Choosing the Right Welding Gloves

The right welding gloves are of the utmost importance to a welder. You might just think any old gloves will do, but they certainly will not! The right welding gloves will actually make a huge difference in your welding speed, ability and safety, with the best welding gloves combining flexibility, durability, and heat resistance.

The type of welding work you do dictates which glove is best. Here's a look at the different varieties of leather welding gloves and their ideal usage.

To start, welding gloves are made from top grain leather. The top grain is a high quality leather taken from the "top" of the animal hide and are preferred for their soft, smooth, thin material. The top grain leather also enables you to have more control and movement. The alternative to top grain leather is split leather, or suede. Suede is much thicker and provides more protection; however, it is at the expense of sacrificing flexibility.

TIG Welding - TIG welding produces the least heat, and is typically used for precise welding projects and thin metal. Because of this, goatskin gloves are ideal. Another important feature, ensure your TIG glove is Kevlar thread to provide additional heat resistance. Also, a glove lined with wool or cotton-foam can provide more protection than a glove lined with cotton.

MIG Welding – MIG welding creates a moderate amount of heat and splatters. Therefore, top-grain cowhide, goatskin, or deerskin, especially those with fleece lining, are good choices. As a bonus, top-grain deerskin has the added advantage of molding to your hand over time.

Stick Welding – Thick gloves that provide the most protection from heat and splatter are mandatory. Top-grain pigskin, elk skin or cowhide split gloves are recommended most for their superior protection.

At U.S.WeldingSupply.com, we’ve got your hands covered, literally. Our leather welding gloves from Tillman, Steiner, Miller and Lincoln conform to your hand comfortably so that you can move and maneuver when needed.