Gardening Clothing and Footwear

[Garden Manager]

This post is really aimed at those of you who garden professionaly. I am trying to find a good supplier of (primarily) work/safety boots suitable for garden work at a reasonalbe price. Most suppliers of 'garden clothing' seem to either stock overpriced 'fancy' stuff or that designed more for the amateur market. Can anyone recomend a good supplier (ideally internet based). if they also supplied other clothing such as work trousers, overalls and jackets this would be even better.

I ask this now because I havent really upgraded my work gear from when I was an 'amateur', and have tended to make do and mend until things got going and the money was available for something better.

Could I also ask those of you who either garden professionaly or just do a lot of work on the plot or garden, what you wear when you are gardening? Sounds a bit nosy but i am just a bit curious.

thanks

[Garden Manager]

[artichoke]

There are various farmers' suppliers and builders' suppliers around us (Sussex) that sell heavy non-fancy gear, overalls, boots etc. You could invest in a copy of Farmers Weekly and study the ads to find online suppliers.

I garden a lot but am only amateur, and I wear old ordinary clothes and a pair of short heavy rubber boots (bought in Poland, but there must be some here).

[jjt]

Army surplus type places are always a good bet. I don't like spending much on clothes cos I always trash them. Brambles wreck anything however good the quality. Boots are worth spending a bit on though if you're on your feet all day. Steel toecaps mandatory. Tuf and Trojan I've found good and not too dear.
  If something is sold as 'garden clothing' it's guaranteed to be a ripoff.

[Hyacinth]

I've just Googled and found Milletts on-line store. Here's the link Richard
http://www.millets.co.uk/Mens-Clothing/catalog/MIL-SS06-Mens-Clothing.aspx

[asbean]

We have SCATS (Southern Counties Agricultural Society), they sell loads of gear for farmers and riders.

[ceres]

Screwfix are usually good value.

http://www.screwfix.com/cats/A131036/Workwear;jsessionid=ZGWKNP5LK2WWECSTHZOCFEY

[Garden Manager]

Thanks for the links. I did do a search but must've used the wrong key words.

Plenty of options there. Will be tough choosing the right ones i think.

I have used army surplus stuff before, in fact my current work trousers are ex army olive green 'lightweights'. I find them very practical and comfortable (better than the old jeans I wear at home for gardening). Unfortunately they now posess a torn knee and side pocket, so need replacing.

I had forgotten 'Scats'. We have a store not far away. Must go and have a look at what they have got.

[Baccy Man]

Most of the time I would be in chainsaw gear if I am on a job, while gardening it is more casual just regular jeans, shirt steel cap boots or wellies as appropriate & waterproofs if it's wet.
Locally there is the farmers co-op a few other agricultural supply places, Burdens will order in anything I want & always negotiate on prices. I also get a few bits in a shop called charlies stores unfortunately their website doesn't reflect the range they do but some of the clothing & footwear they do is available to buy online http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk

http://www.oakis.co.uk Have a fairly large range & are cheap on some items e.g. steel cap wellies for £8.99.

http://www.simplyworkwear.co.uk Has quite a good range too.

[tonybloke]

check out the 'snickers' range of carpet-fitters trousers. great if you spend a lot of time on your knees! ;)

[ugly gourd]

Are we going to get photos of you in your new clobber!!! ;D

[lewic]

This site looks good for boots http://www.gbrworkwear.com/dickies-pennine-wellington-boots-free-dockers-fw13110-p-761.html

I bought some rigger boots from a local army surplus/camping shop for £20, they are a bit weird to walk in as they are so stiff, but at least I'm not going to chop my toes off with the scythe. Remember my mum putting a garden fork right through her wellied foot once.. eek!

[Garden Manager]

Thanks again for replies. Some good sites there. I admit to catching myself sending lots of 'virtual' money, thinking 'that looks good' or 'that would be usefull' etc. I have to remind myself i have a budget and only need certain items. Although the more I though about it the more I realised i could do with.

Starting with boots and trousers, I then thought ahead to winter and remembered my winter work jacket is starting to wear out. then I thought it migh be an idea to get a sleeveless body warmer for when its not cold enough for the jacket but too cold for just a jumper. And so it goes on.

As far as boots go are these so called 'safety wellingtons' any good? I do find wellingtons very practical as they are easier to get on and off (unlike laceup boots). However I am wondering if, even with steel toe caps and reinforced soles, do they really match up to 'proper' safety boots?

I havent had time yet but I will be checking out local suppliers first before going online, since all seem to have fairly high postal charges.

Photos? Hmm we wil see

[Vortex]

Lawson HIS http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/ or Screwfix http://www.screwfix.com/

My boots are the standard screwfix £27 safety boots and my trainers are the Tuskers bobcat 414 - I've been wearing these for years and have just had to buy my third pair.