These elastic sleeves protect your arms from all kinds of welding hazards. You could also wear a good welding jacket. But these heavy jackets often become too hot to wear or restrict your movement, a major drawback that doesn’t come with wearing welding sleeves. The market is filled with hundreds of welding sleeves, but only the best can give you the protection you need. Here are 3 factors you must consider while purchasing a good pair of welding sleeves.
Material: Welding sleeves are typically made of leather, cotton, Kevlar and other fabrics like denim and canvas. Cotton, denim, and canvas fabrics offer lightweight and breathable protection. Materials like leather, pigskin, goatskin or cowhide leather are not much breathable, but they offer better protection against molten materials, sparks and spatter. Kevlar offers the best kind of protection. They are 100% flame resistant but often more expensive than these materials. Flame-resistant: You must ensure your sleeves are flame-resistant or FR-resistant to keep sparks and spatters at bay. Look for an FR-resistant tag on your sleeves or in the product description. Also, make sure that your sleeves have a high heat tolerance. Level of protection: Choose a thicker material for enhanced protection. The material that you choose should be based on the type of welding you do. For instance, welders who do a lot of overhead welding (MIG or faux-core or TIG) should go with welding sleeves made of thicker materials. You can choose cowhide leather or goatskin leather. Both Are affordable options. If you do light-duty welding, you can choose cotton for better breathability and comfort.
In this article, we are enlisting the 10 best welding sleeves of different materials and price ranges, and all are FR-resistant. We also have included a “Buying Guide” on how to choose the best welding sleeve for your use for first-time buyers. So, do check that out.
Best Welding Sleeve List
Best Welding Sleeve Reviews
1. Lincoln Electric Welding Sleeve
Lincoln protective welding gears and clothing are quite well known in the market. This welding sleeve from Lincoln comes at the top of our list because of its quality and reliability. Made of 9 ounces of flame-retardant cotton, this product does a great job of protecting your arms from welding sparks, flames and spatters. These are perfect for low-amperage GTAW or TIG welding. Since cotton is not the best material for high-amperage welding jobs, we do not recommend this for stick or flux-core welding. For welding at an overhead position, you would need leather or denim sleeves. However, Lincoln sleeves are a great choice for the summers. When you are all sweaty and hot and tired of wearing your leather welding jacket, these sleeves will provide you with a comfortable and breathable layer of protection. These sleeves are 21 inches in length which is enough for most users. They have wide elastic cuffs at each end to provide a comfortable yet secure grip. A few people have mentioned these sleeves to be a little tight on the biceps. Best Features:
Made of 9 oz cotton Elastic cuffs at both ends 21 inches sleeve length Slip-on sleeves Made of 100% flame-resistant cotton material
Pros:
Lightweight and breathable material Double layered sleeves Durable and heavy-duty Wear and tear resistance Multipurpose
Cons:
No ideal for overhead welding The fit might be too tight for larger arms
2. QeeLink Welding Sleeve
If you are looking for welding sleeves for heavy-duty work then you can go with Qee Link. These sleeves are made of 90% cowhide leather and 20% cotton. It’s made of 2.1 mm thick leather and is great at protecting your arms from welding sparks and spatters. It features unique double-layer protection with leather on the outside and cotton on the inside for maximum comfort and protection against fire hazards. You can wear it throughout the day without any discomfort. They are a very good choice for high-amperage TG, and MIG welding since leather offers more protection than cotton and other materials. The sleeves also feature adjustable velcro straps at the back and elastic at the front of the sleeves, which is a universal fit. It’s wear, tear and flame resistant. Moreover, it features US KeLaver thread stitching, ensuring its durability and quality. You can see the FR rag on the sleeves. Overall, it’s a solid buy for the price. Best Features:
Made of 90% Cowhide leather and 20% cotton 1 inch thick leather protection Cotton inner lining Adjustable velcro straps Kevlar thread stitching Available in two colors brown and yellow
Pros:
Affordable leather sleeves Good for TIG, MIG welding Inner cotton lining provides breathability and comfort
Cons:
Poor quality velcro straps
3. HANDLANDY Welding Sleeve
These FR welding sleeves from HANDLANDY are made of 15 ounces of flame resistant fabric. It offers better protection than most welding sleeves out there, made of 9 ounces or less dense fabric. You might think these are heavyweight and non-breathable but most interestingly, these breathe better than leather. Hence, they are great for the summer months when you don’t want to pull out a leather jacket. These are fire-resistant and NFPA 2112 certified. These heavy-duty welding sleeves are ideal for TIG welding or MIG welding. 20 inch in length, these thick materials will protect your arms from arc burns, sparks and spatters. They have elastic at both ends, which provides a comfortable yet secure grip. They are sold in a pack of 1 pair and 3 pairs. You have two color options to choose from black and blue. Best Features:
Made of 15 ounces of FR-resistant fabric NFPA 2112 certified Total length 20 inches Sold as pack of 3, pack of 1 Available with two color options Elastic cuffs at both ends
Pros:
Breathes better than leather Affordable Breathable material NFPA 2112 certified
Cons:
Stitching issues
4. JOHN TILLMAN & CO Welding Sleeve
Tillman 9215 protective welding sleeves are designed keeping comfort and safety in mind. It’s a combination of goat leather and 100% FR cotton. It has goatskin material for the forearms to protect the key exposure areas from sparks and spatters and 9.oz flame retardant cotton on the upper sleeves that provides comfort and breathability. It features full 2-¼ inches wide elastic bands for a more comfortable yet secure grip to keep the sleeves in place. The total length is 22 inches whereas 18 inches is the leather/cotton length. It’s a thoughtful design which offers protection and breathability at the same time. These are decent purchases for high to low-amperage welding. The quality is good for the price you pay considering you get the protection from leather on the forearms plus the comfort and breathability of cotton fabric on the upper sleeves. However, we have noticed a few complaints regarding the stitching quality and also the skinny fit of the sleeves making them too tight for people with large arms. If you buy them, remember that they are not made for machine wash. Leather is susceptible to damage if you wash them in a washing machine. So, you better dry wash them or gently hand wash them. Best Features:
Made of goat leather and 100% cotton Goat leather on the forearms, cotton on the upper sleeves 2-¼ inches wide elastic bands 22 inches in length FR cotton Stitched with Kevlar thread Not machine washable
Pros:
Protection of leather and comfort of cotton Breathable and comfortable Good grip Wide elastic bands
Cons:
Skinny fit. Not recommended for people with big arms
5. Waylander Welding Sleeve
The Waylander Split Leather Welding Sleeves come in two different sizes regular and XL so that you can better find your fit. For people with larger arms, if you don’t want uncomfortable elastic bands on your biceps, you can definitely consider these. They are made of genuine cowhide leather for maximum protection against sparks and spatters. It features an inside liner to keep you all cool and comfortable throughout the day. Instead of elastic bands, the Waylander welding sleeves feature velcro straps for a right and secure fit on the arms. It won’t’ slide down or get loose with time which is the best part. Furthermore, it features elastic cuffs on the arms to provide a secure and tight grip so that sparks and flying debris cannot reach you. They are stitched with the best quality Kevlar thread which has a high-heat tolerance. Lastly, from our customers’ point of view, the velcro straps could be made out of a better material which is the only downside of this product. Otherwise, it’s a great deal for the price you pay. It’s heavy and thick and does the job pretty well. Best Features:
Made of genuine cowhide leather Available in two sizes: Regular/ XL Inside lining for comfort Adjustable velcro straps for the right fit Elastic bands at the front
Pros:
Available in two sizes Adjustable velcro straps A heavy-duty arm shield for welders Inside lining
Cons:
The velcro straps are sized for smaller arms Doesn’t breathe. Not a good choice when it’s hot outside
6. IRONCAT Welding Sleeve
Here’s another fully cotton made welding sleeve. The IRONCAT 7071 welding sleeves are specially designed for light welding activities. They are made for 9 oz sateen FR-resistant cotton fabric to ensure comfort and lightweight protection. These sleeves will perfectly fit under your welding jacket, because they are breathable and light in weight. The ¾-inch wide comfortable elastic cuffs ensure a comfortable yet secure grip. The IRONCAT 7071 flame-resistant arm sleeves are ideal for people with larger arms. They are made to protect you against welding sparks and spatters. They are made in the US and are machine washable which makes them easy to maintain. Best Features:
Made of fire-resistant cotton 9 oz sateen FR resistant material ¾ inch wide elastic cuffs Made in US Machine washable
Pros:
Lightweight Breathes well Easily fits under a jacket Good for summer days
Cons:
Material is thin
7. Tillman Welding Sleeve
Tillman 6200E green welding sleeves are made of 9 oz flame resistant cotton. They are 23 inches in total length and will easily fit under a welding jacket. Unlike leather, these cotton welding sleeves are washable cotton Westex FR7A. They have wide elastic bands which keep them up and fit exactly as they should. You can throw them in the washing machine from time to time. The size L is a good purchase for people with larger arms. They might not be as durable as leather but for the price, they are simply excellent. The Tillman 6200E welding sleeves are good for TIG welding but might not offer the protection required in MIG, stick or flux-core welding. Especially not recommended for welding in an overhead position. They are designed for protection against light-duty welding, sudden flame exposure and sparks. Best Features:
Made of 9 oz flame-resistant cotton Washable cotton Wide elastic bands 23 inches in length
Pros:
Comfortable Breathable Lightweight Ideal for people with large arms
Cons:
Stitching issues
8. Jewboer Welding Sleeve
Made from heavy-duty cowhide leather, these welding sleeves from Jewboer leather will protect your arms from weld burn and spatters. They are great for summer since they are only 16 inches in length. They can put on any shelf-sleeve shirt and put on these gloves as a shield to protect your arms. They are made of thick split cowhide leather ensuring durability and reliability. They have a clear Fr tag and are wear and tear-resistant. Instead of having elastic cuffs, they feature convenient velcro straps which are adjustable and will rightly fit your arms with better quality materials. The only downside of these gloves is that the velcro straps on the forearms are not FOR resistant. We wish they could be made of better quality material. Otherwise, if you are looking for a leather protective sleeve within a budget these make a great deal. Best Features:
Made of cowhide leather FR resistant 16 inches in length Velcro straps
Pros:
Good for summers Affordable
Cons:
No inner lining
9. MCR Safety Welding Sleeve
How about green welding sleeves? Have you thought about how they can help you distinguish your equipment? Made of 100% pure flame-resistant cotton these sleeves will protect you from light molten splash and sparks. While cotton doesn’t provide the best level of protection Cotton breathes better than leather and cotton doesn’t heat up much like leather. Though nothing can prevent the heat you experience while welding, these sleeves will definitely make it much more bearable. They feature 2-½ inch wide elastic cuffs and are double stitched with fire-resistant Kevlar threads. The total length of these sleeves are 18-inches. If you do light-duty welding and are looking for something to provide comfort and protection, MCR 39418 cotton welding sleeves are a good choice. Best Features:
Made of 100% FR cotton 18 inches in total length 2-½ inch wide elastic cuffs Double stitched with Kevlar thread
Pros:
Affordable Comfort of cotton Strong stitching and bonding
Cons:
Stitching issues
10. Defiant Welding Sleeve
Defiant Metal Welding sleeves are woven from Kevlar threads. This is a single layer of Kevlar which offers greater protection against light-duty welding. Kelvar has greater heat resistance, they are cut-proof and breathable too. They fit like compressed sleeves and have elastic cuffs at both ends. You can actually wear these underneath a jacket or gloves. These are thin and breathable and won’t heat up like leather. Hence, these are good choices if you work in a hot environment. The only downside is the price. These are pretty expensive. They are not recommended for TIG or MIG welding, considering the price, it’s an overhyped product. However, they still offer better protection than cotton. Best Features:
Made of Kevlar Single layer Kelvin Fits like compressed sleeves Elastic cuffs at both ends Cut resistant
Pros:
Breathable Doesn’t heat up like leather Cut resistant
Cons:
Expensive
Best Welding Sleeve Buying Guide
Welding creates molten spatter and sparks which can instantly cause serious burns. You need to protect yourself with clothing made of flame-resistant materials. Apart from your shirt, pants and apron, the one thing that you need is a pair of good-quality welding sleeves. Welding sleeves come in a wide range of designs, colors and styles. Not only that, they widely vary from each other in terms of material, quality and pricing. Here’s a list of factors you need to take into account while buying welding sleeves.
1. Welding Sleeve Materials
a. Leather
The majority of the welding sleeves, aprons, and jackets are made of leather, and it’s for a good reason. Leather is strong and resistant to cuts and tears, and the best thing is that it’s naturally fireproof. The main disadvantage of wearing leather sleeves is that it can become very hot, especially during summer, which leads to frequent breaks. The leathers which offer good flexibility and a thick layer of protection are pigskin and elkskin. However, both pigskin and elkskin are expensive compared to other leather materials, such as cowhide and horsehide, which are thick but stiffer. The other two commonly found leathers, goatskin and sheepskin, offer good flexibility and softness but are not as durable.
b. Cotton, Denim and Canvas
Cotton denim and other fabric are not naturally fire resistant, but when undergoing a chemical treatment procedure, they can achieve fire resistance to some degrees. They work quite fine for light-duty use, but they are not as rugged as leather. These fabrics are susceptible to developing burn holes caused by molten spanners and sparks. However, there are some advantages to wearing cotton, denim or canvas sleeves. For example, cotton is much more breathable than leather, allowing longer work sessions. Cotton doesn’t become hot to wear like leather and is lightweight and more comfortable to wear.
c. Kevlar
Kevlar is a synthetic fiber which has greater heat resistance. These are woven or knitted as sleeves to offer maximum protection from sparks, and molten spatters. Kevlar is also resistant to cuts and tears. Some sleeves have an inner layer of Kevlar to provide additional protection.
2. Flame Resistance
When it comes to welding sleeves, any fabric won’t do; you need a fabric that is especially made to deflect sparks and molten spatter. To provide the best protection, look for sleeves that are flame resistant and have a high heat tolerance.
3. Level of Protection
Choose a thicker material, leather if possible for enhanced protection. The material that you choose should be based on the type of welding you do. For instance, welders who do a lot of overhead welding (MIG or flux-core or TIG) should go with welding sleeves made of thicker materials. Your best option is pigskin leather. If you find them expensive, you can choose a cowhide leather welding sleeve like this one from Waylander Split Leather Welding Sleeves.
4. Welding Sleeve Length
Welding sleeves are typically worn from the wrist till mid-bicep. This way, welders have enough space to move and perform. An 18-inch sleeve will fit a typical male with a 25-inch arm circumference. However, 23–25 inch welding sleeves might offer a better fit for people with longer arms.
5. Elastic Cuffs
Since everyone’s arms are different sizes, it’s important to choose a set of welding sleeves that has the right fit. Some welding sleeves come in a variety of sizes, and many of them have elastic bands that enable adjustment. Simply make sure the elastic is strong enough to hold the sleeve in place; or else, it will slip down, and you’ll need to adjust it frequently, which can be pretty annoying when you’re busy with your work.
6. Comfort and Style
There are different styles of welding sleeves available in the market. Some are simply worn and fastened with adjustable elastic cuffs. Some have snaps and adjustable velcro straps, while some fit like compression sleeves. You might also find those with a thumb notch or hole that is made to partially cover and protect your hands. Whichever style you choose, make sure they don’t come your way while you work. You should also consider your comfort and convenience. Welding sleeves are available in an array of different styles but some are more comfortable than others. For instance, if you welding in a hot environment, you should pick a material that is breathable and comfortable. If you don’t like to pull on sleeves, then you can go with cape sleeves that will keep your shoulders protected.
7. Additional Considerations
Attachment styles: When buying welding sleeves look at its attachment methods. Look for whether it has elastic cuffs, adjustable velcro straps or snaps. The cuffs should be wide and thick. Choose adjustable cuffs, straps etc. If you don’t find adjustable ones make sure it’s a good quality elastic that is stretchable and offers a secure yet comfortable grip. Stitching: The sleeves can be a single piece of material stitched together in a tube shape. If the sleeves have joints of different materials in between, the stitchings should be strong and durable. Look for kevlar stitching if possible. Color: The color of your welding sleeves also matters. It is not only because of aesthetic reasons but also because it could make it easier to find your supplies. For instance, if you work with several other individuals, you may want to identify your sleeves by getting them in a different color or design.
8. Price
Welding sleeves come in a variety of price ranges. In most cases, you get what you pay for. There are welding sleeves which are priced at 10$ or less. These inexpensive options are usually made of cotton or other materials such as denim which easily develops pinholes. They work fine for light-duty tasks. But if you wish to get a pair of welding sleeves that lasts at least a few months, expect to pay $15 a minimum. If you want more durable options expect to pay 20$ or more. You will easily find some Cowhide leather options or split leather options on the lower end. There are more premium leather options out there which are long-lasting and made for heavy-duty jobs, but you need to spend more. As we said, you typically get what you pay for.
Conclusion
Leather, cotton or Kevlar whichever material you choose, make sure it’s FOR resistant. When it comes to welding sleeves you typically get what you pay for. So, a $10 worth of sleeves will not last as long as a cowhide leather one. Leather welding sleeves are expensive, but they are good for TIG and MIG welding. You should also consider breathability if you work in a hot environment. And lastly, consider the stitching quality, attachment styles and color. If you are still confused about which welding sleeve to buy, here are our top 3 recommendations:
If you are looking for breathable cotton sleeves, then Lincoln Electric Welding Sleeve are the best option for you. Made of 9 ounces of flame-retardant cotton, this product does a great job at protecting your arms from welding sparks, flames and spatters. They are great for low-amperage TIG or MIG welding. If you are looking for affordable leather welding sleeves, then you can choose QeeLink Welding Sleeve for Men&Women. They have amazing customer ratings and more than 2K reviews. They are made of cowhide leather with a cotton lining on the inside. They are 2.1 mm thick and great for TIG or MIG welding. You can also go with Waylander Welding Sleeve if you do heavy-duty MIG or TIG welding. They are made of Cowhide leather and will fit comfortably on your biceps. They are stitched with the best quality fire-resistant Kevlar thread and a great option for welding who want higher level of protection from molten spatter and sparks.
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