Every guy who’s logged long hours pushing a lawn mower around the yard knows how important it is to find the best lawn mowing shoes for the job.
Around here we usually like to say that shoes are the secret weapon of style, but in this case, I have to respectfully disagree with my fashion-loving colleagues.
When it comes to yard work, a comfortable fit, good protection, and excellent traction trump stylish design every time.
(A sleek pair of monk straps may be my personal preference for dressing up, but they’re sure as hell not going to get me very far while doing yard work.)
To help you find the right type of shoes for mowing, trimming and taking care of your yard, in this post I’ve rounded up more than a dozen of the best lawn shoes.
The (Absolute) Best Shoes for Lawn Care
Breaking Down the Best Men’s Mowing Shoes for Lawn & Yard Work
- Quick View
- The Top Five Lawn-Mowing Shoes on the Market
- The Best of the Rest
- Merrell Men’s Moab 2
- Xtratuf Men's Rubber Ankle Deck Boot
- Nike Men's Air Monarch IV Cross Trainer
- Muckster Ll Men's Rubber Garden Shoes
- Merrell Men's Jungle Leather Slip-On
- Sloggers Waterproof Garden Shoe for Men
- New Balance 990 V5 Sneaker
- TENGTA Waterproof Garden Shoes
- Skechers Afterburn Sneakers
- New Balance Solvi Running Shoe
- DOUSSPRT Men's Quick Drying Water Shoes
- BOGS Sauvie Slip-ons
Quick View
A Brief Summary of Our Top Five Picks
- Custom-made for yard work
- Thick rubber sole provides traction and grip
- Air mesh design makes them lightweight and breathable
- Water-resistant synthetic upper
- Removable memory foam insole
- Rubber protective toe cap
- Carbon fiber toe cap
- Compression-resisting midsole
- Moisture-wicking inner lining
- Fully waterproof
- Deep rubber outsole gives solid traction
- Lightweight
Editor's Note:
Yes, we're a style blog. And yes, in this one – very specific! – instance, we're recommending Crocs. Look, we're not thrilled about it either, but they get the job done.
- Easy to slip on
- Breathable
- Affordable
The Top Five Lawn-Mowing Shoes on the Market
Overall Best Lawn Mowing Shoes ↓
Kujo Yardwear Shoes
Rating:
Features:
✅ Custom-made for yard work
✅ Thick rubber sole provides traction and grip
✅ Air mesh design makes them lightweight and breathable
Why They’re the Best Mowing Shoes:
Kujo is a brand that specializes in making comfortable, durable shoes for yard work and outdoor activities, so it’s no surprise that the (aptly named) Kujo Yardwear garden shoes rank as the best option overall.
With a higher cut than regular shoes, they’re designed to offer the same kind of ankle support as hardcore landscaper boots from brands like Red Wing, but without the extra weight that comes from leather work boots.
In addition to being lightweight, they’re also durable shoes made from waterproof material that will keep your feet dry in wet conditions, and feature a cushioned EVA midsole that makes them some of the most comfortable shoes on the market.
Bottom line?
Most of the other shoes on this list were designed for other purposes, but can also be a great option for lawn mowing.
By contrast, Kujo’s yard and gardening shoes were designed from the (lame pun alert!) ground up (you were warned) to meet the specific needs of lawn mowing and yard work.
And at the end of the day, their combination of high-quality materials and purpose-specific design makes the Kujo yard shoe tough to beat.
Promising Review
I work for a public school in Maintenance, these shoes are great for mowing, trimming, painting field for Friday night lights.
I have been wearing these for over a year now and they continue to impress me. After over a year of averaging 15,000-20,000 steps a day they have held up very well…
Nortiv8 Armadillo Shoe
Rating:
Features:
✅ Water-resistant synthetic upper
✅ Removable memory foam insole
✅ Rubber protective toe cap
Why They’re Great For Lawn Mowing:
The best thing about using hiking shoes for mowing the lawn is that they tend to be lightweight and offer good traction, and to that end there’s no better option than Nortiv8’s Armadillo
Made from lightweight synthetic materials, the Armadillo has a waterproof membrane that will prevent you from getting wet feet on rainy days, and deep tread that will help you get a good grip, even on rough terrain.
Plus it comes with a memory foam insole that provides additional support and comfort, and has a rubber toe cap that will help protect your feet from sharp objects.
Promising Review
This is my fourth pair of these low profile hiking shoes. Fantastic fit for all-day wear. Comfortable, great foot and arch support, clearly the best shoes I have ever had…
Look good, feel good, hold up well to every use and exercise.
Keen Vista Energy
Rating:
Features:
✅ Carbon fiber toe cap
✅ Compression-resisting midsole
✅ Moisture-wicking inner lining
Why They’re Great For Lawn Mowing:
Keen makes some of the best boots for operating heavy machinery, and they also happen to make a damn good pair of shoes for mowing the lawn.
Their Vista Energy work shoe combines the protectiveness that their industrial boots are known for with the flexibility of a sneaker.
While it was originally designed for warehouse work, in my opinion it’s also a great shoe for all manner of yard work.
Instead of the heavy steel toe cap found on their best work boots, it uses a carbon fiber toe, which is 15% lighter but still provides plenty of protection.
And it comes with Keen’s lightweight ReGen midsole, which provides 50% more energy return than standard EVA foam, making them great for long days on your feet doing hard work in the yard.
Promising Review
These shoes are built really well. I have destroyed lots of steel toes shoes. These are holding up better than all the others I’ve tried.
Toe isn’t wearing away and it is like a tennis shoe. I love these shoes.
Kujo Yardwear Jags
Rating:
Features:
✅ Fully waterproof
✅ Deep rubber outsole gives solid traction
✅ Lightweight
Why They’re Great For Lawn Mowing:
Another pair of Kujo shoes, the Jags are their waterproof boots, making them one of the best choices for anyone who lives in a wet climate.
In addition to the waterproofing, the Jags have a thick natural rubber outsole that boasts 6mm lugs, which provide a nice firm grip, even on uneven terrain.
What’s great about the Jags is that, while they give you the waterproofing and sturdy grip of rugged outdoor boots, they’re not particularly heavy shoes.
Their lightweight design weighs in at just 15 ounces, which makes it easy and comfortable to wear them for a long time.
Promising Review
Easy to pull on and they stay on even in muddy situations, comfortable to wear all day and keeps your feet dry in wet grass and other wet situations.
Crocs Classic Clog
Rating:
Features:
✅Easy to slip on
✅ Breathable
✅ Affordable
Why They’re Great For Lawn Mowing:
What’s the best way to tell that we’re really throwing style out the window in favor of practicality?
We’ve included f*cking Crocs. (Sorry, Dave!)
Crocs, of course, are hideous to look at.
But their utility is undeniable, and when it comes to yard work, that’s really the most important factor.
Arguably the best garden shoes for hot days when socks just won’t do, Crocs are lightweight, breathable and provide plenty of traction when you’re pushing the mower.
Of course, no self-respecting gentleman would be caught dead in them outside the house.
But within the confines of your own yard, they’re the perfect shoes to slip on and get sh*t done, especially if you flip the adjustable straps up to the front and wear them like slides.
And the best part is that they’re pretty cheap, so you get great value for your money.
Promising Review
Quite comfy! I wanted something for mowing the lawn and washing the truck. These are super comfy and very grippy.
The Best of the Rest
The shoes above represent our top picks for the overall best lawn mowing shoes, but they’re far from the only options on the market.
Each of the models below offers a range of features that make them good lawn care shoes, and any one of them could be a good option if you’re looking for a little more variety.
Merrell Men’s Moab 2
Rating:
Promising Review
I have 5 pairs of Merrell Ventilator Hiking Shoes, I have been buying them since 1995. Still wear the oldest pair to mow the lawn.
I like the way they look and feel. Great all day support and not too hot in the summer.
– Dr T
Xtratuf Men’s Rubber Ankle Deck Boot
Rating:
Promising Review
You can’t go wrong with the Xtratuf products. They are comfortable for all day wear. I use them for fishing to mowing the lawn.
Nike Men’s Air Monarch IV Cross Trainer
Rating:
Promising Review
I had a white/silver/blue version of this same model for a couple years. Once I moved them to the mowing-the-lawn category they have lasted even a few years more, just starting to peel back at the toes now after years of abuse…
They fit perfectly (even though my feet are a size off each other) and feel very comfortable even after 8 hours or more.
Muckster Ll Men’s Rubber Garden Shoes
Rating:
Promising Review
The best garden shoe ever, hands down. I go outside early in the morning and the grass is always wet. This shoe is rubber and keep my feet dry.
Merrell Men’s Jungle Leather Slip-On
Rating:
Promising Review
Versitile, any occasion. Great for gardening, lawn work. Water proof soles. No dislikes. This is the third pair for me.
– Joe C
Sloggers Waterproof Garden Shoe for Men
Rating:
Promising Review
These are very comfortable and reasonable good looking shoes for doing yard work and gardening. They are waterproof and wash off easily.
Would definitely buy again and I recommend them to others.
– Tom C
New Balance 990 V5 Sneaker
Rating:
Promising Review
They fit well. They are comfortable. They are identical to a pair I all ready own so size and style were not difficult choices. They are a bit pricey but I am old enough to remember $12 tennis shoes.
I expect they will last several years and the turn into lawn mowing, grass stained shoes when the next pair is purchased. They came when expected.
TENGTA Waterproof Garden Shoes
Rating:
Promising Review
Wish I found these yrs ago! They are perfect to keep my feet dry when I work in the yard, especially when I’m watering lawn, flowers etc!
I use them when I mow the lawn too as they are super easy to clean too! Purchased them a few wks, so far so good!
– CL Jr
Skechers Afterburn Sneakers
Rating:
Promising Review
This is my third pair of memory foam Skechers and they are great. They are comfortable and look good. The quality at this price range is very good.
I tend to take the older pairs as I wear them out and use them outside to do lawn work and such. I get about two years total wear out of them with this rotation. They truly are comfortable enough for all day use.
– KSRTexas
New Balance Solvi Running Shoe
Rating:
Promising Review
I work 2 jobs and both have me doing a lot of walking and these shoes are great. Nice fit, breathable, good arch support.
I bought these because the 880 NB’s (which I was wearing before) shot up in price suddenly. Well in my opinion they are good as the 880s easily.
DOUSSPRT Men’s Quick Drying Water Shoes
Rating:
Promising Review
These are amazing! Fit like a glove. I wear them to mow the lawn. They’re great when I walk my dog in the morning in wet grass. Perfect for when I fish streams. Buy them!
BOGS Sauvie Slip-ons
Rating:
Promising Review
I’ve worn this Bog waterproof shoe for the past 2 weeks while working in and watering our lawn, trimming shrubbery, and working in and watering our vegetable garden.
The shoe is comfortable and gives me the support I was looking for in a waterproof garden shoe, and it’s easy to slip into and out of without having to bend over. So far, I’m very satisfied.
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Geoff Hayes
In addition to being our in-house beard expert here at Irreverent Gent, Geoff Hayes is a home owner who spends more time, money and effort than he cares to admit (especially to his wife) in pursuit of the perfect lawn.
Banner image: Nicole Baird / Shutterstock