Being out in nature and getting your hands in the dirt while gardening can be incredibly restorative, but nothing dampens your experience quite like soggy, uncomfortable footwear. Like the best gardening tools , a good pair of gardening shoes is a worthy investment, according to experts I spoke with. Some benefits, such as comfort and support , are similar to a running shoe , but gardening shoes should also offer “protection from the elements, such as soil, weeds, mulch, critters and moisture,”