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I Need New Gardening Shoes!

March 23rd, 2010

I’ve been saying that I need new gardening shoes for a few years, and yet I’m still wearing these old ones. I have a hard time replacing something until it’s completely unusable (remember those jeans, I’m still wearing them and they’re much worse now). You see my shoes still have some tread, although I slip often if the grass is wet, and they still can be worn, although not without pain. (I must add that I bought these shoes for $9 eight years ago)

But I must break down and buy a new pair, my feet ache after wearing them. In the warm summer months I often wear sandals, but if I’m mowing, if it’s wet, if I’m doing something to get really dirty, I need a pair of real shoes. I’ve been looking around trying to decide what kind of gardening shoe would be good, I was considering something like this. I have a few things that are a must for me:
1. they need to be slip on/off, I am often running inside when I’m gardening and I like the slip on/off shoes since we don’t wear shoes indoors.
2. the uppers must be made of natural materials, no plastic shoes, can’t stand them!

I thought I’d throw it out to all my readers, see if I can find the perfect gardening shoe. What’s your gardening shoe of choice?

13 Comments to “I Need New Gardening Shoes!”
  1. Cynthia on March 23, 2010 at 9:16 am

    I am debating on these. I like to have my shoes come off and on, but sometimes when you are watering you still get your feet wet and they shoes slip off when you don’t want them to, but I am still looking. I just found me some rain boots to work in the garden when it rains and when the ground is muddy and slip ons will not just work.

    http://gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Link-Keywordsearch?DefaultButton=findSimple&ViewAll=1&q=shoes
    .-= Cynthia´s last blog ..Building A Garden Enclosure With Windows =-.

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  2. Louise on March 23, 2010 at 9:44 am

    Dutch clogs, they are made of a natural material (wood.) Are sturdy, comfortable, and slip-on. They are best worn with thick socks, like hiker socks. Check out this link for more info:

    http://shopping.dutchvillage.com/dvwearablewoodshoes/dvwoodshoeshop.htm?gclid=CKnfzZT_zqACFSltgwodOUaszA

    Reply to Louise's comment

    • Susy on March 23, 2010 at 10:18 am

      Thanks for the link! I always used to wear wooden flip flips in Colombia.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  3. Darcy on March 23, 2010 at 10:47 am

    I just take an old pair of my trainers (sneakers), tie them up a little more loosely so that they’re easier to slip on and off, and keep them by the back door. No need for other shoes, they’re protective, supportive and can be tossed in the wash when they’re too dirty.
    .-= Darcy´s last blog ..Who has a Green Belt?! =-.

    Reply to Darcy's comment

  4. Momma Fargo on March 23, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    Sloggers. They last forever and are worth every $28.00. I’ve had mine for 3 years and they still look brand new. They hold up and are very comfortable.
    .-= Momma Fargo´s last blog ..Tribute To Tradition #7 =-.

    Reply to Momma Fargo's comment

  5. lo on March 23, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    I wish I could help! I’m on the hunt for a good pair of gardening shoes myself… right now I’m using an old pair of athletic shoes, but they aren’t really ideal. The sloggers have been tempting me, but I haven’t given in. Yet.
    .-= lo´s last blog ..When I Turn Ninety, Give Me Cake =-.

    Reply to lo's comment

  6. Kelly on March 23, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    Currently I switch off between an old pair of leather slip-on sandals and some crocs clogs. I’m not happy with the crocs since they have holes and they seem to make my feet dirtier than sandals (I have no idea how), but they’re comfortable and easy to clean and I don’t mind beating up on them. I’m considering getting a pair without the holes for when it’s wet/muddy.
    .-= Kelly´s last blog ..Garden Update 2.8 =-.

    Reply to Kelly's comment

  7. Pampered Mom on March 23, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    What about the Vibram Five Fingers? Not exactly natural, but I kind of like the idea of being able to go barefoot while working outside…but keeping my feet protected a bit at the same time.
    .-= Pampered Mom´s last blog ..Coloring Together =-.

    Reply to Pampered Mom's comment

    • Susy on March 23, 2010 at 4:17 pm

      Mr Chiots and I were just looking at those yesterday at our local outdoor outfitter store. They’re interesting to be sure, not sure if I could handle all that stuff between my toes.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  8. Miranda on March 23, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    I just got some Bogs for my birthday: they’re neoprene and waterproof rubber, but they do slip on and off. I’m loving them to pieces (hopefully not literally). I often wear my hubby’s croc’s despite their being totally lame and pourous – they are an easy quick step into.
    good luck on your search!
    .-= Miranda´s last blog ..Results are IN! =-.

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  9. sweetlife on March 23, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    I have heard Bogs are good…
    sweetlife
    .-= sweetlife´s last blog ..Snacking at Sweetlife’s =-.

    Reply to sweetlife's comment

  10. thesorrygardener on March 23, 2010 at 10:18 pm

    I wear the anklet Muck boots. Easy to slip on and off, but tight enough that they don’t flop around.

    http://www.muckbootcompany.com/women/farm-ranch-work/Pages/Muckster.aspx
    .-= thesorrygardener´s last blog ..Aerial buckets =-.

    Reply to thesorrygardener's comment

  11. Friday Favorite: Keen Footwear | Chiot's Run on October 29, 2010 at 4:47 am

    […] with Keens when they wear out. I’ve been looking for a pair to replace my gardening shoes with (remember those), but I have yet to find a pair. One of the reasons I love Keens is because of the roomy toe box. […]

    Reply to Friday Favorite: Keen Footwear | Chiot’s Run's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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