In this article, we break down the most important elements of welding glove construction, helping you make an informed decision when selecting gloves. From specialized stitching techniques like "half pique flat seam" to advanced materials such as Kevlar linings, we’ll explain the unique features that make welding gloves durable, comfortable, and safe. Whether you’re a professional welder or just getting started, understanding these terms will ensure you find gloves that meet your needs for protection and performance.

Half pique, flat seam, no rub construction

This refers to a specific type of stitching and seam design used to enhance comfort and durability. Let’s break this feature down.

• Half pique: This refers to a particular style of stitching where one side of the material is stitched in such a way that it sits on top of the lower layer, resulting in a flatter and less bulky seam compared to other stitching techniques. This method reduces the thickness of the seam for improved flexibility and comfort.
• Flat seam: A flat seam means that the stitching lies flat on the surface of the glove, without creating raised edges. This reduces friction between the skin and the seam, which is especially important for gloves worn during extended use.
• No rub construction: This is the goal of the seam design—to minimize or eliminate areas that could cause rubbing or irritation on the hand. 

By using half pique and flat seams, the glove construction ensures that there are no harsh or uncomfortable seams inside the glove that could lead to blisters or discomfort.

In simpler terms, this feature ensures the gloves are built with smooth seams that won’t rub against the skin, enhancing comfort during long use.

Comfort fourchette finger construction

This refers to the way the fingers of the gloves are designed to improve fit and comfort.

• Fourchette: This is a strip of fabric or leather inserted between the fingers in glove construction. It connects the front and back panels of the glove along the sides of the fingers. The fourchette helps to provide a better, more natural fit by allowing the glove to contour more precisely to the shape of the fingers.

The use of fourchettes makes the glove more comfortable by allowing greater flexibility and reducing tightness or pinching between the fingers. It gives the fingers more room to move, improving dexterity and reducing fatigue during long periods of wear.

In other words, the gloves are designed with extra panels between the fingers to enhance fit and movement, providing a more comfortable and flexible experience, especially during extended use.

Thumb overlay end before finger ends

This refers to how the reinforcement or extra layer (overlay) on the thumb is designed in relation to the length of the glove’s fingers.

• Thumb overlay is an additional piece of material placed over the thumb area to provide extra protection and durability, especially in high-wear areas where the thumb experiences more friction or pressure during use.
• The overlay on the thumb does not extend as far down as the tips of the fingers. The overlay stops short, ensuring that it doesn't interfere with the natural movement and flexibility of the fingers.

This feature means the thumb has extra reinforcement for durability, but it stops at a point that allows for better flexibility and comfort in the fingers, preventing any excess material that could hinder movement or dexterity.

Thumb guard at thumb upper

This refers to a protective feature designed for the upper part of the thumb on the glove.

• Thumb guard: This is an extra layer or reinforcement added to the glove in key areas to provide protection against wear, abrasion, or impact. In this case, it's specifically for the top section of the thumb - typically the area most exposed to friction, pressure, or contact with tools or materials.

In simpler words, the glove has an additional protective layer or reinforcement on the upper part of the thumb, providing extra durability and shielding this high-wear area from damage or injury during use.

Top of hand 3 point shaping seams flat seam, no rub construction

This refers to the design of the top of hand area of the glove, focused on both comfort and durability.

• Top of hand 3-point shaping: This refers to the three strategically placed seams at the top of the glove, designed to provide a more ergonomic and natural fit. These shaping seams enhance the overall fit of the glove, allowing it to conform better to the hand and improving comfort and dexterity.
• Flat seam: As with the fingers, the seams on the cuff are designed to lie flat, without raised edges. This flat seam construction minimizes bulk and creates a smoother finish, improving comfort and flexibility.
• No rub construction: This ensures that the seams are designed to avoid any irritation or rubbing against the skin, which is crucial for long-term comfort during use. 

The combination of flat seams and strategic shaping ensures that there are no uncomfortable spots around the cuff.

In simple terms, this feature describes a cuff that is shaped for a better fit in the body of the glove, using smooth, flat seams to ensure that it doesn’t rub or cause irritation, contributing to the glove's overall comfort.

Extended gauntlet at arm

This refers to the design of the glove's cuff, specifically the part that extends further up the arm for additional protection.

• Extended gauntlet: A gauntlet is the portion of the glove that covers the wrist and often extends up the forearm. An "extended gauntlet" means that this section of the glove is made longer than usual, offering more coverage and protection to the lower arm.

In summary, "extended gauntlet at arm" means the glove has a longer cuff that extends up the forearm, providing extra protection, especially useful in environments where the wearer’s arms may be exposed to sparks, heat, or debris.

Thumb saddle construction

This refers to a specific reinforcement technique used in the area where the thumb meets the palm of the glove.

• Thumb saddle: This is an extra piece of material or reinforcement that is applied to the base of the thumb (the "saddle" area), where the thumb connects to the palm. This area experiences a lot of stress, friction, and wear during use, so the thumb saddle provides added strength and durability.

In simple terms, "thumb saddle construction" means the glove has additional reinforcement at the base of the thumb to increase durability and protect against wear in this high-stress area, making it more durable for tasks that involve gripping, twisting, or repeated hand movements.

Gunn cut finger construction with no rub flat seams

The feature "gunn cut finger construction with no rub flat seams" refers to a specific way the fingers of the glove are constructed to enhance comfort, fit, and durability.

• Gunn cut: This is a traditional style of glove construction where the palm and the back of the glove are made from separate pieces, and the seams are located at the base of the two middle fingers. This design provides more comfort, flexibility, and better movement, as it places seams away from areas of high stress, such as the fingertips.
• No rub flat seams: The seams in this construction lie flat against the surface of the glove, preventing raised or bulky edges that could cause discomfort or friction. The "no rub" aspect ensures that the seams don’t irritate the skin during wear, making the glove more comfortable, especially during prolonged use.

In summary, this feature means the glove's fingers are designed for better comfort and movement using a gunn cut design, while the flat seams ensure that there is no rubbing or irritation against the skin, improving overall comfort and usability.

Shaped palm heel patch

This refers to a specific reinforcement on the glove designed to improve durability and protection in a high-wear area.

• Palm heel patch: This is an additional layer of material applied to the heel of the palm to reinforce this area, which is often subject to significant wear and pressure during tasks that involve pushing, lifting, or gripping. The patch protects the glove from wearing out quickly and provides additional cushioning for comfort.
• The patch is carefully contoured or cut to fit the natural curve of the palm's heel, which is the lower part of the palm near the wrist. The shaping ensures that the patch doesn't interfere with the glove's flexibility and provides a better, more ergonomic fit.

In short, a "shaped palm heel patch" is a reinforced section on the lower part of the palm that is designed to match the shape of the hand, offering extra protection and durability in a high-stress area without compromising comfort or flexibility.

Layered thumb palm panels

This refers to a glove design feature that enhances durability and protection in the thumb and palm areas by adding multiple layers of material.

• Thumb palm panels: These are the specific sections of the glove that cover both the thumb and the palm. By having these panels layered, the glove offers increased protection and reinforcement in areas that endure the most stress during activities such as gripping, pulling, or handling rough materials.

In summary, "layered thumb palm panels" means the glove has extra layers of material in the thumb and palm areas, providing better durability and protection, especially during heavy-duty tasks or prolonged use.

Elasticated cuff stitch at palm only

This refers to a design feature of the glove's cuff, which affects how the glove fits around the wrist.

• Elasticated cuff: This means that the cuff of the glove has an elastic component, allowing it to stretch and fit snugly around the wrist. This ensures a secure fit without the need for straps or adjustments.
• The elastic stitching is applied only on the palm side of the cuff, not around the entire wrist. This allows the cuff to be snug on the palm side while potentially being more relaxed or flexible on the back side of the glove.

In summary, "elasticated cuff stitch at palm only" means the glove has an elastic section on the palm side of the cuff, creating a secure and comfortable fit around the wrist while leaving the back of the wrist more flexible for ease of movement.

Padded grid stitch at thumb and lower cuff

This refers to a specific reinforcement and padding technique applied to key areas of the glove for added protection and durability.

• Padded: This means that the areas in question—the thumb and lower cuff—have extra cushioning or padding to provide better comfort, shock absorption, and protection against impact or pressure.
• Grid stitch: This describes the stitching pattern used in the padding. A grid stitch involves a crisscross pattern, creating small, square or rectangular sections. This stitching helps secure the padding in place and provides additional reinforcement, improving the durability of the glove in these high-wear areas (thumb and lower cuff).

In summary, "padded grid stitch at thumb and lower cuff" means that the glove has cushioned reinforcement with a grid-shaped stitching pattern on the thumb and lower cuff, offering improved comfort, durability, and protection in these high-stress areas.

Twin needle clean finish hem joins shell to lining

This refers to a specific stitching technique used to attach the outer layer (shell) of the glove to its inner layer (lining) while ensuring a neat and durable finish.

• Twin needle: This means that two parallel rows of stitching are used. Twin needle stitching is stronger and more durable than single stitching, making the seam less likely to come apart. It also creates a more professional, clean appearance.
• Clean finish hem: This indicates that the edges of the fabric are neatly finished with no visible raw edges, which prevents fraying and gives the glove a polished look. The hem is the edge of the fabric, and a clean finish ensures a smooth, refined seam.

In summary, "twin needle clean finish hem joins shell to lining" means that the glove is made with two rows of stitching to attach the outer shell to the inner lining, resulting in a durable, neat seam that prevents fraying and provides a polished finish.

Kevlar brand heavy weight knitted lining (100% aramid)

This refers to the material and construction of the inner layer (lining) of the glove, focusing on high durability and protection.

Read more on the materials selection for our gloves here.