If you’ve ever tried welding without protective gloves, you already understand why health and safety regulations mandate wearing them. Burns, electric shock, and radiation exposure are just three of the risks that make wearing welding safety gloves essential.
The reality of welding is that it poses serious safety and health hazards, and when it comes to protecting your hands, standard leather welding gloves fall short. Welding safety gloves are a specialized piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to withstand three particular safety risks: conductive heat, sparks and spatter, and ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation exposure.
Welding gloves are categorized by the type of welding process they’re designed for:
| TIG Welding | MIG (Gas Metal Arc Welding) | Stick (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) | |
| Requirements | Dexterity and sensitivity for precision wire control | Heat and spatter protection with moderate dexterity | Durable with maximum heat and spark resistance |
| Material | Thin, supple leather like goatskin or deerskin | Cowhide or pigskin | Heavy-duty, thick cowhide, elkskin, or heavy pigskin |
| Features | Snug fit, minimal insulation, less spatter protection | Keystone thumb for comfort, moderate insulation, longer cuffs | Less dexterity, heavy insulation, large gauntlet cuffs |
TIG welding (also known as GTAW or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) requires high dexterity and sensitivity. TIG gloves are thin and supple, typically crafted from high-grade, thin leathers like goatskin or deerskin, which allow the welder to maintain the necessary fine motor control. Although they protect against arc radiation and moderate heat, their thinner construction provides less insulation and spatter protection than MIG or Stick gloves.
For MIG welding (Gas Metal Arc Welding or GMAW), gloves must balance heat resistance with dexterity. Because this process generates more heat and spatter than TIG welding, these gloves offer thicker protection. MIG gloves are usually made from medium-weight leathers like cowhide or pigskin. They feature moderate insulation and typically have a keystone thumb for an ergonomic grip and consistent trigger control.
Stick welding is the most rugged and heat-intensive process, characterized by heavy slag, intense heat, and prolific spatter. Out of necessity, Stick welding gloves are the thickest and most durable option, designed for maximum heat and spark resistance with sturdy leathers like thick cowhide, elkskin, or heavy-duty pigskin. These substantially insulated gloves often have large gauntlet cuffs to protect the wrists and forearms from heat and sparks.
All of our welding safety gloves feature high-tenacity Kevlar® stitching, which won’t melt or fail under high heat and sparks, as well as reinforced thumb saddles for superior durability in high-wear areas. Whether you’re a precision fabricator or a heavy-duty industrial welder, RX-Safety offers safety gloves with just the balance of protection, dexterity, and comfort you need.
Explore our collection to find the perfect welding gloves for your craft.
TIG welding safety gloves typically use thin, pliant leathers like goatskin or deerskin for maximum dexterity.
Kevlar® stitching won’t melt or fail when exposed to heat and sparks, preventing seam failure in high-temperature environments.
Yes! Both types require high heat resistance and thicker padding, although safety gloves designed specifically for Stick welding are heavier and offer more protection.
To size your hands for welding gloves, measure the circumference of your dominant hand’s palm, excluding the thumb and below the knuckles. Compare this number to our sizing chart.
A Keystone thumb provides the most ergonomic fit, while a wing thumb is better for open-handed work.
While no glove is completely heat-proof, our welding safety gloves are heat-resistant.
Avoid soaking leather gloves. Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild leather cleaner or saddle soap, then air dry.
Yes, the gloves’ leather construction and protective cuffs block the welding arc’s harmful rays.
Gauntlet cuffs are extended cuffs, like sleeves, that protect the wrist and forearm.
It’s time for new gloves when you notice holes, thinning leather, or brittle seams.
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At RX-Safety, we source premium leathers, including top-grain cowhide for abrasion resistance and goatskin for unparalleled flexibility. The internal lining, often wool or foam, insulates against conductive heat. Even during long beads or high-amperage passes, our gloves keep you comfortable and protected. We prioritize “A-Grade” hides, which create a reliable safety barrier with consistent thickness and fewer imperfections.
Welding demands precision, and hand fatigue causes errors. With ergonomic thumb patterns and pre-curved fingers, our gloves mimic the hand’s natural resting state. By reducing leather resistance, our gloves help minimize hand fatigue, cramps, and strain.
Felted seams add durability while preventing interior threads from chafing the skin, supporting all-day comfort.
Stick welding requires heavy, fleece-lined gloves to insulate against intense heat and heavy spatter, while a TIG welder needs more sensitivity and dexterity. By offering welding safety gloves designed for each specific process, RX-Safety delivers protection without sacrificing the tactile feedback required for high-quality welds.
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