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UV radiation, weld spatters (small splashes of molten metal), fire, heat and sparks can harm you during your weld job. Top leather welding jackets protect your skin from getting hurt and are comfortable to wear at the same time. Besides jackets, aprons, coats, bibs, overalls and even coveralls or knee pads are also pretty common to wear for welding.
How to choose a good leather welding jacket?
You should neither sweat nor freeze and the welding jacket needs to be lightweight.
The right welding jacket for stick or MIG welding can be worn all day long and must meet all safety requirements.
Well known brands like Steiner, Hobart, Black Stallion, Miller and Lincoln design professional welding clothing for men and women.
back to menu ↑How to clean a leather welding jacket?
First, brush off biggest dirt. Then use a damp cloth with saddle soap to clean up the rest that goes off easily. If it smells awful you can try to wash it with water and soap.
Can you wash a leather welding jacket?
Best method to wash a leather welding jacket is handwashing it with liquid soap or saddle soap.
Although not recommended by everybody, some people put their leather jacket in the washing machine on the cold water setting. Some even add fabric softener to make the leather smooth again.
Make sure not to tumble dry it, just hang it for drying.
After drying you should remoisture the leather with a leather conditioner in order to avoid cracks in the leather. Make sure the conditioner you use is not flammable.
back to menu ↑The material – what are welding jackets made out of?
Jackets specially designed for welding applications are usually made out of leather or special fire retardant cotton and nylon. The leather can be boarhide, cowhide or pigskin. More expensive equipment also has flame resistant carbonized fiber fabric. In addition, some welding jackets are sewn with Kevlar thread to make it more durable.
Typical welding jacket materials
- Leather (boar, cow, pig)
- Cotton
- Nylon
- Carbonized fiber
- Aramid/rayon
- Sometimes denim & rubber
Besides jackets you should also look for MIG/TIG welding gloves and welding helmets, which ideally are auto darkening welding helmets.
Welding jacket – leather or cotton?
Leather is usually more durable thus suited for heavy duty jobs. On the downside, leather is also heavier, while cotton is more comfortable to wear.
Additionally, cotton and other soft fabric materials are more breathable wich means you won’t sweat so fast. There are also hybrid material welding jackets on the market that provide a cotton torso with leather sleeves to create a lightweight leather welding jacket.
Safety standards
Of course, clothing for welding is safety critical. Thus there are several standards like e.g. the ISO 11611, ASTM D6413/D6413M or ISO 9150 specifying the minimum requirements for welding clothes to protect the welder. [Source]
Before buying you should check if your new overall really complies with those important safety standards.
Read also: How to treat and avoid welding sunburn.
back to menu ↑Top leather welding jackets
Miller – pigskin leather jacket
Hobart – brown leather welding jacket
Lincoln – heavy duty leather welding jacket
Black Stallion – cowhide welding cape
Steiner – cotton jacket with cowhide sleeves
Read also:
Best flame retardent welding jackets for summer
Best leather welding jackets for winter and cold weather
Best welding jackets for under $50