“The garden is actually a slippery area, so you want to be able to ‘plant’ your feet well into the ground and allow you to do quality work when you’re pruning a bush, planting new tomato seeds or other gardening activities,” says Stefan Bucur, founder and owner of the home improvement website Rhythm of the Home, who has more than six years of experience in gardening and landscaping. When it comes to gardening shoes, a “good sole” is indeed crucial. “I look for shoes with a good sole, ample cushioning, good arch support and a snug - but not tight - fit.” “For shoes I spend hours in, standing, squatting, walking and twisting, I need comfort first,” says Katie Dubow, who owns Garden Media Group and sells plants for Cottage Farms on QVC.

But if you’re keen on getting a pair of really solid gardening shoes, there are a few things to keep in mind, starting with how they feel. If you’d rather just repurpose an old pair of sneakers and don’t mind sacrificing some of the comforts and protections of dedicated gardening shoes, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that (economical and sustainable) decision. What to look for when shopping for gardening shoes So, to help you garden in comfort, we asked expert gardeners what shoes are best when you’re down in the dirt. But as enjoyable as the act of gardening is, doing so in the wrong footwear can easily add an element of frustration when you’re left to deal with filthy feet, soaked socks, sore muscles and injuries or a ruined pair of everyday shoes. Gardening is one of the true simple pleasures in life: There’s nothing quite like getting outside, digging into the soil and tending to your plants. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

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