Top 10 Welding Gloves for TIG, MIG & Stick 2021

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Welding Buddy Experts

March 22, 2021
welding gloves

Welding machines can burn as hot as 3,500°C to 8,000°C; thus, the need to wear a pair of welding gloves while you work. While the market doesn’t have a shortage of welding work gloves, you must pick the right one to avoid common dangers such as skin burns, radiation, and electrical shock.

We've compiled a list of the best welding gloves suitable for different welding processes. Check out our list below.

Rapicca Leather Forge Welding Gloves

  • Material: Genuine Cowhide Split Leather
  • Weight: 1.15 pounds
  • Size: 16 inches
RAPICCA Leather Forge Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

Rapicca Leather Forge welding gloves are extremely flame and heat resistant. This pair of long welding gloves is 16 inches in length and can protect your forearm from heat, flames, and sparks. 

Its fingers, palms, elbow, and back have double reinforced Kevlar padding. This material protects you from tears, punctures, and cuts.

This pair of welding gloves is made from authentic cowhide, known for being flame resistant and durable. It has an inner cotton lining, which absorbs sweat and adds comfort while welding.

Steiner 21923-L MIG Gloves

  • Material: Cowhide leather
  • Weight: 1.15 pounds
  • Size: 23 inches
Steiner 21923-L Welding Gloves

If you're looking for MIG welding gloves that offer maximum protection, choose the Steiner 21923-L. It has superb coverage of about 23 inches in length, reaching past your elbow.

The glove can fit larger hands but is not the most comfortable due to the interior’s stiff canvas material. However, it does feature a ThermoCore foam-insulated back with an inner cotton lining that protects you from heat and offers ease in handling.

Steiner 21923-L also doesn't easily come undone while you’re using it since it has welted fingers and seams. With these MIG welding gloves, you get great construction quality at an affordable price.

Caiman 1878-5 Welding Gloves

  • Material: Deerskin
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Size: 21 inches
Caiman 1878-5 Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

Caiman 1878-5 welding gloves have a unique 3D design that molds your hand's natural shape with the correct finger alignment. This feature helps you complete welds efficiently without wearing the gloves and yourself out.

It is 21 inches in length and made from deerskin. The suppleness and sturdiness of the material provide the right amount of dexterity, flexibility, and protection for its wearer.

Caiman 1878-5 is primarily built for stick welding. So you don't have to worry about the molten metal splashing into your hands while you're working. 

Tillman 875L Welding Gloves

  • Material: Elkskin
  • Weight: 0.6 pound
  • Size: 15 inches
Tillman 875L Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

Tillman 875L is made from premium top-grain elkskin, which feels very soft and supple. Thus, it provides comfort and dexterity.

Although this pair of TIG welding gloves is virtually thin, it is highly resistant to heat stiffening and shrinkage. You can weld for long durations without getting burned.

The only downside is that it’s relatively costlier compared to similar-featured gloves. Yet, you will get a long-lasting pair of Tillman welding gloves that don't wear or tear easily—totally worth it!

NKTM Heat/Wear-Resistant Welding Gloves

  • Material: Cowhide leather
  • Weight: 1.15 pounds
  • Size: 16 inches
NKTM Heat Wear Resistant Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

NKTM welding gloves are heat and wear-resistant with a premium cowhide leather make. It can protect you from heat, flames, sparks, and rough objects.

You can also use them for several other applications such as gardening, camping, and fireplace maintenance. With a versatility that knows no bounds, it offers protection when handling any difficult task. 

This pair of leather work gloves for welding has canvas and cotton lining, making it gentle on the hands. It also provides added comfort and heat resistance.

US Forge 400 Welding Gloves

  • Material: Leather
  • Weight: 0.7 pound
  • Size: 14 inches
US Forge 400 Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

The US Forge 400s are used for Stick and MIG welding and possess excellent flexibility and versatility. It is perfect for heavy-duty work and can handle extreme heat.

It can help protect you from extreme temperatures, small spatters, and plasma. You can wear this pair of leather welding gloves for extended work sessions without burning out or experiencing hand fatigue.

This pair provides excellent hand dexterity for when you are working on something intricate or complicated. It also has great insulation properties and won't break the bank when you buy two or more. 

Lincoln Electric K2979 Welding Gloves

  • Material: Cowhide
  • Weight: 0.76 pound
  • Size: 14 inches
Lincoln Electric K2979 Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

Lincoln Electric K2979 is traditional MIG or Stick welding gloves. It's made of cowhide, a material that is highly flame and heat resistant. These gloves also do a great job protecting you from common welding burns.

It's ultra-lightweight and gives you so much comfort and movement. An added comfort is the cotton lining that quickly absorbs moisture and promotes breathability.

Lincoln Electric K2979 is fully stitched with Kevlar making it insusceptible to wear and tear. For added durability, the thumb pads are reinforced with a leather strap.

Miller 271888 Welding Gloves

  • Material: Pigskin
  • Weight: 0.65 pound
  • Size: 13 inches
Miller 271888 Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

Durable with rugged construction. This is how customers mostly describe the Miller 271888 welding gloves. These welding gloves are made for Stick and MIG welders.

The inside of this pair of welding gloves has a fleece liner with foam. Materials that prevent bruises and promote a secure fit. It also features a "keystone" design, making the fingers pre-curved, providing extra dexterity and comfort.

However, the gloves build up heat when used for more extended periods. You will need to pause for a while to cool off the gloves' outer layer.

Lincoln K2981-L TIG Gloves

  • Material: Goatskin leather
  • Weight: 0.3 pound
  • Size: not specified
Lincoln K2981-L Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

Lincoln K2981-L is made from goatskin leather. Although goatskin material construction is not that durable, it is still sturdy and has top-notch abrasion.

This pair is one of the most flexible TIG welding gloves in the market. Combining superior dexterity and pliability, the Lincoln K2981-L almost feels like your very own hand when you wear it. The gloves are designed with Kevlar stitching, which makes up for its not-so-durable structure. Plus, it has an extra piece of leather inside its thumb seams.

Tillman 1338 Welding Gloves

  • Material: Goatskin leather
  • Weight: 0.01 pound
  • Size: 12 inches
Tillman 1338 Welding Gloves
Screengrab from: Amazon

These might be the lightest Tillman welding gloves you will ever encounter, weighing only 0.01 pounds or 0.16 ounces. Tillman 1338 welding gloves are made from top-grain goatskin and available at an affordable price.

The goatskin leather gives you great dexterity. It also provides excellent flame resistance and abrasion. This pair of TIG welding gloves have a 4" cuff for added protection.

Tillman 1338 also features an exclusive Glide Patch on the side of the palm that provides additional heat resistance. For added endurance, the gloves are stitched with DuPont Kevlar thread.

Bonus: How to Choose the Right Welding Gloves

According to the Industrial Safety & Hygiene News (ISHN), here are the questions you should ask yourself when purchasing a pair of welding gloves suitable for you:

  • What type of welding process will you be doing? Is it for MIG, TIG, or Stick welding?
  • Do you need a glove stitched with Kevlar thread?
  • Do you need protection from UV rays or radiation?
  • What type of insulation do you need?

Once you have these four questions answered, you can now make an informed decision in purchasing the best welding gloves. Don't just consider the brand and price. Make sure it will be worth your money and can protect you while you weld.

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