The best garden clogs are more than just an easy-to-wear flip flop and recovery slide alternative. Sure, clogs, with their low-profile collar, are just as comfortable. But unlike a flip flop or slide, a proper garden clog is able to protect you from the elements and designed for traction on wet, uneven ground, like hiking-boots hiking sandals.
For many years, the gardening clog was just this, a utilitarian staple of people mostly concerned with function. The clog was worn for gardening, of course, but also by line cooks who needed something comfortable (and health-code compliant) to wear during long shifts. Some clogs, particularly those with beefy, squishy heels, became a common sight in hospitals, where both nurses and surgeons could appreciate the comfort they provided, too.
More recently, the obvious advantages of the clog have made the silhouette go mainstream—a burgeoning trend even. I bought my first pair after my friend Gerald recommended them in GQ four years ago, only to find that everyone else in New York had the same idea. For a few months, you couldn’t get onto a subway car without spotting someone else wearing matching shoes.
Now the garden clog is again in the news, on the feet of Gorpcore cool kids and West Village Girls alike. With so many great options to choose from, I have compiled the following list of the best garden clogs for women and men based on first hand experience and anecdotal advice from the Field Mag editorial team. Below you will find our collective picks for the 13 best garden clogs for this summer and beyond.
