Garden glove review: Foxgloves Ergonomic

Foxgloves garden gloves in periwinkle

Thank goodness manufacturers have figured out that there is more to garden gloves than just something to cover your hands. In recent years, more styles in a variety of fabrics have become available. Some are even especially-designed for women's hands and to appeal to the feminine sense of style. It's enough to make the bare-hand dirt digger a garden gloves convert.

Foxgloves were among the first of this new generation of garden gloves to appear at my local garden center. I promptly bought then in a shade of brown that I now learn is called "compost."

Description: Foxgloves are made from comfortable, snug-fitting SUPPLEX® nylon and LYCRA® elastane, which on the hands feels like a nice pair of support hose. Because they are stretchy, they are easy to put on and take off. They allow for maximum dexterity. In some ways, it doesn't feel like you're wearing a glove at all.

Style: Foxgloves now come in four styles, including the Ergonomic Thumb design tested for this review; Ultragrip, with a synthetic sueded palm; Silicone Grip Ovals, designed for gripping tools; and Elle, a glove that resembles something you would wear to a fancy dress ball and extends to the elbow. Available in nine colors, including spring green, crow black, fuchsia, delphinium, tulip, periwinkle, moss, iris and compost.

Fit: These gloves seem designed for a woman's hand. Three sizes are available--small, medium and large--but because the gloves are stretchy, the sizing is very forgiving. The fit is snug, but not tight, and is very comfortable.

Best uses: The Ergonomic style tested for this review does not have the grip features of the other Foxgloves styles. Still, the gloves were excellent for weeding, working with hand tools and general garden work.

Disadvantages: Although the tight knit keeps out most dirt, a heavy day of planting can mean caked-on mess, some of which can find its way under your fingernails. Foxgloves are not waterproof and do not protect from thorns.

Washability: These gloves hold up after multiple machine washings and drying.

Durability: Very good.

Price: $20

Overall rating: Excellent

How we tested: All gloves in this review series were tested in the author's real-world garden with her very own real-world hands. Activities the gloves were subjected to included weeding, pruning, digging, hauling, planting, watering, deadheading, scratching (bugs, you know), wiping sweat from brow and hoisting multiple glasses of iced tea.

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