What are the Best Boots for Gardening?

Buy a pair of military-spec Altberg High Liability Combat Boots, available direct from the manufacturer in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The requirements of Gardening footwear are both demanding and conflicting. It must keep your feet warm & dry in the winter and cool & dry in the summer. You need lots of grip to prevent slipping, but not so much that they hold mud, which weighs you down so much that you can’t safely climb a ladder.

Boots are better than shoes as they provide support, protection and prevent you accidentally turning your ankle. They are certainly better than the clogs, crocs or ankle-high wellies that many garden centres sell.

Wellington boots are often used in the garden, but these are too sweaty for long periods of time. I only use wellingtons for jet washing or jobs that require wading in streams or ponds. If you’re buying a pair, neoprene-lined Aigles are a brilliant compromise between cost and durability – usually available at Brown Trout & Co. in Harrogate.

Safety boots are a good option for professional gardeners operating machinery all day – J Todd & Son has plenty to choose from. However, they’re quite bulky for general gardening jobs such as weeding, hedgecutting, pruning, digging and planting.

My personal recommendation is a pair of military-spec Altberg High Liability Combat Boots, available direct from the manufacturer in Richmond, North Yorkshire. The natural leather is totally waterproof and breathable without the need for any linings (avoid any type of Goretex style lining as your feet will cook inside in the summer!). They have amazing flexibility, great grip and can be worn all year round. Your feet never sweat and they never let any water in.

The only downsides are that you must maintain them with some Leder-Gris wax oil to nourish the leather and the soles are soft so they wear out fairly quickly. However, as long as you take care of the leather upper, the soles and rubber ‘rand’ can be replaced – just take them back to the factory!

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