Welding Gloves

Type A vs Type B: Choosing the Right Welding Glove

EN 12477:2001 divides welding gloves into two categories. Type A gloves provide higher mechanical and thermal protection but sacrifice some dexterity—they're the go-to for MIG welding, stick welding, and fabrication where you're handling heavier materials and dealing with frequent spatter. Type B gloves offer lower protection levels but greater flexibility and tactile sensitivity, making them the standard for TIG (GTAW) welding where you need fine motor control to guide the torch and feed filler rod accurately.

Most buyers default to Type A, but if you're doing precision TIG work, the extra bulk becomes a hindrance. Check the product page for the exact type designation before ordering.

EN 407 Thermal Protection Levels Explained

EN 407:2020 puts welding gloves through six thermal tests. The two that matter most for welding are contact heat (how long the glove protects against a hot surface) and small molten metal splash resistance (spatter from the weld pool). Performance levels range from 1 to 4. A contact heat rating of Level 3 means roughly 15 seconds of protection at 250°C; Level 4 increases dwell time and temperature threshold. For molten metal splash, Level 3 or 4 is standard for welding gloves—anything lower won't cope with spatter from MIG or stick processes.

Don't assume higher numbers across all six categories mean a better glove. Radiant heat and convective heat matter less for most welding tasks than contact heat and splash resistance. Overspecifying adds bulk without practical benefit.

Leather Types and What They're For

Material choice directly affects dexterity, durability, and heat resistance. Top-grain cowhide is the workhorse—thick, tough, high heat tolerance—ideal for MIG welding gloves and heavy fabrication. Goatskin and deerskin are thinner and more supple, offering excellent tactile feel while still resisting heat; these are the preferred leathers for TIG weld gloves where you need to feel what you're doing. Split cowhide (the fibrous underlayer) costs less and works for lighter, intermittent welding but wears faster and offers less heat protection than top-grain.

Common mistakes: choosing stiff, over-insulated gloves for TIG welding (you'll struggle with torch control), or picking thin, flexible leather for MIG work (spatter will burn through quickly). Match the leather type to your process.

Fit, Sizing, and Replacement Signals

Welding safety gloves should fit snugly without restricting finger movement. Too loose and you lose dexterity; too tight and fatigue sets in during long welds. Most manufacturers size by hand circumference measured across the palm. Always check the sizing chart on the product page—sizing varies between brands. Replace gloves when you see: • Burn-through holes or char marks on the palm or fingers • Stitching degradation (especially at the thumb crotch and fingertips) • Leather stiffness or cracking that reduces flexibility. Compromised gloves won't protect you. Heavy-duty welding gloves used daily in a fabrication shop typically need replacing every 3–6 months depending on intensity.