Best Welding Jacket Reviews for 2021

So you are a welder and you need to get some protection gears for yourself.

But the question is, where do you start and what do you start with?

The most essential items on your list should be gloves, helmets, and the right kind of work boots and of course a welding jacket.

You could also buy a welding chap depending on the kind of welding you do and your work demands but if you had to choose between a welding chap and a welding jacket we would say go for a welding jacket simply because of the parts that they cover and protect.

A welding jacket is designed to protect your arms, chest and neck from heat and spatter- a few things you cannot avoid in welding. These jackets, provided that they are made from the right kind of materials and sport the right design, could save you from serious injuries as you are exposed to dangerous elements every day at work.

But before you purchase a welding jacket, you must know a few things about them. If you do not consider these important factors before investing in a piece, you may end up with something that will not serve its purpose.

Remember that the life of whichever model of jacket you buy will depend on how much stress you put on it and also its construction quality. Some jackets may last you around 3 to 5 years while some may wear off within 1 or 2 years.

So if you are ready to check out some great jackets available on the market then read our reviews below as we break down some products for you and be sure to also check out our buying guide which covers all the points to be noted when shopping for a welding jacket.

Top-rated Welding Jacket for 2021

Last update on 2023-05-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Welding Jacket Reviews for 2021

1. Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty Leather Welding Jacket

Last update on 2023-05-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Our first jacket on the list is the Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty Welding Jacket that is made from high-quality heavyweight split cow hind. This jacket is designed with a leather front as well as leather sides, providing you will full-on protection from every angle. As a welder, you are exposed to heat, sparks and spatter and the leather acts as the best possible protective layer you can get from your gear.

Sporting a two-part armpit design, movement is considerably easy and comfortable unlike most jackets with one part sleeves where the fit doesn’t come across as perfect, causing discomfort during maneuvering.

No matter how much spatter or sparks are raised during work, the design of the jacket leaves no gap for any heated elements to enter, especially with the front button column being constructed on a three-layered line which include leather, fabric and Velcro.

The neck has not been left out as a high raised neck design, also made of full leather offers coverage and protection while your wrists and forearms are kept safe with chrome plated metal snaps on each cuff. While the front sports heavy-duty protection, the back is made of ASTM D6413 compliant 9 oz. flame retardant red cotton which promotes airflow to keep you cool but also safe from catching fire.

Overall we are impressed with the level of protection this jacket provides and at the same time we feel it is one of the most comfortable models of welding jackets for its price, making it a popular choice among many professional welders.

Pros

• Made from high-grade leather
• All the parts including front, sides and neck are made of leather
• Extra protection on the button column
• Two-part armpit increases comfort
• Breathable back and adjustable cuff and neck fits for a better fit.
• Includes a large storage pocket.

Cons

• The jacket comes in standard sizes and finding the perfect fit if you are between two sizes may be difficult.
• Maybe too heavy for some.

 

2. Caiman Black Boarhide – 30″ Welding  Jacket

Last update on 2023-05-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you are looking for something light weight then you need a jacket that is made from pig skin leather. This Caiman welding jacket is made of boar hide which is a lighter material than cow hind leather and also keeps you cooler throughout the day.

Perfect for summer and basically anyone wanting to stay cool while protected. It is very durable and will last you for a very long time even though it looks and feels really light.

Pigskin has a lot of elasticity which promotes easy movement and lots of flexibility. The abrasion and heat resistant quality of the material make it an ideal choice for jobs that involve heat and flammable agents.  The back and underarms of the jacket are designed with vents for added comfort and air flow.

The jacket can handle everyday wear and tear and also withstand extreme pressure as all the stress points are double stitched with 100% Kevlar. You can put on your concentration on your job and rest assured that this well made jacket has your back.

Pros

• Made from lightweight heat resistant pigskin leather
• Will keep you cool even when working long hours
• Designed for flexibility
• Double stitched seam
• Sports a vented back and underarms
• Features a large leather pocket inside

Cons

• Material may run a little hot
• The collar doesn’t have much height so you may need to wear an extra work shirt or protective layer underneath

 

3. Miller Electric Leather Welding Jacket

Last update on 2023-05-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is an all-over leather jacket made from pigskin. The material is very durable and perfect for heavy duty work, especially when working long hours completing welding or grinding tasks.

The leather will protect you from sparks, spatter and also burns caused my contact with the heated equipments and elements involved in the job. The jacket does not have cotton or any other material parts; it is leather all over so you can rest assured that your upper body will be protected at all times.

One drawback in the design of the jacket is the front pocket which is sewn above the jacket, not inside as a lot of these welding jackets sport. Sparks could be collected in the pockets and if you have anything inside then they will burn. This is quite dangerous so we recommend not using the front pocket to store anything valuable when welding overhead.

Some found the jacket to be a bit too heavy for use on hot days so you may want to keep that in mind if you are more interested in a lightweight model.

The jacket comes with snap buttons and a fold in snap cuff so you may have to be a bit careful not to damage or pull out at the snaps when wearing or removing the jacket.

Be sure to order the right size if you want a comfortable fit because the heaviness of the jacket may increase the bulk feeling if the jacket you order turns out to be on the bigger side.

Pros

• Attractive design
• All round leather jacket
• Multiple pockets- one on the front, one inside and one on each arm
• Durable leather
• The collar button up system provides added coverage for the neck area

Cons

• Not ideal for hot weather
• The exposed front pocket may collect sparks
• Extra care needs to be taken when unbuttoning the snap style buttons

 

4. Steiner 1260-L 30-Inch Jacket

Last update on 2023-05-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Next on the list is the Steiner 1260 which is a mixed material welding jacket made with a combination of cotton and leather. The front and back of the jacket is made of navy cotton while the sleeves are made of rust split cow hind leather. It comes in 4 different sizes with affordable price tags.

The mixture of cotton and leather provides you with the right kind of protection and also a good amount of comfort when working on heavy duty welding projects. Although the jacket feels light because of the cotton fabric, the construction is tight and very durable. It is ideal for summer and also for winter if worn over work shirts.

You can use this jacket for most kinds of welding but some customers stated that it is best suited for is best suited for flux core MIG or stick welding.

Overall we find this jacket to be a good option for those seeking something lightweight and budget friendly.

Pros

• Made from durable leather and breathable cotton
• Lightweight
• Affordable
• large inside pocket

• Leather reinforced and non-reflective snap front and wrist closure

Cons

• The unlined and thick seamed sleeves may cause discomfort
• May not be ideal for everyday heavy work stress

 

5. West Chester IRONCAT Heat Resistant Leather Welding Jacket

Last update on 2023-05-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The IRONCAT is a well-designed jacket that comes with a full heat resistant split cow hind leather construction which protects you from spatter and your clothes from catching fire or any sort of damage.

This model is also good for those working in shipyards, steel mills, garages and torch work as well as for welding projects. The design provides full-on coverage to your upper body and protects your arms, neck, front and back.

The snaps and rivets are anodized so there is no chance of them rusting or causing reflections. For added strength and to prolong the life of the jacket, it is sewn with Kevlar thread and has extra leather with rivets covering areas that take the most beatings.

There are 3 pockets for storage- one on the hip (outside) and a soapstone pocket on each arm. Both the underarm gusset and wrist cuffs are adjustable so you can size down or up according to your comfort level and for a better fit.

This jacket will not set you back on the price and is one of the affordable models on our list but its heat resisting quality and durable construction increases it value and performance as a decent welding jacket.

Pros

• Flexible cow hind leather
• Heat resistant
• Full coverage of arms, neck and upper body
• The main stress areas are reinforced
• Adjustable underarm gusset and wrist

Cons

• Some customers reported that the leather smelt rather strong (and foul)
• The color may not appeal to all
• Getting a right fit may be an issue

 

6.Chicago Protective Apparel Men’s 30″ Leather Jacket

Last update on 2023-05-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The last welding jacket on our list is a leather jacket by Chicago Protective Apparel. Made from cow hind, it provides you with the protection you need when working with dangerous equipments, hot metal and anything that could be risky to come in direct contact with.

This jacket also has a fold over collar with a snap front closure that keeps your neck protected from sparks, spatter and heat.

The front button column comes with snap style buttons that run all the way down but leaves no exposed areas to let any sparks enter. This stops even the tiniest sparks from passing through to your clothes or skin.

The pockets are nicely placed-one large sized one on the inside and one on each sleeve. You can also adjust the wrist snaps for a good fit and protection of your hands and forearms.

Not too heavy but sturdy and well stitched; this jacket will serve its purpose of protecting you but at the same time be comfortable enough to move about freely while you are at work.

Pros

• Made of good quality cow hind leather
• Lots of neck protection
• Large inside pocket- prevents the risk carried by outside pockets that collect sparks
• Lightweight
• Adjustable wrist snaps

Cons

• Size may run small
• The snaps need extra attention when undoing

 

Factors to Consider When Buying a Welding Jacket

If you do not want to waste time and money on a product which you will not enjoy wearing or worse a product which will not be able to protect you like a good welding jacket should then you must take note of the following things the next time you go shopping for one.

Material

So it is obvious that the material used to construct the jacket will determine just how much protection you will get from it. The must-have qualities on a welding jacket material must be that they are heat resistant, abrasion resistant and anti-flammable.

The material should also feel light and flexible despite being heavy duty so you can move about freely because if the jacket is too stiff then you will not be able to maneuver much.

Some jackets come with blends of cotton, leather and denim. These are all great for the cause and can be used alone or combined for added comfort and protection.

Adjustable Features

You don’t need your welding jacket to fit you like a traditional jacket because if it is too tight or if it grips around your body too much then you will not be able to move easily and chances of your body feeling the heat from the machines and metals will be high. However, having adjustable features can help you get a better fit especially around the wrists and neck area.

Pockets

It is great if your jacket comes with pockets because they serve as good storage areas and allow you to keep tools and stuff at hands reach but front pockets may not be a very good idea on welding jackets. When working on overhead welding projects, outside pockets may be exposed to sparks and spatter and anything inside these pockets could easily catch fire. Inside pockets are preferred as well as pockets on the sleeves.

High Neck

Foldable necks which can be pulled up to a certain height provide extra protection to the neck area and can save your neck from spatter.

Brand

We don’t recommend brands for the sake of just showcasing a fancy name but we do recommend brands for assurance on the quality and reliability of a product.  While it is true that even branded items have flaws but they are your safest bets because well-known companies have a reputation to hold and they work hard on keeping the quality high.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are welding jackets washable?

This depends on the model and make of the jacket. Some cotton jackets may did to be cleaned more often than ffull-onleather or denim ones but the style of cleaning-whether washable in the washing machine, hand wash or dry clean will vary. We recommend cleaning the jacket according to the instructions they come with.

What material is the lightest in welding jackets?

Cotton jackets are the lightest and great for use in summer

How can I get the right size when ordering a jacket online?

You will have the option to select your preferred size from the online selling site and some may even have a chart which you can follow. Read the customer reviews to find out if anyone had any issues with the sizing.

 

Conclusion

Before we wrap up we must remind you that it is essential to choose the right kind of jacket for your welding work if you want to protect your arms, neck, and front and back from serious injuries.

All the models we reviewed today offer excellent protection but if we had to pick the best one out of the lot we would highly recommend the Lincoln Electric Leather Welding Jacket for its fine design and its ability to act as a strong shield even in the most dangerous work environments.

For the price the jacket comes with great value and all the features of a good welding jacket.

We hope our post today comes in handy when picking the right jacket and also makes the process of buying one much easier.