Welding is a challenging task that demands great skill and precision. It is unsurprising that welders employ various protective gear to ensure their safety. One of the most essential gear for welders is their gloves, as they shield against the intense heat and sparks produced during welding.
With so many options on the market, finding the best welding gloves can be overwhelming. To help you select the ideal pair of gloves, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to the top MIG and Stick welding gloves available.
Our article will provide an in-depth review of the best MIG/Stick gloves and equip you with the knowledge to make an informed purchase. Whether you are a professional welder or a DIY enthusiast, we will aid you in choosing the right gloves to suit your needs.
8 Best Stick Welding and MIG Welding Gloves in 2024
Best MIG / Stick Welding Gloves Overall
1. Revco GM1611 MIG Welding Gloves Review
Pros
• Good heat resistance.
• Available in different sizes.
• Allows dexterity.
• Plant-based.
Cons
• Not water resistant.
• Sizes run small.
The Revco GM1611 Black Stallion MIG Welding Gloves are the top choice for professional welders and hobbyists. These gloves have thick, flexible cowhide on the palms and back with wide cowhide leather cuffs. These leather gloves are 12 inches long.
The Revco GM1611 welding gloves are comfortable for extended work sessions because its insides are lined with full soft cotton.
The gloves also include the trademark Black Stallion reinforced patching, the proprietary drag patch on the side of the glove, and their trademark rest patch on the wrist.
The Revco gloves also feature Kevlar stitching on every seam throughout the whole glove, and this Is important because Kevlar stitching holds up to heat much better and has higher abrasion resistance.
Best MIG / Stick Welding Gloves for The Money
2. Lincoln Electric K2979 Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves Review
Pros
• Heat-resistant gloves.
• Absorbs moisture.
• Lightweight.
• 30-day return guarantee.
Cons
• Available in one size fits all.
• The inner lining sometimes comes loose.
• It does not have straps to hold the gloves in place.
The Lincoln Electric K2979 Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves are favored for daily use by professional fabricators. The Lincoln Electric welding gloves are designed to meet strict quality specifications in order to provide consistent fit and function.
The glove’s exterior is made with high-grade split shoulder cowhide leather, and its interior is lined with soft cotton to withstand and protect against daily exposure to heat, flames, spatter, or sparks. The glove is stitched together by Kevlar threading. A welt, a piece of leather, is used to reinforce each seam of the glove to prevent tears and increase durability.
The cotton hand liner provides heat resistance and comfort, while the cotton twill lining the inside cuff absorbs moisture. The soft cotton hand liner and straight thumb design enhance comfort and fingertip sensitivity. Incorporating an additional thumb pad in high-wear areas increases glove life.
Though they are built for rugged use, they weigh only 14.5 ounces, making them durable yet lightweight welding gloves. The red flame pattern prominent on the black split cowhide leather adds a sense of style.
This glove model is recommended for Stick welding (SMAW), Mig welding (GMAW), Flux-Core welding (FCAW) or other high-temperature applications.
Best MIG / Stick Welding Gloves in Durability
3. Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty MIG/Stick Welding Gloves Review
Pros
• Heavy duty heat resistant.
• Durable.
• Available in three sizes.
• Absorbs sweat.
• Very comfortable.
• 30-day Return guarantee.
Cons
• Somewhat bulky.
The Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty MIG/Stick Welding Gloves have a heavy weight leather construction and multi-layer liner built to withstand and protect against high temperatures.
Designed with meticulous leather specifications, this glove is built to provide excellent heat resistance, durability and safety.
The three-layer FlameSoft design combines premium leather, flame retardant foam and soft flame-retardant cotton. This supremely comfortable design offers excellent heat resistance and unique safety features. The heavy-weight leather can withstand higher temperatures and the internal foam liner is Flame Retardant to protect and extinguish fire or flames.
Stitched with 5 ply Kevlar and reinforced with leather at high wear points and within each seam to withstand long term usage.
The high-grade leather “breaks-in” with usage for improved dexterity, and the fleece and foam hand liner provide a soft air-cushioned feel.
Recommended for Mig welding (GMAW), Stick welding (SMAW), Flux-Core welding (FCAW) or other high-temperature applications.
4. RAPICCA Heat/Fire Resistant Leather Welding Gloves Review
Pros
• Cold and heat resistant.
• Sweat-absorbent and breathable.
• Cut and puncture resistant.
• Comfortable to wear.
Cons
• Offers no dexterity.
RAPICCA Welding Gloves are constructed from 1.5mm thick leather. This soft shoulder split natural cowhide leather is heat-resistant, wear-resistant, puncture-resistant, cut-resistant, and oil resistant.
These gloves have reinforced double leather stitching and high-strength sewing on the finger, palm, elbow & back of the hand, which is not easy to fall off.
These welding gloves offer double-reinforced Kevlar padding on both Fingers, Palms, Elbows & Backs; all sewed with Kevlar stitching, making them hard to fall apart.
These excellent blue MIG and stick welding gloves are capable of providing extremely high heat protection up to 932°F (500℃). The gloves are extra-long with a length of 16 inches and a 7.5 inches long sleeve. This combination helps to protect your forearms from grinding debris, welding sparks, hot coals and open flames, hot kitchenware, and hot steam. This glove is effective even in extreme environments.
The glove’s outermost layer is made of double-layer Kevlar padding leather. And the intermediate layer consists of a high-temperature resistant, air-isolated aluminum foil and a flame-retardant cotton cloth. Its inner layer is made of a 100% soft insulated cotton lining.
All materials are sewn together with a Flame-retardant thread stitching for advanced heat and cold resistance. These gloves are sweat-absorbent, breathable, and allergy free.
These RAPICCA gloves are suitable for Mig welding (GMAW), Stick welding (SMAW), Flux-Core welding (FCAW), forging, or other high-temperature uses.
Best MIG / Stick Welding Gloves in Comfortability and Dexterity
5. Intra-FIT Cowhide MIG Welding Gloves Review
Pros
• Comfortable.
• Allows dexterity.
Cons
The Intra-FIT MIG welding gloves provide 360° heat-resistance protection. In addition to heatproof full-leather fabric, the fleece liner, as an extra heat-resistance layer, gives all-sided protection to your hands, with extra-long cow split leather cuffs to protect your wrists and arms.
The white part of the gloves is made with premium cowhide leather palm, which makes the gloves durable, long-lasting, and heat-resistance. The yellow part of the gloves is reinforced by premium cow split to provide extra wear protection, better grip, and durability.
The gloves are stitched together with Kevlar stitching, increasing durability and guaranteeing long-lasting use. The uniquely designed thumb exactly fits the hand thumb together with the glove thumb, just the same fitting as the other four fingers. These are welding gloves designed for MIG-welding but ensure comfort and flexibility with a well-designed glove structure—less restricted finger movement.
Best MIG / Stick Welding Gloves for Smaller Hands (Women)
6. Lincoln Electric K-3232 Welding Gloves Review
Pros
• Heat resistant.
• Durable.
• Thicker Gloves.
Cons
• Sizing runs small.
These gloves are constructed with a high-grade heat and flame-resistant split cowhide exterior. The gloves are stitched together by Kevlar threading, and stress points are reinforced with leather.
For extra comfort and to withstand daily exposure to heat, flames, spatter or sparks, the insides of the gloves are lined with a 100% soft sweat-absorbent cotton lining. The straight thumb design and soft cotton hand liner increase comfort and fingertip sensitivity.
These gloves from Lincoln are sized for women’s / children’s hands and recommended for use in Mig welding (GMAW), Stick welding (SMAW), Flux Core welding (FCAW) or other high-temperature uses.
Best Heat Resistance MIG / Stick Welding Gloves
7. John Tillman and Co 50XL MIG Gloves Review
Pros
• High Heat resistance.
• Secure fit.
Cons
• Somewhat Bulky.
Tillman has already earned an excellent reputation for the quality of its products. John Tillman and Co MIG welding gloves are made with top-grain cowhide leather with Cowhide split reinforcements.
The back of the glove has a carded elastic, allowing the gloves to stay in your hand without adjustments. It is also convenient to use because of its seamless forefinger and safer because of its specially tanned and treated heat-resistant sleeves.
These cowhide gloves are sewn together with Dupont Kevlar for strength and heat resistance with 4 inches cuff for added protection from spatters and sparks. The glove’s inners are lined with fleece for added insulation in hot or cold conditions without being bulky.
8. Revco Industries BM88L BSX MIG Welding Gloves Review
Pros
• Extended cuffs offer more protection.
• Excellent heat resistance.
• A secure fit.
Cons
• On the pricey side.
• Its thickness affects dexterity.
REVCO BM88L BSX welding gloves are designed to provide maximum protection and comfort while welding. Made of premium grain pigskin leather, the gloves are highly durable and abrasion-resistant, keeping your hands safe from sparks, heat, and hot metal objects.
The back of the gloves is made of flame-resistant cotton, providing a high level of protection from radiant heat. The gloves also feature Kevlar stitching, which adds to their overall durability. The BM88L BSX gloves offer a snug fit with an extended cuff for added protection, ensuring that they stay securely in place during use.
Designed with a reinforced thumb and palm, these gloves offer excellent grip, dexterity, and flexibility, making them ideal for welding, cutting, grinding, and other industrial applications. Overall, REVCO BM88L BSX welding gloves are a reliable and safe choice for welders who demand both comfort and performance.
They also tend to be on the pricier side compared to other gloves on the market. However, the pros of superior heat protection, tough construction, and added wrist and forearm coverage make the REVCO BM88L BSX gloves a great investment for any welder looking for reliable safety gear.
Stick and MIG Welding Gloves Buyers Guide
Knowing how the gloves are constructed to accommodate the requirements of various welding techniques is vital in deciding on the right pair of welding gloves. Before you do that, be aware of the various types of welding gloves and the features to look for when purchasing one.
Welding Processes
Three major welding types are TIG, MIG, and stick welding. And different welding gloves are needed depending on the welding type. TIG welding generates less heat and demands the welder to have a greater touch and feel, so the most effective TIG welding gloves need to be more supple.
MIG welding produces more heat and creates spatters. This is why the best MIG gloves also come with many layers of material that provide maximum heat protection from the heat of MIG welding and longer cuffs that offer excellent coverage.
stick welding generates high heat and requires a lot of dexterity; therefore, the right gloves designed for this have to balance the resistance to heat and flexibility.
Welding Glove Materials
Different animal skins are used to create the outer layer of welding gloves. Cowhide is a popular option for MIG welder gloves as it is the strongest and thus provides the best heat-resistant protection. But it’s too rigid to be used for TIG welding. Goatskin is the preferred material for TIG welding. It is more flexible but does not offer the same heat protection.
The MIG glove’s inners are made of soft cotton that is comfortable for the hands and can absorb sweat.
Heat Resistance
Heat resistance is crucial when choosing a good pair of welding gloves. Animal hides that are thicker will withstand heat better than more brittle materials. The additional layers of materials like aluminum reflect heat, which adds to the glove’s resistance to heat.
The heat resistance of a glove is determined by how long it is in contact with high temperatures. Most welding gloves can withstand contact with heat-producing metals by up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for short durations and temperatures up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit during longer durations.
Stitching and Insulation
Most MIG welding gloves use fire-resistant Kevlar stitching that will not stretch or melt, unlike polyester or nylon.
MIG gloves capable of withstanding extreme heat include a reflective layer of materials like aluminum foil or flame-resistant fabric. The insulation layers increase the glove’s heat resistance.
Glove flexibility
Flexibility is a crucial aspect when choosing welding gloves. A flexible glove enables you to grip things like tools, welding torches, and the pieces of metal you’ll need to weld.
Stick and MIG welding gloves are less flexible than TIG welding gloves because you don’t need the same control as you would with TIG welding, but you require more protection.
But It’s still good to have the additional manual dexterity that an excellent glove offers if the protection level doesn’t decrease.
Glove length
Longer gloves, but within an elbow’s length, are usually more comfortable. It would be best to have gloves for MIG welding that are long enough to shield your arms as long as possible.
Although larger gloves can provide more protection, some prefer smaller gloves since they’re easier to put off and on frequently and are generally cheaper. Whatever gloves on our list you choose for safety, the longer your gloves are, the less chance of injury.
Durability
Durability is essential to consider when selecting quality gloves. The gloves you choose can satisfy all your needs; however, if they last briefly, they won’t benefit you. Higher durability usually means a price increase.
The factors that determine durability are the quality of seams and linings and the general production standards. When Kevlar stitching is used in seams, they will usually last longer. Seams with double stitching are designed with high-end quality in mind.
Gloves with extra Kevlar or leather patches to shield parts that see the most wear or come in most contacts with the hot metal are more durable than those without patches. If you are doing little welding, these might not be necessary; however, low-quality gloves aren’t a great alternative when dealing with the risks of welding.
Look
The appearance of a glove should always be an essential aspect to consider. It won’t impact the gloves’ performance; however, it could give you more confidence or satisfaction wearing them. The appearance of the gloves can be attributed to the shape of the glove and the patterns they have or even the color.
Size
When it comes to welding, make sure your gloves are sized comfortably. Gloves that are too big can be stuck in welds and are prone to capture hot slag. The gloves that are too small can hinder your movement and cause sweating. So, check different sizes.
Glove Sleeves
Sleeves are suggested to use during MIG and stick welding due to the extensive hand coverage. Many stick welding applications ask for long-sleeved gloves to shield you from slag splashes and sparks.
MIG welding gloves meet roughly the exact requirements as stick gloves. A good pair of gloves to use for MIG welding must be able to shield your hands from the spatters, arcs, and sparks that metal gas welding creates and provide a high degree of temperature protection while giving you a fair degree of flexibility. The flexibility of the gloves is not offered at a price. However, it is appreciated in the case of MIG welding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Types of Gloves Are the Best for MIG Welding?
There are different types of welding gloves on the market. Welding gloves come in a variety of materials, thicknesses, and sizes. The incorrect choice can lead to injuries or difficulties in your welding experience. For instance, thinner gloves are more suitable for TIG welding, while for MIG welding, you’ll need heavier gloves that provide extra protection without losing dexterity.
Do You Need Welding Gloves for MIG Welding?
Yes! MIG produces sparks and heat and requires welding gloves to shield your wrists and hands. These gloves protect you from sparks, heat, and harmful spatter when MIG welding.
Can the Same Gloves be used for MIG and TIG Welding?
While you can use some welding gloves for multiple welding techniques, MIG welding requires welding gloves that offer more protection from heat and cover for MIG welding jobs and are more robust. TIG gloves, on the other hand, are less thick to allow for the dexterity and feel required by welding jobs using TIG.
What is the reason that welding gloves come with a Cuff?
A majority of welding gloves feature the cuff that protects forearms, as forearms can be exposed to intense radiation or sparks created through welding. Cuffs are also good when combined with other welding safety equipment, including protective sleeves against fire and welder jackets.
Are Kevlar gloves suitable for welding?
Kevlar is often utilized in the lining of welding gloves because of its heat-resistant properties. Kevlar can also be used to stitch welding gloves since it isn’t prone to melting or burning in high temperatures, unlike polyester or nylon.
How long can a pair of welding gloves be used?
The time that a pair of welding gloves lasts will depend on the time used and the quality. The typical welding glove lasts between 1 and 8 weeks, and this is because these gloves are exposed to a variety of hazards during welding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, investing in a good pair of welding gloves is crucial for welders of all levels. Our reviews and buying guide have provided you with the necessary information to decide when choosing the best MIG and Stick gloves for your needs.
Remember to consider factors such as material, durability, and comfort when making your selection. With the right pair of gloves, you can protect your hands and focus on creating high-quality welds.
