Best Metal Working Gloves 2024

Metalworking involves shaping and altering metals to create handy tools, structures, and virtually anything else. Metalworkers perform a range of tasks, from using sharp mechanical tools to cutting metals to working in hot foundries. Regardless of the type of metalwork you do, it's crucial to protect your hands from potential injuries that can happen in the workplace.

To assist you in finding the ideal gloves for your specific sector, we've created this helpful guide on the Best Gloves for Metalwork. This article will aid you in selecting the most suitable option for your particular requirements and ensure a highly productive and safe working experience no matter the environment.

What Does This Guide Cover?

• Best Gloves for Welding Metal
• Best Gloves for Forging Metal
• Best Gloves for Cutting Metal
• Best Metal Soldering Gloves
• Best Gloves for Metal Foundry
• Best Lightweight Cut-Resistant Metalwork Gloves 

Best Gloves for Welding

Our Winner: Portwest Cow Split Leather Welder's Gauntlets A510

What We Love:

• Made from cow-split leather to offer protection against cuts and abrasions
• Feature a cotton interior that guarantees a comfortable wearing experience
• Offer maximum heat and burn protection for reinforced safety
• Specifically manufactured for precision welding and metal handling

Technical Specifications:

• Performance rating EN 407 (Protection Against Thermal Risks)

Editor's Verdict: If your role involves metal welding, it's important that you look for a glove with a high level of palm and back-of-hand heat protection. The Portwest Cow Split Leather Welders Gauntlets A510 provide maximum protection against contact heat and convective heat while also being resistant to fire and small splashes of motel metal, making them perfect for tactile welding applications and any job that may involve the handling of extremely hot items.

Best Gloves for Forging Metal

Our Winner: HexArmor Helix 2082 Cut Level D Arc Flash Safety Gloves (60614)

What We Love:

• Feature a 13-gauge flame-resistant aramid and wool blend for superb cut protection
• Include a flexible neoprene and nitrile blend palm coating for exceptional dexterity
• Seamless construction allows for enhanced comfort while maintaining tactility
• Provides protection against contact heat temperatures of up to 250°C

Technical Specifications:

• EN 388: 3X43D (Protection Against Mechanical Risks)
• Performance rating EN 407 (Protection Against Thermal Risks)

Editor's Verdict: When performing forging tasks, wearing gloves not only protects against heat but also provides necessary support to the hands and wrists, allowing you to keep forging for prolonged periods. Featuring a robust aramid and wool cut and heat-resistant design, the HexArmor Helix 2082 Cut Level D Arc Flash Safety Gloves (60614) are a brilliant option to protect your hands against burns and lacerations that can happen during a forging job. These gloves also include a flexible neoprene and nitrile palm coating that enables superb dexterity without compromising comfort.

Best Gloves for Cutting Metal

Our Winner: MaxiCut Ultra Level E Cut Safety Gloves (44-5745)

What We Love:

• Provide nearly unbeatable Level E-graded cut protection
• Designed to withstand over 12,000 abrasive cycles due to strong coating construction
• Latest knitting technology produces a smooth feel and enables improved fingertip sensitivity
• Feature an ergonomic design that mimics the hand for increased comfort and precision

Technical Specifications:

• Performance rating EN 388 (Protection Against Mechanical Risks)

Editor's Verdict: If you work in metal cutting and are looking for gloves that will keep your hands shielded against sharp blades, the MaxiCut Ultra Level E Cut Safety Gloves (44-5745) make for your perfect match. Although these gloves are not the best for protecting you against hot metals, they feature unique high-performance yarns and fibres that provide almost unbeatable cut protection to ensure that your hands are covered against potential deep cuts and lacerations.

Best Metal Soldering Gloves

Our Winner: Portwest Heat-Resistant Cotton Glove A590

What We Love:

• Meta-aramid fibres offer 250°C contact heat resistance
• Include a strong liner to provide protection against cuts and tears
• Designed with a thing construction for dexterity – perfect for soldering
• Feature a long cuff that offers extended wrist protection

Technical Specifications:

• Performance rating EN 388 (Protection Against Mechanical Risks) 

Editor's Verdict: When it comes to metal soldering, precision is crucial. That's why the Portwest A590 Heat-Resistant Cotton Glove is a great choice. Not only is it lightweight and seamless, allowing for comfortable and agile use of small tools, but it also has long cuffs to protect your wrists from cuts and other injuries. Additionally, it can withstand heat up to 250°C for added safety.

Best Gloves for Metal Foundry

Our Winner: UCi X5-Sumo Latex Coated Kevlar Lined Highly Cut Resistant Gloves

What We Love:

• Provide contact heat resistance at temperatures of up to 250°C for fifteen seconds
• Offer Level E cut resistance to provide suitable protection against lacerations
• Feature a textured latex palm that enables workers to have an enhanced grip on tools
• Include a fabric sanitation system that prevents germs and bacteria from spreading

Technical Specifications:

• Performance rating EN 407 (Protection Against Thermal Risks Including Heat or Fire)

Editor's Verdict: Metal foundry requires the use of gloves made from highly heat-resistant materials. Opting for gloves with a synthetic or plastic base could heighten the risk of melting and sticking to your skin, which could result in severe injuries. The UCi X5-Sumo Latex Coated Kevlar Lined Highly Cut Resistant Gloves feature excellent heat protection to allow you to quickly transfer blacksmithing metal, stones and material blocks for up to 15 seconds. These gloves also provide outstanding Level E cut resistance, making them a suitable choice for metalworkers working across different fields, such as cutting or welding.

Best Lightweight Cut-Resistant Metalwork Gloves

Our Winner: HexArmor PointGuard Ultra 9032 Cut Level F Needle Handling Gloves

What We Love:

• Provide the highest needlestick and cut resistance available for reinforced protection
• Feature a seamless construction and lightweight design for improved comfort
• Include a sandy nitrile 3/4 knuckle and palm coating that provides excellent grip
• Knit wrist prevents dirt and debris from getting into the glove

Technical Specifications:

• Performance rating EN 388 (Protection Against Mechanical Risks)

Editor's Verdict: Finding a lightweight glove that will offer superb cut resistance can be quite a tricky task. Luckily, the HexArmor PointGuard Ultra 9032 Cut Level F Needle Handling Gloves are here to save the day of all those metalworkers handling sharp tools. These gloves feature seamless, lightweight construction and provide excellent Level F cut protection, which makes for the highest level of cut resistance available. What's more, the reinforced design of these gloves also provides suitable protection from injection apertures ranging from 0.05 to 0.3mm to ensure that your hands stay intact in even the riskiest of jobs.