The Great Outdoors—even if it’s in your own yard or garden—can require a little protection from the elements. Let’s face it, outdoor activities in the yard and garden are simply safer and more fun when you’re wearing the right attire.

Thankfully, there are lots of stylish and sturdy boots, shoes, hats and gloves that were created to protect you from water, thorns, sun and whatever else Mother Earth can throw at you.

The next time you venture out into your garden, consider wearing these cool items of outdoor apparel.

Colorful waterproof shoes and boots for wet weather

Wet shoes and cold feet aren’t any fun, which is why waterproof Sloggers® shoes and boots have become America’s favorite backdoor shoes. Just leave them at the backdoor and slip them on when you go outside to work in the garden. The colorful Spring Surprise print features bright flowers and a happy little inch worm on a background of either blue or black. A pair of spring-inspired shoes is sure to make working in the garden, walking the dog or running errands in the rain a lot more fun.

Sloggers footwear is made from odorless, medical grade materials. The deep-lug treads give the made-in-America shoes excellent traction in water and mud. Every pair includes the exclusive “All-Day Comfort Insoles” that give Sloggers® the reputation for high comfort. The boots and shoes slip on easily because there are no laces to tie or clips to fasten. Clean-up is easy—just hose them off!

Women’s shoes and boots are available in full sizes from 6 to 11. Sloggers® shoes sell for $29.99 and boots sell for $39.99 in fine garden stores and online at www.sloggers.com.   

Heavy-duty long gloves for protection and style

Protecting your hands and arms from thorns and sharp branches is important when you’re pruning roses or other prickly bushes and shrubs. These gauntlet-style gloves provide protection, comfort and dexterity—all while being very attractive and stylish. The gloves feature a lightweight, synthetic leather padded palm and reinforced fingertips, and they offer ample protection against thorns and abrasive surfaces. The wide synthetic suede cuffs fit comfortably over long sleeves, so they’re ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time in the yard and garden.

Gauntlet Gardening Gloves are made of a supple, breathable fabric that allows you to perform all kinds of outdoor tasks with ease as your hands are protected from cuts and bruises. They are as comfortable as they are hard-working. And when they get dirty, they can be machine washed on a gentle cycle and line dried.

Gauntlet Gardening Gloves are available in two sizes—medium and large. Medium gloves fit sizes 6½ to 8 (which fits most hands), while large gloves fit sizes 8½ and over. From www.parkseed.com.

Sun hat provides UPF protection

Working out in the sun during the summer heat can take its toll on even the toughest women. Fortunately, the right sun hat can make all the difference. The Women’s Braided Sun Hat from Sloggers provides all-day protection from the hot sun. This sturdy hat has a UPF rating of 50+ by a reputable sun care laboratory– the maximum sun protection rating available.

Not only does the hat protect you from the sun, but it looks great, too. The wide brim is nicely shaped—not too stiff and not too floppy. The handy wind lanyard keeps the hat snugly on your head, even on the windiest days in the garden.  The Women’s Braided Sun Hat comes in several patterns and colors, and it sells for about $25 in fine stores and www.sloggers.com.