Welding can be a dangerous job. And just like any dangerous job you need to have the proper gear to protect yourself. Gloves are one of the most important pieces of gear you can have when welding. But here is the thing, they are not a one size fits all affair. What should you do if you have small hands? Well, here are the 4 best welding gloves for small hands.
The Lincoln Electric Premium K2983-M is my top pick. It does everything well and checks all the right boxes for me. It is durable, built from high-quality materials, and is flexible as well. That means you will have all the dexterity in the world.
But as I said gloves are not a one size fits all affair. So, if my top pick is not quite right for you, I handpicked more top-notch gloves in this review. Let’s get into the detailed review of these and find out which one works best for your particular needs.
4 Best Welding Gloves for Small Hands Review
A quick search for welding gloves will give you hundreds of results. It is needless to say that all of them are not made with the same quality in mind. Thankfully, you don’t have to tear your hair out trying to figure out which one to buy. Here are the only ones you need to care about. Let’s start with our top pick from the guys over at Lincoln Electric.
1. Lincoln Electric Premium K2983-M TIG Welding Gloves
Lincoln Electric has been in the game for a long time and the quality of their products shows just how much experience they have in this space. And the good customer reviews are also a testament to that. When paying customers just like you have positive things to say about these gloves, you know they mean business.
One thing I love about these is the sheer durability and dexterity it gives you. This pair of gloves use top-quality split leather which makes them long-lasting and is sewn with tough Kevlar. So, you can see what I mean when I say they are durable.
Another cool thing I loved about them is they are quite comfortable to wear. Since it is heat resistant, you won’t feel the heat from welding sparks as much. On top of that, your hands will have ample dexterity thanks to the flexibility these give you. All in all, these are a cool pair of welding gloves for those who have small hands. Just make sure you get the medium size.
Specifications
- Brand: Lincoln Electric
- Color: White and Black
- Material: Leather and Kevlar
- Size: Medium (Large also available)
- Dimensions: 6” x 1” x 1”
Features
Ample Dexterity: When you are welding, you need all the control of your hands you can get without hampering protection. These will easily give you the most control of your hands since they are quite flexible and will protect you as well.
Comfortable and Heat Resistant: The heat-resistant fabric makes them comfortable to wear on the job site as well. That is, of course, a plus and a best of both world scenario. The padded cushioned palm also helps in the comfort department.
Pros
- Durable build quality and will last you for a long time
- Comfortable to wear for long hours
- Heat resistant and will protect your hands
- Gives you great dexterity when you are on the job
- Cool black and white design
Cons
- Might be too overkill for some users
2. Revco GM1611 Top Grain Leather MIG Welding Gloves
One look at this and the quality is instantly apparent. A very cool design feature of these is that it has reinforced patches in areas of your hands where it is most needed. This will help you protect your hands in the best way possible.
As for the durability, I do not think you have to worry about anything here. It is made from top-grain leather and the back is split cowhide leather. So, these should easily last you for quite some time.
The stitches are also like the previous glove I reviewed. It is Kevlar. That means it will hold together really well and you also get bonus benefits. Kevlar stitching is not only durable but also heat, slag, and spark resistant.
I am not done yet. This pair also has wrist and side padding. So, you can rest your hands with utter comfort and not worry about a thing. And might I add I quite like the color finish. The yellow with the white combination really pops!
Specifications
- Brand: Revco
- Color: White and Yellow
- Material: Leather and Kevlar
- Size: Small
- Dimensions: 13.9” x 7.3” x 2.4”
Features
Kevlar Stitching: The Kevlar stitching makes for a durable and heat, slag-resistant pair of gloves that will protect your hands and also make them last longer.
Durable Split Leather Build: Speaking of long-lasting, the material used to make the gloves are also top-notch. The durable split gloves will help these during daily wear and tear when you are using these on the job.
Pros
- Durable build quality that will handle the wear and tear well
- Cool looking yellow and white finish
- Kevlar stitching makes them slag and heat resistant
- Comfortable padding for more ease of use
Cons
- They gloves get dirty easily
3. Tillman 1105W Welding Gloves
These pairs of gloves do not have any special bells and whistles. But if you are looking for something simple to use and very durable with a minimalistic design, these are the perfect ones to go for.
I loved the design. It’s very understated and looks professional. The plain blue finish does stand out quite a bit. All in all, you will love the look of these as well. As for features like dexterity, the moment you put these on, you will feel they fit very naturally.
It does not hamper your dexterity one bit. The polypropylene build was also very durable and should hold up pretty well. One thing I have to mention is these do need a bit of time to break in.
Right out of the box, they are a bit stiff. So, give it some time and they will start to feel much more comfortable.
Specifications
- Brand: Tillman
- Color: Blue
- Material: Polypropylene
- Size: Small
- Dimensions: 13” x 6” x 1”
Features
Comfortable and Well Insulated: The comfort factor of these is one of its most impressive things. And they are well insulated as well. So, it should not be a problem to use on a welding site. But do remember that you need to give it some time to break in.
Minimalistic and Professional Design: While other gloves may go for an over-the-top flashy design, Tillman keeps it simple. And I quite loved the design of this pair of gloves.
Pros
- Durable build quality
- Minimalistic design that looks professional
- Insulated and thus making it comfortable to wear
- Great for small hands
Cons
- Needs some time to break-in
4. Black Stallion BSX BM88 Xtreme
These might look similar to the Revco ones, but they are not quite the same gloves. Although I do have to say the design and color finish does look the same. Still, not a bad thing since I liked the yellow and white combo. Here, you get to see a classy black and yellow combination.
The material is pigskin. That not only makes these durable but also quite comfortable as well. You can thank the extra padding for the comfort. Wearing these gloves for long periods should be easy for most people – especially if you happen to have small hands.
The stitching here is the same old high-quality and durable Kevlar. I am sure by now you know what amazing benefits that brings. It will be resistant to scuffs and sparks, something quite common at a welding site.
Good design, durable build quality and comfortable. What else do you want from a glove? How about a wide selection of sizes? Yep, there is quite an assortment of sizes to choose from. So, if you are looking for a pair for small hands, you are sure to find one.
Specifications
- Brand: Black Stallion
- Color: Black and Yellow
- Material: Pigskin and Kevlar
- Size: Small
- Dimensions: 6” x 1” x 1”
Features
Durable Build Quality: The durable build quality will help these last for a long time to come. Kevlar stitching on top of that also means it will deal well in a welding site where there are sparks, heat and slag.
Extra Padding: The extra bit of padding goes a long way in making these very comfortable to wear. Overall, its plushness is sure to impress you.
Pros
- Durable build quality that will hold up well in a welding site
- Comfortable to wear and won’t fatigue your hands
- Kevlar stitching can handle heat, slag and sparks
- Cool black and yellow color finish
Cons
- A bit stiff at first
Buying Welding Gloves for Small Hands
Picking out a product from a handpicked list like the one above is easy. Although you will not end up with a bad choice, knowing what specific things to look for will help you make a better decision. So, here are a couple of important factors you need to consider before pulling the trigger on a pair of gloves.
Durability
Your first consideration should always be durability. The goal of a welding glove in the first place is to protect your hands. And the more durable the gloves are, the better protection you get. Not to mention they will also last longer.
The durability will come mainly from the materials. Cowhide and Pigskin are some of the more common ones you will see. Leather is really the way to go.
Cowhide – This is the most popular one. And you will notice I also included most gloves made from cowhide. Cowhide gloves come in a wide range of quality and durability. They are comfortable too. Since they vary in quality you need to be sure which one you are getting.
Pigskin – Pigskin is not a bad choice either. These gloves also give you some fantastic durability and protection.
Dexterity
When you are welding, you need to be in total control. That is why dexterity is so important. Some low-quality gloves will make your hands feel cramped and will not offer much dexterity. You lose a lot of your hand’s motion.
Look for gloves that give you that freedom and offer dexterity. It will make for a much better time at work. Welding will not feel like a chore.
Stitching
Stitching is also important since that is what will keep the gloves intact. Kevlar stitching is a good feature in gloves. They are very resilient and handle harsh welding environments like a charm.
Welding sites will have sparks, heat, slag, and whatnot. Kevlar stitching will be able to handle most of these without any worries. Chances are you will break a sweat working in the site earlier than a good pair of gloves with Kevlar stitching.
Padding and Comfort
Then we also have the comfort factor. No one wants to wear the world’s most durable pair of gloves if they are not comfortable. Keep an eye out for padding on the wrists and sides. These are not musts.
A glove without padding on specific areas can still be comfortable if they are built like that and are designed well. At the end of the day, that is what you are looking for. A durable yet comfortable pair of gloves.
Design
The design might not really impact the performance, but I still think it is something to consider. Your work gear is something you will use often. And if they happen to look cool that will not hurt anyone. So, go for the one you think looks nice. Design is subjective anyway.
Price and Brand
Lastly, there is the brand and price. All the names we mentioned here are reputed and have a track record of providing quality products. Choosing one should not be a problem. Just match the features that work for you and you should be golden. As for the price point, fix a budget and then see which gloves fit in that range.
How Should You Wash and Maintain Your Welding Gloves?
Welding gloves can get quite dirty. If you want them to look clean and last long, washing is absolutely a necessity. Do not worry though, washing your gloves is not as hard as it seems. All you need to do is just follow a couple of simple steps.
Step 1 – Get rid of any visible debris
Your first step is to get rid of any visible debris. Things you can easily spot with your eye like bits and pieces of metal, etc. You can use a cloth to wipe the gloves. Doing this should get rid of most of the debris.
If you want to be a bit thorough, you can use a brush with soft to semi-soft bristles and get rid of debris that way. Whatever works for you here.
Step 2 – Washing the gloves
Now comes the actual washing part. I highly recommend against using washing machines. The heat and the motion that a washing machine creates can cause the gloves to warp. Hand-washing them is the best way to go.
When hand-washing, there are two choices. You can choose to either wear the gloves when you wash them or take them off. I would suggest you wear them because then it will just feel like washing your hands. You can go in the nitty-gritty of it. But do whatever you feel comfortable with here. There is no right answer to this one.
Using saddle soap will give you the best results since that is made for washing leather products. Use cold water and a bit of saddle soap on your palm and wash the gloves thoroughly.
You can also let the lather sit for 30 seconds or so in areas where there is a lot of stubborn grime. After you are done washing it thoroughly, now it is time to dry it.
Step 3 – Dry the gloves
Dry the gloves using a dry cloth. Wipe it down properly to make sure no dirty water is left on it and voila! You are done. See, what was not too hard, was it? Regularly cleaning your gloves will keep them looking pristine.
Remember to always use cold water though. You should not use hot water for the same reasons you should not use a washing machine. The heat can change the shape of the gloves and that is something you certainly do not want.
Pro Tip: As your gloves dry, you can wear them. This will mold the fit completely to the shape of your hands and will make it much more comfortable. If wearing them isn’t possible, you can also massage them as they dry.
Final Words
Welding is a serious job and a dangerous one at that. A pair of proper fitting gloves is essential whether you are a professional welder or a hobbyist. So, choose your gloves carefully. The list I provided should help you to find the best welding gloves for small hands.
Just keep in mind the features I mentioned and you should be all set. Thanks for stopping by.
