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The Foundation - Pilot Edition

The Foundation - Pilot Edition

Finally, a garden glove built for those of us fed up with fingertip rot.

15 total reviews

Regular price $68.00
Regular price Sale price $68.00
Sale Sold out
Taxes included.
  • Reinforced at the fingertips and other high-wear zones
  • Premium leather that moulds to your hand over time
  • First production run. Only 100 pairs in this pilot
Size

Fit note: Measure using the sizing guide. If you’re between sizes, we recommend sizing down for a snug fit as the leather will stretch and mould to your hand with use.

Quantity

Ships within 1-2 business days, direct from Canberra.

Built for home gardeners and professionals tired of gloves failing where it matters most.

    When the seed for The Foundation was planted, we studied glove after glove, from work and climbing gloves to biking and sport, spoke to technical designers, materials experts and makers, and kept pushing until we landed on something we believed in.

    I wanted to build beyond just another garden glove. Not only something that would last, but something that would feel rugged and luxurious when worn. A glove that would mould to your hands and develop a character of its own over time. A true companion in the garden.

    This pilot is the culmination of 8 months of testing, refining and rebuilding, alongside a generous community of gardeners across Australia.

    The Foundation, Pilot Edition, is part of our first 100 pairs ever made. When you buy a pair, you’re not just getting in early, you’re helping shape what comes next.

    Field notes: “After four weeks of rigorous testing in the garden, I think Bare Dirt Co. are onto something. Finally, we have gloves that are made to last.”
    - Andrew, The Tool Shed

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    Delivery

    If you live anywhere in Australia, no matter how big a city or how remote, we will deliver to you.

    All orders are packed and sent directly from our dining table, I mean fully teched out warehouse, here in Canberra. You will receive shipping confirmation with tracking details once we've handed your order in to our local post office. And if you so wish, you can start tracking your Foundation's journey to your door.

    Shipping costs are calculated at checkout because we don't like surprises. Well, except for the good kind.

    Exchanges & returns

    It would break our hearts for you to receive your Foundation and not be jumping with joy because it fits like a dream and feels utterly luxurious.

    So, every purchase of The Foundation comes with the Bare Dirt Co. promise: If your gloves arrive faulty or damaged or the fit is not quite right, get in touch and we'll make it right.

    My only ask, contact us before sending anything back so we can help with the next steps. You can get in touch with me 24/7 at carolyn@baredirtco.com. Please account for sleeping hours if you don't get an immediate response.

    Caring for your Foundation

    We mean it when we say that The Foundation is made from quality goat leather. And a little care on your part goes a long way in keeping in it tip top condition for longer.

    After use, allow your gloves to air dry naturally out of direct heat and sunlight. Brush off excess dirt and wipe gently with a damp cloth if needed. If it gets too mucky, wash with saddle soap and rub in a leather conditioner. That's it.

    Oh yes, please don't machine wash or tumble dry.

    With wear, the leather will soften, mould to your hands and develop character of its own over time.

    About this pilot

    This Pilot Edition is part of the first 100 pairs of The Foundation ever made. It'll be a collector's edition, although we can guarantee it.

    The pilot is an early production run designed specifically to get these gloves into real hands and used in real gardens. This is the only way we know how to learn and make the next Foundation even better.

    So by buying a pair, you’re helping shape what comes next.

    This is not a mass-produced launch. It’s a meaningful first step.

    Why the price tag?

    Simply put, The Foundation wasn’t built to be the cheapest. It was built to be the best in the market. The one you stop replacing so often.

    So, to answer your question, the price reflects the materials, construction, small production run, and the work that has gone into creating something more considered than a standard, subpar, throwaway glove.

    Sizing & fit

    To find your glove size, hunt down a tape measure (a string and ruler would work too) and measure around your knuckles and the length of your hand. Then refer to the Glove Sizing Guide for your best fit.

    If you’re between sizes, we recommend sizing down for a snug fit, as the leather will stretch and mould to your hands over time. If you prefer a roomier fit, feel free to size up.

    Just keep in mind that a new pair of The Foundation should feel firm and snug overall, not sloppy especially at the fingers.

    If you want to make doubly sure you're ordering the right size for your hands, drop me a note with your hand measurements and I'll help you - carolyn@baredirtco.com

    Is this glove right for me?

    We'll be frank when we say that The Foundation was built for home gardeners and professionals in the trade who spend real time working with their hands in the garden or in the yard. And they are fed up of gloves that fail them season after season.

    We are not for you, if you're after the cheapest glove possible or your prefer to buy bulk and use and discard. But if you care about durability, comfort, fit and buying less often... you are who we built The Foundation for. I'm nothing if not honest.

    Tested in the real world

    Steve, professional gardener:
    “I have really missed my pair of prototype gloves since handing them back for assessment after weeks of use and abuse. They were easily the best gloves I have ever used, far superior in comfort, fit, durability, and a certain X factor no other glove has.

    Unlike most other gloves, I didn’t find myself taking them on and off for different tasks. They stayed on my hands pretty much all the time. Where other gloves would be hot and sweaty, these stayed cooler and drier. Where others would have given up the ghost, these remained intact and comfortable.”

    Andrew, The Tool Shed:
    “After 4 weeks of rigorous testing in the garden, I think Bare Dirt Co. are onto something. These gloves are not only comfortable to wear, but they also go the distance in the garden. From moving pavers to pulling weeds, these gloves have kept going.

    Finally, we have gloves that are made to last.”

    • 5 stars: 13 (87%)
    • 4 stars: 2 (13%)
    • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 1 star: 0 (0%)
    R
    Russell

    I love these gloves so much! They're a pleasure to work with, like you're wearing something fancy but practical in the garden. They are so nice and comfy, smell great (at least when new!) and almost seem too good to get dirty. It didn't take me long to put them to the test with weeding, pruning, bonsai repotting, and general work around the garden. I'm super happy with them, and they're worth 10x the holy, sweaty and unreliable ones I keep wearing through from the Big Green Shed!

    S
    Sherry

    Super comfy gloves. I’ve put this pair through the wringer on the farm pulling down barbed wire fences, splitting firewood and a few other farm jobs. I’ve had expensive name brand gloves that have split seams or gotten holes within the first day of fencing. Can’t wait for V2 of these!

    M
    Megan Willis

    I love the softness of these gloves, the adjustable flap at wrist assists in a snug and supportive fit . I have been working these gloves daily since received back in March/ April and have been impressed with their robustness. Only issue I’ve found is the fingers are a little long , making fine work a challenge.( 4 stars as opposed to 5) But overall they have been excellent. Only now the seams in the right fingertips are ‘opening ‘ allowing dirt through to under my nails while weeding

    V
    Vicky

    Love the gloves. The sizing was slightly large but didn't worry about swapping it out. Have got used the sizing now.
    Find them fabulous, very little thorns have penetrable. Water proof and seem to be very durable and long lasting.
    The only issue now is the Velcro on the right glove has lifted from the attachment point. Very disappointing.
    Still love the gloves.

    C
    Chris C-M

    I love the concept of the gloves, and so far for me they are working out great. I enjoy the snug, soft but strong fit. I'm just a backyard gardener who has worn out many glove fingertips scratching around pulling weeds. So far my gloves are holding strong after many hours of weeding, digging, planting and hauling hardwood sleepers around the yard. I'm a fan, and can't wait to recommend them to friends when they become more widely available. Happy gardening!

    S
    Sharryn

    These gloves are super comfortable and soft and the adjustable wrist band is great at keeping out any dirt. I have been using them for a few months now doing general gardening at home, pruning, weeding, digging and. Mulching and the million other things you do in a large garden and except for a bit of scuffing of the leather they are still as good as the day I received them. I have also treated them each month with leather conditioner and I do wipe them down after use. If they wear out I would be only too happy to try the next generation of gloves. Thanks Carolyn for taking the initiative to develop these gloves for us hardworking home gardeners.

    L
    Lisa

    My gloves have been used at home in a mid-sized garden and in a large community garden plot. They have chased couch runners, planted larger seedlings, dragged and spread lucerne, collected leaves, pruned weeded etc. The only time I take them off is to plant tiny vegetable seedlings which need a little more dexterity. Based on the original sizing advice I bought a large pair as I have long fingers. The thumb is probably a bit too long, but the other fingers are a great fit. I was a bit lazy at first about cleaning and using a leather conditioner but as I realized they were not falling apart I started to take better care of them! They have melded to my hand shape and I am very happy with them.

    H
    Holly

    As a seedling grower and garden lover, I’m loving my The Foundation gloves. They are snug as could be, and especially good for the hard work jobs - pulling weeds in Jindabyne, digging gravel, redesigning garden beds. They have worn a little, with some of the stitching around the fingers coming loose, but it hasn’t affected the usability of them at all. Definitely recommend!

    A
    Anonymous

    These are the best gloves ever. Wow. Strong, durable and they keep my hands warm and dry.
    Margaret

    J
    Jodie Williams

    Such soft gloves, no more sweating and wet pruney hands! The fingers are a tad long for me, after an error with sizing, I measured for a medium but needed a small, they were swapped with no fuss. I have done loads of weeding, pruning, barb wire fencing, mucking out, brush cutting and mowing. I love putting them on, my favourite gloves that I have tried so far, I'll be back for more and can't wait for them to be properly on the market for Christmas and birthday gifts!

    M
    Megan Willis

    Tough and robust is a requirement in my work life. Being an owner operator horticulturalist it’s important that my gloves stand up to date to day use. These gloves are exceptional in that aspect. From laying bricks, metal garden edging to moving a tonne of soil, these have not let me down. Only now after several months, the fingertip seams are starting to fail. Lasted so much longer than I expected. Leather gloves in the past had given out after 2 maybe 3 months. Megan

    A
    Anonymous

    Really comfortable to wear some slight leather wear on parts. Would buy again.

    H
    Harry

    Absolutely fantastic glove for gardening and landscaping. I’ve tried every option at the hardware store and been consistently frustrated and disappointed. These gloves are a cut above the rest. They’re sturdy and comfortable. I have quite big hands and the XL moulded to give me the perfect fit. I’ve used them both for gardening at home and in my small gardening business without an issue. I highly recommend investing in a pair of these.

    K
    Kimmi Hooper

    Really nice quality, soft & snug, whilst both sturdy & hard wearing….

    A
    Anonymous

    Very comfortable. Good fit for my small hands. Good feeling through the fingertips even though they are leather. Haven’t had them long enough to see whether the fingertip and breakage problem will be prevented that I am enjoying using them so far and they look great.