If you're a welder, you already know it's an excellent career with the potential to earn a better-than-average income. You also realize it's a job fraught with hazards waiting to injure the careless operator who fails to use personal protective equipment (PPE). The list of PPE available is extensive, and the proper clothing is no less crucial than safety glasses, ear protection, and a quality helmet.
What shirts are suitable for welding?
One of the most convenient pieces of protective gear you can wear is a fire or flame-resistant (FR) welding shirt. It's also relatively inexpensive. Certain features of welding shirts tend to differentiate them from everyday shirts. Some of them include:
- Nomex fire-retardant thread
- Treated fabric
- Long sleeves
- Multiple cuff fasteners
- Natural materials like cotton, denim, and twill
- Heavy-duty bone, leather, or shell buttons
- Heavier weight fabric
- Flaps on front pockets
- Longer shirt tails to stay tucked
What clothing is best for welding and regular wear?
Other considerations will vary from welder to welder. Still, many of them have standard requirements for their welding shirts. Here are a few of the everyday work shirt details:
- Moisture-wicking to keep them dry
- Double stitching that won't allow the hems to fray quickly
- Breathability to help keep them cool in hot environments
- Fabric treatments for mildew, static, or stain resistance
- Appropriate colors and styling
The following shirts meet most if not all the criteria for "Best Welding Shirts"
1. Lincoln Electric Flame-Resistant Welding Shirt
The Lincoln Electric K3113 FR Welding Shirt shows up on many lists of favorite welding shirts and in many welding work environments. Made from 100 percent FR cotton, the shirt is ASTM D6413 compliant with a 9-ounce rating. It includes metal fasteners and multiple button closures on the cuffs, and two roomy chest pockets feature sizable flaps and metal snap fasteners.
Lincoln provides extra reinforcement for added durability and reinforced shoulders, neck, sleeve cuffs, and collar. These features add additional protection and extended wear and offer excellent breathability in the main torso area to help welders stay cool.
The Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt integrates anti-mildew and anti-static treatments into its flame-resistant treatment. The collar flips up for better neck protection, and the tail is longer to help it stay tucked.
Pros:
- 9-ounce FR fabric
- 100% Cotton
- Large pocket flaps
- Metal fastening snaps
- Layered reinforcement
- Multi-button sleeve cuffs
- Anti-static treated
- Reinforced flip-up collar
- Reinforced button strip
Cons:
- Shrinks after the first wash
- Stiff material
Price: $73.08 (Amazon)
2. Carhartt Flame Resistant Lightweight Welding Shirt
The Carhartt FRS003 Flame Resistant shirt is a lightweight, breathable shirt made of 6-ounce twill fabric. Although welding in the heat will raise any welder's temperature, this shirt has an anti-odor treatment to keep it fresh and a moisture-wicking system to help keep you cool.
The FRS003 has an ATPV rating of 8.7, a higher-than-average rating for a 6-ounce fabric. The high rating comes because the shirt is a blend of 88 percent cotton and 12 percent nylon instead of all cotton. The shirt also has roomy pockets with button-down flaps and double button cuffs. One downside: The plastic button fasteners could be an issue since they might melt.
Pros:
- 6-ounce twill
- 88/12 cotton/nylon blend
- Moisture wicking
- Machine washable
- Two-button sleeve cuffs
- Button-flap pockets
- ATPV rating of 8.7
- Anti-odor treatment
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Plastic buttons
- Sizes run large
Price: $69.99 (Amazon)
3. Wrangler Riggs Workwear FR Long Sleeve Welding Shirt
Wrangler shirts are known for their excellent fit, and the Wrangler Riggs Workwear welding shirt is no exception. Made from 100 percent cotton, the shirt has an ATPV rating is 9.2. and uses Nomex fire-retardant thread with a limited lifetime warranty.
The Wrangler Riggs welding shirt has button fasteners, typically more secure than snaps. However, these buttons are plastic instead of leather, wood, or shell, meaning they have the potential to melt.
Although the material is initially stiff, the shirts are lightweight and breathable, and the material will soften after several times washing. There are two large pockets with button flaps, and one of the pockets features a smaller, internal pocket for pencils and scribes.
Pros:
- ATPV rating 9.2
- 100% Cotton
- Nomex thread
- Lifetime warranty
- Relaxed fit
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Pocket has a pencil slot
Cons:
- Plastic buttons
- Stiff material
Price: $79.00 (Amazon)
4. Revco Black Stallion FS7-KHK PR Cotton Welding Shirt
One of Revco Black Stallion's first benefits is its wide range of available sizes (Small to XXXX-Large). Made of 7-ounce fabric in brown or gray, it's 100 percent cotton and treated for flame resistance (FR). An extra-long tail stays tucked in.
The material is light and breaths well, making it a good option for summer. The shirt meets ASTM 1506 standards for flame resistance, meaning it meets the safety requirements in many industrial shops and those regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
The shirt's collar can be turned up and stays in place because of its relatively stiff material. The Revco Black Stallion shirt has a relaxed fit design, but some welders complain about tight shoulders and that the sleeves aren't long enough.
Pros:
- 7-ounce FR treated fabric
- 100% Cotton
- Flaps on pockets
- Metal snap fasteners
- Relaxed fit
- Sizes S to 4X
- Lightweight
- The long tail stays tucked
- Meets ASTM F1506 standard
Cons:
- Stiff fabric
- Low collar
Price: $37.40 (Amazon)
5. LAPCO IGR7 Lightweight Cotton Flame Resistant Work Shirt
The LAPCO IGR7 Lightweight is an HRC 2-compliant cotton twill welding shirt with double-needle stitching and a front button strip that features four rows of stitching for strength and security. The 7-ounce lightweight fabric is breathable and lightweight.
The LAPCO shirt features Nomex thread and less-than-desirable plastic buttons that could melt. The buttons help keep the shirt closed if you snag on something, but metal or wood is a better material for them. Some welders say the shirt isn't always true to size, but others like the pleat in the back because it offers extra freedom of movement. LAPCO's "Moisture Management" treatment process keeps the shirt cool, dry, and breathable.
Pros:
- 7-ounce FR fabric
- 100% FR cotton
- Back pleat for free movement
- Snap button fasteners
- Button-down collar
- Nomex thread
- Four-row stitching on the button strip
- Double-needle stitching
- Moisture management treatment
Cons:
- Plastic buttons
- Inconsistent fit
Price: $72.95 (Amazon)
6. Bulwark Flame-Resistant Cotton Work Shirt
Bulwark has a reputation for producing durable welding clothing, and its flame-resistant cotton welding shirt continues the tradition of excellent quality. This 7-ounce shirt meets or exceeds the standards of HRC1 and has been treated and tested for flame resistance.
This shirt features a front seven-button closure with a classic design, while the lined collar is reinforced for added safety and comfort. The front pockets have buttons and are convenient for keeping small tools, pencils, and scribes. As a 100 percent cotton shirt, you can safely machine-wash it if you wash it with other fire-resistant clothing and use liquid detergents.
Pros:
- 7-ounce FR fabric
- 100% FR cotton
- Button closures
- Machine washable
- Two-piece lined collar
- Front pockets
- Meets or exceeds HRC-1 standards
- Machine washable
- Flame resistance treatment
Cons:
- Much longer than expected
- Inconsistent fit
Price: $62.00 (Amazon)
A couple of questions and answers about welding shirts
Why do welders starch their shirts and other articles of clothing?
The short answer to this question is welders starch their clothes to prolong the life of the welding clothing. Typically, fire-resistant clothing lasts a long time, but because it is so expensive, welders try to extend its life. Starching helps them get the most out of their shirts and pants, but there could be other reasons.
Starch prevents dirt from accumulating on welding fabric, and if it does, it washes off much more quickly. It can also prevent sparks and spatter from penetrating your garments, protecting your skin from burns. Starch makes welding clothing oil resistant, and it becomes a natural flame resistor when you iron liquid starch onto a welding garment.
However, remember you should starch only 100% denim or cotton material. Also, keep in mind that starching your welding clothes won't make them equivalent to a flame-retardant garment but will only help prevent clothing burns.
Are flannel shirts OK to wear for welding?
No! It isn't safe to wear flannel when you weld since the fuzz on a new flannel shirt could easily catch fire. Stick with natural materials such as cotton, denim, and twill. They should be fire or flame-resistant (FR) to offer the most protection against burns.
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