Our 3 Favorite Summer Gardening Shoes
If the smell of slightly damp soil gives you the urge to change into a pair of overalls and a sunhat, chances are . . . you’re a gardener. Whether you’ve been composting since the ‘80s, or just pulled the tag off your first pair of gardening gloves, spring is here, and for dirt-lovers everywhere, it’s time to dig in and get dirty.
From seeing the first little carrot shoots poke out of the ground to waiting for those lovely peony buds to unfurl their glorious layers of petals, gardening is full of joy and reward. But the pride and satisfaction of growing little green things into bigger green things doesn’t necessarily come easy. A countertop full of freshly picked vegetables, fruits, and cucurbits (let’s not forget the honorable summer cucumber!) involves a lot of planning, digging, watering, and, of course, time on your feet. Making sure your feet are happy while you're pruning shrubs or shoveling mulch is where we come in. Check out some of our favorite men’s and women’s KEEN shoes for gardening, and get lifting, digging, and wheelbarrow-ing.
Women’s Kaci Mesh Slide
Working in the garden can be a pretty sweaty ordeal. Working in the garden in the peak of summer? Now that is a whole other level of hot. From warm mornings to hot and muggy afternoons, give your feet a breath of fresh air. Designed with a breathable mesh upper and arch-support insole, these women’s slides will have your feet saying, “Aahh”. When your work in the yard is done and you’re ready for a popsicle break with the kids, easily slip off your shoes and let your toes enjoy the feeling of that freshly mowed grass. You earned it.
Men’s and Women’s Yogui Sandals
You’re taking out the trash and out of the corner of your eye you see . . . a dandelion. And then another. And before you know it, you’re down on your hands-and-knees participating in an impromptu weeding session. Hey, we’ve all been there. It’s the gardener's curse (only you actually really like it, which is why you’re a gardener after all). Planned yard work or surprise-attack weeding, these comfy slides for men and women keep feet supported and feeling breezy thanks to their cushy EVA construction and open, perforated design. (Yogui has a strong following. If your size is out of stock, consider the men's Shanti.)
Women’s Atlanta Cool II and Men’s Atlanta Cooler II Shoes
Hauling wood for new garden beds or installing a rock wall, some yard projects just have more smashed-toe risk than others. Built to work hard, KEEN Utility shoes and boots are made to handle the demands and hazards of jobsites and factory floors. And it turns out, they're great at home, too. For those heavy hauling days in the yard when you need more protection, the Atlanta collection for men and women features a steel toe in a breathable design (the Atlanta Cooler is essentially a steel-toe sandal!). After all, you don’t have time to deal with a busted toe. You’ve got a patio to build!
Wearing KEEN shoes for gardening might not make it any easier to determine where to plant that new Japanese Maple or what nutrient mix that droopy, unidentified bush in the side yard needs, but at least you’ll be comfortable as you pace back and forth and poke at things. After all, isn’t that half the fun of gardening anyway?