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Next to your helmet, good welding gloves are the most important protection for welding.
Your hands are the closest part of your body to the welding process.
Welding produces large amounts of spatter, molten metal and dangerously high levels of radiation.
The wrong choice of welding gloves can result in severe burns and other injuries.
For example, thin welding gloves are better for TIG welding – we have a dedicated guide to TIG welding gloves here.
With MIG and Stick, you need solid protection without sacrificing flexibility.
Here are some great options that won’t break the bank.
quick comparison
product | |||
---|---|---|---|
image | product | detail | |
best overall |
Revco GM1611 Black Stallion |
Reinforced palm and fingers Aramid splicing cotton lining |
check prices |
welders favorite |
lincoln electric tradition |
full leather covering Aramid splicing 5″ wide cuffs |
check prices |
|
Rapicca Leather Forge |
Double Kevlar padding shield fingers Designed for High Temperatures |
check prices |
|
Miller MIG 271888 |
Leather bodice and cuffs Aramid splicing reinforcement pad |
check prices |
|
Gold Yuan Supreme |
Aramid splicing thick skin Wide coverage |
check prices |
|
Tillmans 50L Top Grain |
16 inches of coverage Aramid splicing Reinforcement patch |
check prices |
|
Vulcan Professional |
Designed for MiG rest mat Aramid stitching |
check prices |
Best MIG / Stick Welding Gloves & Reviews
Here is a list of the best MIG & Stick welding gloves we found:
1. Revco GM1611 Black Stallion MIG Welding Gloves
- Soft grained cowhide palm
- Thick split cowhide back
- Reinforced palm, index finger and thumb
- Aramid splicing
- 12 inches long
advantage
- all day comfort
- keep warm
- good dexterity
- Sleeves fit
- very flexible
shortcoming
- Fingers wear out more than others
- Small size
overview
The palm and back of the Revco GM1611 Black Stallion MIG Welding Gloves are made of thick, flexible cowhide. They’re 12 inches long and have oversized cowhide leather cuffs. Users praised the feel of these gloves, and many were impressed with the cotton lining. Others have mentioned the excellent “feel” of the design and quite a few people use the same gloves for their TIG work.
The Revco GM1611 gloves have a cotton lining inside for a comfortable fit for long hours of work. Owners love the seamless index finger and signature Black Stallion reinforcement patch on these gloves. Revco calls the reinforcement on the heel of the glove a “dragpatch” and the extra reinforced leather on the back of the cuff a “restpatch”.
Revco gloves also feature Kevlar stitching at each seam for maximum durability in the high-temperature, high-impact environment created by the welding process. Owners love the durable construction and fit of these gloves. They wear well on fingertips and the seams stay together. Some users wish they were longer, but they get their job done.
2. Lincoln Electric K2979 Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves
- Full skin structure
- Aramid splicing
- straight cut thumb
- cotton lining
- 5″ wide cuff
advantage
- Leather Graphics Abrasion Resistant
- Thumb patch for reinforcement
- Lightweight at only 14.5 oz
- Shoulder Grade Heat Resistant Leather
- all day comfort
shortcoming
- lining sometimes comes loose
- stiff until broken
overview
The Lincoln Electric K2979 Heritage Gloves offer full leather coverage and are made from split shoulder cowhide. Designed for all-day comfort in harsh professional welding environments, they are fully lined in cotton. They feature a straight thumb design and a reinforced patch on the thumb for added protection and impact resistance.
The Lincoln Electric K2979 Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves are fully stitched with Kevlar and also reinforced with leather at each seam for added impact and heat resistance. Users praised the overall length of these gloves, with many mentioning the 5-inch wider leather cuffs. They feature a stylized flame pattern stitched into the leather, making them easier to find and providing another layer of protection.
These gloves are easy to put on because the cotton lining absorbs moisture and the soft leather makes them dexterous. The owners say they are stiff until broken in, but once in they have a nice touch. While they’re very strong, they weigh only 14.5 ounces, making them durable, lightweight welding gloves, and the flame adds a lot of style to the package.
3. Rapicca Leather Forged Welding Gloves
- Full skin structure
- 7.5″ sleeve length
- Aramid gasket
- Insulated aluminum
- Aramid splicing
advantage
- High temperature rating
- Comfortable cotton lining
- Double layer kevlar padding
- shield fingers
- Puncture and cut resistance
shortcoming
- lining may come loose
- Weak thermal protection report
overview
The Rapicca Leather Forged Welding Gloves are made with a full leather exterior. Glove measures 16 inches in overall length with 7.5-inch sleeves. The Rapicca uses a thick, soft and stretchy shoulder split cowhide which makes this glove very thick while retaining a lot of stretch. They are heat, oil and fire resistant.
These gloves are double padded with Kevlar film and aluminum insulation for finger protection and Rapicca Leather Forged Welding Gloves for extra heat protection. However, some users feel that the heat protection is not consistent across the entire glove. Rapicca advertises a temperature rating of 932 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s probably higher than you’d want to test them for at least the first time you’re using them.
The Rapicca Leather Forged Welding Gloves also offer extra protection on the palm and back. They’re made with Kevlar stitching for strength and durability. Rappica has a cotton lining throughout the interior of these gloves. Some users have complained that the liner turns inside out when the glove is removed. This could be a problem at work. Kevlar sheets also add extra resistance to punctures, tears and cuts.
4. Miller 271888 MIG Welding Gloves
- Split pigskin leather palm and back
- Fleece-lined foam padding wicks away moisture
- trapezoidal thumb shape
- Aramid Suture
- 23.5 inches overall length
advantage
- Rigid 5″ wide pigskin cuffs
- Reinforcement patches for key points
- pre-bent fingers
- solid structure
- durable design
shortcoming
- need frequent cooling
- more expensive than others
overview
Owners praise the durability and solid construction of these Miller 271888 MIG Welding Gloves. They have reinforcement patches at every key point. These gloves are for the professional welder who runs MIG welders and stick welders throughout the day. If you are a production welder, they will need cooling on a regular basis. Users have reported that these gloves can build up heat. You’ll need to take a break to allow the thick cowhide outer layer to cool down.
The inside of the Miller glove is made of fleece lining over foam. This provides a great feel and a secure fit. Because they are thick and reinforced, they do a good job of preventing bruises on the hands. They’re stitched with Kevlar to create strong seams that can withstand the elements.
The fingers on these gloves have a “trapezoid” design to fit your thumb better, and the fingers are pre-curved so they work without a break-in period. The Miller 271888 MIG gloves are a bit more expensive than the others, but they are well made and have leather cuffs and extra padding.
5. Kim Yuan High Temperature Fire Resistant Gloves
- Professional Welding Gloves
- Whole cowhide over 1.2 mm thick
- Aramid splicing
- inner cotton lining
- 14 inches long
advantage
- very comfortable
- thick lining
- soft and elastic
- straighten your arms
- solid structure
shortcoming
- Will not withstand extreme temperatures
- they spend more than others
overview
Kim Yuan Heat and Fire Resistant Gloves are made of cowhide, specially selected for cowhide thicker than 1.2mm for softness and flexibility. They are not dexterous for TIG welding, but work well for stick and MIG welding. They provide excellent protection against radiation, sparks and splashes. Thick leather has good fire resistance and provides a good physical barrier. They are also suitable for grinding.
Lined with thick, soft cotton for great comfort. Some users say the gloves don’t work well in extreme temperatures. They cannot be in constant contact with hot metals, such as new welds or metals that have just been reground. For handling parts and moving things around, they’re perfect.
The Kim Yuan Gloves are very strong with Kevlar stitching, reinforced patches and heavy denim cuffs. The 14 inch length securely covers the forearm, and since they’re made of thick, soft material, they’re comfortable and do a good job of protecting your hands from cuts, scrapes and bruises from working long hours in a welding environment and scrapes.
6. Tillman 50L Top Grain Leather Gloves
- Aramid splicing
- full leather coverage
- 16 inches long
- leather reinforcement
- Seamless top-grain index finger for optimal feel.
- 4″ wide cuffs
advantage
- Can also be used as a single left hand
- Tighten the elastic cuff
- seamless index finger
- Winged thumb provides excellent feel and grip.
- cotton lining
shortcoming
- MIG work a bit thick
- Not suitable for overhead welding
overview
The Tillman 50L Top Grain Leather MIG Glove offers a full length of 16 inches of leather coverage. The cuffs are 4 inches wide and feature cinch elastic to comfortably secure your wrist. A leather patch with the rough side facing out is used to reinforce the thumb, and there is a strap on the back of the fingers.
The Tillman 50L Top Grain Leather MIG Glove features Kevlar stitching at every seam on the padded leather palm. The leather grade chosen for these gloves is soft and resilient, maintaining a tactile feel so you can feel what you’re doing. Full leather construction means high protection from sparks, splashes and debris.
J. Tillman gloves are known for thoughtful design and attention to detail. Tillman 50L top grain MIG gloves with a cotton fleece lining. Wool adds an extra layer of insulation while controlling moisture, protecting it from hot environments. Owners love the sturdy construction of these gloves. Many welders find these gloves a bit too thick for practical MIG work, but they work fine for stick welding.
7. Vulcan Professional MIG Welding Gloves
- Top Grain Leather Palm
- Seamless trigger finger
- Split leather cuffs for durability
- Aramid splicing
- fully lined
advantage
- Designed for MIG use
- soft and comfortable
- Smart enough TIG
- owner compared to tierman
- Cuff Rubber Pad
shortcoming
- Small size
- Could use more top protection
overview
Harbor Freight’s Vulcan Professional MIG Welding Gloves are specially designed for MIG welding with seamless trigger fingers for added comfort and reduced blisters. This is an important feature when you are running beads for a long time. The palm and top are top-grain cowhide, the cuffs and reinforcements are split-grain cowhide, and the reverse side is great for extinguishing sparks.
Inside, they have a cotton/poly lining for moisture wicking and extra protection. Users praise the fit and feel of the Vulcan Professional MIG Welding Gloves, although many say they run small. Since there is no XXL size, this may be a problem for welders with larger hands. Owners often mention that these gloves are so soft they can even be used for TIG welding.
The Vulcan Professional MIG Welding Gloves get high marks for overall comfort and durability. Each seam is stitched with Kevlar for heat resistance and long-wearing performance. Some owners feel that the top of these gloves needs more head protection, but don’t think that’s a deal-killer. A thoughtful design feature is the rubber pad on the cuff of these gloves, which doubles as a handle to pull them on.
About Jeff Grill
Jeff Grill hails from Long Island, a 118-mile stretch of land that stretches from the shores of Manhattan to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. He was interested in welding from an early age, as evidenced by the scars on his body when he started working with various metals.