Really good thorn proof gloves

martyp

Hi all,
Just had a big go at my messy back garden and have to tackle both bramble and nettles. Unfortunately it seems my gardening gloves do nothing to stop even the smallest thorns stabbing my hands. Even putting the green waste bag in the green waste bin a thorn went through the heavy duty plastic bag, through my glove and into my hand.
I see lots of "thorn proof" gloves advertised. Are they genuinely able to stop a 1cm or so thorn on thick bramble stems from stabbing you? Can anyone recommend any really good ones so that I'm not terrified of grabbing any bramble when pulling weeds up etc.?

Brie

The only truly thorn proof I've seen are leather.  I did have some rather plastic ones that worked for a while but the plastic disintegrates and hardens and only lasted a couple of seasons.  

If you have really nasty thorns you might try proper bbq gauntlets which will stop the thorns and protect you most the way to the elbow.  But that thickness of leather means you lose flexibility so only really good when you are carrying the thorny bits to the bin or holding them while someone else does the slicing.  

martyp

Brie said:

The only truly thorn proof I've seen are leather.  I did have some rather plastic ones that worked for a while but the plastic disintegrates and hardens and only lasted a couple of seasons.  

If you have really nasty thorns you might try proper bbq gauntlets which will stop the thorns and protect you most the way to the elbow.  But that thickness of leather means you lose flexibility so only really good when you are carrying the thorny bits to the bin or holding them while someone else does the slicing.  

Thanks Brie, will aim for leather ones. It would just be nice to comfortably grab at long bramble stems without them getting me so happy to sacrifice some flexibility in movement I think.

Admiral_Barbarossa

The wife’s gloves are fantastic. She looks after the roses while I put my feet up!

twopenny

Gauntlets sound good to me. Hadn't thought of that.

I've got and always had, a leather pair. I used to buy them from Poundland but they've gone pathetic on gardening lately. The ones I have now are pink and grey found in Morrisons back along on the discount shelf for £2. Just as good as the fancy ones from garden centres, in fact, the same.

But when I see them cheap I always buy at least 2 pairs as you never know when you'll see them again. And they last ages.

I haven't tried them out but seeing them on a gardening programme I went to a diy store and bought some very  thick rubber workmens gloves that are supposed to do the trick. They come in black.

martyp

Thanks all, the ones I've been using are fabric on the back and rubberised palms. They've been good generally otherwise, it's just the thorns that have been the issue. I think possibly the stinging nettles have got me through them too. These were only one or two quid from Home Bargains or somewhere I think.

Eldi_Dos

Try welders gloves/gauntlets, will protect your wrists and forearms. Only £3.99 in Screwfix.
Several reviewers report them good for gardening and providing protection.

tetrarch

B&Q Site Rigger gloves are excellent and very tough. The finger tips wear out under abrasion, but they are very tough and pulling out brambles is something I do frrequently and I don't recall even the toughest thorns breaking through

Also they are super-cheap at £3

https://www.diy.com/departments/site-leather-rubber-black-yellow-rigger-gloves-large/3663602671473_BQ.prd

Regards

Tet

martyp

Great suggestions, thanks. Gauntlet route sounds good as I did get some nice cuts from thorns on my forearms.

CliveOfIndia

Rigger gloves should do the trick, that's what I always use.  Pretty effective and cheap as chips.

I usually get these ones : https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-premium-rigger-gloves-yellow-black-large/155fr 

But if you just search for "Rigger Gloves" you can get them at loads of places, whether online or any of the usual DIY stores.

Gauntlets, as mentioned by previous posters, are "better" if you like, as they'll also protect your wrists and forearms.  But those rigger gloves are so cheap I find I'm usually OK with them and a long-sleeved top - it's your hands that take the brunt of it, unless you're really doing some serious jungle-hacking.