A burn is probably the top safety hazard you’ll encounter while welding, and because your hands are always close to the 10,000°F welding arc, you need to protect them. Welding produces spatter, molten metal, and dangerous radiation, so you owe it to yourself to wear the best MIG welding gloves.
What type of gloves are best for MIG welding?
Welding gloves come in various materials, thicknesses, and sizes, and the wrong choice could result in injuries or problems doing your job. For example, thin gloves are better suited for TIG welding, while for MIG welding, you’ll want the extra protection of thicker gloves without losing dexterity.
Do you need welding gloves for MIG welding?
Absolutely! MIG produces heat and sparks, and you need gloves to protect your hands and wrists. Heavyweight cow split, lines goat, and cow grain are excellent materials to protect you against heat, sparks, and harmful spatter during MIG welding.
Can TIG gloves be used for MIG welding?
Although some welding gloves are appropriate for multiple welding techniques, the thin TIG gloves do not offer enough protection for MIG or stick welding.
The MIG welding gloves we recommend are excellent choices that protect you without ruining your budget.
1. Lincoln Electric Traditional MIG/Stick Welding Gloves
These reliable Lincoln Electric welding gloves are made of high-quality split cowhide leather with a fully-lined soft cotton interior. They work effectively at resisting exposure to sparks, spatter, flames, and heat. The comfort level is impressive because of the lining, and the Kevlar stitching, welted seams, and strategically placed wear pads add durability. And the gloves are not only heat resistant but also puncture resistant, while a built-in cuff gives even more protection.
Pros:
- Ideal for both MIG and stick welding
- Flame and heat-resistant
- It offers plenty of protection
- Comfortable and long-lasting
- Made of high-grade leather
Cons:
- It does not have straps to hold the gloves in place
Price: $18.99 (Amazon)
2. Revco Industries BM88L BSX MIG Welding Gloves
The Revco Industries BM88L BSX MIG Welding Gloves are thick enough to resist the heat of MIG welding but comfortable enough to allow the fingers to move around, giving you the control and dexterity you require. The gloves are easy to clean, well-insulated, and waterproof.
These welding gloves are made of soft pigskin leather and have padded finger and palm areas, supplying them with extra strength and durability. The flame-resistant Kevlar stitching complements the flexibility and comfort to add to an ideal MIG-welding glove that fits most welders.
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Waterproof and easy to clean
- Offers excellent dexterity and protection
- Heat-resistant and well-insulated
- Allows complete control of your hand and fingers
Cons:
- Prone to cracking
Price: $24.04 (Amazon)
3. Miller 271888 MIG Welding Gloves
The Miller 271888 MIG Welding Gloves have a durable and rugged construction designed for professional welders operating MIG and stick welders during workdays. The gloves have a fleece liner over foam, providing comfort and a secure fit. And because they are thick and reinforced, the gloves offer heat resistance and prevent bruised hands. They have Kevlar stitching and reinforcement patches at every critical point to help them withstand harsh welding environments.
One minor criticism: These gloves build up heat and need a break regularly to cool off the thick cowhide leather. Otherwise, they are well-built with extra padding and leather cuffs.
Pros:
- Stiff 5-inch wide pigskin cuffs
- Reinforcement patches in critical spots
- Pre-curved fingers
- Rugged construction
- Durable design
Cons:
- Need to cool down reasonably often
- Cost more than others
Price: $35.75 (Amazon)
4. Vulcan Professional MIG Welding Gloves
The Vulcan Professional MIG Welding Gloves come with a seamless trigger finger adding comfort and reducing blisters on those long days of running MIG beads. Vulcan makes the top and palm of top grain cowhide leather gloves and the cuffs and reinforcement of split grain cowhide.
A full cotton/polyester lining offers moisture-wicking and more protection. Although many say the sizes run small, most welders commend the Vulcan’s fit and feel. Others say the gloves are supple enough to use for TIG welding.
Pros:
- Explicitly designed for MIG use
- Supple and comfortable
- Full lining
- Seamless trigger finger
- Rubber rest pads on cuffs
Cons:
- Sizes run small
- It needs more top protection
Price: $19.99 (Harbor Freight)
5. Caiman 1878-5 21-Inch MIG Welding Gloves
The Caiman 21-Inch Deerskin Welding Glove is considered one of the best welding gloves for MIG and stick. The gloves have thick pig hide patches on the wrists, cuffs, and palms, providing extra protection and extending the gloves’ life. The 21-inch length fits up to most welders’ elbows for maximum protection without suppressing flexibility.
Caiman chose deerskin as the outer lining since it shields against heat and eliminates stiffness to maintain flexibility. Kevlar stitches ensure strong seams, and the heat-resistant internal cotton provides unmatched comfort.
Pros:
- Extra-long at 21 inches
- Deerskin on the outside
- Heat-resistant cotton inside
- Kevlar stitching
- Flexible
Cons:
- Hands tend to sweat more in them
Price: $44.75 (Amazon)
6. John Tillman & Co Top Grain Leather MIG Gloves
If you are interested in the highly reputable Tillman welding gloves, you might want to check out these top-grain leather MIG gloves from the same brand. Tillman has already earned an excellent reputation for the quality of its products.
These MIG gloves are built for excellence, using flame-resistant cotton and cowhide in their overall construction, including the Kevlar threads for its seams to strengthen the gloves. The back of the glove has a carded elastic, allowing the gloves to stay in your hand without adjustments. It is also convenient to use because of its seamless forefinger and safer because of its specially tanned and treated heat-resistant sleeves.
Pros:
- Flame-resistant construction
- Strong and sturdy
- Seamless forefinger
- Secure fit
- A cotton body makes it cooler
Cons:
- Somewhat bulky
Price: $15.99 (Amazon)
7. Revco GM1611 Black Stallion MIG Welding Gloves
The Revco Black Stallion MIG Welding Gloves have thick, flexible cowhide on the palms and backs and a comfortable full cotton liner for extended work days. They offer excellent protection at 12” long and a 5” cowhide leather cuff.
Welders appreciate the seamless index finger and the reinforcing patches on these gloves. The Kevlar stitching on every seam provides extra durability in the high-temperature, high-impact welding environment.
Pros:
- All-day comfort
- Withstands heat well
- Good dexterity
- 5” Cuffs for extra protection
- Reinforced palms, index, and thumbs
Cons:
- Fingers can wear quickly
- Sizes run small
Price: $30.33 (Amazon)
8. YESWELDER MIG Welding Gloves
These 16” MIG welding gloves are a combination of cowhide split leather and cotton lining, providing protection against temperatures reaching 500°C. Because of the long sleeves, welding operators are also shielded from abrasive surfaces, jagged objects, and the sparks that land on their forearms. Heat-resistant and durable Kevlar threads hold together the tough leather exterior, and the cotton lining absorbs sweat and feels gentle on the skin. Even though the gloves are well padded, there is no problem holding tools and they allow for better-than-average dexterity.
Pros:
- They withstand incredibly high heat
- Suitable for various jobs and tasks
- They have sweat-absorbing cotton lining
- Good-quality construction
- Easy to grip tools
Cons:
- It takes a few days to break them in
Price: $21.69 (Amazon)
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