Best Aerator Shoes: 9 Amazing Tools to Keep Your Lawn (and Yourself) Healthy

Best lawn aerator shoes header

Do you want to know the cheapest way to aerate your lawn? AERATOR SHOES! It’s like hitting two birds with one stone: You get to aerate your lawn while also keeping yourself fit by doing hundreds of steps.

Here are the best aerator shoes for your lawn (and for your health).


Best Aerator Shoes –
At A Glance List


NameFully
assembled?
Rating
#1: Gardzen
>>> BEST FOR: ⧫ Best Buy ⧫
No95%Check Price
Read Review
#2: ROSGEL
>>> BEST FOR: Tight fit
Yes94%Check Price
Read Review
#3: Montville Garden
>>> BEST FOR: Work boots
Yes93%Check Price
Read Review
#4: Ohuhu
>>> BEST FOR: Easy strapping
Yes93%Check Price
Read Review
#5: Abco Tech
>>> BEST FOR: Comfort
No92%Check Price
Read Review
#6: Jumbo Varieties
>>> BEST FOR: Lightweight
No92%Check Price
Read Review
#7: FSTSLK
>>> BEST FOR: Easy storage
No88%Check Price
Read Review
#8: Ouiros
>>> BEST FOR: Aeration/Mowing
No86%Check Price
Read Review
#9: Punchau
>>> BEST FOR: Safety
Yes86%Check Price
Read Review

What Are Aerator Shoes?


To best understand aerator shoes, let’s first talk about the aeration process. 

What is aeration?

It is the process of poking holes onto the lawn. This would allow the soil to loosen up, allowing oxygen and water to reach the roots of the grass. 

The process would also allow fertilizers to nourish the roots. 

The thing is:

Compaction of soil could not be avoided. 

Lawns have to endure foot traffic, which causes compaction of the soil. Sometimes, wheels pass through the lawn, too. 

Thatching also happens on lawns. 

Basically

Aerator shoes are footwear that have spikes on them to poke some holes on the lawn for aeration. 

More often, aerator shoes are not really shoes. They are just contraptions that are attached to your regular shoes to do the aeration process.


What Do They Do?


Aeration using aerator shoes is very simple. You basically just need to put it on and just walk around your lawn. 

It’s a simple way of aerating the soil. You get to sweat it out, too, which is always good for your health.

How it works:

When you walk onto the lawn, the solid spikes will poke holes into the ground. These holes will serve as the oxygen packets for the lawn. 

Usually, the spikes are around two inches long. The thickness is around an eighth of an inch. 

Actually

When you really think about it, the aerator shoes look like sandals with nails on them. 

The aerator shoes have straps that are adjustable. This way, you can adjust them properly no matter what shoes you are actually wearing–from sneakers to working boots. 

Important reminder:

Always wear shoes when using the aerator shoes. It’s dangerous when you are barefoot aerating the lawn with the shoes. 

They are pretty uncomfortable to the skin, too. 

Here’s the deal:

There are so many ways to aerate the lawn. You can hire someone to do it for you, or you could use a lawn aerator. 

Aerator shoes are cheaper than lawn aerators.

This is not the only way to aerate soil but this is definitely the simplest way. At least, you don’t have to push a lawn aerator around the lawn. 

Plus!

It keeps you fit. You might have to walk the entire lawn multiple times just to make sure you have sufficient holes for proper drainage and to prevent thatching. 

I would suggest strapping on your fitness watch so that you could count your steps and calories lost while walking around. 

When is the best time to aerate?

That would be in the spring or in the fall. It should be before the period of really high growth. 

Important note:

While they are called aerator shoes, they can also be used for re-seeding.


How to Choose Aerator Shoes


Now that you know what aerator shoes are, it’s time to look at the details. 

What should you look for in aerator shoes?

Size

Most aerator shoes are actually one-size-fits-all. They have adjustable straps so it could fit your size and no matter what shoes you are using. 

But it’s still something to look at since there are always people who have either too small feet or too large ones. 

Also related to size:

Length of spikes

Of course, the longer the length, the farther the reach into the ground.

They are usually just two inches long. 

Straps

You want a tight fit when it comes to your aerator shoes. You don’t want to keep on slipping while working.

So, you need to look at the straps if they provide a snug fit.

Weight

The thing is, you will be walking the entire lawn in order to properly aerate it. You might even have to cover the area twice or thrice.

You definitely want something light on your feet or you will feel like walking with weights. You want lighter aerator shoes, for sure, since it will be your weight that will push down the spikes. 

Comfort

Generally, aerator shoes are not comfortable. It’s not really for you but for your lawn. However, some are more comfortable than others. 

Still, comfort is an important consideration. 

Price

This definitely matters! You need to look at the price and see if it’s within your budget. 

To know more about aerator shoes and other ways to aerate your lawn manually, check out this video:


Editor’s Note

Steve

I hope you love the products that I recommend here! Just so you know, I work with Amazon and other affiliate partners and may be compensated from the links below.

Read full details here.


The Best Aerator Shoes 2022


#1 Gardzen Lawn Aerator Spike Shoes


BEST FOR…
Value for money

Product Spec

Dimensions: 11.8” x 5.1”
Spike length: 2”
Number of nails: 26
One-year warranty
PRICE: $

Lawn aerator shoes

A lightweight product that looks really cool? Count me in!

The Gardzen Lawn Aerator Spike Shoes look really lovely. But don’t let that fool you because it’s highly functional as well. 

What’s in the package?

A pair of these shoes come with a total of 26 galvanized iron nails and the corresponding nuts. There are also 26 washers. 

There are also four straps and four adjustable buckles. 

Yep!

You have to assemble it yourself. But not to worry, it comes with a wrench, too. It’s pretty easy to put together. 

It’s ergonomically designed, too. There is a bit of height at the back part, around 1.4 inches, which serves as a stopper so that your feet won’t slip. 

Look

The shoes will stay firmly on your feet. Aside from the stopper, the buckles are adjustable and are not easy to fall off. 

Oh, and more importantly–they are very affordable!

What’s not to like?

Obviously, the fact that you have to assemble these shoes is a bit annoying. Although, they are really very simple to assemble. 

All in all

These are good-looking aerator shoes that function well that are also very affordable. This product is definitely a value-for-money option.


MY RATING: 95%


Pros

  • Beautiful
  • Ergonomically designed
  • Snug fit
  • Easy to wear
  • Affordable
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty.

Cons

  • You have to assemble it yourself
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#2 ROSGEL Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those looking for a tight fit.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 13.15” x 5.94” x 4.41”
Spike length: 2.2”
Number of nails: 26
Weight: 2.4 lbs
PRICE: $$

Lawn aerator shoes

You want an aerator that would fit snugly onto your shoed feet. The ROSGEL Lawn Aerator Shoes provide a really tight fit–but not in a bad way. 

They are uniquely designed shoes with crisscrossing nylon straps to ensure that it would be snug no matter the movement. 

What’s in the package?

You have the shoes already assembled. Then you get a small wrench and a shovel, too. 

These complement your aeration process. In case grass and mud gets stuck on the spikes, you can easily remove them with the little fork shovel. 

Let’s talk about the spikes:

Each nail is 2.2 inches. There are 13 spikes per shoe, which is made of stainless steel plate. 

The material makes for a good heel support.

Also

They are pretty versatile. With its adjustable straps, the shoes can be used by people with feet size ranging from six to 10.

It’s comfortable to use for both men and women as well.

Now, the negative part:

You have to be careful not to hit any concrete or stone. The spikes may be deformed. At least, they are quite easy to straighten. 

It could just become annoying. 

To conclude

The fit of these shoes are really great. It makes you more comfortable and confident when you walk around the lawn.


MY RATING: 94%


Pros

  • Unique and ergonomic design
  • Crisscrossing straps for tight fit
  • Good heel support
  • Versatile size
  • Comes with wrench and shovel

Cons

  • Spikes are not very sturdy
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#3 Montville Garden Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those who wear boots for lawn work.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 12.56” x 5.63” x 4.17
Spike length: 2”
Number of spikes: 26
Weight: 2.58 lbs
PRICE: $$$

Lawn aerator shoes

The Montville Garden Lawn Aerator Shoes is a one-size-fits-all tool. However, it’s just perfect when you have working boots on. 

The straps are great! They are self-tightening ladder straps, which are guaranteed to hold your shoes tightly. 

No more slippage!

They also make for a comfortable lawn walk. 

The shoes also come fully assembled. That means that the spikes and nuts are already in place, just as the straps are. 

It’s amazing!

You just take it out of the box and they’re ready to use! They’re quite simple to use as well. 

It comes with tools, too. These tools will help you remove the soil and grass that would inadvertently be stuck on the spikes. 

Some things could be better:

For one, it’s quite heavy. The extra weight may also be the reason why these aerator shoes are more expensive than others.

What’s the verdict?

Sometimes, when products are quite expensive, it’s because they are truly worth it. These are amazing aerator shoes that are simple to use and comfortable to boot.


MY RATING: 93%


Pros

  • Self-tightening ladder straps
  • Great with any kind of shoes
  • Simple to use
  • Comes with tools
  • Comfortable
  • Durable

Cons

  • Quite heavy
  • A bit pricey
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#4 Ohuhu Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those looking for easy-to-strap aerator shoes.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 12.6” x 5.55” x 4.41”
Spike length: 2”
Number of spikes: 26
Weight: 1.94 lbs
PRICE: $$

Lawn aerator shoes

The Ohuhu Lawn Aerator Shoes is trying to make it easy for you. It’s always nice to have a lot of straps on the aerator shoes, right?

This usually means that the shoes will have a snug fit. 

However

It could be quite tiring when you have to strap on or buckle three or four straps. Okay, maybe it’s not that taxing. 

But what if we tell you that you could just fasten once and you still have a pair or aerator shoes that fit snugly?

That’s right!

You have this Ohuhu product to thank for. The straps feature hook and loop fasteners so you can put them on in just one snap and take it off the same way. 

It’s also adjustable so that anyone can use it. It will be comfortable no matter the size of the feet / shoes. 

With straps as complicated as these, it would be head-scratching to install. 

Good thing you don’t need to!

Yep! The shoes are ready to wear with the 26 nails already attached or installed. 

The bottom of the shoes also feature a lug boss to secure the spikes. You don’t want them falling off. 

Moreover

The bottoms also have anti-slip pads so that you won’t slip even if the grass is wet and slippery. 

The shoes have a plastic base and good heel support. It has anti-corrosive properties, too. 

Here’s the problem

Most aerator shoes are really one-size-fits-all. However, these are just too big for small ladies’ feet. 

You could adjust the straps but the shoes aren’t as snug as you want them to be. Plus, it’s quite difficult to walk when it’s not really made for your size. 

In addition

While the convenience of the straps is fantastic, it’s just not as durable as you want them to be. Some stitches would loosen after so many steps. 

Listen:

This is a great product overall. It’s convenient to use and it’s really light. You just need to be a bit more careful when walking so the straps won’t break.


MY RATING: 93%


Pros

  • Convenient straps
  • Anti-slip bottoms
  • Has lug boss to keep spikes secure
  • Good heel support
  • Anti-corrosive properties
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Not for small feet
  • Straps aren’t durable
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#5 Abco Tech Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those who want a more comfortable walk.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 12.68” x 5.91” x 2.17”
Spike length: 1.9”
Number of spikes: 26
Weight: 2.16 lbs
PRICE: $$

Lawn aerator shoes

The Abco Tech Lawn Aerator Shoes is a great alternative to professional aeration service without the major expense. 

With this product, you get great support from its plastic base. 

Then 

Each shoe has 13 pieces of heavy-duty metallic nails. They are pretty sharp too. That makes it easier for them to dig into the soil.

However, you have to know that the nails are not even two inches long. That’s definitely something that you have to think about. 

Back to the good stuff:

These shoes have three adjustable straps and metallic buckles. The buckles are anti-corrosive. 

Once you get it on, it’s easy to move with it. It has an anti-slipping mechanism, too, for a more comfortable walk. 

The set comes with a wrench so that you can easily install the shoes. 

Which leads us to the negative part:

Yes, you need to install the shoes yourself. At least it comes with a wrench?!

All in all, the assembly isn’t really that hard. 

Also

The nails are quite short, as mentioned earlier. Since they are sharp, the situation is quite balanced. Still, the nails could have been longer. 

Listen:

These are really great aerator shoes–comfortable and easy to use. You can use it in tandem with a mower, too.


MY RATING: 92%


Pros

  • Great heel support
  • Very sharp nails
  • Anti-corrosive metal buckles
  • Comfortable to walk on

Cons

  • You have to assemble the shoes
  • Short nails
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#6 Jumbo Varieties Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those looking for lightweight shoes.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 12.4” x 5.7” x 2.1”
Spike length: 2.2”
Number of spikes: 26
Weight: 1.95 lbs
PRICE: $$

Lawn aerator shoes

The Jumbo Varieties Lawn Aerator Shoes are a cheaper and lighter way to keep your lawn healthy.

How much lighter?

Look

These shoes are less than two pounds. They are among the lightest among all aerator shoes. 

At least, if you’re using work boots, your feet wouldn’t have too much weight on them. The name may be Jumbo but they don’t feel jumbo on your feet at all. 

Take note

The usual problem about anything lightweight is durability. It makes sense that if it’s light, then it may not be made of durable materials. 

These aerator shoes are really sturdy. 

Basically

You can see three straps around the shoe. However, this is just one long strap that was smartly designed to keep it comfortable for you. 

You only buckle the shoes once even if it tightens around three areas of your shoes. 

As for the base:

It is made of sturdy plastic. The 13 spikes are rust-proof and industrial-grade. 

It comes with a shovel, too. At least, you have a small piece of equipment that you can use to get rid of the soil or grass that gets stuck on the spikes. 

Unfortunately

You also need to assemble this product. You need to do it right, too, or else the one-strap mechanism of these shoes would not be a point toward an advantage. 

Even worse, walking on these things will need some getting used to. You need great balance if you want it right the first time. 

Finally

These are light aerator shoes that would make your walk a little bit easier. Although, you would need a few tries before you get it right since balance is needed.


MY RATING: 92%


Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Smart one-strap design
  • Industrial-grade nails
  • Comes with a shovel
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Needs assembly
  • You need great balance to use this really well
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#7 FSTSLK Newly Upgraded Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those looking for easy storage.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 13.15” x 5.91” x 2.05”
Spike length: 2.2”
Number of spikes: 26
Weight: 2.42 lbs
PRICE: $$

Lawn aerator shoes

Let’s start with the best part: the FSTSLK Lawn Aerator Shoes comes with an Oxford cloth storage bag.

I know

A bag may seem trivial when it comes to aerating the lawn. However, it’s really quite convenient that you have a bag just for your aerator shoes. 

Many people would just drop the aerator shoes in the storage cabinet without too much thought about it. A lot of soil would be left on the ground. 

At least, with this bag, you will always have a place for the shoes. 

Enough about the bag

The shoes have 26 pieces 2.2-inch spikes–13 on each shoe. Just a note, in order for this product to work really well, the lawn should be wet. 

It works well at making sure there is proper drainage on the lawn to make it healthier. 

About the base:

It is made of upgraded polymeric materials, which are known to be sturdier than plastic. 

There are also anti-slip stripes on the base to ensure that you won’t slip while aerating the lawn. 

Moving on

The straps are made of nylon canvas and you can choose from six lengths. It also comes with metal buckles so that they won’t break under pressure. 

So, what could be the problem?

Well, you have to assemble the shoes and the instructions are not very clear. They are difficult to follow. It’s just so inconvenient. 

Plus, the straps just keep getting loose. It’s so annoying. 

The worst part?

It’s not that easy to walk on. I still haven’t figured out why but it takes a lot of getting used to. 

Should you buy this product?

If you have the patience to put it all together while also getting used to how to walk with it, then you should! It’s a great buy that is really efficient at aerating the lawn. 

The Oxford bag is a nice addition to the package as well. 


MY RATING: 88%


Pros

  • Efficient
  • Made of upgraded polymeric materials
  • Comes with a storage bag
  • Features anti-slip base
  • Nylon canvas straps feature six lengths

Cons

  • Instructions are hard to follow
  • Straps keep getting loose
  • Hard to get used to
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#8 Oiuros Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those who want to aerate and mow the lawn at the same time.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 12.5” x 5.3” x 2”
Spike length: 2.2”
Number of spikes: 26
Weight: 2.9 lbs
PRICE: $$

Lawn aerator shoes

The Oiuros Lawn Aerator Shoes are the perfect partner to a lawn mower. 

What does this mean?

You can wear the shoes comfortably while also mowing the lawn. It’s always preferable to mow your lawn before aerating. 

At least now, you can do it one after the other. 

Great build

The base is made of plastic. The heel part is quite comfortable and is actually a great support especially when you are already walking around the lawn. 

There are 13 pieces of 2.2-inch nails on each shoe. 

Here’s something fantastic about it:

There are four adjustable straps with metal buckles. They keep the shoes truly snug, so you don’t have to worry about slipping. 

The metal buckles are also good because they are sturdy. They are anti-corrosive, by the way. 

More than that

The set comes with three shovels that will help you remove soil and other matters that get stuck on the nails. 

The shoes are durable, too. That’s always a good characteristic.

As for the not-so good part

You need to assemble this thing by yourself. That’s always quite annoying. Plus, the instructions on these aerator shoes aren’t very clear. 

There is also a major problem with the straps. They are supposed to be good at providing a tight fit, but they always snap off. 

By the way

They are also quite heavy.

So, what’s the verdict?

This is a good pair of aerator shoes, but it could be better–especially when it concerns the straps.


MY RATING: 86%


Pros

  • Good heel support
  • Anti-corrosive metal buckles
  • Comes with 4 shovels
  • Durable

Cons

  • Needs to be assembled and instructions were not clear
  • Straps need improvement
  • Heavy
Check availability

Back to top ↑


#9 Punchau Lawn Aerator Shoes


BEST FOR…
Those looking for safety, at least for the ankles.

Product Spec

Dimensions: 12.36” x 5.55” 4.29”
Spike length: 2”
Number of spikes: 26
Weight: 2.51 lbs
PRICE: $$

Lawn aerator shoes

More often, aerator shoes are not easy to work with. You might slip and hurt yourself.

The Punchau Lawn Aerator Shoes want to make something safer for the users. The brand added an ankle support strap design.

What’s the point of this?

This adds stability. It also makes sure that you won’t slip. 

Aside from the ankle straps, the shoes also come with three regular straps to keep your feet in place. 

They are also adjustable to make sure that the shoes fit all shoe sizes–male or female.

Next

Just like most aerator shoes, these have 13 pieces of two-inch spikes. They are made of stainless steel.

Unlike most

These aerator shoes don’t actually like wet ground. More often, aerator shoes prefer wet lawn because the spikes can easily penetrate the ground. 

However, you will get large clumps of soil when you have a wet lawn. It’s quite annoying. 

Moreover

The straps are very hard to tighten. 

Get this:

These are good-enough aerator shoes that are not expensive. They have ankle straps, too, that are quite unique when it comes to aerator shoes.


MY RATING: 86%


Pros

  • Features ankle support strap
  • Features strong soles for durability
  • Comes with strong metal buckles

Cons

  • Straps are hard to tighten
  • Big clumps of soil stick to the spikes
Check availability

Back to top ↑


In Summary


These are nine of the best aerator shoes in the market–some are better than others. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to aerate your soil. You can do it yourself with any of these fantastic aerator shoes:

Best Value for Money Aerator Shoes

It has to be the Gardzen Lawn Aerator Spike Shoes. They are so affordable and the brand offers a warranty too. Not to mention, it works just as you need it to work.

Best Aerator Shoes for a Tight Fit

It’s important that your shoes are snug, so you won’t slip. You definitely need the ROSGEL Lawn Aerator Shoes for that.

Best Aerator Shoes for Comfort

Aerator shoes are not the most comfortable thing to wear on your feet. However, the Abco Tech Lawn Aerator Shoes are the most comfortable ones in the market. 

Best Lightweight Aerator Shoes

The Jumbo Varieties Lawn Aerator Shoes are the lightest in the market. It makes your aeration walks easier. 

Best Aerator Shoes for Easy Storage

Not that aerator shoes are complicated to store, but the FSTSLK Lawn Aerator Shoes come with its own bag. 


Spread the love

Leave a Comment