At 1898 Leather, we’ve always been focused on making gear that’s both tough and comfortable. When it came to designing our welding gloves, we knew we needed materials that could handle hard work but also feel good to wear. After a lot of trial and error, we landed on nubuck leather for the outside and Kevlar for reinforcement. These two materials aren’t your typical combo in welding gear, but they’re exactly what we wanted for making gloves that look and feel premium, while still getting the job done.

Why Nubuck?

You might not see nubuck in a lot of industrial gloves, but we saw something special in it. Nubuck is actually a type of leather that’s made from the top grain of the hide, which is the strongest part. It’s lightly sanded to give it a soft, velvety texture, but it keeps all the toughness of real leather. That’s a big reason why we chose it.

• Tough, but Comfortable: Nubuck isn’t just for fancy shoes and bags—it’s incredibly durable. It can handle the wear and tear welders put it through, and over time, it develops this cool patina that gives it even more character. It also offers heat resistance, which is critical when you’re working around high temperatures and sparks.
• History Behind the Name: The name nubuck comes from the words "new" and "buckskin." Even though it’s not made from deer hide these days, the term stuck because of its roots in traditional leather making. We liked that nubuck gave us both durability and a premium feel—something we felt was missing in most welding gloves.

Why Kevlar?

Kevlar, on the other hand, is all about safety and strength. You’ve probably heard of it because it’s used in bulletproof vests, but it’s also a superstar when it comes to industrial protection. We knew Kevlar would add the level of heat and cut resistance we wanted in our gloves, without making them heavy or uncomfortable.

• Heat and Cut Protection: Welding involves dealing with heat, sparks, and sometimes sharp objects. Kevlar’s known for handling all of that, which is why it’s so often used in protective gear. It gives the gloves an extra layer of safety, so welders can work confidently, knowing they’ve got something tough between their hands and the elements.
• A Brief History of Kevlar: Kevlar was invented in 1965 by Stephanie Kwolek while working at DuPont. Originally, it was developed as a strong, lightweight alternative to steel in car tires. But once people realized how heat- and cut-resistant it was, it started showing up in everything from helmets to firefighting gear. Adding it to our gloves made perfect sense for the type of heavy-duty protection welders need.

Why We Combined Nubuck and Kevlar

Now, combining nubuck and Kevlar isn’t something you see every day in welding gear, and that’s what makes our gloves different. Most gloves stick to more standard leathers and maybe a bit of Kevlar stitching. We saw an opportunity to blend comfort, style, and performance in a way that isn’t common in the industry.

• Durable Yet Soft: By using nubuck on the outside, we give welders the comfort of soft leather without sacrificing the strength they need for tough jobs. The Kevlar adds an extra layer of protection, but it’s lightweight enough that it doesn’t make the gloves feel bulky.
• Style and Function: Nubuck has a sleek, high-end look, and we liked the idea of making gloves that don’t just feel good but also look good. Welding is serious work, but there’s no reason your gear can’t have a bit of style to go along with the performance.

It Took Some Time to Get it Right

Our welding gloves didn’t come together overnight. We went through a few versions, tweaking the design to make sure it felt right in a real-world setting. Each time we tested a version, we got closer to the final product that we’re proud of today.

We’ve always believed that gear can be both practical and comfortable without looking like just another tool. That’s why we spent so much time testing different materials before settling on nubuck and Kevlar. These gloves are the result of five iterations, and each one taught us a little more about what welders actually need.

Raising the Bar for Welding Gear

At 1898 Leather, we’re all about pushing the limits of what welding gear can be. Most people think of safety first (and they should!), but we think comfort and style should be right up there too. By combining nubuck and Kevlar, we’ve created gloves that aren’t just functional—they’re premium, durable, and a cut above the rest.

For those who take pride in their craft, we believe that the tools you use matter. Our gloves are designed for those who want protection, comfort, and a bit of luxury all in one.

The Bottom Line

Nubuck and Kevlar might seem like an unusual combination, but that’s exactly why we chose them. Nubuck brings the soft feel and durability, while Kevlar adds unmatched heat and cut resistance. Together, they create a glove that’s ready for tough jobs but looks and feels great. We didn’t want to just make another pair of gloves—we wanted to make the best pair of gloves.

So if you’re a welder looking for gear that can handle anything you throw at it—and look good while doing it—our nubuck and Kevlar gloves might just be the perfect fit.