muckster II Men’s Ankle boot fits the bill.

Exceptional Features:

• Lightweight
• Fully waterproof
• Breathable air mesh interior
• Ankle protection

Potential Drawbacks:

• Traction a bit light for very slippery conditions
• Lack of foot support

The Muckster II Ankle is available in moss green and bark/otter brown from The Original Muck Boot Company and via Amazon.

Want more information? See our in depth review of these boots here.

10. Sloggers Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe for Men and Women

This garden shoe is made of waterproof resin that is 100 percent recyclable and composed largely of recycled materials (50 percent in the sole, 100 percent in the upper), making it environmentally-friendly.

Sloggers Women’s Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe in Blue Fresh Cut Print

For wear throughout a day of routine garden maintenance, this shoe can’t be beat. Whether you’re digging, mowing, planting, or pruning you’ll have the support and comfort you require.

And if you have to run an errand, simply hose off and go. Functional and fashionable – what more do you need?

This Sloggers product features an “All-Day Comfort” insole that is formed, unlike many flat insoles, to cradle your foot and provide a firm base for actions like pushing down on a shovel.

The insole includes a molded arch, seven-millimeter-thick heel, and five-millimeter-thick ball support.

But don’t let this pretty shoe fool you. In addition to protecting your foot in comfort and style, it’s a workhorse. A heavy-duty lug tread yields excellent traction and enables easy soil release.

At the end of a satisfying day in the garden, simply hose or wipe off and air dry. Replacement insoles are available from the manufacturer, and worn-out shoes may be sent to Sloggers to be recycled.

Choose from assorted solid colors and adorable patterns. A pair of women’s size 8 shoes weighs approximately one pound. Sloggers are made in the USA.

Exceptional Features:

• Plenty of color choices
• Comfort insole
• Heel protection
• Recycled content

Potential Drawbacks:

• May be too warm for all-day summer wear

The Sloggers Women’s Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe is available from Amazon in 23 colors and patterns including black pansy, blue swirls, California dreaming, casual floral charcoal, classic black, flower power, midsummer blue, paisley red, pansy turquoise, rose swirls, and white.

The Sloggers Men’s Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe is also available from Amazon, in black and brown.

It comes in whole sizes and fits true to size. The manufacturer suggests that those who wear half sizes should order up, or purchase Sloggers Cut-To-Fit Half Sizer Insoles, available from Amazon.

11. TideWe Mid Calf Rubber Boot for Women

There’s a steel shank for arch support and comfort during activities like pushing down on a shovel or pitchfork.

TideWe Mid Calf Rubber Boot for Women in Plaid

The deep lug outsole is slip-resistant for traction on wet ground. A reinforced rubber shell features tough heels and toes for extra protection during the heaviest work, as well as flexible bending for hunkering down.

This is a cool-weather, mid-calf boot rated for use in -4 to 68°F weather that retains heat while allowing the feet to breathe.

TideWe Mid Calf Rubber Boot for Women in Black

Use the loop to slip into your TideWes the next time you’re setting a new shrub, watering, and tamping down muddy soil. Warm, dry, and solid underfoot, they’re so attractive, it’s almost a shame to get them dirty!

At day’s end, use the handy kick tab to slip out, and rinse and air dry your boots for next time.

Exceptional Features:

• Comfort insole
• Complete foot, ankle, and calf coverage
• Flexibility
• Lug traction sole
• Multiple color choices
• Reinforced heel and toe
• Steel shank for solid footing

Potential Drawbacks:

• Easy cleanup
• Likely too warm for summer use

Check prices and read customer reviews now on Amazon.

TideWe makes a full line of boots for men and women who love to spend time outdoors.

12. Tingley Flite Unisex Safety Toe Boot

The name Tingley has been associated with expertly crafted waterproof footwear and garments since the 1800s, so you can be certain you’re getting a quality product with this rugged work boot.

Tingley Flite Unisex Safety Toe Boot

Here is the workhorse you want to turn to after a storm, when the yard is full of mud and limbs need hauling and cutting.

Or, for when you have to clear a field, muck out stalls, wrestle with poison ivy, hardscape, or apply chemicals.

Anytime you’re in over your ankles, you’ll be glad to have the protection of a Tingley boot.

This knee-height model is 15 inches tall and a pair weighs eight pounds. It features a patented design called Calf-Relief Topline (CRT)™ with a comfortable shape and ample calf space.

The upper is constructed from a solid piece of Aerex 1.5.5™, a patented microcellular polymer that is 100 percent waterproof and more than 40 percent lighter than most steel-toe and rubber boots with similar dimensions.

The manufacturer states, “A one-pound reduction in footwear weight is like five pounds off your back and five percent less energy expended.”

Aerex 1.5.5™ is a material that contains little air bubbles that insulate, keeping out cold or heat as the weather indicates.

It resists caustic and greasy substances, for easy cleanup after a day of heavy work. A beveled heel cushions the foot and minimizes back and leg stress. Its heavy-duty tread is “self-cleaning” and readily releases debris when a job is done.

The toe is made of steel for optimal safety, and meets the PT certification for protective toe cap footwear.

This boot also meets ET certification standards for electrical safety, as it contains no nails. In addition, it doesn’t set off metal detectors, a convenience appreciated by those who landscape protected public spaces. Tingley products are made in the USA.

Exceptional Features:

• Heavy duty
• Resistant to caustic materials
• Safety toe

Potential Drawbacks:

• May be too heavy for routine garden use
• May be too warm for all day summer wear

The Flite® Safety Toe Boot with Chevron-Plus® Outsole is available via Amazon in black or blue, and comes in men’s whole sizes only.

The manufacturer recommends that women should deduct two sizes from their normal shoe size when ordering.

13. Western Chief Women’s Garden Clog

Founded in Seattle in 1891, Western Chief specializes in outdoor wear for the whole family. And their classic women’s clog is sure to satisfy, available in a variety of colors and patterns.

Easy to step in and out of for a quick visit to the garden, they’ll protect your feet from morning dew and light rain.

Made of high-quality rubber, these clogs feature an insulated neoprene lining, a removable molded EVA insole, and a self-cleaning calendar rubber outsole.

Black Clog in Blooming Garden

And let’s talk about these treads for a second – the sole provides a bit of traction to prevent slips while releasing dirt and mud readily, so you can tromp back inside again without having to worry too much about dirtying the floors.

With a comfortably wide footbed, the insoles can also be replaced with your choice of product for a custom fit, if you have a favorite insole that you prefer to use.

Choose from floral, polka dot, checkerboard, and whimsical garden-themed patterns including hand tools, watering cans, and potted plants.

Though these don’t provide ankle or toe protection, they have become my daughter’s favorite gardening clogs over the years, and they make a lovely gift.

Exceptional Features:

• Bold, colorful patterns
• Removable insole
• Self-cleaning rubber outsole

Potential Drawbacks:

• Do not provide ankle or toe protection

Check for your size and pick your favorite pattern now on Amazon.

Happy Feet

If you find yourself with a collection of “garden shoes,” muddied and ruined after too many spur-of-the-moment sessions on the back forty, hurry and order your favorites, before you destroy another pair!

Each of these 13 products offers outstanding value to the home gardener. Get the most out of yours by keeping them in a handy place and washing them after each use.

Be sure to air dry your new favorite garden footwear in a location that’s out of direct sunlight, to keep materials such as cork, resin, and rubber from breaking down.

For added protection, apply an appropriate product to protect your new purchase, according to the manufacturer’s directions.

I knew it was time for me to acquire a pair or two when I realized I had a collection of stiff, mud-caked shoes in the shed that had become home to our resident wolf spiders.

They were right next to a pair of leather dress gloves I’d inadvertently worn to prune the rosebushes…

Remember:

Wear the right footwear for the job, and your feet and plants will thank you.

And if you are looking for more gardening gear, check out these reviews next:

• Oh, Felco-2, and all the Things You Can Do!
• The Best Gear Bags for Gardening
• 13 Must-Have Tools for Gardeners