My extensive research and years of experience show that the Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt | Premium Flame Resistant (FR) Cotton is the best welding shirt for welders.
I am a qualified welder, and I’ve been doing many kinds of welds for years.
As a welder, you must always stay protected in a unique flame-resistant shirt when welding. Such is especially true when welding in the summer.
Yet, finding the best welding shirts is usually a big problem. This is so because of the many substandard products available.
Thus, this short article will guide you on getting the best welding shirts/jackets. So you don’t have to worry.
Just keep reading to get all the information you desire.
Overall Best
Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt | Premium Flame Resistant (FR) Cotton
- It has a high flame-retardant (fr) fabric.
- It offers neck protection.
- This shirt gives superior comfort.
Best for Budget
Miller Electric Welding Jacket Navy Cotton/Nylon
- High quality + affordability.
- It has premium fold-in Snaps.
- 88% Cotton.
Best for Comfort
Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Lightweight Twill Shirt
- It possesses a material that wicks away moisture for comfort.
- It has an anti-odor fabric treatment.
- This shirt has 12% high-tenacity nylon.
Top Picks for Best Welding Shirts
1. Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt | Premium Flame Resistant (FR) Cotton (Overall Best Welding Shirts)
2. Revco Black Stallion Fr Flame Resistant Cotton Work Shirt – FS7-Khk Large (Best Welding Shirts for Heavy-duty Flame Resistance)
3. Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Lightweight Twill Shirt (Best Welding Shirts for Comfort)
4. Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s FR Flame Resistant Two Pocket Work Shirt (Best Welding Shirts for Wet Welding)
5. Miller Electric Welding Jacket Navy Cotton/Nylon (Best Welding Shirts for Budget)
6. Hobart 770569 Flame Retardant Cotton Welding Jacket – XL (Best Welding Shirts for Easy Maintenance)
7. Leather Welding Work Jacket by QeeLink – Flame-Resistant Heavy Duty Split Cowhide Leather Welder Jackets (Best Welding Shirts for Toughness and Lasting)
8. Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty Leather Welding Jacket (Best Welding Shirts for Make-up Material)
Our Top Eight Best Welding Shirts
Below is our list of the best welding shirts and their individual qualities:
1. Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt | Premium Flame Resistant (FR) Cotton
Brand
Lincoln Electric
Safety standards
It meets all ASTM 1506 and OSHA standards.
Material
Cotton
Durability
Its button column, neck, and cuffs have double layers. Such provides reinforced protection in the high contact areas.
Maintenance
It is machine washable. You can wash it up to 50 times and keep its flame-retardant properties. Such prolongs its service life than other quality shirts.
Sizes and fitting
14.5 x 11.5 x 0.9 Inch
The Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt | Premium Flame Resistant (FR) Cotton is one of the most popular shirts seen in welders’ workplaces.
It has a 9-ounce fabric rating and 100% FR cotton. Such makes it the best pick for welders.
This shirt has anti-mildew and anti-static treatments in addition to its flame-resistant treatment.
The collar flips up for better neck protection when you need it.
The tails on the larger sizes are longer for better overall fitting.
Do remember that the shirt will shrink a little during its first wash.
2. Revco Black Stallion Fr Flame Resistant Cotton Work Shirt – FS7-Khk Large
Brand
Revco Black Stallion
Safety standards
It meets the requirements of ASTM 1506.
Material
Denim
Durability
It comes with durable metal snap closures. Such will allow you to adjust the fit of this shirt with ease.
Maintenance
It is machine washable.
Sizes and fitting
16 x 12 x 1 inches.
The Revco Black Stallion Fr Flame Resistant Cotton Work Shirt – FS7-Khk Large is available in sizes from Small to XXXX-Large. Such makes it one of the most versatile welding shirts out there.
It is made of 7-ounce fabric and comes in gray or brown.
It breathes better than most light shirts, making it a good summer welding choice.
Although this Lincoln Electric lightweight shirt has a low collar and stiff fabric, you can turn it up if needed.
It also has a very flexible fitting design.
Still, some users have said the shoulders are tight.
3. Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Lightweight Twill Shirt
Brand
Carhartt
Safety standards
It satisfies all the performance requirements of NFPA 70E standards.
Material
100% Cotton
Durability
It has flame-resistance melamine buttons all over.
Maintenance
It is machine washable. You can wash it up to 30 times and keep its flame-retardant properties.
Sizes and fitting
Small – 6X-Large.
The Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Lightweight Twill Shirt is a breathable shirt that is ideal for summer welding.
The shirt is very reliable because it contains a 6-ounce twill fabric. It also includes an 8.7 ATPV rating.
The shirt keeps its freshness with anti-odor treatment.
This shirt allows you to button down on generous chest pockets. Such is suitable for comfort.
User reports have it that sizes of Carhartt are significant, and this shirt is no exception.
4. Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s FR Flame Resistant Two Pocket Work Shirt
Brand
WRANGLER RIGGS WORKWEAR
Safety standards
It meets the requirements of ASTM 1506.
Material
2% Anti-Static Fiber.
5% Para Aramid.
10% Nylon.
33% Meta Aramid.
50% Viscose FR.
Durability
This shirt comes with Nomex (FR) thread at all seams. It also has a safety orange ID for high visibility.
Maintenance
It is machine washable.
Sizes and fitting
Small – 2X-Large.
The Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s FR Flame Resistant Shirt has an ATPV (Arc Thermal Protection Value) of 9.2 calories/square centimeter. Such makes it very reliable.
The shirt uses a button fastener system. Such makes it more secure than other shirts with snaps in the event of a snag.
The jacket is lightweight and breathable. Such gives you comfort when working.
The front of this shirt has two big pockets with button flaps. A smaller internal pocket is also on one of the chest pockets. You can use these pockets to store equipment safely.
Yet, the materials are a bit stiff. Such will require some washing to soften them.
5. Miller Electric Welding Jacket Navy Cotton/Nylon
Brand
Miller Electric
Safety standards
It meets all ASTM 1506 and OSHA standards.
Material
12% Nylon.
88% Cotton.
Durability
High flame-resistant buttons.
Maintenance
It is machine washable.
Sizes and fitting
Small – 5X-Large.
This Miller Electric Welding Jacket Navy Cotton/Nylon is durable regardless of price.
The jacket is also very comfortable and breathable.
Five snap buttons are on the jacket’s front, and a velcro patch is on the flip-up collar. The buttons on the cuffs protect your arms from splatter.
The shirt only has one big inside pocket.
6. Hobart 770569 Flame Retardant Cotton Welding Jacket – XL
Brand
Hobart Welding Products.
Safety standards
It satisfies all of the NFPA 70E performance standards.
Material
100% Cotton welding gear.
Durability
It has a snap button on each cuff. Such keep your arms safe from sparks and spatter.
Maintenance
It is machine washable. You can wash it up to 30 times and keep its flame-retardant properties.
Sizes and fitting
14.5 x 11.5 x 0.9 Inch
This 100% flame-resistant cotton allows your skin to breathe when welding during the hot summer days.
It has a heavy-duty style design.
There are four snap buttons on the front of the jacket, but none on the collar. Yet, you can flip up the collar to protect your neck when welding.
This shirt has just one big pocket.
Brand
QeeLink
Safety standards
It meets all ASTM 1506 and OSHA standards.
Material
100% Leather.
Durability
It’s stitched with heat resistance US Kevlar thread for longer product life.
Maintenance
It is machine washable.
Sizes and fitting
Medium – XXX-Large.
This shirt has flame-resistant heavy-duty split cowhide leather. Such makes it very unique.
This QeeLink leather welding work jacket will protect you when working from:
- Spark;
- Spatter; and
- Heat.
The jacket has a more reliable pocket structure:
- One big pocket inside;
- One big outside pocket; and
- Two soapstone pockets on the different sleeves.
You can alter the waist, cuffs, and neck for better fitting and comfort.
8. Lincoln Electric Heavy Duty Leather Welding Jacket
Brand
Lincoln Electric
Safety standards
It is compliant with all ASTM D6413 standards.
Material
Heavyweight full split leather.
Durability
It is made from heavyweight split cowhide.
Maintenance
It is machine washable.
Sizes and fitting
Medium – 5XL.
The full-leather design on the arms, shoulder, front, and sides of this Lincoln Electric heavy-duty hybrid welding jacket provides you with extra protection.
Still, this jacket has a cotton back panel to boost airflow and help decrease heat retention.
This shirt’s leather collar can protect your neck from:
- Sparks;
- Spatter; and
- Arc rays.
This shirt is ideal for heavy stick, MIG, TIG, and Arc welding.
Buyer’s Guide – Things You Must Consider When Choosing the Best Welding Shirts
Here are some notable factors you must consider when selecting the best welding shirts:
1. Brand
It is true that the more prominent and more common the brand name, the greater the level of security.
Big brands usually offer quality products, especially if you aren’t sure what you need at first.
You may search for less-known companies if you are more experienced and know the details of what you want.
Smaller brands could offer you great products too.
Just research the product and the company producing and selling it. That will help you make the right decision.
2. Stitching Process
The shirt’s knitting and stitching must be intense. Still, it must not be extremely stiff.
3. Durability
The material and design of a welding shirt play a significant role in determining its durability.
Cotton and denim shirts are usually the most robust fire-resistance materials.
Cotton is exceptionally flexible and very pleasant to wear. It also helps in keeping you dry.
Denim is a robust and thick material. Such makes it desirable to shield its wearer. But it is heavier than cotton.
Thus, Denim is preferable for low-intensity welding.
4. Comfort
Make sure the fitting of your welding shirt is comfortable.
Under typical situations, you shouldn’t be hot in your welding shirt. Such will make you feel much worse when welding.
Also, buying multiple shirt sizes from a particular brand will help you know your best size with that brand.
5. Safety Standards
Specific standards have been set up by governments, insurers, and big businesses to make it easier for you to know the best welding shirts.
Such standards include:
- ASTM (The American Safety Testing and Materials Society);
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration);
- NFPA (The National Fire Protection Agency), etc.
6. Price vs. Your Budget
Most welders believe the best welding shirts would be very cheap. But this is not the case.
The prices of good welding shirts range from $30 to $350.
Your welding needs should determine your budget for a good welding shirt.
You might also need to buy more than one shirt to make things easy.
7. The Type of Welding You Engage in
For most lightweight TIG or stick welding, you can get by with a less durable welding shirt.
But you should always wear a very durable welding shirt/jacket for MIG or other heavy welding jobs.
Maintenance
For many brands, washing your welding shirt by hand is best. Such helps extend your shirt’s lifespan.
However, newer welding shirts are machine washable. Moreover, all eight best welding shirts on this list are machine washable.
It’s up to you to decide what maintenance method you will be adopting.
Our Verdict
For good customer reports, safety standards conformance, quality, durability, and reliability, we recommend the Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt | Premium Flame Resistant (FR) Cotton.
But for reasonable price and comfort, we recommend the Miller Electric Welding Jacket Navy Cotton/Nylon and Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Lightweight Twill Shirt, respectively.
FAQ
How long should a welding jacket last?
The frequency of use and quality of a welding shirt/jacket determine how long it lasts.
The average welding jacket should last about 1 to 3 years with regular use.
Can you wear your welding shirts over t-shirts or other ordinary clothing?
Yes. You can wear your welding shirts over t-shirts or other ordinary clothing.
See the NFPA 70E guidelines for what should not be worn under welding shirts.
Should you starch your welding shirts/jackets?
It is recommended that you should not starch unique fire-resistant welding shirts. Such could affect the FR properties of your shirt.
