Ultimate Review Of Best Welding Gloves In 2023

best welding gloves

Welder protection is essential to prevent dangerous skin burns, and having the right welding glove can make a tremendous difference in your welding safety.

The best welding gloves will protect your hands from exposure from the safety hazard elements, including flying sparks from high speed plasma cutters, spatter, UV radiation, and electrical hazards.

That said, these welding safety gloves are equally important as the equipment you're welding, and so when investing in a welding glove, you similarly also need to look for the right balance of flexibility, comfort, heat resistance and protection. 

To ease the selection process, we've compiled a list of the top 5 welding gloves in the market that will provide you with all-around safety protection, and hopefully, you'll find one that fits your needs.

Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick!

This as you would expect from us is an EPIC post so grab a coffee before you start  and see how we cut through every product and review it with precision. IF YOU ARE SHORT ON TIME and just need to know the results of our reviews , CHECK THE RESULTS TABLE BELOW!

PRODUCT NAME

Material Construction

Weight

Purpose?

Stitching

BUY NOW

Top-Grain Goat Leather

4.8 oz

TIG

Kevlar - x3

Cowhide

12.2 oz

MIG/Stick

Kevlar - x3

Elkskin

9.8 oz

All-around

Kevlar - x3

Other Great Recommendations

Deer split palm

16 oz

Stick

Kevlar - x3

Cowhide

-

MIG/TIG

Kevlar - x3

The Best Welding Gloves In The Market For The Money

welding gloves review

Lincoln K2981-L Grain Leather TIG Welding Gloves - Best For TIG Welding

If you're a welding enthusiast and in search of a Lincoln glove, then I would much recommend this pair.

While it might not be as thick as other welding gloves on our list, it's a perfect option for TIG welding, which doesn't involve the production of a lot of heat, spatter and sparks.

Lincoln K2981-L

Material Construction (Top-Grain Goat Leather)

Lincoln K2981-L boasts of top-grain goat leather construction. 

Admittedly, however, goat leather isn't the most durable material for gloves, but you'll love the superior abrasion and tensile strength on this glove.

Another good thing with the goatskin material construction is how sturdy it feels, for added safety protection.

Dexterity

The dexterity on this glove is what probably separates it from the rest and underlines its suitability as a TIG welding glove.

Remember that TIG welding requires precision, and I'm glad this Lincoln glove is quite flexible, and the pliability is simply on another level.

When in use, this glove feels like an extension of your hand, and you'll feel as if you're working on your weld on bare hands.

However, this comes at a cost; while it's possible to work on various welding projects, the gloves are thin, and I wouldn't advise usage on the MIG projects.

In any case, the leather starts stiffening up real quick, hands movements start stiffening up, and you're likely to burn yourself.

Durable

Understandably, some of you already have an impression of a frail glove on the Lincoln, but in reality, it's functional and durable safety gear.

The presence of high-strength Kevlar stitching, for instance, prevents the seams for failing and, at the same time, bolstering the overall durability of this glove.

Furthermore, the fortification of the thumb seams with an extra piece of leather helps to prevent wear on the thumbs.

Pros

  • Ideal for TIG projects
  • Lightweight and comfy
  • Durable

Con

  • Minimum heat protection

Check Lincoln K2981-L Price On Amazon

Lincoln K2979-ALL Electric Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Glove - Best for MIG Welding

When looking for the best MIG welding gloves, you need something that will provide you with full protection, and at the same time, maintaining comfort and ease of use.

This is what the Lincoln Electric welders gloves offers plus much more.

Like its sibling, the Lincoln K2981-L, the Lincoln K2979-ALL is quite a functional safety gear that comes with all the necessary features you require for all-around safety protection. 

Lincoln K2979-ALL

Material construction (Cowhide)

The Cowhide construction on the Lincoln K2979 promises plenty of safety benefits, including excellent heat resistance and flame resistance.

When in use, Lincoln K2979 easily blocks the fire and heat and will protect your wrist and hand from spatter, flames and sparks while also providing heat resistance.

No-Tearing

Lincoln K2979 is built with industrial-grade durability, and generally speaking, each piece of the Lincoln K2979 feels like a rock-solid piece.

Some of the features that are critical in promoting the durability of this glove include the robust Kevlar threading on the liner that makes the Lincoln K2979 less likely to crack even after long term usage in hot 

Further, for added strength, the stress points, such as the thumb pads have been lined with an extra layer of leather to extend the life of the glove

Indeed, the durability on this glove is premium, and if anything, Lincoln K2979 takes a beating without compromising its structural integrity.

Comfort

With their bulkiness and strength, you might get tempted to thinking this Lincoln glove is not comfortable.

In reality, they're a cinch to use, and many of the welders were impressed by the overall comfort.

Notably, the interior of this glove features a cotton lining, which promotes breathability, and so, your hands are less likely to get sweaty.

Additionally, these gloves are large, so you'll have an easier time putting them on without feeling too tight.

For those with the smaller hand, you don't have to worry either because the presence of the sock lining in the gloves fills in the space while adding more friction for the perfect fit.

Full Protection

The 5-Inch cuffs are extra long, and will perfectly cover your wrists against molten metal from splashing into your hands.

The only gripe I found with this glove is the lack of dexterity, especially compared to the TIG welding gloves (Lincoln K2981-L). In my opinion, though, it's not a defect, especially considering that it offers an above-average performance at a reasonable price.

Pros

  • Full protection
  • Solid
  • Comfort

Cons

  • Lacks dexterity

Check Lincoln K2979-ALL Price On Amazon

Tillman 875L - Best All-Around

If the Lincoln K2979-L was the Lamborghini of welding, the Tillman 875L is the Bentley.

Both of these models are premium welding options, and though they've distinctive differences, their overall performance is largely more or less similar.

Tillman 875L

Material

Tillman 875L is uniquely designed from Elkskin, a material that effectively combined the properties and benefits of cowhide, but with higher resistance to heat shrinkage and stiffening.

Most of the leather experts often claim that top-grain elk has the best heat and tear resistance, and the Tillman will provide you with all-around protection for the ultimate safety solution.

If the reviews are anything to go by, it's unreal how heat resistant these gloves are for how thin they are.

And unlike a majority of the gloves that often lead the development of enormous burn blisters, the Tillman doesn't cause any effects, and you can weld for hours on end without any burn.

Multipurpose

Tillman is an all-around safety gear option and will efficiently serve well in almost any use case.

The Elk skin's resistance to hardening, for instance, makes them an ideal solution for TIG welding, while the ability to withstand high temperatures, on the other hand, gives you the benefit of superior heat protection for MIG welding.

Durable

Tillman 875L is similarly a durable option that isn't going to wear down any time soon.

The Kevlar stitching is excellent and durable, too, making the Tillman 875L a long-lasting pair of gloves that don't easily tear or wear. 

With the Tillman 875L, it's fortunate you get what you pay for. On that note, these gloves are relatively expensive than similar gloves, but it's well worth for users who perform all types of welding and do not require to swap gloves for a particular welding task.

Pros

  • Multi-purpose
  • Durable
  • Flexible

Cons

  • Tad expensive

Check Tillman 875L Price On Amazon

CAIMAN 1878-5 Glove - Best for Stick Welding

Caiman's leather welding gloves are nothing short of impressive, and their CAIMAN 1878-5 was the first in the industry to sport 21-inches of protection.

The CAIMAN 1878-5 not only excels at proving all-around protection, but it's specially designed to cater to the extreme temperatures of stick welding. 

CAIMAN 1878-5

3-Dimensional Design

The 3-dimensional Design is a groundbreaking technological advancement that helps to maximize the comfort and fit of this glove.

When in use, it allows the gloves to conform to the natural shape of your hand, including the proper finger alignment.

By matching the natural curvature of your hand, you'll be treated to unprecedented comfort and dexterity, and this allows you to work hours on end without getting worn out.

Material Construction

Besides the 3-D Design, the comfort on this glove is further boosted by the deerskin construction.

Unlike other materials, deerskin is quite supple and therefore provides flexibility, dexterity, and fit.

Despite the suppleness, deerskin is incredibly sturdy too, and you can rely on the Caiman for extended welding protection.

Gold Plating

In stick welding, radiant heat is always a major concern, but it shouldn't longer be an issue with the Caiman.

The gold plating on the Caiman does more than add to the aesthetic allure, but it plays a crucial role in reflecting the radiant heat, therefore minimizing the safety risks for the welders.

Versatile

The style on the Caiman is standard, but the coolest thing is it's highly versatile.

Though it's designed for stick welding, it can similarly be used for any other stuff in every type of welding process.

All-Around Protection

One of the distinctive highlights of this glove is the 21-inch extended wrist protection.

I find the extended wrist quite handy, especially in preventing molten metal from splashing into the user's hands.

Additionally, the extended protection increases the versatility and usage of the Caiman: for instance, some of the users claim the gloves are ideal for pruning, or even placing logs on the fire.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Versatile
  • Comfort
  • Can stand up to high temperatures

Cons

  • Heavy

Check CAIMAN 1878-5 Price On Amazon

RAPICCA Leather Forge Welding Gloves - Best for MIG/TIG

Rappica leather forge welding gloves are yet another incredible pair of safety gloves that will provide you with the protection you need for your welding gloves.

They're equally good looking, and though they don't match the aesthetics of the Lincoln Electric, they blue and Yellow colour combination is a candy to the eye.

RAPICCA Leather Forge Welding

Material Construction

Rappica gloves are constructed from premium cowhide leather for the ultimate safety protection.

Cowhide, as we all know, is not only flame-resistant, but it's similarly durable and isn't easily punctured, cut, or torn.

But what interested us was the flame rating of 662f, which, I assume, is the highest temperatures they can accommodate without damaging the gloves. However, in my experience, Rappica can easily protect you from the sudden and quick exposure of even to double the rated temperatures.

Versatile

With such a high-temperature rating, Rapicca is a highly versatile safety glove, and its usage isn't only limited to the TIG and MIG welding, but can similarly be used for other applications such as in a fireplace, stove or glove.

Generally, these gloves are ideal for picking up anything hot, including hot coals, opening BBQ pits and getting skillets out of the oven.

Comfort

The inner lining on the Rapicca is constructed from cotton that helps to promote comfort; the coating increases the overall softness and feel.

Better yet, the cotton lining is sweat-absorbent, and so, when working and sweat builds up, the gloves will absorb these and ensure you get a firm grip on your equipment.

Nonetheless, don't expect to get a lot of dexterity on this product, and in any case, Rappica won't allow you to pick a pencil and start writing quickly. 

Kevlar Padding

The Kevlar padding, alongside double-layered stitching, helps to enhance the overall durability of these gloves.

Combined, these features will bolster the overall durability of this model, and it would be safe to say that the gloves are virtually indestructible.

So, it doesn't matter, whether you're looking forward to work in a furnace, perform some heavy-duty welding, or throw some logs into the campfire, the Rappica glove will work great for any situation.

Extra-Long

With a generous length of 16 inches, and with cuffs measuring 7.5 inches long, these gloves will provide you with superior forearm protection against the splatter, flying debris, welding sparks, and grinding debris.

Pros

  • Full protection
  • Durable
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Loose-fitting

Check RAPICCA Leather Forge Price On Amazon

welding with protective gloves

Best Welding Gloves Buying Guide

In the best welding gloves buying guide below, we shall provide you with some of the general guidelines to match when matching your ideal gloves.

Type

First, things you need to consider the type of welding glove for your use. In most cases, your preferred choice here will be inspired by what you plan to do with the glove.

That said, here are some of the common types of welding gloves in the market;

MIG Welding Gloves

MIG welding gloves, like their name suggest, are ideal for MIG welding.

And as we know, MIG welding often generates immense heat and spatter, so it's desirable to have an extremely thick glove for this process.

However, unlike other forms of welding, MIG welding doesn't necessarily require precision, and so, you should find a glove that promotes comfort and safety, but not necessarily accuracy.

Ideally, look for gloves constructed from top-grain cowhide, deerskin, or goatskin.

TIG Welding Gloves

Unlike the MIG welding, TIG welding usually is precision-oriented, but the good news is it doesn't generate large amounts of heat.

Ideally, TIG gloves should be pliable and created from thin materials that will provide you with the movement and flexibility you desperately need.

Stick Welding Gloves

If you're involved in the stock industry, you can choose t invest in the stick welding gloves.

Here, you'll similarly need a thicker material for your glove as it involves the generation of large amounts of heat. 

Material

Besides the welding purpose, the material used for construction also dramatically determines the types of gloves that will work for you.

Typically, leather is the most commonly used material for glove construction. This option is popular because of its resistance to abrasion, flame, fire, and heat.

However, take note that there're different types of leathers in the market, and they offer varying performance.

The common types of leather include:

Elkin: 

It's the ultimate solution, especially if you're looking for an all-around protection comfort, and performance. 

This material is ideal for the more substantial cuts, and we like it because it naturally moulds on our hands for a comfortable welding experience.

Cowhide/ Split Cowhide: 

Though it's sturdier and tougher than Elkskin, it doesn't have the pliability of the latter.

Nonetheless, it's an ideal choice for MIG welding and offers an incredible protection performance.

Pigskin: 

This material is oil and wet resistance, but not heat resistant. However, it feels incredibly soft and is breathable naturally.

Deerskin:

 Deerskin is supple, and thus offers the perfect fit, dexterity, and fit. It's an ideal option for TIG welding.

Goatskin: 

Goatskin gloves are an ideal solution for those who are looking for abrasion-resistance accompanied by tensile strength.

Like the deerskin, this material is similarly soft and supple, making a perfect fit for the TIG welding.

welder protection gloves.

Conclusion

Generally, welding involves exposing yourself to numerous safety hazards, including flames, fires, sparks, and even molten metal. This is the reason why you need something to protect your hands and forearms from these dangers.

Fortunately, it's easy to do that by investing in the best welding gloves made of high quality. 

And the good news is, we've provided you with a comprehensive list of the best welding gloves in the market along with considerations, details around how a pair of welding gloves are made and other details. Alongside our list, we've also included a welding glove buying guide that will hopefully allow you to make a more informed decision on your next purchase.

FAQs

Are welding gloves easy to use?

The gloves come in different sizes for different users. When you have the correct fit, the gloves are easy to use. Additionally, the gloves need a grip to hold firm. Check the package for further guidelines on how to use the gloves correctly for results. 

Are welding gloves affordable?

Most welding gloves are expensive because of the durable construction and ability to protect your hands when welding. However, other gloves will fit your budget without draining your pockets.

Do welding gloves fit well?

The gloves come in different sizes, so you'll get one that fits your size. We recommend you check the sizing chart to get the perfect fit. If you put on loose gloves, you run the risk of getting blisters after a day's work.

Are welding gloves heat resistant?

Yes, most of the gloves resist heat to a certain level. Ensure you don't introduce flames to the glove as they will burn and harm your hands. Good gloves will withstand high temperatures and protect you from harm.

Current Best Selling Welding Gloves!

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2 comments

Corey Webb June 29, 2020 - 9:46 am

Lincoln K2981-L Grain Leather TIG Welding Gloves are amazing! I am a beginner mig welder. With these gloves my wire feed control during welding is much improved.

Lisa Hayden June 29, 2020 - 10:12 am

Thanks Corey for letting us know. Glad you found our recommendation useful.

Comments are closed.