Best Welding Jackets – 2022 Buying Guide and Reviews

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We want to make sure that anyone who reads our website can find everything they want to know about welding and welding accessories. The jackets that are worn by people practicing this profession are essential and our welding experts say that the following jackets are all ones they wear themselves.

Best Welding Jacket Reviews - 2022

1. QeeLink Leather Welding Work Jacket

Overview

This jacket has front and sides that are made from 100% leather. The leather used is a cowhide product so it is tough and durable. The leather front and sides on the jacket are designed to protect the wearer from contact with sparks, possible splatter, or the heat from the welding process.

Why this one is at our top? First, take a look at the following video visualizing all the features:

Why QeeLink is the best overall in our list:

The sleeves on this jacket are designed to be more comfortable and less binding. They have a two-part armpit design that increases the amount of arm movement possibilities the wearer has. 

The back of the jacket is not made from leather but from flame-retardant cotton. This design helps to make the jacket lighter and more comfortable to wear. The cotton material allows air to flow through the material and help keep the wearer from getting too warm while they work.

The collar of the jacket is made from leather and will protect your neck from sparks, possible splatter, or the heat of the welding process. This jacket has a collar and sleeve cuffs that are adjustable so you get the best possible fit.

The jacket has an inside pocket that will allow you to keep items close to you and safe from the heat at the same time.

Pros

Cons

2. Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty Leather Welding Jacket

Overview

QeeLink is at the top for considering the price and features, however, the Lincoln Electric welding jacket has many more features and advantages than QeeLink. But, the price is out of the range for many welding professionals for sure. 

Well, there are many ARC welders available in the market at a lower price for this piece of the jacket! Yes, it is! What makes Lincoln Welding Jacket so expensive yet a popular one? Here's how this jacket is different from all others listed in this article: 

This jacket is both heat and flame resistant. It is crafted from heavy-duty cowhide split leather that is extremely durable and long-lasting. The leather is capable of withstanding heat and the rugged conditions that welders face from rough materials, high humidity, and extreme wear.

The jacket is designed to protect you, and it is stitched with Kevlar thread for added protection. The Kevlar thread is very tough and it is one of the only threads that are able to resist the high temperatures without fraying or being compromised. The use of Kevlar thread means the jacket will last much longer.

On each sleeve of the jacket, a soapstone pocket has been added so you can easily carry tools and certain smaller items conveniently on your sleeve. There is also a pocket positioned inside of the jacket that allows you to have your small tools and accessories convenient.

The garment allows you to retain your full range of motion in your arms so you can perform your welding duties without being uncomfortable.  There are adjustments at the side of the waist so you can make the jacket fit your unique shape in a custom fit, very usefull when you are using plasma cutters to cut thin metals.

Pros

Cons

3. BSX Gear Flames  - Best Cotton Welding Jacket

Overview

Straight 5-6 times lower in price than Lincoln and one-third of QeeLink, BSX BX9C is not made of leather. To us, this is the best affordable welding jacket made of cotton and ideal for regular welders at the same time. 

What makes this item great and comparable to QeeLink Jacket?

Straight 5-6 times lower in price than Lincoln and one-third of QeeLink, BSX BX9C is not made of leather. To us, this is the best affordable welding jacket made of cotton and ideal for regular welders at the same time. 

What makes this item great and comparable to QeeLink Jacket?

This welding jacket is designed to meet all of the safety standards regarding PPE for welding professionals. It is designed to be comfortable to wear and to allow the wearer to remain cool while they work. It is also designed to be flame resistant and provide the ultimate protection for the wearer.

This jacket has a collar that is specifically designed to protect welders. The collar stands up instead of lying down and the snap closure snugs the collar around the neck so small pieces of hot metal cannot fall down the back of your shirt while you are working. 

This welding jacket is light and weighs less than 2 pounds. That means that the wearer will not experience additional fatigue because of the weight of the jacket.

When you order this jacket or any welding jacket you should order one size larger than you normally wear. The extra size of the jacket assures you that you can wear an undershirt like a denim long sleeve shirt beneath the jacket and still be comfortable.

The arms are attached to the shirt bodice in such a way that you can easily cross your arms over your chest without causing the sleeves to bind at the underarm area. You can move freely and the shirt does not restrict your movements.

Pros

Cons

4. Miller Electric 2241909 Welding Jacket

Overview

Important: This jacket is not made of leather. This a lightweight and an upper version of a shirt only. Suitable for occasional and recreational welders. If you are a regular welder and work for a long you need a heavy-duty leather-made item like QeeLink Leather Welding Work Jacket or Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty.

This welding jacket is made from a cotton and nylon combination. The jacket material is 88% cotton and 12% nylon. It has snaps to close the front of the jacket. The cuffs also have snaps to close them tightly. The jacket will fit properly on a chest size of 50”. The sleeves are 34” in length.

It is capable of deflecting the majority of welding sparks that you might be exposed to. It is comfortable to wear. The lightweight of the fabrics makes this jacket more comfortable than the heavier 100% leather jackets are.

The wearer does not get as hot while wearing the garment and the extra weight of the jacket is not so great that causes fatigue. The wearer will not get extremely hot and sweaty because of the protective jacket.

The neck and collar will keep hot metal pieces from going down the back of the jacket or the back of your shirt. The snaps on the front of the jacket and on the cuffs are very easy to open so the jacket is easy to remove.

This jacket is not uncomfortable or binding. You retain all of your range of motions and can work without causing the sleeves to bind or pinch you.

Pros

Cons

5. Black Stallion Leather  Jacket 

Overview

Finally, another 100% leather made like Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty and QeeLink leather. Similar to Lincoln it also has a specialized collar for better safety. Comes with 5 different sizes which is not presented in some other models reviewed here. 

This is a stand-up welder’s collar, but it has two snap closures to ensure a perfect fit. This gives you the option to snug the shirt collar very tightly against the neck at times when there is likely to be more fall-out or hot metal from your work that might go down your collar.

You also have the option to wear the collar more loosely and have protection but not the tightness around your neck.

The inside has satin lined shoulders. This is a design that makes the shirt easier to put on and take off. It also has a waist that is adjustable so you can get a precision fit for your unique body shape and size.

There is a scribe pocket situated on the left sleeve of the garment. There is also an inside pocket that allows you to keep smaller tools and other welding accessories close to you while you work. 

The underarms of the jacket are gusseted so you have free motions and can move in any way you need to. The jacket will not bind or pinch and will protect you better because you will be more comfortable and can respond quicker.

Pros

Cons

Buyer's Guide of the Right Welding Jacket

Before you buy a welding jacket or welding shirt consider the following features that are commonly found on these articles of clothing.

Welding Collar

The typical welding collar stands up and fits snugly around your throat to prevent any hot materials from getting below your collar and touching you under your shirt.

Some welding collars have one snap to close them and some shirts provide you with two snaps. The two snap options will allow you to make the collar fit tighter when closed with one snap and loosely when the other snap is chosen.

Materials

The most common welding jacket material is split leather from cowhide. Split leather can be very durable and is not affected by the heat that welding produces.

Welding shirts are made of cotton that is fire resistant. They are thicker than normal shirts and they allow hot pieces of metal to roll off of them easily instead of sticking to them and burning holes in the fabric.

When an item says it is sewn with Kevlar thread you will know the stitching is going to hold without being compromised by heat or humid conditions. Kevlar is very strong and heat resistant.

Snaps or Buttons

Most welding professionals prefer their jackets or shirts to close with snaps rather than buttons. Snaps are generally easier to open and close so removing the garment or getting dressed is easier to do.

Snaps are also more resistant to heat. If the shirt has buttons they should be metal buttons that will not melt or become compromised from the exposure to high heat conditions.

Adjustments

Many welding shirts and jackets have adjustable cuffs, adjustable collars, or adjustable waists. Look for these garments because you can create a custom fit using the adjustments. That custom fit will be more comfortable and will protect you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are welding jackets made of?

The majority of welding jackets are either 100% leather, or they are made from a combination of flame retardant and flame resistant materials. Welding jackets are exposed to high heat situations and they have to be made from flame retardant or flame resistant materials. Synthetic materials would melt under such extreme conditions so 100% leather or natural fibers are usually preferred.

Why are these jackets green?

You primarily see welding jackets in green or bright orange because those colors are highly visible and protect the welder. The green and orange of the jackets stand out against the other colors in the shop and make the welder easier to identify so he stands a lesser chance of being injured.

What advancements have welding jackets made?

Over the years welding jackets have been improved through the fibers used, the threads used, and the cut of the jackets. It is common today to find welding jackets that are stitched with Kevlar thread because Kevlar is a high heat enduring material that will not be damaged by heat exposure.

How long do they last?

The typical welding jacket life is going to be dependent on the work you do and how often you wear the jacket. Normally a jacket should last a few years, but if the jacket is worn more often or if the wearer subjects the jacket to more extreme circumstances then the jacket may not last as long.

Final Note

If you are looking for a best leather welding jacket that will be long-lasting and will provide the ultimate protection to you from the heat of the welding process then check out the Lincoln Electric K2989 Jacket. It is genuine leather and it is comfortable to wear and has adjustments at the waist to customize the fit.

If you are looking for a welding shirt or jacket that meets or exceeds all of the safety requirements established for welding PPE then you should consider the BSX BX9C. This shirt is comfortable to wear and will provide safety and protection to the welder while they work.