Black Stallion FN9-30C 30" 9oz. Navy FR Cotton Welding Jacket, Large

A lightweight welding jacket I actually reach for

I reach for a lightweight cotton welding jacket more often than I expect, and Black Stallion’s cotton welding jacket has become the one I grab by default. It checks the right boxes for day‑to‑day shop work: breathable 9 oz FR-treated cotton, a tall welder’s collar that actually stays put, and a snap front that’s quick to get on and off with gloved hands. It’s not a leather replacement for heavy, overhead stick or flux-core work, but within its lane it performs well and holds up respectably.

Design and build

The jacket is built from 9 oz flame-resistant treated cotton in a dark navy that hides grime better than lighter colors. At 9 oz, it strikes a practical balance—stout enough to shrug off routine sparks and incidental spatter, yet flexible and breathable compared to heavier 12 oz cotton or full leather. The hardware is thoughtfully executed: six metal snaps down the front, each backed with leather reinforcement so they don’t tear out when you rip the jacket open with your gloves still on. The cuffs are snapped too, which matters more than it sounds; cinched cuffs limit the path for spatter to sneak under your sleeves.

The collar is taller than a standard shirt collar and shaped to stand up without digging into your neck. I especially appreciate the dedicated collar snap; pop it closed and it seals the gap at your throat that loves to collect sneaky sparks and UV. Inside, there’s a small stash pocket for earplugs, a lighter, or an ID, and on the sleeve a narrow “scribe” pocket sized for a soapstone, silver pencil, or paint marker.

Stitching is neat and consistent. Seams sit flat, and I haven’t seen any early fraying at stress points. The 30-inch length provides adequate torso coverage for most positions without bunching around the waist when you’re crouched or leaning into a bay.

Fit and comfort

This jacket wears a little roomy, which I prefer. The cut gives you space to move your shoulders and lift your arms without the hem riding way up. On me, a true-to-size fit accommodates a long-sleeve base layer or a flannel in cooler weather. If you’ve got notably long arms, consider sizing up for sleeve length; the body has enough ease that an upsize doesn’t feel like a tent, and the cuff snaps help dial the wrist fit back in.

Comfort is where this jacket separates itself from heavier options. On warm days TIG welding or running short MIG beads, I don’t dread putting it on. It breathes, it bends with you, and it doesn’t feel like armor. The collar sits nicely under a hood and doesn’t chafe, even buttoned all the way up.

Protection in real use

In practice, the protection is exactly what I want from FR cotton. It blocks the bulk of radiant heat and UV from the arc, and it takes the peppering of sparks and small spatter in stride without pinholes appearing everywhere. On heavier, sustained MIG passes with more spatter, it still does the job, but you’ll feel heat from larger globs that land and sit—FR cotton will char and self-extinguish rather than melt, but it’s not immune to hot slag. For overhead or vertical stick where spatter rains down, I switch to leather sleeves or a full leather jacket. That’s less a knock on this jacket than a reminder that material choice needs to match the process and position.

The tall collar earns its keep. Buttoned, it meaningfully reduces the chance of neck peppering and UV exposure in tight positions. Paired with gloves, the cuff snaps close down the classic spark entry points at the wrists. The 30-inch length keeps your belt line covered when you’re sitting on a stool at the bench or kneeling at a chassis rail.

Durability and care

FR-treated cotton is a consumable in a busy shop, and this one lands on the durable end for its weight. The leather-reinforced snaps are a quiet upgrade—you can rip them open one-handed without fear of the fabric tearing around the hardware. Over time, elbows and forearms will show wear before the rest of the jacket, especially if you lean on rough steel or catch persistent spatter there. Plan on the jacket developing character rather than staying pristine.

I wash mine cold with a mild detergent and skip bleach and fabric softeners (both degrade FR treatments). Low tumble dry or hang dry preserves hand feel and minimizes shrink. Expect a touch of tightening after the first wash—as with any cotton—but not enough to change your size choice if you started with a comfortable fit. If you keep up with proper laundering, the FR performance remains reliable for shop duty.

As for lifespan, I treat jackets like this as a rotation item. One stays “clean” for TIG and clean assembly, another takes the MIG and grinding days. With that approach, I get many months out of each. If you’re running hot, spattery processes all day, every day, this will eventually show burn marks and thin spots, but that’s the job it’s doing.

Pockets and everyday usability

The sleeve scribe pocket gets used constantly—soapstone and a silver pencil live there and are always within reach. The inside pocket is handy for earplugs, a small notepad, or a driver’s license; it’s not huge, but it’s secure and protected from sparks. I would love an exterior chest pocket with a flap for a phone or small tape, but I also understand the omission—fewer exterior edges for sparks to catch and fewer items to melt.

Snaps over a zipper is the right call on a welding jacket. Snaps don’t clog with grinding dust, they’re easy to operate with gloves, and if a stray spark lands on the placket, there’s no melted zipper coil to fail later.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

Shines:
- General MIG and TIG in flat and horizontal positions
- Fabrication, automotive work, and field repairs in warm to moderate temperatures
- Training environments and hobby shops where comfort encourages consistent PPE use
- Situations where quick on/off matters

Less ideal:
- Overhead or out‑of‑position stick/flux-core where spatter is heavy and sustained
- Grinding-intensive days where leather fronts or aprons protect better
- Environments with sharp edges constantly abrading elbows and forearms

Sizing advice

• Start with your normal work-shirt size if you plan to wear a light base layer. If you routinely layer a heavy hoodie beneath, consider sizing up.
• If you have long arms relative to your chest size, upsizing for sleeve length is reasonable; the roomy cut and cuff snaps keep it workable.
• Expect minimal shrinkage if laundered correctly; avoid hot washes and hot dries.

Pairing and alternatives

For heavy, spattery work, pair the jacket with leather sleeves or switch to a leather jacket. If you work in consistently cold shops, a 12 oz FR cotton jacket or a lined version trades breathability for warmth and abrasion resistance. For light-duty bench TIG, this cotton jacket is ideal on its own—comfortable enough that you won’t “forget” to wear it.

Adding a leather apron is a smart middle ground for long horizontal beads across your lap; it keeps the jacket from accumulating burn marks in the high‑risk zone.

Value

The value proposition here is straightforward: you get real FR protection, thoughtful features, and user-friendly comfort at a price that makes sense. It’s inexpensive enough to keep a couple on hand, yet built well enough that you don’t feel like you’re throwing money at disposable PPE. If you’re price-conscious but don’t want to compromise on basic protection and comfort, this is a sweet spot.

The bottom line

Black Stallion’s cotton welding jacket earns a spot on my rack because it makes the right trade-offs for everyday fabrication: protective enough for most shop welding, breathable and flexible so I keep it on, and durable where it needs to be. The tall collar and reinforced snaps are practical touches that pay off every single day. It’s not the right tool for heavy overhead spatter—that’s leather territory—but as a go‑to jacket for light to moderate MIG and TIG, automotive work, and general fab, it performs the way I need it to.

Recommendation: I recommend this jacket. It’s comfortable and protective for the majority of welding tasks, the features are thoughtful without being fussy, and the price supports keeping one clean and one for the dirty work. If your work regularly involves heavy, overhead spatter, supplement with leather; otherwise, this cotton jacket is a dependable, easy‑wear solution that encourages good PPE habits.