Anyone who owns a garden knows about the regular work that has to be done from spring to autumn: trees have to be cut back, leaves have to be collected and the lawn has to be mown. If you grow your own fruit or vegetables, other tasks such as digging, weeding or repotting are on the agenda. No matter what work you do, wearing gardening gloves is recommended. Because they don’t just serve to keep your hands clean. This article explains what other reasons speak for this and what you should consider when purchasing.
It is incorrect to say that the sole purpose of gardening gloves is to protect your hands and fingernails from moisture, soil or dirt. In fact, wearing it brings many other benefits:
Gardena’s planting and soil gloves are made of a flexible material that is stretchy at the waistband and back of the hand. A so-called nitrile coating on the inner surface is intended to protect your hands from moisture. In addition, the gardening gloves have a touch function on the thumb and index finger so that you can use your smartphone. The model is available from S to XL. There is also a children’s size.
As the name suggests, these extra-long gardening gloves made of soft faux leather are designed to protect your hands and arms from sharp thorns – for example when you have to cut back your roses or do other gardening work that can result in painful cuts. An ideal fit should be possible via an adjustable cuff. The thorn-proof model is available in five sizes (XS to XL).
Ordinary gardening gloves offer a certain level of protection against moisture, but are not waterproof – unlike this model: Available in four sizes (S to XL), double latex has been used on the palm and fingers to keep hands and fingers dry for as long as possible . It is important to know that only waterproof gloves like these can provide long-term protection against moisture.
These gardening gloves from Gardena (available in two sizes) are particularly suitable for cutting work and working with thorny bushes or plants. The inner surfaces between the thumb and index finger have been additionally reinforced. This Oeko-Tex certified model also has a mobile touch function for smartphone use. The long shaft protects the wrists and the base of the forearm.
On cold autumn and winter days, lined thermal gloves offer more comfort and protection for your hands when doing outdoor gardening work – such as this model made from recycled polyester, with warm fleece and a non-slip rubber coating made from sandy latex. It is available in four sizes (S to XL) and, according to the manufacturer, tested according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
Depending on the type of material, gardening gloves have different properties: While cotton is lighter and allows the skin to breathe better, leather offers greater protection. Synthetic materials such as nylon, latex or polyester, on the other hand, are water-repellent but have a shorter lifespan.
When it comes to fit, you should pay attention to the size when buying – if it is one size fits all, people with small hands are often at a disadvantage. For greater grip, it is advisable to choose gloves that have an anti-slip coating on the inner surfaces or on the fingertips.
Whether gardening gloves can be cleaned in the washing machine depends on the material used. For example, while cotton is easy to wash, this is not the case with leather. Think in advance about which points are most important to you and which properties the gloves should have.
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