Looking for the Best Welding Shirts?
In A Rush? Check Out The Number 1 Pick Here:
- Covered front pockets and scribe pocket for welders
- Pass-through for fall protection harness on back
- Full zippered front with protective flap
- Welder's collar protects neck/size lag
Buying a shirt is a pretty trivial task for most. But if you’re a welder, your life is on the line when purchasing a shirt. I’m not even exaggerating – the risk of fatal injury is more than four deaths per thousand welders. Luckily, more and more brands are cropping up and offering safer and better-looking shirts.
But it’s really not worth taking your chances on shirts that don’t already have a reputation for being reliable. Don’t fret; you don’t have to research for the best options – I’ve done it for you! Here’s a list of 6 best welding shirts that will keep you looking dapper and also keep you protected.
6 Best Welding Shirts That Look Good And Keep You Protected
1. Revco Black Stallion
- Covered front pockets and scribe pocket for welders
- Pass-through for fall protection harness on back
- Full zippered front with protective flap
- Welder's collar protects neck/size lag
The hooded sweatshirt design of the Revco/Black Stallion JF1331 gives it an inherent advantage over other shirts on this list.
The hooded style allows it to give you added protection while keeping you looking good. The welder’s collar doesn’t make you look out of place, and the sturdy snaps on the collar hold the removable hood in place.
The hood is large enough to hold your helmet, and you can slip it off your head any time to get some weight off your head and cool off.
It’s fire-resistant and has a CAT 2 arc rating, which means it’ll hold up to the heat from spatter a lot better than a regular shirt.
The soapstone holder is a huge plus, but the scribe pockets feel out of place to some welders that are used to having front pockets.
But the closure over the pockets keeps sparks out, ensuring that the contents are safe.
While the material is comfortable and looks thick, the sweatshirt doesn’t get too warm. As long as you wear cotton on the inside, you’ll get through a workday without heating up.
It’s the voguish option meant for welders with an eye for utility – getting this will not only keep you safe, but its pockets and hood will make your job a tiny bit easier.
2. Bulwark Flame Resistant Work Shirt
When it comes to comfort, it is hard to beat the Bulwark Flame Resistant Work Shirt, since it’s made out of 7oz. 100% cotton.
While the shirt looks like regular work-wear, it exceeds the HRC1 standards and has a CAT 1 arc rating with the APTX = 7.7 calories/cm2.
The shirt is available in four colors: light blue, navy, silver-grey, and khaki, which makes it look a lot like the much more expensive Lapco welding shirts.
The plain color, coupled with the 7-button closure gives you a classy look. But one thing I really like about the shirt is that it comes with sleeve vents.
Sleeve vents are slits located right above the buttons. These slits leave small gaps in your sleeves that aren’t usually present, making the shirt more breathable and perfect for warm days.
But you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble in an inspection since the vents are 100% safe.
The shirt doesn’t shrink a lot, and holds up to both home and industrial wash well, which is excellent. But the buttoned pockets on the front aren’t wide enough to slip a phone into.
But overall, it’s comfortable, classy-looking, and, most importantly, supplies adequate protection – making it one of the best welding shirts in the market.
3. Benchmark FR Ultra Lightweight FR Shirt
- Style and Function - Arc and flame resistant button-up long sleeve collared shirt with two buttoned chest pockets
- Material - Comfortable, lightweight, skin-safe, moisture wicking, and breathable FR 5.1 ounce knit fabric. Rip-stop grid provides superior mechanical strength, drape and flexibility
- Quality - Manufactured in the United States for welders, utility workers, electrical lineman, oilfield and refinery workers by Benchmark FR. Each shirt is individually serialized to maintain the highest standards in manufacturing quality
- Safety - Provides HRC/CAT Level 2 protections with a 9 cal sq/cm rating with NFPA 2112 certification. Meets or exceeds NFPA 70E compliant and ASTM F1506 standards
- Laundry & Care - Machine wash cold or warm temperature using liquid or powder detergent. Tumble dry using low heat. Do not use bleach. Multi-hazard arc and flame-resistant properties will not degrade with wash and wear cycles
It’s common knowledge that 7 ounce fabrics are pretty thick, and if you live down South, the lightweight 5.1-ounce Benchmark FR shirt can be a blessing.
While it is noticeably lighter, no compromises are made to your safety. It has a CAT 2 arc rating, an ATPV of 9 cal, and an NFPA 2112 certification, making it one of the safest welding shirts available.
The simple shirt comes in three colors and boasts some of the industry’s best moisture-wicking capabilities, which is often acknowledged and appreciated by existing customers.
The grid structure of the fabric is loaded with Kevlar and ballistic nylon, which don’t wash away no matter how many times it’s laundered.
The front pockets are broad, but if you’re looking for a pearl snap welding shirt, this is not the right option for you, since it uses regular buttons.
But the excellent protection, high durability, and lightweight design make this BENCHMARK shirt worth every penny.
4. Carhartt Big & Tall Welding Shirt
- Carhartt Company Gear Collection
- 6-ounce FR twill: 88% cotton/12% high-tenacity nylon
- Work-Dry® material wicks away moisture for comfort
- Anti-odor fabric treatment
Carhartt welding shirts are best-known for the excellent protection they offer, but the Big & Tall welding shirt does you one better:
Since it’s a twirl shirt, it’s inherently moisture-wicking, making it the perfect shirt for warm weather. The shirt is made of 88% cotton and 12% high-tenacity nylon, which makes it more durable than similarly-priced shirts and also makes it lighter at 6 ounces.
The fabric is anti-odor treated, which is a huge plus, and the ATPV rating of 8.7 means that it’s built to meet NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112 requirements.
5. Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt
- PREMIUM FLAME RETARDANT (FR) FABRIC – The shirt is made from ASTM D6413 compliant 9 oz. FR black cotton which prevents and extinguishes fire / flames. The fabric also has an anti-static coating for added longevity and protection.
- SUPERIOR COMFORT – The lightweight FR material is designed to be breathable allowing consistent airflow to keep you cool without sacrificing protection.
- REINFORCED DESIGN - The shoulders, neck, button column and cuffs are double layered to provide reinforced protection in the high contact areas.
- CUSTOM FIT – This shirt is designed to provide improved maneuverability and additional leg protection with a variable length based on size.
- ADJUSTABLE CUFFS – Each cuff has chrome plated metal snaps allowing for important wrist and forearm protection from sparks, spatter and heat.
If sizing problems gripe you, the Lincoln Electric Welding Shirt is right for you. It comes in five sizes, and the premium flame retardant fabric keeps you both safe and comfortable.
The shoulders, neck, button column, and the cuffs are the points where you’re most prone to injury. The shirt is double-layered at all these points, enhancing safety.
But the trade-off is the heavy weight, which is why it didn’t make it to the top of the list.
6. Wrangler Fire Resistant Work Shirt
- CLASSIC WORKSHIRT. Made with a comfortable, relaxed fit through the torso and arms, this long sleeve work shirt is a workwear staple. Constructed with durable materials and flame resistant features for comfort and protection on the job.
- FLAME RESISTANT. Designed to meet rigorous FR requirements, this flame resistant workshirt is designed to self-extinguish to help prevent or reduce the severity of burn injuries.
- DURABLE PROTECTION. This fire resistant work shirt is built to last and keep you safe on the job. Made with 100% FR cotton and finished with safety orange outside ID for enhanced visibility.
- FR SPECIFICATIONS. NFPA-2112; HRC 2; ATPV 8.5 Calories/cm2. Compliant with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269, NFPA -70E and ASTM 1506-02ae1. Nomex (FR) thread used in all garment seams.
- UTILITY STORAGE. Finished with (2) button closure flap pockets and a pencil stall at the left pocket for easy access.
Wrangler is best-known in the welding industry for its stylish denim welding shirts and also its western welding shirts.
But the regular fire resistant work shirt rarely gets the credit it deserves. The fabric is super comfortable and wicks away moisture with ease.
The 8 Cal rating ensures that you are safe, and the high-wear areas are triple-stitched, making it so that your investment lasts years.
FAQs
What is the arc rating?
The arc rating is a measure of a fabric’s ability to insulate the wearer from second-degree burns. The higher the number, the better.
Can a welding shirt last as long as a regular shirt?
Even the best welding shirts have a limited life, but if you don’t want your shirt to stain and look new for longer, you can consider starching it. You can do this at home, but if you’re inexperienced, you can enquire at your local laundry shop.
What type of shirts do welders wear?
Cotton is an ideal material for workwear due to its softness and breathability. If you must wear a cotton shirt when welding, ensure that it is flame retardant, oil-free, and heavier weight for durability and protection from UV light and hot spatter.
What kind of clothing do welders wear?
Clothing consisting of rigid materials such as wool, leather, or heavy cotton should be worn. Additionally, we recommend wearing a welding apron, welding sleeves, or welding jacket for added protection.
Why do welders starch their shirts?
Are you curious as to why welders starch their clothing? Because applying a high starch to clothing worn during welding lowers the amount of damage to the garments and, ultimately, the skin. The starch creates a protective layer over the underlying material, extending its life.
Verdict
The Revco Black Stallion not only looks cool, but it also supplies a ton of practical features like the concealed soapstone holder and the removable hood, which make it my top recommendation.
The top-notch CAT 2 rating ensures safety, and the sleek flaps keep sparks and spatter out of your pockets. The welder’s collar seals the modern look and also keeps you safe.
It might look warm, but it keeps you cool – making it hard NOT to recommend.
- PREMIUM MATERIAL & CONSTRUCTION: Our welding shirts are made with 100% cotton twill with an 8 ounce of weight. The material is designed to be breathable allowing consistent airflow to keep you cool without sacrificing protection!
- FIRST-RATE DESIGNS: Our welding shirt has pearl-colored snaps throughout & a spread collar. A front and back western-shaped yokes and two chest pockets with flaps & snap closures making it a fashionable getup with maximum protection!
- WIDE-RANGE OF COLORS & SIZES: You can never go wrong with our wide range of colors and sizes that you can choose from! The relaxed fit goes well with the left-pocket flap with pencil opening and triple-snap cuffs with extended plackets!
- MUST-HAVE WELDING PROTECTION: Our welder tee shirts are made in Peru and is designed to provide minimal shrinkage, maximum comfort, and optimum safety and durability. It is machine washable and has strong triple-stitched over every seam!
- 100% CUSTOMER HAPPINESS: Western Welder Outfitting offers premium quality welding shirts so you can rest easy with your purchase! If you encounter any issue, contact us and we will offer 100% satisfactory service for you!
- Carhartt Company Gear Collection
- 6-ounce FR twill: 88% cotton/12% high-tenacity nylon
- Work-Dry® material wicks away moisture for comfort
- Anti-odor fabric treatment
- 7.5oz 100% Cotton FR Twill
- Western Style, High quality snap buttons at front open, pocket flaps and sleeve cuffs.
- This garments meets or exceeds the standards for HRC2,Arc Rating Atpv 9.2 Calories/cm2 and the requirements of NFPA2112 Standard on Flame Resisant Garments for Protection of industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire,2012 Edition.
- Machine Wash
- ASTM1506
- 8 oz. FR-treated cotton denim
- Generous comfortable fit
- Chest pockets with flaps
- Durable metal snaps
- Available in sizes Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, 2X-Large, 3X-Large, and 4X-Large.
- FR MATRIALS:7.5OZ Cotton Twill FR Treated,FR Buttons,FR Sewing Threads!Clear FR Tag on arms and bottom front.More FR info On Neck Tag About UL Certification.We Attached A Small Sample Inside Package For Cunstomers Simple FR Try
- FASION AND COMFIT:This FR Work Shirt Provides A Perfect And Comfortable Fit Also Soft And fashionable.We Did Prewash/ Preshrunk And Wrinkle-Free.
- ENSURE SAFETY AT WORK :This garments meets or exceeds the standards for HRC2,Arc Rating Atpv 9.2 Calories/cm2 and the requirements of NFPA2112 Standard on Flame Resisant Garments for Protection of industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire,2012 Edition.Also NFPA70E ASTM F1506 AND CAT II Cerfied!
- MULTI-USE:Made For Welders, Fitters, Ironworkers, Electricians, And Other Industrial Workers Even At Home. It Can Be Used For Any Kind Of Industrial And Construction works.More Durable Fabrics Pockets In Just The Right Places With So Many Features That Help You Get The Job Done. Our Workwear Pretect You Everyday And Help You Doing Heavy Works.
- MORE USE TIME: UP TO 100 WASHES ,Our shirts has the appropriate level of protective gear and stays enforced up to numerous washes. You can wear and wash it over and over again for up to 100 times before FR still works.(NFPA2112,ASTM F1506,CAT II)