Welding throws off sparks, spatter and radiant heat, and the gloves you wear are part of a set of protective equipment, not the whole of it. A welding glove has to cover the hand and part of the forearm, and the right one depends on the process you weld with.
This guide covers what welding gloves need to do, how stick, MIG and TIG welding differ in the glove they call for and six welding gloves that are in stock on Amazon US.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not workplace safety advice. Follow your employer’s safety rules and the glove maker’s instructions, and use the full set of protective equipment your task needs.
Welding gloves at a glance
- CCOHS says welders should wear gauntlet-type cuff leather gloves or protective sleeves of similar material to protect the wrists and forearms.[1]
- CCOHS says leather is a good electrical insulator if it is kept dry.[1]
- OSHA requires employers to select hand protection based on the task, the conditions, the duration of use and the hazards, including thermal burns and harmful temperature extremes.[2]
- Thicker gloves with long cuffs suit stick and MIG welding, and thinner goat grain gloves suit TIG welding, where you need feel.
- CCOHS says to avoid synthetic or synthetic-blend clothing, because it can burn, melt and cause skin burns.[1]
What Welding Gloves Need to Do
CCOHS lists the equipment a welder uses: a helmet or hand shield and goggles for the eyes and face, respirators for fumes, flame-resistant clothing and aprons for the body, ear protection, and electric-shock and flame-resistant boots and flame-resistant gauntlet gloves for the hands and feet.[1] Gloves are one piece of that set.
- Gauntlet Cuff – CCOHS says to wear gauntlet-type cuff leather gloves or protective sleeves of similar material to protect the wrists and forearms.[1]
- Dry Leather – Leather is a good electrical insulator if kept dry.[1]
- No Rings – CCOHS says not to wear rings or other jewellery.[1]
- Matched to the Task – OSHA says hand protection should be chosen to fit the task, the conditions, how long it is worn and the hazards present.[2]
Gloves for Stick, MIG and TIG Welding
Welding gloves are sold by process, and the gloves below are sold that way.
- Stick and MIG – Thicker lined leather gloves, such as the Lincoln Electric Traditional, the Caiman Split Cowhide and the Hobart. They are sold for stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW) and flux-core (FCAW) welding.
- TIG – Thinner goat grain gloves with a short cuff, such as the Lincoln Electric Grain Leather and the Caiman Goat Grain. Lincoln says dexterity and feel are essential for TIG welding.
Heavier gloves protect more but give less feel. For lighter leather options outside welding, see our guide to leather gloves.
Leather Types
- Cowhide and Cow Split – A thick leather used on the stick and MIG gloves here.
- Goat Grain – A thinner, softer leather used on the TIG gloves here.
Features of a Good Welding Glove
- Cuff Length – A longer cuff covers more of the forearm. Ours run from 4 inches to 16 inches.
- Lining – Cotton or wool lining adds comfort and insulation. TIG gloves are often unlined.
- Seams – Kevlar thread holds seams in heat.
- Rating – Some gloves state an ANSI/ISEA 105 or ASTM F1060 level. These are test levels for the glove, so check which hazard they cover.
- Fit – The glove should let you hold the electrode holder or torch without slipping.
How We Chose These Welding Gloves
These picks come from research. We compared the product specifications, the Amazon product pages and buyer feedback, and we checked that each pick is in stock on Amazon US. We did not test the products ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Process – Whether the glove suits stick, MIG or TIG welding.
- Leather – The type and thickness of the leather.
- Cuff and Lining – Cuff length and insulation.
- Ratings – Any stated ANSI, ISEA or ASTM level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Welding Gloves
- Why do welding gloves have a long cuff?
CCOHS says to wear gauntlet-type cuff leather gloves or protective sleeves to protect the wrists and forearms.[1] - Which glove is best for TIG welding?
A thin goat grain glove such as the Lincoln Electric Grain Leather or the Caiman Goat Grain gives the most feel. Lincoln says dexterity and feel are essential for TIG welding. - Is leather safe around electricity?
CCOHS says leather is a good electrical insulator if kept dry.[1] Wet or sweaty leather does not insulate as well, so keep the gloves dry. - Can I wear synthetic gloves or clothing to weld?
CCOHS says not to wear synthetic or synthetic-blend clothing, because it can burn, melt and cause bad skin burns.[1]
Our Picks: Welding Gloves
Here are 6 welding gloves for stick, MIG and TIG work. Each one is in stock on Amazon US.
We hope you love the welding gloves we recommend!
So that you know, we may earn a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Lincoln Electric® Unisex Grain Leather TIG High-Dexterity TIG Welding Gloves
The Lincoln Electric Grain Leather TIG gloves are thin welding gloves made for the fine control that TIG work needs.
- A soft, lightweight leather hand and fingers sewn from three parts give feel and dexterity.
- All seams are stitched with high-strength Kevlar thread, and an extra piece of leather reinforces the thumb.
- A 4-inch leather cuff protects the wrist from heat, sparks and flames.
- The pair on Amazon is size medium, in white and black.
2
WZQH® Unisex 16-Inch Forge Glove Heat-Resistant Leather Gloves
The WZQH 16-inch glove is a long heat-resistant glove for welding, forging and grilling.
- The outer layer is 1.2mm split cowhide, the middle layer is aluminum foil laminated to flame-retardant cotton, and the lining is cotton.
- A 7.5-inch sleeve covers the forearm, and the stitching is flame-retardant thread.
- It is sold for stick, MIG and flux-core welding as well as forging, BBQ and fireplace work.
- It is a thick mitt-style glove, so it gives less finger feel than a TIG glove.
3
Caiman® Unisex Goat Grain TIG Unlined Goat Grain TIG Gloves
The Caiman Goat Grain TIG gloves are unlined goat grain gloves with an extended cowhide cuff.
- The palm and back are premium goat grain leather, slightly thicker than a typical TIG glove.
- A gold split cowhide cuff 4 inches long protects the wrist from heat and abrasion.
- The gloves are unlined for maximum feel, and the seams are sewn with Kevlar thread.
- The pair on Amazon is size medium.
4
Lincoln Electric® Unisex Traditional MIG/Stick Lined Leather Welding Gloves
The Lincoln Electric Traditional gloves are 14-inch lined leather gloves for stick, MIG and flux-core welding.
- The leather exterior has Kevlar thread and leather reinforcement at the stress points.
- A soft cotton liner and a straight thumb keep the glove comfortable and keep fingertip feel, and a twill cotton cuff lining absorbs moisture.
- It is sold for stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW) and flux-core (FCAW) welding.
5
Caiman® Unisex Split Cowhide MIG/Stick Wool-Lined Welding Gloves
The Caiman Split Cowhide MIG/Stick gloves are wool-lined gloves with a rated contact heat level.
- The gloves carry an ANSI Contact Heat Level 3 rating, tested under ASTM F1060-18 at 392 degrees F.
- Split cowhide is the outer leather, and the lining is wool.
- The Kontour design follows the natural shape of the hand, and the seams are sewn with Kevlar.
- The pair on Amazon is size large.
6
Hobart® Unisex Heavy-Duty MIG/Stick Kevlar-Stitched Leather Gloves
The Hobart Heavy-Duty MIG/Stick gloves are leather gloves with an ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 rating.
- It is rated level 4 abrasion resistance, level 5 puncture resistance and level 2 conductive heat resistance under ANSI/ISEA 105-2024.
- The leather is cowhide, cow reverse and cow split, and the seams are sewn with heavy Kevlar thread.
- A foam-lined back adds heat insulation, and a straight thumb helps dexterity.
- The pair on Amazon is extra large.
Index Table: Welding Gloves at a Glance
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln Electric Unisex Grain Leather TIG - High-Dexterity TIG Welding Gloves |  |
| Lincoln Electric | - |
| 2 | WZQH Unisex 16-Inch Forge Glove - Heat-Resistant Leather Gloves |  |
| WZQH | - |
| 3 | Caiman Unisex Goat Grain TIG - Unlined Goat Grain TIG Gloves |  |
| Caiman | - |
| 4 | Lincoln Electric Unisex Traditional MIG/Stick - Lined Leather Welding Gloves |  |
| Lincoln Electric | - |
| 5 | Caiman Unisex Split Cowhide MIG/Stick - Wool-Lined Welding Gloves |  |
| Caiman | - |
| 6 | Hobart Unisex Heavy-Duty MIG/Stick - Kevlar-Stitched Leather Gloves |  |
| Hobart | - |
Sources
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). Welding – Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 1910.138 – Hand protection. Accessed October 26, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around CCOHS and OSHA guidance, removed the claims of ‘testing’ hours and flame tests, the old score tables and the unsourced leather claims, replaced the Miller Electric 3D Wing, the Ironclad Reinforced and the US Forge 400 (out of stock) with the Lincoln Electric Grain Leather TIG, the Caiman Split Cowhide MIG/Stick and the Hobart Heavy-Duty MIG/Stick, rewrote all six product notes and added Sources
- Feb 2021: Published
