I've got an old pair of Reebok Classic sneakers. Once these shoes got too worn out to work out in I started using them in the garden. It doesn't matter how dirty or ugly they get as I only use them around the yard. In the spring when things are muddy I wear boots.

Jon

I wear Crocs. Mine do have holes in them but I think they make some without the holes. I've also seen them with a fuzzy/fleece lining for cold weather. Obviously, not a problem in Georgia but maybe helpful in regard to fire ants?

I use Crocs as well, but I have a pair that look like ballet flats. There are holes in the top though.

My favorite gardening shoes are a pair of old tennis shoes that I flattened the heel part of so they were like clogs and they are worn in and comfortable, dirty. I can kick them on and off easily and just hose them down when needed.

Flip-flops; I have fire ants, too. The only problem thus far happened when I was removing a patio door from the cold frame this Spring and dropped it on my big toe...lost the nail.

This past week I was watering the raised beds when I felt something crawl across my toes...looked down just in time to see a small gecko lizard climb up the side of the bed. If it had been a snake I would have had a heart attack right then and there!

Peggy

I prefer to garden barefoot, but right now the ground is too hot underfoot.

So I have a pair of men's "river sandals" -- the rubber kind with all the velcro straps. They protect my feet from the hot and sharp things underneath and are not hurt by getting soggy.

I'm one of those used sneakers people. I loosen the laces enough so I can slip my foot in and out without having to tie them every time I want to go out for a few minutes. Then I tie the ends of the laces together so they don't cause me to trip. They get filthy but wash up ok with a hose or a bucket and some detergent if necessary. By the end of the season they're ready for the trash and the next pair of "good" ones are just right for gardening.

Sandy

I use canvas sneakers. They're cheap, they breath and can be washed. Still haven't figured out how to avoid the sneaker smell. I use baby powder in them and it helps...for a while...

I got some rubbery gardening shoes at Orchard Supply a few years ago, and I love them! They're like pared-down Wellies. Nothing sticks to them, and they are totally waterproof, which is a big plus in my garden. Mind you, hiking in them is Blister City, but gardening is perfect.

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I just got a great pair at our ranch/garden store here. They are called Sloggers, made by Turf King. They are pink, and "kinda" cute. Best of all, they are cool, dry and oomfy-that's the part I like best. They are all closed, like the picture above. They were very inexpensive, like $15. Worth trying;)

g

Depending on what I do I use either Tevas (comfy and it is OK for them to get wet, they are river sandals) or downgraded hiking boots, that have lost either the waterproofing or padding. I do use the boots when digging and shoveling. Tevas are more comfy and cool but my feet get really dried skin so I need to apply moisturizer after i garden in them.

My garden is all in containers and the whole lower level of my yard, where my container's are is concrete so I go out there barefoot unless the concrete is too hot, then flip-flops.

I also wear flip flops when doing non-veggie gardening but have slid down my hill on my a$$ a few times due to my choice in shoes. I never learn.

Ania

Wow, thanks for sharing and the suggestions! I'm doing some more internet searching based on some ideas you've given me.

I garden barefoot whenever the weather allows and I don't need to do something like pressing a shovel into the ground with my foot. If I do need to use a shovel or something like that, I'll usually wear Teva sandals. If it's cold outside, I'll wear sneakers (the older the better, as long as they don't have huge holes in them).

But really, if it's even somewhat possible, I'll be barefoot.

Well, I'm a huge crocs fan! They make a ton of styles. Sandals, clogs, non-slip, hiking etc etc.
What I love is that they can get wet (nothing worse than a soggy tennis shoe!). But your feet DON'T SWEAT in them (REAL CROCS not the $5 Target ones. They're made of plastic and DO make your feet sweat)!!!!!!! My DH had the stinkiest feet in the world til he started wearing them! They're made out of some sort of vegetable protein (soy????) that doesn't make your feet sweat.
We wear them from spring til fall (and DH year round!) HTH! NT
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I wear hiking boots. Ankle support, soles tough enough to push in a shovel or fork, keep grit out, breathable. Mine are made by Montrail.

I second the opinion about Sloggers. Love them! They're closed around the toes but open heeled so easy to get in and out of.
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anney i have the muck shoes and i love them!

They keep my feet clean(er) and safe from centipede bites (learned the hard way, of course). Really comfortable too, sometimes i wear them to town.

The only down side is the tan line, makes it look like i have dirty ankles.

you can get them in prints too i think but i like the classic green.