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Gardening

What shoes do you garden in, advice please?

(69 Posts)
25Avalon Mon 19-Jun-23 11:00:11

I’ve been wearing an old pair of Cotton Traders walking shoe/trainer to garden in. Yesterday one fell apart so into the bin☹️ Question is what do I wear now? I tried wellies but they made my feet sweat in this hot weather. I need something light,
Durable, and with strong soles as I dig a lot and the top of my spade cuts in.

Has anyone any ideas of what might suit please? I don’t like clogs or shoes with no backs. What do others wear?

Kim19 Mon 19-Jun-23 12:19:14

I simply relegate my most down at heel regular pair of flats from wardrobe to garden.

NanaDana Mon 19-Jun-23 12:23:12

Old, lightweight walking boots. I keep them in the garden shed, so never bother scraping mud of them. Shake the odd spider out before I put them on, though.

Blackcat3 Mon 19-Jun-23 12:23:48

Crocs…..but beware if you have thorny hedges etc….stray thorny trimmings can go through the soles….ouch!

Lathyrus Mon 19-Jun-23 12:25:14

I relegate the trainers down too.

I’m afraid sweaty is inevitable at this time of year😱

Marydoll Mon 19-Jun-23 12:26:53

I use old sketchers with thick soles.

Greyduster Mon 19-Jun-23 12:31:35

At the moment it has to be clogs or a pair of something that doesn’t need lacing up. I have a pair of slip on trainers that serve the purpose. As I can’t dig anymore, I don’t need a heavy sole.

Norah Mon 19-Jun-23 12:32:24

Merrill Moab, sturdy sole,
good ankle support, dry easily.

Gin Mon 19-Jun-23 12:32:35

Gardening clogs, they are light, strong and thorn proof. I bought mine very cheaply in Aldi.

Casdon Mon 19-Jun-23 12:39:57

I don’t wear socks in the summer, so I’ve got an old pair of Sketchers slip ons I wear to garden in. If they get wet or muddy I throw them in the washing machine. For thorny areas I plan in advance, and I just use my winter boots.

Baggs Mon 19-Jun-23 12:40:27

Wellies, hiking boots, 'barefoot' trainers, stable clogs.... it depends on the season and the weather. Just wear what's suitable and comfortable for you.

Fleurpepper Mon 19-Jun-23 12:45:45

Depends on the kind of gardening and the weather. From sandals, to clogs to waterproof trainers.

shysal Mon 19-Jun-23 13:11:56

I have had a pair of Skechers work shoes for many years, which have memory foam insoles and are very comfortable without being sweaty like wellies. Not cheap but there are pre-owned as well as new ones on Ebay.

For the steep hill on my garden I wear spiked shoes to stop me slipping.

AreWeThereYet Mon 19-Jun-23 13:14:09

Old walking shoes/boots. So long as the sole is still sturdy and the toes are covered.

Wheniwasyourage Mon 19-Jun-23 13:32:50

Wellies which are a size too big so I need an extra pair of socks, which seems to make it less sweaty.

cornergran Mon 19-Jun-23 13:35:52

Anything flat that I no longer wear to go out. Our garden is small without slopes, grip isn’t too important and I rarely dig other than superficially.

lixy Mon 19-Jun-23 13:36:17

Old walking boots for digging. Slip-on clogs for most jobs outside.
Crocs and wellies in various sizes by the back door for visitors who would like to help!

I think AreWeThereYet makes a good point about toes being covered for safety.

Farmor15 Mon 19-Jun-23 13:40:10

Old Rieker trainers - the kind with elastic laces so they don't have to be tied. I like Skechers but the ones I have seem to act like wicks for water and get soaked if walking through even fairly short, wet grass.

keepcalmandcavachon Mon 19-Jun-23 13:48:46

When wellies become sweaty its a sure sign that the kettle is going on ...

merlotgran Mon 19-Jun-23 13:57:16

Crocs (no socks) in the garden because they’re easy to slip on and off.

Lakeland waterproof ankle boots on the allotment or an old pair of very comfy velcro fastening Skechers trainers.

nanna8 Mon 19-Jun-23 14:00:45

Rubber boots. There are a few nasty insects around and they protect me. Nothing worse than a spider bite or a bullant bite.

MrsKen33 Mon 19-Jun-23 15:00:44

Wellies when it’s wet, closed toe Birkenstocks when it is warm and dry, and very old lace-up shoes any other time.

CheersMeDears Mon 19-Jun-23 15:11:13

Gardening clogs from Aldi at £3.99 a pair. Waterproof, light on the feet but sturdy and supportive and can be left outside by the back door in all weathers.

BlueBelle Mon 19-Jun-23 16:07:23

Crocs or down at heel trainers got some ankle garden boots for winter

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 19-Jun-23 16:14:02

I've an old, very worn pair of ballerina shoes which I wear for the odd bit of dead-heading and another pair of rather battered slip-on trainers which I pop on for more serious work. As with others, they get relegated down until they're completely unwearable.