DeWalt Premium TIG Welding Gloves

Why these TIG gloves earned a spot in my kit

I’m picky about TIG gloves: I want fingertip feel without babying the glove, forearm coverage that doesn’t turn my sleeve into a furnace, and stitching that won’t melt into fuzz after a hot pass. The DeWalt TIG gloves hit most of those notes in everyday use, and they do it with a mix of materials that feels purpose-built for TIG work rather than repurposed from heavier welding styles.

Build and materials

The palm and fingertips are grade‑A buffalo leather, stitched throughout with Kevlar. On the back of the hand and the cuff, DeWalt uses a fire‑resistant, breathable fabric instead of full leather. That hybrid construction matters: the leather where you need durability and tactile control, the fabric where bulk and trapped heat tend to make TIG gloves clammy.

The index finger is seamless, and it’s not just a marketing bullet. On a torch with a small cup and tight joint access, the lack of a seam at the inside of the index finger removes a ridge that typically interferes with precise torch angles. Reinforcements are smartly placed: thumb saddle, finger caps, a drag patch on the palm, and wear areas that usually glazing‑polish first on a TIG glove. The long, gauntlet‑style cuff closes with a hook‑and‑loop strap and there’s elastic sewn into the wrist to keep grit from creeping in.

On the scale they’re light for their coverage, about half a pound a pair, and they flex more than you’d expect from buffalo leather. They felt slightly firm out of the bag, then softened after a couple of hours of tacking and short beads.

Fit and comfort

I wore a size Large, and the palm and finger length were true to size. The back‑of‑hand fabric has a bit of give, which lets the glove fit closer without pinching when you curl your fingers around the torch. The cuff is generous in length—about halfway up my forearm on me—and the hook‑and‑loop closure lets you snug it over a thin jacket sleeve. If you run bulky leathers or very thick sweatshirt cuffs, expect a fairly close fit at the forearm; it seals well but can feel tight over heavy layers.

Breathability is better than full‑leather TIG gloves. I could run repeated tacks on thin stainless without that sweaty back‑hand swamp that builds up under non‑breathable cuffs. The elastic at the wrist also does its job: less grit and spatter sneaking down the glove on overhead or out‑of‑position work.

Dexterity and torch control

Dexterity is the headline here. The buffalo leather at the fingertips is thin enough to let me feel a 1/16‑inch filler rod and adjust arc length by finger pressure alone. The seamless index finger is the standout; rolling the torch between thumb and index while “walking” a small cup felt smoother, and I could choke up close to a fillet without the seam catching on the edge. I had no trouble picking up small hardware or spinning a gas lens on by hand.

The drag patch location is well judged. Resting the heel of my hand to steady long beads on flat plate didn’t chew up the leather prematurely, and the patch adds just enough structure that the glove doesn’t bunch under your palm. Stitching is tidy and tight, with no high ridges at the fingertip pads.

If your TIG work regularly involves micro‑work in a fab setting—thin sheet, small OD tubing, or precise root passes—these give you more feel than typical “one‑glove‑does‑all” welders’ gloves without feeling fragile.

Heat and spatter protection

These are TIG gloves, not heavy MIG or stick mitts. The contact heat rating is EN 407 level 1, which translates to basic protection against brief contact with hot material. In practice, that matched my experience: I could reposition warm coupons and brush against a recently welded joint for a moment without discomfort, but I wouldn’t palm a freshly cut part or catch heavy slag.

The breathable fabric on the back of the hand is the trade‑off that gives you comfort and dexterity but less radiant heat shielding than all‑leather backs. On longer, hotter runs with larger cups and higher amperage, the back of my hand got warm sooner than it would in thicker, all‑leather gloves. If you primarily run hotter processes or expect frequent spatter showers, you’ll want something with more heat mass and coverage. For typical TIG amperage, tack‑ups, and controlled beads, these hold up fine.

Cuff, closure, and debris management

The gauntlet‑length cuff is a real advantage. It adds forearm coverage during out‑of‑position work and protects against incidental contact with warmed material. The hook‑and‑loop closure cinches securely; I could adjust for a snug seal that kept grinding dust and scale from drifting inside the glove. Over time, the strap will inevitably collect some grit—common to any hook‑and‑loop setup—but the stitching and fabric folded neatly and never snagged on sleeves.

The elastic wrist is useful even with the cuff open. If you’re in and out of the gloves frequently, leaving the cuff a bit loose still keeps the glove seated, which helps keep the fingers aligned for good feel.

Durability observations

Buffalo leather is tougher than goatskin of similar thickness, and it’s apparent in how the palms and fingertips handled repeated dragging and repositioning. After a few sessions, the fingertips showed a light polish but no thinning, and the thumb saddle reinforcement prevented that common split you get where the torch grip rubs. The Kevlar stitching stayed tight—no toasted thread ends around the index and middle finger even after working close to warm fillets.

I generally avoid using TIG gloves for grinding or handling very sharp edges, and I kept to that rule here. These aren’t cut‑resistant gloves, and the breathable fabric on the back would be the first to complain if you start using them as general shop gloves.

Limitations

• Heat rating: EN 407 level 1 is the minimum. Fine for TIG and brief contact with warm material, not for heavy hot work, prolonged contact, or catching spatter balls.
• Back‑of‑hand fabric: Great for comfort, not great for radiant heat. If you work close to hot parts for extended periods, consider an all‑leather back or a higher heat‑rated glove.
• Cuff fit: Over very bulky sleeves, the fitted cuff and strap can feel tight. If you wear thick jackets, you may want to size up or plan to wear the cuff under the sleeve.
• No water or wind resistance: Not an issue indoors, but worth noting for field work in wet or cold conditions.

Care and sizing tips

• Sizing runs true in the palm and fingers. If you’re between sizes or wear very thick sleeves, sizing up can help the cuff fit more comfortably.
• Let them break in. The leather softens noticeably after a short session and becomes more supple without losing structure.
• Keep them dry and clean. Brush off spatter and dust; avoid soaking the leather. A light leather conditioner on the palm can maintain suppleness, but don’t saturate.
• Inspect reinforcements. The drag patch and thumb saddle take the brunt of wear; catching a stitch issue early prevents a bigger failure.

Bottom line

The DeWalt TIG gloves prioritize dexterity and practical coverage in a way that suits how TIG work is actually done. The seamless index finger, smart reinforcement layout, and breathable back combine to give excellent torch control without giving up durability where it counts. Their heat protection is intentionally limited—appropriate for TIG, not a stand‑in for heavy welding gloves—and the long, adjustable cuff adds useful forearm protection and debris control.

Recommendation: I recommend these gloves for TIG welders who value fingertip feel and controlled torch handling with added forearm coverage. They’re a strong everyday choice for bench and light fab TIG work, thin stainless and mild steel, and general fitting and tack‑ups around the booth. If your work leans heavily into high‑heat processes, sustained radiant exposure, or frequent spatter, choose a higher heat‑rated, all‑leather alternative; otherwise, these strike a well‑judged balance of dexterity, comfort, and durability.