10 Best Welding Pants to Protect Your Legs

Welding as we know can be a dangerous job to do if not wearing the right kind of gear or protective clothing. It requires the person to deal with the heat at high temperatures to fabricate two or more metal, thermoplastic, and/or wood parts together.

During the process of welding, sparks and flames are inevitable, hence, it is wise to take precautionary measures before any mishaps.Best Welding Pants

While we tend to cover our face, hands, and upper body with the appropriate attire or gear during welding, the lower body often is neglected. Result of which burns holes in our pants.

For us to avoid this unfortunate and frustrating experience of ruining a perfectly good pair of pants, it is best to invest in a good pair of welding pants.

In this article, I will cover some of the best welding pants available in the market, along with tips on how to choose the right welding pants.

Below is a List of the 10 Best Welding Pants

1.) Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s Fr Flame Resistant Relaxed Fit Jean

Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s Fr Flame Resistant Relaxed Fit Jean is made of cotton denim and is perfectly stylish, comfortable, and very safe that provides the wearer a lot of mobility.

These jeans are certified by both NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112. They meet the requirement of Hazard Rating Category level 2. Has a lot of room through the thighs and legs due to its relaxed fit.

It has a Nomex flame-resistant zipper tape and an arc-resistant button waistband closure with a concealed inner tack that aids in reducing heat conductivity. For increased visibility, it also features a safety orange outside id. They can be machine washed like most other jeans.


2.) ARIAT Men’s Flame Resistant M3 Loose Fit Jean 

ARIAT Men’s Flame Resistant M3 Loose Fit Jean is made of 100% cotton denim, making them lightweight and comfortable.

They meet the safety criteria as per NFPA 20, NFPA 2112, and fall under the HRC (Hazard Rating Category) 2.

These jeans are quite breathable and mobile, due to its loose fit style, making them a perfect choice for hot summer days. They can be easily worn over boots because of their wide boot cut design. An added plus point is they can be machine washed.


3.) Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Signature Denim Jean Relaxed Fit

Carhartt Men’s Flame Resistant Signature Denim Jean Relaxed Fit is made of 100% cotton denim. They weigh about 11.75 ounces, making them a lightweight option for people working in hot areas.

These jeans provide a lot of flexibility and mobility due to its relaxed fit design. The double stitches on the main seams make them highly durable like most other jeans.

They do comply with the safety standards of NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112. It features an arc-resistant button closure at the waist, has a brass zipper fly with Nomex zipper tape. Due to its wide boot cut design, it can be worn on top of boots seamlessly, and are machine washable.


4.) Dickie’s Men’s Flame-Resistant Duck Carpenter Jean

Dickies Men's Flame-Resistant Duck Carpenter Jean

The Dickie’s Men’s Flame-Resistant Duck Carpenter Jeans are made of 100% cotton and 11.5 ounces of durable duck.

They are certified by both NFPA 70E and UL, plus by NFPA 2112. It also has an ARC rating of 13 and belongs to level 2 of the Hazard Rating Category or HRC.

The pants very comfortable as it provides a classic fit that sits just a little below the waist. There is a lot of wiggle room through the seat and thighs. It is styled like the classic 5 pockets pants with heavy-duty button closure and a zipper-fly that is made of brass.


5.) Bulwark Flame Resistant Classic Fit Jean

Bulwark Flame Resistant Classic Fit Jeans are made of 88% cotton and 12% nylon, making them breathable and durable.

These jeans are slightly stiff comparatively but are still comfortable to do the work in. They are also designed with a wide boot cut, which allows them to be worn over boots without hassle.

One of its best features is the two-needle felled seam construction that aids in maximizing its durability. Other features include a one-piece waistband with button closure and five pockets.

As far as safety is concerned, they do meet the industry standards of CAT2, Arc Rating ATPV 21, and NFPA 2112. They can also be machine washed like the other jeans mentioned above.


6.) JOBMAN Workwear Welding Pants

JOBMAN Workwear Welding Pants are made of 100% cotton, thereby making them very durable, breathable, and lightweight. Compared to other welding pants these are slightly more expensive, however, the quality speaks for itself.

It is treated with a flame-retardant agent called Pyrovatex that makes it very safe for any welding project. Unlike the other flame-resistant pants, these meet the European safety standards categorized as EN11611 and EN1161.

Some of its best features consist of the number of pockets – 2 rear pockets, 2 front pockets, external pockets with kneepad, and 1 extra pocket on the left side. The kneepads aids in giving the wearer extra comfort while having to kneel-down for the project in hand.

They can be worn over boots due to their wide boot cut design. Best to buy a couple of sizes bigger for a better fit.


7.) MCR Safety 38600MW Memphis Split Cow Leather Welding Chaps

Memphis Split Cow Leather Welding Chaps are pants made specifically to be worn for welding work. As the name suggests, they are made of leather, which makes them highly durable.

Compared to a lot of other leather welding chaps these are slightly lighter, more flexible, and more breathable. They come with double-locked Kevlar thread stitches that enhance its durability and support.

It features riveted in all major stress points and treated green straps with quick-release buckles that aids in tightening or loosening the pants when needed to meet your comfort level. The bottom of the pants is wide-legged so it allows you to wear them on top of boots with ease.


8.) Caterpillar Men’s Flame Resistant Cargo Pant

Caterpillar Men’s Flame Resistant Cargo Pants are made of 88% cotton and 12% nylon. They are made quite thin, hence, making them lightweight, comfortable, plus breathable due to nylon.

They meet the safety standards of NFPA 2112, NFPA 70E, HR/Arc2, and have an ATPV value of 9.5. This makes them very reliable and protective for the wearer.

It features a zip fly with an anti-static shank closure, along with bellowed back pockets, ruler, cell, and cargo pockets. It has a classic fit with a 20inch leg opening at the bottom, so one can wear them over boots.

Other impressive features include a diamond crotch gusset and articulated knees that allow a lot of mobility and comfort.


9.) Magid SparkGuard FR Cotton Pants

Magid SparkGuard FR Cotton Pants are made with 100% cotton that makes them lightweight and very comfortable, especially for hot summer days.

They are of course flame resistant, which continues to remain so even after 50 washes. These pants are anti-static, anti-rot, and is also made of mildew-resistant fabric.

It features a zipper with leather reinforced front snap, two side pockets, and two rear patch pockets. They also meet the ASTM D6413-99 safety standards that make them highly protective.

Apart from welding work, they are also great for work that involves maintenance, metal fabrication, and the steel industry. These pants are one of the most affordable options available in the market.


10.) GazeChimp Cowhide Leather Safety Welding Jacket Long Pants

GazeChimp Cowhide Leather Safety Welding Jacket Long Pants are different than the ones mentioned above. I included this in the list for people who do not want to invest in a specific pair of welding pants. It can be bought along with the coat or just the pants individually.

They are meant to be worn on top of your usual clothes as a cover to shield you from any sparks or flames caused during welding.It is made with 100% genuine cowhide leather that is flame-resistant, making it extremely protective and durable.

They are comparatively heavy because of its thick and durable design, but still comfortable and safe to wear all through the day. Unlike the other welding pants, these do not have any pockets. However, they do have a similar wide boot cut at the bottom to make it easy to be worn over boots.

Tips on Buying the Right Pair of Welding Pants

It is a good practice to understand the features that you should consider before spending your money on any product. Similarly, even for welding pants, there are a few indispensable points to keep in mind, while scouting for one in the market.

1.) Check if the pants meet the safety standards set by the industry. Do not be shy to consult an expert while doing so, because it is not something you are expected to know. For basic knowledge, keep the NFPA rating (National Fire Protection Association) in mind.

2.) Fabric or the material should be either cotton, denim, or leather, as they are flame resistant.

3.) Learn about its durability, stitching, and reinforcements as these are some of the most key factors to consider.

4.) Being comfortable while working is necessary, so do check its weight, thickness, and breathability.

5.) If you are someone who wants a good-looking pair of welding pants, then do consider its style, design, fit, and size.

6.) For most people the pants must have a lot of pockets to store or carry the important tools, and most welding pants do come with this feature.

7.) Wearing work boots is a comfortable choice while doing any such manual work, hence, look for pants that have a wide boot/leg cut at the bottom.

Wrapping up

Follow the above tips and recommended list to help you make an informed and well-rounded decision before investing in a good pair of welding pants. Apart from the above tips, it is also important to consider your budget and comfort. Nothing like being in a reliable and comfortable pair of protective pants, which allows you to move about freely while welding.    

Stephen Luettgen
I have 12+ years of experience in construction, inspections, handy work, and currently working as a Construction Site Manager. In today’s day we spent a significant part of our time at workplace and a right work gear can have significant impact not only on your safety but also work quality.

Related Posts: