Ningbo Toprise Security Products Co., Ltd is one of the top cow split leather welding gloves manufacturers. For promotion of our welding gloves, we are intended to share today how to choose the right cow split leather welding gloves wisely. Cow split leather gloves are popular because of their durability, protection, heat resistance, comfort and their affordability.
1. Types of Leather & Split Leather Welding Gloves
1.1 Leather Types
Unprocessed cowhide can be quite thick up to 6 to 10 millimeters, depending on the age, size, and breed of the cow. Below is a pic to show the leather structure, in which from top to bottom we can get full grain leather, top grain leather, genuine & suede leather (split leather).
1.2 Leather Thickness
Full grain leather typically ranges from 1.2 mm to 3.5 mm; Top grain leather generally falls within 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm; And split leather usually ranges from 1.2 mm to 5.0 mm. Based on experience, welding gloves are usually ranging from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. From the perspective of thickness, split leather is quite suitable for welding gloves producing.
1.3 Process of Splitting the Hide
Tan the Hide
A tanning process for the cow hide is the first step to preserve it and prepare it for further processing. The tanning process makes the leather more flexible and resistant to decay. At this stage, the hide is unrefined and so thick that it needs splitting into layers for different uses.
Split the Leather
It passes a splitting machine with a sharp blade that separates the hide into multiple layers based on thickness. After splitting, we get top grain (full-grain) leather and split leather.
Finishing and Treatment of Split Leather
Split leather needs buffing and treating to get a more uniform texture or enhance its durability. For example, some coated split leather products have better performance in their resistance to moisture or chemicals.
1.4 Split Leather & Grain Leather
Below is a table to show the difference between split leather and grain leather. From the comparison in the table, we can easily find that split leather is typically less expensive than top-grain leather but still offers excellent toughness and heat resistant protection. As a result, the split leather is ideal for welding gloves manufacturing.
| Feature | Grain Leather | Split Leather |
| Texture and Appearance | Smooth, natural grain with visible pores and imperfections (full-grain), or polished (top-grain) | Rougher texture, may be coated to mimic grain leather, less natural |
| Thickness | Thinner, yet strong and flexible | Thicker, often stiffer |
| Durability | Highly durable, resists wear and develops a patina over time | Durable, but less so than grain leather, more prone to wear |
| Price | More expensive due to premium quality | More affordable, derived from inner layers of the hide |
| Smell | Rich, natural leather smell | Often has a more synthetic or chemical smell |
| Flexibility | Flexible, softens over time | Stiffer, less flexible |
| Water Absorption | Absorbs water, darkens slightly as it absorbs moisture | More resistant to water, water may sit on surface or run off if coated |
| Common Uses | High-end products like shoes, bags, furniture, and jackets | Work gloves, upholstery, budget leather goods, industrial use |
2. Cow Split Leather Grading
The grading of split cow leather mainly focuses on its consistency, appearance, and processing quality. Grades A and B split leather tend to have a more uniform appearance and fewer imperfections, while Grades C and D leather is more often for places where aesthetics are less important.
| Grade | Quality | Appearance | Finish | Use Case |
| A | High quality, uniform texture, fewer imperfections | Even surface, finished to mimic grain leather, refined look | Often finished with coatings for improved durability and appearance | Premium work gloves, mid-range furniture, bags, shoes |
| B | Good quality, minor imperfections, consistent thickness | Less uniform than Grade A, but suitable for visible products | May have a protective finish, less refined than Grade A | General-purpose work gloves, upholstery, industrial use |
| C | Lower quality, noticeable imperfections, rough texture | Rough, visible imperfections, less aesthetic | Usually untreated or lightly finished, rougher texture | Heavy-duty gloves, protective clothing, industrial covers |
| D | Lowest quality, many imperfections, inconsistent thickness | Irregular, highly visible defects, low aesthetic value | Rarely finished, used for functional purposes | Lining, padding, temporary protective coverings |
For welding gloves, Grade B split leather is the best choice due to its balance between durability, heat resistance, and cost. It provides enough protection for high-heat environments like MIG and stick welding while remaining cost-effective for frequent use. Grade A split leather can be chosen for premium welding gloves that prioritize longevity and comfort, though it comes at a higher price. Avoid Grade C split leather for professional welding, as it may not provide adequate protection or durability.
3. Types of Grade B Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves
3.1 Based on Welding Gloves Length
Based on welding gloves manufacturing experience, people prefer the following 3 different lengths for leather welding gloves. They are 27cm, 35cm, and 40cm respectively. We prepare a table here to have a direct look into their differences.
| Glove Length | Protection | Flexibility | Use Case | Advantages |
| 10.5” Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves | Provides basic protection for the hands and lower wrists. Suitable for light to medium welding tasks. | High flexibility due to shorter length, easier to move hands and wrists. | Ideal for light-duty welding or tasks requiring more dexterity (e.g., TIG welding). | Great for jobs requiring fine motor control. Easier to wear in confined spaces. |
| 14” Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves | Offers mid-level protection, covering the hands and forearms, guarding against sparks and hot metal. | Moderate flexibility, still allows reasonable hand movement while offering more coverage. | Suitable for MIG welding, stick welding, and general-purpose welding tasks. | Provides a good balance between protection and dexterity. Protects forearms from heat and debris. |
| 16” Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves | Provides maximum protection for the hands, wrists, and most of the forearms. Ideal for handling very high-heat or high-spark welding environments. | Less flexible due to the longer length, but still offers enough movement for standard tasks. | Best for heavy-duty welding, such as stick welding or arc welding, where intense heat and debris are common. | Excellent protection for arms, reduces the risk of burns and injury from flying sparks and hot metal. |
27cm leather welding gloves are best for light-duty welding where high dexterity is needed, such as TIG welding; 35cm leather welding gloves is suitable for general welding like MIG and stick welding; and 40cm leather welding gloves are more often for heavy-duty welding tasks with maximum protection for the arms and hands.
3.2 Cotton Back & Full Leather Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves
Cotton back welding gloves are ideal for lighter welding tasks where breathability and dexterity are essential. They provide moderate protection while keeping the hands cool.
Full leather welding gloves are necessary for heavy-duty welding with maximum protection from heat, sparks, and abrasions. While less breathable, they are far more durable and protective. They are the top choice for industrial welders.
Below is a comparison table for the two kinds of split leather welding gloves.
| Feature | Cotton Back Welding Gloves | Full Leather Welding Gloves |
| Material | Leather palm and fingers with a cotton back | Entirely made of leather (cow, goat, pig, etc.) |
| Protection | Moderate protection, less heat resistance at the back | High-level protection against heat, sparks, and abrasions |
| Comfort | Highly breathable, lightweight, and cooler to wear | Less breathable, can get warm, but some are lined for comfort |
| Flexibility | More flexible, allowing for better dexterity | Less flexible but still offers decent movement depending on thickness |
| Durability | Less durable, especially the cotton back | Highly durable, designed to withstand heavy-duty use |
| Use Case | Light-duty welding, TIG welding, jobs requiring dexterity | Heavy-duty welding (MIG, Stick, Arc), high heat environments |
| Advantages | Breathable, lightweight, comfortable for long wear | Superior protection, durability, and longevity |
| Disadvantages | Less protection on the back, less durable overall | Heavier and less flexible, can get warm during long use |
3.3 Unlined, Half-lining or Full-Lining Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves
Half-lining cow split leather gloves means the interior of the glove is only partially lined, typically covering the palm, fingers, or parts of the hand where most contact with heat occurs. The rest of the glove, usually the back or cuff, is unlined;
Full-lining cow split leather gloves require that the entire interior of the glove shall be lined with an insulating material (cotton, fleece, or wool). That is to say, the lining shall cover both the palm, fingers, and back of the hand.
| Feature | Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves Without Lining | Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves with Half-Lining | Cow Split Leather Welding Gloves with Full-Lining |
| Material | Split leather without internal lining | Partially lined (usually palm and fingers) | Fully lined with insulating material |
| Protection | Basic protection against heat and sparks | Moderate protection, lined in key areas (palm, fingers) | Maximum protection across the entire glove |
| Comfort | Lightweight, less insulation | Breathable, lightweight, and comfortable in key areas | Fully insulated, comfortable but warmer during use |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible and allows for precise movement | Flexible and lightweight, good balance between protection and dexterity | Less flexible, heavier, and bulkier due to full lining |
| Durability | Durable but may wear faster internally | Durable in lined areas, less so in unlined areas | Highly durable, long-lasting in heavy-duty applications |
| Use Case | Light-duty welding, minimal heat exposure | Medium-duty welding, moderate heat exposure, TIG welding | Heavy-duty welding, prolonged heat exposure (MIG, Stick, Arc) |
| Advantages | Lightweight, cost-effective, high dexterity | Good balance of protection and flexibility, more breathable | Superior heat protection, highly durable, ideal for heavy welding tasks |
| Disadvantages | Lacks heat insulation for intense tasks | Less protection on the back of the hand | Less flexible, bulkier, and warmer |
3.4 Cow Split Leather Gloves with Kevlar Stitching or not
Cow split leather gloves with Kevlar stitching are best for heavy-duty welding tasks. The Kevlar stitching ensures that the gloves can withstand frequent exposure to high heat and sparks. They are perfect for MIG, stick, and arc welding; Cow split leather gloves without Kevlar stitching are more suitable for light to medium-duty welding tasks. Flexibility, and dexterity are more important in less intense welding work, such as TIG welding or occasional use. What’s more, welding gloves of no Kevlar stitching are generally more cost-effective.
Conclusion
To choose the right welding gloves, we have to consider several factors: leather quality, cuff length, lining, reinforced stitching, dexterity and etc. For welding gloves production, contact us for further discussion.
