If you’re a welder, you know the value of a quality welding jacket.
Considering that sparks are flying and you’re in the middle of a weld and can’t move, a welding jacket is the best protection against burns and one of the most popular welding supplies to have in your arsenal.
A thin shirt or low-quality welding jacket can cause unwanted weld beads or weak joints when you’re dodging spatter.
Obviously you need a weld jacket that is fire resistant and made to be strong.
However, you’ll also want something that’s flexible, lightweight, and not too hot.
Don’t worry, we’ve got the best welding jackets for you right here.
quick comparison
product | |||
---|---|---|---|
image | product | detail | |
best overall protection |
Lincoln Electric K2989 |
Leather front and sides breathable back Daily use by professionals |
check prices |
|
Black Stallion JL1030-BB |
full leather coverage satin lining non-flammable |
check prices |
|
West Chester IRONCAT 7005 |
Aramid splicing Rivet reinforcement Flexible leather for easy movement |
check prices |
Best Summer Jackets |
Revco BSX BX9C Stryker |
cooler than leather Zipper inner pocket won’t be beaten |
check prices |
|
Miller Electric 2241909 |
Inexpensive light but does not prevent splashing |
check prices |
Here’s a list of some of the best welding jackets we’ve found:
1. Lincoln Electric K2989 Heavy Duty Leather Welding Jacket
- Full leather front and sides
- Ergonomic arm design
- Breathable flame retardant cotton back
- 3-layer button lining prevents sparks
- Stand-up leather collar protects the neck
advantage
- Daily use by professionals
- Designed for All-Day Comfort
- For unsuitable locations and elevated work
- thick and heavy leather
- Adjustable cuffs
shortcoming
- Unlined leather sleeves are in demand
- Bottom button pops open when kneeling
- Uncomfortable to wear in hot weather
overview
The Lincoln Electric K2989 Heavy Duty Leather Welding Jacket is a carefully crafted compromise solution ideal for the professional welding workplace. Front, arms and sides are fully covered in split cowhide. The back is flame retardant cotton, which aids in breathing for comfort and reduces heat.
Lincoln designed this jacket with extra stitching at the armpits. They’re constructed in such a way as to improve mobility and the ability to reach up and sideways. One downside is that the unlined arms will grab your shirt due to the high friction.
The front strip that attaches the buttons is layered to protect the front and prevent button damage. The Lincoln K2989 also features an upright upright leather collar with the same type of layered construction to provide adequate neck protection from welding rays, flying sparks and welding spatter. Both the cuffs and neck are fully adjustable for a snug and comfortable fit.
The Lincoln Electric K2989 Welding Jacket has a large interior pocket for gloves, small parts, welding glasses and a scribe.
2. Black Stallion JL1030-BB Welding Jacket
- full leather coverage
- Underarm gussets for sports
- scribe pocket on arm
- for overhead welding
- turtleneck leather collar
advantage
- internal tool pocket
- non-flammable
- Shoulder satin lining
- heavy leather construction
- adjustable waist
shortcoming
- one size fits all
- Reports of Broken Button Snaps
overview
The Black Stallion JL1030 Cowhide Welded Jacket features a full leather construction on the front, back, sides, sleeves and collar. While the weather might be hot, this jacket is suitable for supine welding where the sparks and spatter will fall to your back and shoulders. The jacket features a gusset patch under each arm to allow a greater range of motion and add strength in high-wear locations.
Black Stallion has built a satin lining on the shoulders and under the sleeves of the JL1030 Welding Jacket to reduce chafing and make the jacket easier to put on and take off. With its all-leather construction, the jacket gets hot when welded, so when you need to cool off, the lining makes it easier for you to quickly remove the jacket, which is a nice security touch.
The Black Stallion JL1030 Welding Jacket features an adjustable waist and cuffs and a high stand collar for maximum security and an optimal fit. A scribe pocket on the arm and a larger pocket on the waist provide room for small items and glove storage.
3. West Chester IRONCAT 7005 Heat Resistant Split Cowhide Leather Jacket
- Full cowhide coverage
- Aramid splicing
- bloodstone pocket on arm
- Flexible grade material
- Relaxed fit for comfort
advantage
- Flexible leather for easy movement
- waist pocket
- Reinforced with steel rivets
- adjustable wrist strap
- Gloves are tanned for easy cleaning
shortcoming
- hot wear
- one size fits all
overview
West Chester Ironcat 7005 Heat Resistant Split Cowhide Jacket is made of leather. This can make the jacket very hot to wear in certain shops and climates. It has a looser design than many other brands. This provides more ease of movement, especially with its softer, more flexible glove-tanned surface. There is a flap waist pocket for glove storage and a scribe pocket on each arm.
West Chester has built the Ironcat 7005 Heat Resistant Welding Jacket in a very strong manner, using Kevlar stitching for heat and abrasion resistance and reinforced with metal rivets at stress points. Even in a high-stress professional welding environment, this jacket should last you a long time. This jacket includes adjustable wrist cuffs for a secure fit.
Users have reported that the West Chester Ironcat 7005 runs large. It features a high leather collar and has an adjustable waist belt for great adjustability. Since this jacket is unlined, it may catch on your sleeves when putting it on and taking it off, so it may not be suitable for very cold climates.
4. Revco BSX BX9C Stryker Summer Welding Jacket
- flame retardant cotton
- stand collar
- adjustable waist belt
- Front snap buttons
- Zipper inner pocket
advantage
- 9 ounces of heavyweight material
- adjustable collar
- adjustable wrist strap
- cooler to wear than leather
- professional look
shortcoming
- won’t last as long as leather
- washing machine shrink
overview
The Revco BSX BX9C Stryker Welding Jacket is a lightweight 9 oz fabric jacket with flame retardant properties. It’s cooler and lighter to wear in the summer or when doing TIG or MIG at lower amperages, just don’t want to deal with the extra weight, especially if you’re doing finer work with a TIG. It’s also a great option when you need to get some chores done quickly on your flux corer.
An interesting fact about the Revco BSX BX9C Stryker Welding Jacket is that Revco is actually a Black Stallion brand. You might find this lightweight jacket paired perfectly with a heavy Black Stallion leather jacket for all-around comfort and coverage depending on the job and the weather at hand.
The Revco BSX BX9C Stryker Welding Jacket has an adjustable high collar to provide optimal protection for your neck from radiation burns or splashes. Adjustable cuffs keep debris and sparks out of the sleeves, and the adjustable waist ensures a good fit. Inside there is a zipped pocket for glove storage.
5. Miller Electric 2241909 Lightweight Welding Jacket for Hot Weather
- flame retardant cotton
- Stand collar for protection
- Glove inner pocket
- scribe pocket on arm
- Adjustable cuffs
advantage
- low price range
- 9 oz fabric weight
- light
- good collar and cuff coverage
- adjustable waist
- Ideal for hot weather
shortcoming
- Won’t protect like leather
- not durable
overview
The Miller Electric 2241909 Lightweight Welding Jacket is very comfortable and lightweight, even compared to the other lightweight fabric jackets in this article. Miller is a great name for welding equipment and this jacket has some great design features. The collar is well shaped to match a welding helmet. Adjustable wrist cuffs are perfect for protection from sparks and splashes and fit your gloves perfectly.
One downside of the Miller Electric 2241909 is that it doesn’t take as much of a beating as a leather jacket. These jackets are great for quick chores, or when it’s too hot for a leather jacket and you can layer on something lighter and more breathable to get you through the session.
Made from a combination of 88% cotton and 12% nylon, the Miller Electric 2241909 Lightweight Welding Jacket does a good job of stopping sparks, but it is susceptible to molten metal droplets and larger splashing droplets. For low current TIG work or flux cores or MIGs with fine wire it holds up well without too much damage.
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.