When shopping for welding gloves, it is important to choose the correct glove for the specific welding process you are using. Choosing the right gloves can make a huge difference in your welding speed, flexibility, and safety. Here are some general guidelines to use when looking for the right gloves.
Types of Leather
Top Grain Leather
- Pros: Smooth, soft, thin leather providing better control and flexibility. High-quality leather taken from the “top” of the animal hide.
- Cons: Less protective compared to thicker leathers. Can be more expensive but many welders prefer to pay more for the softer material.
- Best For: MIG welding and general use where flexibility is crucial. The grain leather allows welders to have more control and movement while working.
Split Leather (Suede)
- Pros: Thicker, more protective against heat and abrasions.
- Cons: Less flexible due to the thicker materials.
- Best For: Stick, MIG and TIG welding and high-heat applications where heat and abrasion protection is important.
Elk Skin
- Pros: The highest level of heat, flame, and abrasion resistance while also being comfortable. Available in heavier cuts for extra protection.
- Cons: Can be more expensive. Heavier-cut gloves weigh more than standard gloves.
- Best For: Stick welding and high-heat applications. Elkskin gloves are among the best-selling stick welding gloves at Baker’s Gas online store.
Cowhide
- Pros: Durable, versatile, heat, and flame-resistant for welding at high temperatures.
- Cons: Can be less flexible than top-grain leather.
- Best For: MIG welding and most welding processes. Provides better dexterity and abrasion resistance.
Deerskin
- Pros: Most comfortable fit and excellent dexterity. Forms to your hand over time.
- Cons: Usually unlined for better dexterity, which may not provide as much protection against extreme heat.
- Best For: MIG, TIG, and welding applications requiring precision.
Pigskin
- Pros: Oil and weather-resistant suited for indoor and outdoor applications.
- Cons: Less heat-resistant compared to other leathers.
- Best For: MIG and Stick welding applications. Can be paired with other leathers like pigskin and cowhide stick gloves.
Goatskin
- Pros: Oil and weather-resistant. Lightweight and flexible enough to pick up filler metal rods and feed them with ease.
- Cons: Less heat-resistant compared to other leathers.
- Best For: The best-selling glove for TIG welders, also used for MIG welding.
Gloves by Welding Processes
While some welding gloves can be used for multiple welding processes, thin TIG gloves are unsuitable for stick welding and some MIG gloves may not provide the flexibility required in order to effectively TIG weld.
TIG Welding Gloves
For most TIG welding tasks, gloves made from goatskin or other thin, pliable materials are preferred. Gloves with more flexibility and dexterity are essential for the the precision required with a TIG torch. Since TIG welding creates less spatter, these gloves offer less protection against high heat found in more intense welding processes.
Some of Miller's TIG gloves come with extra padding inside the palm or on the back of the hand for better heat-resistance. While those gloves have received positive reviews, Tillman's basic goatskin gloves continue to be a top choice for TIG welders due to their excellent fit.
Most welders want the ability to “sling” their glove off if it becomes too hot. Gloves with Velcro straps are difficult to quickly remove if they should become uncomfortable due to excessive heat. Other important features to consider include options like heat-resistant Kevlar thread and a lining made of wool, or cotton-foam for extra protection.
MIG Welding Gloves
While some welders opt for high-quality goatskin gloves with heat-resistant lining for MIG welding, the increased heat and spatter created during MIG welding makes thicker gloves more desirable. Common leather options for MIG welding gloves include top-grain cowhide, goatskin, and deerskin. The best choice would be a top-grain deerskin glove that conforms to your hand and provides protection and flexibility.
Stick Welding Gloves
Stick welding requires gloves made from thicker leather, such as split-grain elk skin, pigskin, or goatskin. The simplicity of stick welding means that the flexibility of your gloves isn’t a top priority. Instead, thickness and protection will be critical as stick welding generates more heat and sparks than any other welding process.
Best-Selling Gloves at Baker's Gas
At Baker's Gas our best-selling welding glove is the Black Stallion Tigster TIG glove. This glove is designed for TIG welding, providing dexterity and comfort. With a mid-range price the Tigster gloves are affordable as well. Black Stallion has a variety of great gloves but if we had to chose one, this would be it.
The most popular glove for MIG or stick welding would be the heavy duty Miller Classic Heavy Duty MIG/Stick gloves. Not only is it Miller branded, but it is truly one of the best-selling and highly rated gloves we sell.
For MIG welding we suggest the Black Stallion BSX Premium Grain Pigskin & Cowhide MIG Glove which are affordable while also offering dexterity and durability. The premium grain pigskin and cowhide back provide superior heat and wear protection. Lincoln also makes a Premium Leather MIG/Stick glove that offers ultimate comfort and protection. The Lincoln MIG/stick gloves are also available in women's sizes.
General Use Work Gloves
Some of the best-selling gloves at Baker's aren't necessarily welding gloves. These general use work gloves are great for wearing on the job, around the factory, or while hauling tools around. Welding gloves are too valuable an investment to risk damaging them while remodeling your shop or hauling equipment around the job.
Rather than putting your welding gloves in harm's way where a nail or blade could pierce them, pick up one of these popular work gloves for your projects around the shop and save your welding gloves for welding. Some of the advantages of these gloves include:
Listed in order of sales performance, the best-selling gloves are:
- Tillman 1470 TrueFit Performance Work Gloves, Goatskin
- Tillman 1415 Drivers Gloves, Goatskin
- Lincoln Full Leather Steel Workers Gloves, Top Grain Cowhide
- Miller Work Gloves, Cow Grain Leather
Browse more Welding Gloves
Need Help Finding the Right Glove for You? Contact Baker's Gas and Welding!
Choosing the correct welding glove can be overwhelming, but it is important for your comfort and safety. If you are unsure about which material you need or if you need recommendations, reach out to us at Baker's Gas and Welding. We are happy to help you choose the perfect fit for you!
- Call Us: 877-930-5690
- Email Us: support@bakersgas.com
