There’s few things in life that bring more simple pleasure than gardening. You can’t beat the joy that comes from nurturing your own outdoor slice of paradise and watching the fruits of your labour grow.
I’m no Alan Titchmarsh but I enjoy keeping my garden neat and tidy. However, one thing I never realised I needed until now is a good pair of gardening trousers, I’ve previously struggled away with an old pair of tracksuit bottoms and got soggy knees in the process.
What are gardening trousers? I hear you ask. Well, the pair I tested out from Genus – the Men’s Waterproof Gardening Trousers – are a bit like DIY trousers with lots of handy built-in pockets and, crucially, knee pads to make those long sessions pulling up weeds more comfortable.
Genus says the £169 product is “the first-ever totally waterproof trousers specially designed for gardening and cut specially for men”, adding “using the same showerproof fabric on the outside, these pants have a full-length waterproof lining so you stay totally dry.” When they arrived, I was intrigued to test them out. Upon opening the package I was instantly struck by the quality, it’s clear that these are a very well made pair of trousers – although you would expect that for the price (more on that later).
Despite being tall, I opted for the regular trouser length, and I’m pleased I did. as they fall to just the right point on my ankle and I think any longer would have been too long and catching under my feet. They come with a nifty belt that means they sit nicely on the waist, plus an impressive array of pockets for all your tools.
As someone who believes you can never have too many pockets, I was delighted to see how much you can cram into them. Usually after cutting the grass and using the leaf blower to banish the autumnal carpet of leaves, my trousers are covered in debris, but I was delighted to discover that hardly any was lingering on my legs, and any that was quickly wiped away – a testament to the choice of material for these trousers.
As you might expect, testing these out in November, the ground was a bit on the wet side, but I was thrilled to discover that the waterproof claim stood up to the test, with no damp feeling when doing work on your knees. The pads are also a handy addition, providing some added comfort, though I wouldn’t expect them to make an enormous difference over long periods, I’ll still be reaching for a kneeling pad too.
Here are some more features of my now-loved pair of gardening trousers:
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Zipped thigh pockets for seed packets, labels, or bits and bobs
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Zipped pocket for mobile phone
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Rear patch pockets
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Deep zipped hand pockets
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Stylish two-tone belt
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Raised waistband for back protection
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D-ring for keys
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Ankle press studs for easy access to boots
I’d also say they would double up well as DIY trousers given the number of pockets and how accessible they are – I’m forever losing the tape measure and screws when carrying out DIY at home, so the more pockets, the better.
They’ll also be handy for wet dog walks over autumn and winter, given their waterproof qualities. They come in sizes 30 to 44” waist, with length options of short, regular and long.
There’s one obvious downside to address – the price. I feel like my view of how much clothes are worth has probably been forever shifted by Vinted but at £169 they are pricey, and I fear that the cost will price out many casual garden fans, especially as the economic outlook remains challenging.
It’s clearly a lot to spend, and I feel like you’d have to be out on the lawn on a regular basis to get your money’s worth. They are, however, the sort of product that would make a lovely Christmas gift for gardeners, or a sound purchase for those who have that sort of budget to work with.
Praise has flooded in from other buyers. One said: “This is the second pair of waterproof trousers I have purchased from Genus. As with the previous pair, a great fit with many useful features. Perfect for me as a keen amateur gardener. I have purchased various products from Genus over a few years and they provide consistently good customer service, so highly recommended.”
Another added: “You get what you pay for, they are just the best trousers in every way possible.”
One buyer did raise a potential flaw: “My only issue has been the insides of the front pockets which have worn through already despite me not carrying coins or keys there.”
These are definitely a premium set of gardening trousers and fabulous quality that would make for a lovely Christmas gift for green-fingered fans of the outdoors. The waterproof design and built-in kneepads leave you well equipped to tackle long sessions in your borders at any time of year, though they do come at a price – one that’s probably worth it if you have the budget.
