Alright, let’s talk about roses. I love them, you love them, we all love them. But those thorns? Not so much. So, I decided it was time to find the best gloves for rose gardening. And boy, did I go on a journey.
First, I tried those cheap, thin cotton gloves. You know the ones I’m talking about. Yeah, they lasted about five minutes before a thorn went right through and stabbed me. Useless.
Next up, I went for those regular leather work gloves. They were a bit better at protection, but they were so stiff! I could barely feel the stems, and pruning became a nightmare. It was like trying to do delicate work with oven mitts on. Nope, those were out too.
My First Test
Then I thought, “Maybe I need something specialized.” So, I started looking at actual gardening gloves, specifically ones designed for roses. I found a few that looked promising:
- Nylon Coating Gardening Gloves: They felt tough, they looked tough. This pair, though, felt a bit too thick for my liking.
- Regular Leather Gardening Gloves: Looked good, seemed like they’d offer good protection, and the extended cuffs were a plus.
- Goatskin Gloves: Super soft, looked really durable, and also had long cuffs that would protect my forearms.
Goatskin Gloves, I love them!
I decided to try the goatskin gloves first. They were amazing! They were tough enough to handle the thorns, but still flexible enough that I could feel what I was doing. Plus, those long cuffs saved my arms from getting scratched up. I spent a whole afternoon pruning and deadheading, and not a single thorn got through. Success!
Later I tested the nylon pair, they were fine. Felt durable, but I just couldn’t get a good grip on the stems. They went to my husband. And the regular leather? Still a bit stiff, but way better than the work gloves. I use them for heavier tasks now, like digging or moving thorny branches.
So, after all that, I’d say the goatskin gloves are the clear winner for me. They’re the perfect mix of protection and dexterity. If you’re serious about rose gardening, these are the gloves to get. Trust me, your hands will thank you!
