Best Welding Shirts On The Market In 2023 (Flame Resistant)

General guide to fabric weight and thickness

Our top 3 welding shirts are:

This Lincoln Electric shirt is unique and highly praised for its quality and performance. The shirt is made from 9-ounce premium FR black cotton materials, resisting high heat and flames of different levels. You can easily wash it even with the use of a washing machine.

Comfort features:

It is lightweight and breathable, so anyone wearing the shirt can move freely from one place to another without hassles.

One of the reasons you should consider it is because of the shirt's lifespan. Lincoln ensures the fabric has anti-coating and anti-dew properties. The properties are not only for extra protection for the user but also for the shirt's longevity.

It has two large chest pockets that offer protected storage, ensuring you have everything you need while working.

Protective features

The adjustable cuffs on each sleeve of this welding shirt are secured with chrome-plated metal snaps. These cuffs protect your wrists and forearms from hazards such as sparks, spatter, and heat during welding operations.

Furthermore, this welding shirt's flip-up collar offers valuable neck protection. This collar can shield your neck from arc rays, spatter, or sparks.

Trust the Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt to keep you safe and comfortable during your welding projects.

Many customers agree that the Carhartt welding shirt is a good shirt at a reasonable cost. This shirt is a good choice for those who need FR protection but want a lightweight one during welding.

Comfort Features:

The Carhartt Men's Flame Resistant Lightweight Twill Shirt is a fantastic choice for welders who want a comfortable, lightweight shirt. The combination of cotton and nylon makes it easy to use and wear, while the moisture-wicking effects keep you cool and dry even during long welding sessions. The anti-odor treatment is also a great feature, preventing bad smells from sticking to the shirt after multiple uses. Overall, this welding shirt is stylish, simple, and comfortable.

Protective Features:

The Carhartt Men's Flame Resistant Lightweight Twill Shirt is designed to provide protection, which is one of the key features to consider when choosing a welding shirt. The shirt is made from 88% cotton and 12% nylon, making it resistant to spatter, sparks, and heat that can harm the wearer. The shirt also has a button-down collar that provides additional neck protection, extended sleeve pockets, and adjustable button cuffs.

The two chest pockets with flaps and button closures are also a nice touch, providing extra storage space for welding tools. All in all, this welding shirt is a top choice for those needing a protective and durable option.

For those who are into welding, Bulwark has you covered if you require a quality and stylish shirt for welding. One of the reasons you should opt for Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant above every other welding shirt is that it is one of the products of world’s largest brand of flame-resistant apparel.

Comfort Features:

The welding shirt is made of 100% cotton, which makes it durable and lightweight to use in all kinds of conditions. The 7 ounces shirt has all that it takes to withstand everyday welding projects without tears. It is manufactured with the highest quality materials to ensure your safety.

The design of the welding shirt incorporates seven button closures and a two-piece lined collar for extra protection of the neck and sleeve vents. It is comfortable whenever you wear it, and it fits perfectly only if you get the right size. Also, the shirt has two chest pockets with button flap closures, sewn in pencil stalls, and it is washable without fear of losing its flame-resistant potency.

Your comfort and safety are at the top of the manufacturer's priority list which is why you can always rely on the Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant to protect you from all levels of sparks, spatter, and heat emanating from welding works.

Protective Features:

In addition to comfort, the Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant Welding Shirt also offers protection against potential hazards in welding work. 

The garment is classified as CAT 2, ensuring that it meets the necessary safety standards for welding and other high-risk work. 

The shirt is flame-resistant, protecting against sparks, spatter, and heat emanating from welding work, with an Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) of 8.6 cal/cm2.

The shirt is washable without fear of losing its flame-resistant potency. 

All these are reasons you should consider the welding shirt and have peace of mind while working without any fear of getting hurt. Lastly, it comes in four different colors, so you can choose the one that suits you.

How To Choose The Best Welding Shirts?

If you're looking to buy a welding shirt or welding jacket, it's important to consider a few things to ensure you get the best one.

Specifically, you'll want to focus on features that protect you from sparks, spatter, and heat.

1. Material

When considering what type of material to choose for a welding shirt, it is important to keep in mind the following factors:

1. Flame resistance: The fabric will not melt or catch fire when exposed to high heat, sparks, or flames.
2. Durability: The material must be strong enough to cope with welding forces, including wear and tear.
3. Comfort: The fabric should be comfortable to wear, easy to move, and breathable.
4. Weather resistance: The fabric should protect against severe weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain.

Leather and flame-resistant materials such as Nomex are commonly used in welding shirts because they protect against heat, sparks, and flames.

Cotton and denim are also popular choices, as they are comfortable and available on the market. However, they are not fire-resistant, so they may not be suitable for all types of welding.

Denim is durable, flame-resistant, and weather-resistant, but it may not be comfortable to wear.

Nylon is also a good choice for welding shirts, as it is weather-resistant and durable; however, it may need flame retardants.

Here is a comparison table of the different fabrics used in welding shirts:

Getting a shirt with quality fabric will ensure that you are safe and protected from all kind of sparks, spatter and flames.

Welding Shirt Ratings & Industry Standards

Welding protection ratings depend on the task.

Here is a brief overview of the ratings and their typical use:

Arc Rating (AR): The arc rating measures the shirt's ability to resist ignition and break open in the event of an arc flash. The higher arc rating provides more protection for the fabric.

Chart of ARC ratings for standard fabrics:

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recommends that workers in high-risk welding wear clothing with an AR of at least 8 cal/cm². An AR of 4 cal/cm² is usually sufficient for low-risk welding activities.

Hazard Risk Category (HRC): The Hazard Risk Category system defines the level of protection needed for welding tasks, ranging from 0-4, based on voltage and distance. The higher the HRC level, the more protection the clothing provides.

Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV): This rating measures the energy required to cause a second-degree burn through the fabric, with a higher ATPV indicating greater protection.

Here's a chart to help understand these ratings:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards: The NFPA has specified standards for various industries, including NFPA 70E for electrical safety in the workplace and NFPA 2112 for flame-resistant garments.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards: The ASTM sets standards for testing and rating the performance of materials used in protective clothing.

2. Design

When buying a welding shirt, it is important to consider the style and features that will give you safety and support.

Here are some design features:

1. Full Button-Down Front: A button-down front protects against weather and sparks.
2. Collared Shirt: A collared shirt can protect against sparks and heat around the neck area.
3. Long Sleeves: Long sleeves protect against sparks and splatter better than short sleeves.
4. Adjustable Cuffs: Adjustable cuffs allow for a close fit around the wrists, sealing off the shirt from potential sparks and debris.
5. Buttoned Pockets: Buttoned pockets can keep your tools and other items safe and secure so they won't fall out by accident.
6. Ventilation: Ventilation features, like mesh panels or breathable fabrics, can keep you cool and comfortable.
7. Reinforced Stitching: Reinforced stitching can increase durability and prevent holes or tears from developing.
8. High-Visibility: A welding shirt with high-visibility features, like reflective strips, can help to keep you visible and safe if you're working in low light.

For optimal compatibility, think about the welding technique you'll be using. For example, TIG welding requires a soft and comfortable shirt, while MIG welding may require more protection due to excessive spatter and heat generated.

3. Size and Color

The next factor you need to look into is the size of the welding shirt that will give you a perfect fit. 

Size:

• Look for a size that allows free movement but is tight enough.
• Consider the length of the shirt, as you want it to cover your torso fully when working.
• Check the sizing chart for the specific brand and model of the welding shirt you want to ensure a proper fit.

Getting the right size will make you look smart, and that will also enhance your productivity.

Color:

Another factor is the color, and most people overlook it. You should always strive to look professional and alluring while working and the best means is to get a fitted welding shirt with the color that suits you.

Check our chart for levels of standard colors.

However, the best color for a welding shirt may depend on personal preference. Some welders prefer darker colors to hide dirt and stains, while others wear high-visibility colors for safety.

5. Price and warranty

Most of the welding shirts come with user guarantee in which you can return on manufacturer defects. It is an essential factor to consider which you should never overlook. The warranty has a lot to say about the quality and longevity of the shirt.

Also, you need to consider the price of the welder shirt. Fortunately, most of them come cheap and affordable, and you don’t have to break the bank to get a perfect one for yourself.

6. Brand

Choose your welding shirt from the best brands in the industry. They are reliable and trustworthy with producing quality welding shirts. If you don’t know the brands to choose from, you can select your welding shirts from any of Bulwark and Lincoln electric products.

7. Maintenance

Lastly, you should consider the maintenance of your welding shirt before buying anyone. You need to do some findings to know if it is easy to wash with hands and machine and if you can iron it or not.

• Cleaning instructions: Check the label or product description to see what cleaning instructions are recommended for the shirt.
• Shrinkage: Some welding shirts may shrink when washed, so it's important to consider this when choosing a size. Look for shirts that are pre-shrunk or that have minimal shrinkage.
• Stain resistance: Welding can be messy work, so it's important to consider whether the shirt is stain-resistant and easy to clean.
• Repairability: Look for shirts with reinforced stitching and durable materials that can be easily repaired.

Read the manufacturer instruction on how to maintain it before spending your money on any welding shirt.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kind of shirts should welder wear?

Ans: A shirt for welding needs to be 100% cotton or wool made with protection from hot metals, sparks and flames. It needs to have an FR rating or fire-retardant capacity with enough thickness to prevent injuries from small flying particles. Also, a heavyweight shirt works fantastically against flying particles. Furthermore, the shirts for welder must be full-sleeve with collar and buttoned cuffs.

2. Is denim suitable for welding?

Ans:Yes, denim made shirts are suitable for welding. In fact, all shirts made from cotton, wool or denim is workable as a welder shirt. However, you should avoid nylon and polyester made shirts since these tend to catch fire soon.

3. Is cotton material suitable for welding shirts?

Ans:Yes, cotton made shirts are highly recommendable for welding jobs. Cotton is 100% natural fabric and hardly catches fire. Even if a cotton shirt catches fire, it is extinguishable easily. Besides, cotton shirts are breathable too, which provides you relief against moisture.

4. Is polyester shirt suitable for welding?

Ans:No, polyester shirts are hugely discouraged for welding jobs. It is a synthetic material and so, catches fire quickly. And burns and sparks are the most common cause of injuries in a welding job which is ignited by the use of polyester clothes.

Conclusion

Whether you engage in DIY welding projects or it is your profession, you need to get yourself a quality welding shirt. The shirt plays a significant role to keep you safe and prevent direct contact with a spark, spatter and flames from welding.

Your safety should be on top of your priority list whenever you want to weld. Welding has a lot of risk factors such as spatter, sparks, spouts of fire and flames. All this will have direct contact with your body and can hurt you.This is why, we recommend to wear protective equipment to prevent and protect yourself from the effect of welding emissions, you need to use any of the best welding shirts.