We tested multiple different brands to assemble a list of the best leather welding gloves available. We favored leather welding gloves made for one of the four primary welding types and general household and workshop use. We preferred gloves with features like kevlar stitching and extra padding in key areas for maximum protection and durability and which were built with dexterity in mind without sacrificing protective qualities. Leather welding gloves are some of the top-rated tools to invest in if you are a welder.
Of the leather welding gloves we tried, Rapicca Leather Welding Gloves are the best. We chose them because of their four-layer, ultra-protective design, extra arm coverage, comfortable, moisture-wicking cotton inner layer, and high level of dexterity. Keep reading to see more high-quality leather welding gloves available for purchase.
Top 7 Best Leather Welding Glove
#1 Rapicca Leather Forge Welding Gloves
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Four-layer heat protection, with an air-isolated aluminum foil layering, and offers more arm coverage than many while being comfortable and brightly-colored for workroom safety.
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- 1’4” from tip to end for added spark protection
- Made for SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW welding styles
- Kevlar-insulated cotton and air-isolated aluminum foil layering
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- Thick design provides slightly less maneuverability than some
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Rapicca Leather Forge Welding Gloves are high dexterity welding gloves that feature four-layers of heat protection- an out layer of reinforced Kevlar Double leather padding, followed by flame retardant cotton, air-isolated aluminum foil, and an insulated cotton lining for protection from temperatures up to 932 degrees. They’re recommended for use in SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW welding, and we found their inner layer very comfortable and breathable for long periods of use. The best motorcycle gloves will also aid in comfortable cruising with maximum protection.
We loved the amount of heat protection their ultra-thick, four-layer design provided, but we did find it provided slightly less maneuverability than some other gloves. However, the extra-long 16” sleeve provided a noticeable amount of extra protection from heat and sparks, and their ultra-durable, long-lasting, super-comfortable construction provides some of the best protection for multiple types of welding available. And for protection while you do your dishwashing and other home and garden tasks, we have reviewed the best rubber gloves for you.
#2 Lincoln Electric Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Tough Kevlar threads make them durable and long-lasting and inner sock provides maximum comfort while still providing excellent heat and hazard resistance.
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- Thumb pad for added durability
- Twill cotton liner wicks moisture off hands during work
- Made for (SMAW), (GMAW), (FCAW) welding styles
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- Slightly less heat resistance than some
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Lincoln Electric Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves are made of heat and flame resistant cowhide and are recommended SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW welding styles. We loved the super-comfortable twill cotton inner lining and found it kept sweat and other moisture from building up on hands during testing. We also appreciated the built-in thumb pads, which add extra durability to high-wear areas.
While safely tested for use in most welding applications, they do provide slightly less heat resistance than the top gloves we tested, but this won’t be an issue for most users. For ultra-comfortable, sweat-proof, durable, and long-lasting welding gloves with a stylish look, they’re an excellent choice. Just like the best weight lifting gloves that offer comfort, protection, and support during workouts.
#3 US Forge 400 Lined Leather Welding Gloves
Award: MOST COMFORTABLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Offers good protection with extra thumb padding for high durability, while an ultra-soft, moisture-wicking lining provides maximum comfort.
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- Foam inner layer reduces hand strain
- Locked stitching for added durability
- Extra-long at 15”
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- Not suitable for extreme temperatures
- No specific welding type recommendation
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US Forge 400 Welding Gloves are made with 100% cowhide leather and feature locked kevlar stitching. Through testing we found the extra thumb padding improved durability considerably in addition to the locked stitching. We also found that foam middle lining was excellent at reducing hand strain over long jobs and that the ultrasoft cotton inner lining kept moisture off the skin for maximum comfort. The kind of comfort you’re looking for when shopping for the best baseball gloves.
We did find that the lack of recommended welding types and a lower threshold for heat resistance than many on our list meant that these gloves would best be suited for more casual, lower temperature work, especially where comfort and durability are more desired than protection from extreme heat.
#4 Revco GM1611 Top Grain Leather Cowhide MIG Welding Gloves
Award: MOST DURABLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Triple-reinforced, kevlar stitched throughout and featuring multiple drag patches for extra protection. They are purpose-built for long life at high temperatures.
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- Double-padded digits
- Side drag patch and wrist rest patch for further accident-proofing
- Built for MIG welding
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- Offer slightly less dexterity and maneuverability than some
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Revco GM1611 Leather Welding Gloves are made for all MIG welding type applications and are made with 100% grain and split cowhide leather with Kevlar stitching throughout. We found that the thick double padding on the thumb, palm, and index finger and the drag patches on the sides and wrist significantly increased durability over frequent use for long periods at high temperatures.
We also found the inner cotton lining to be comfortable, but that the overall bulkiness of the extra padding and drag patches didn’t allow for quite the dexterity and maneuverability of some similar gloves. Regardless, their extreme durability, comfort, and high heat resistance make them a heavy-duty option for all MIG welding applications.
#5 Inno Stage Leather Welding Gloves
Award: MOST VERSATILE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Lightweight with extra long sleeves and a comfortable cotton lining, they offer enough protection for standard MIG welding and many other workshop and household uses.
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- Can withstand temps up to 662 degrees
- Lightweight at 13oz
- Extra padding on palm for added protection
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- No heavy-duty stitching
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Inno Stage Leather Welding Gloves are 100% cowhide leather MIG welding and general use gloves with a soft cotton inner lining, an extra-long 16” sleeve, and extra padding in the palms for protection from sharp edges. We found the wing thumb design added a great deal of maneuverability compared to many similar gloves. We also loved the added hook tabs for easy hanging on workshop hooks.
Though recommended for all standard MIG welding jobs and rated for up to 662 degrees, we found them unsuitable for other kinds of welding and working with more extreme heat. The lack of heavy-duty Kevlar stitching also means they may be less durable than some. However, their comfortable inner cotton lining, lightweight, good general protection, and high maneuverability makes them excellent not only for MIG welding, but for a large variety of other uses including animal handling, fireplace and BBQ, disposal of sharp or dangerous materials, and more.
#6 Olson Deepak Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves
Award: BEST FOR SMALL HANDS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Slender fitting and comfortable, with oil and puncture-resistant outer layer and soft cotton inner lining that offers good heat protection for smaller hands.
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- Puncture and oil-resistant
- Slender 6” hand and 7” sleeve width
- Rated for heat resistance up to 662°
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- No specific welding type recommendation
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Olson Deepak Leather Welding Gloves are 100% cowhide leather and cotton heat-resistant welding and general-purpose gloves. With a length of 14” from tip to end of sleeve, and a width of 6” in the hand and 7” in the sleeve, we found them a great fit for smaller hands while still being comfortable and offering good dexterity. In tests, their 1.2mm thick outer layer proved both oil and puncture-resistant, and the inner cotton liner kept sweat and moisture off the skin for comfort over long periods of use.
Though rated for use with temperatures up to 662 degrees, they’re not recommended for any specific welding type, and though they’d likely be suitable for most MIG welding applications, they may not be safe for handled objects at extreme temperatures. They’re an excellent glove for smaller hands that provide comfort and protection for MIG welding and a large variety of other household and workplace jobs like grilling, fireplace tending, and brush removal. However, if you need to regularly clean your lawn then you should find the best leaf blower.
#7 QeeLink Fireproof Leather Welding Gloves
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Wing-thumb design allows for good dexterity, with a solid, durable construction and a comfortable cotton lining. This is a budget-friendly choice that still offers a good amount of protection.
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- Canvas sleeves for added spark protection
- Reinforced thumb padding
- Kevlar stitching increases life and durability
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- Offer slightly less dexterity than some
- No specific welding type rating or recommendation
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QeeLink Leather Welding Gloves are 100% cowhide gloves with a comfortable cotton inner lining and a canvas sleeve. We appreciated their reinforced thumb padding and their locked kevlar stitching for added durability and protection, and we found canvas sleeves provide good coverage from sparks and other such hazards. You may also want to check out the best levels if you need to work on a flat surface.
Although no specific welding type is recommended by the manufacturer, we found they offered a good deal of heat protection for MIG-type welding applications and additional applications like gardening and animal handling. We also found that their construction offered slightly less dexterity than some similar gloves, but for general purpose protection against heat, sharp objects, and dangerous chemicals, as well as MIG welding use, they’re a comfortable, durable pair of leather welding gloves at an amazing value.
How We Decided
We preferred high dexterity welding gloves with outer layers made of 100% cowhide leather that are recommended and/or rated for use with one of the four standard welding types (MIG, SMAW, TIG, FCAW) and which are generally built to be heat resistant. We also preferred gloves with soft, moisture-wicking cotton inner linings for maximum comfort over long periods of use at high temperatures.
We liked gloves that have kevlar stitching or otherwise flame and extreme-heat resistant stitching, for long-lasting durability against heat, flame, chemical exposure, and other common types of damage.
We also preferred gloves that were built for uses besides welding such as animal handling, brush clearing, picking up harmful or dangerous materials like broken glass, and other protection-requiring household and workshop uses.
Finally, we liked gloves that offered maximum digit articulation or dexterity during use without sacrificing protective qualities, with features like extra padding in key areas and thin layers of ultra-protective material between softer, more maneuverable or lightweight materials. Additionally, we avoided gloves made from non-cowhide leather materials like elk skin.
Best Leather Welding Gloves Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Fits Well
A good fit is as important as the level of protection your welding gloves offer. Gloves that are too tight will limit dexterity and articulation, and gloves that are too loose can make handling some delicate and heavy objects precarious, as hands will slip inside the glove during use. Gloves that provide plenty of protection without being too bulky will offer you the most versatility and usability, but comfort is also an important consideration if you’re using them for long periods of time- look for gloves with soft, moisture-wicking inner linings- preferably cotton. - Dexterity
Although the first job of welding gloves is to protect you from heat and flame, they won’t be nearly as useful if they severely restrict maneuverability inside the glove- a TIG welder requires fairly delicate movement much of the time, for example. Most leather welding gloves are built with this factor in mind, fortunately. Look for gloves that feature extra padding in key contact areas but leave some areas of movement more flexible, or gloves whose materials are constructed to offer maximum flexibility while still retaining acceptable levels of protection. - Welding Types
Although few leather welding gloves are recommended for usage with all four, it’s a good idea to make sure that the gloves you buy are actually recommended for at least one of the four standard types of welding. These are Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG), Gas Tungsten Arc Gas Welding (TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), or Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW). Any purpose-built leather welding glove will state in its description which types of welding it’s recommended for. Also keep in mind that the best welding gloves for TIG may not be the best for FCAW, and so forth- be sure to know your needs ahead of time before making a purchase.
