What are split leggings and how to choose them?

Welding metals is a rather dangerous process that requires compliance with all safety standards. In the process of working with a welding machine, the welder needs the most reliable protection. Particular attention should be paid to the hands, because they are in the immediate vicinity of the instrument. Split leggings will help us ensure the proper level of safety for the hands.

Split leggings are special gloves used by welders and builders to protect their hands. Leggings protect their hands and forearms from high temperatures, as well as sparks and splashes of hot metal flying from the welding machine. Split-cloth gloves are also used for various assembly work with high stress. Due to their strength and unique protective properties, they reliably protect the hands of builders from injuries and cuts.

Gloves are made from split leather. This is a material that is made from the skin of young kids, piglets or calves. By means of the lamination method, the processed leather is divided into several layers, which are called splits. This material is distinguished by its high strength and ductility.

That's why they provide the highest level of protection for the hands. At the same time, split leggings practically do not constrain the movement of the brushes and allow installation work without unnecessary inconvenience.

In order to hold the split pieces together and create gloves out of it, a high-strength Kevlar thread is used. It also withstands high loads and temperatures, which further increases the reliability of the gaiters. Split leather models stand out above the usual technical gloves made of felt or tarpaulin. However, they have such a price for a reason, and they more than pay for it with their quality and the offered level of security. All split leggings are strictly tested for compliance with the requirements of GOST 12.4.010-75. When buying gloves, be sure to make sure that they have the appropriate stamp.

Welder's leggings are of several types. The division takes place on the basis of their design features.

• Five-fingered. As the name implies, these leggings have a separate hole for each of the fingers. This type of gloves is optimal in terms of comfort and convenience. Five-fingered leggings do not reduce the mobility of the fingers and are considered universal - they are suitable for all types of installation and welding work. In accordance with the requirements, leggings are made of split leather with additional leather inserts. The inside of the glove is covered with an airtight fabric or fleece. Length according to GOST - 35 centimeters.

They have special textile inserts on the palms and on the back of the hand. The lining for them is made of cotton fabric, and the reinforcement is made of double split leather or tarpaulin. It is worth noting that now most of the welding gloves are combined. Although, of course, you can find simpler options.

• Three-toed. By design, three-toed leggings are closest to two-toed ones. However, their comfort is slightly increased due to the slight separation near the toe. Their main purpose is electrode welding and rough assembly work. Gloves can be produced unlined if a thin split was used to create them.It is quite pleasant to the skin, so no additional layer is required. Also, two-toed and three-toed leggings can be of two types: short and long. The first option is suitable for those types of activities where the risk to the forearms is minimal and the main load is on the hands.

• Two-toed. Two-finger gaiters are the most budget-friendly option for technical gloves for welders. Like three-fingers, they are suitable exclusively for electrode welding and rough work, since they do not provide additional convenience and mobility for the fingers. Usually, two-fingered leggings are not as strong as five-fingered leggings and can be damaged by puncture or cut. At the same time, their temperature stability still remains at a height.

• Insulated. Insulated leggings are available as two-toed and three-toed, as well as five-toed. They are ideal for low temperature environments. Insulated leggings have several important additional features.

1. Extended sleeve length.
2. Widened flare, for putting on over a winter jacket or overalls.
3. Insulated lining made of fur or reinforced fabric.

All this allows you to work comfortably even in very low temperatures.

When creating split leggings, split is used as the main material. However, it, in turn, can be very different. The second and third layers of skin are usually much thinner than the first, which adds a number of additional features to them. Gloves made of thin split leather are much more comfortable and pleasant to the skin, and when creating them, no lining materials are required.

Split layers with a thickness of more than 1.2 millimeters are used to create class A leggings. Such leggings are very reliable: they are almost impossible to damage during operation and they can withstand temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius. Grade A gloves can be a little restrictive, although the effect is almost imperceptible. In addition, the thick split leather is not very pleasant to the touch and can even irritate the skin, which is why such gloves always have an additional layer of fabric lining.

For fastening gloves, Kevlar thread is most often used. Lavsan threads can also be used, but in this case, the manufacturer will be obliged to strengthen the seam with an additional leather insert. Depending on what kind of leather was used for the production, the split can be of different colors. The most common are gray leggings, as well as various shades of yellow, orange and brown.

Some manufacturers coat their gloves with a coat of fireproof paint. It not only gives them a more presentable appearance, but can also slightly increase the protective properties. There are also leggings with a siliconized coating, which gives them full water resistance. These gloves are widely used for working with liquid nitrogen. There are also models that have increased fire resistance. They are impregnated with a special refractory compound.

When choosing leggings for work, you must, first of all, take into account the nature of the activity. When it comes to welding, then you need to choose gloves made entirely from split leather. It will be useful to look for a model impregnated with a refractory composition. If we are talking more about installation work, then here the main attention should be paid to the thickness of the protective layer. The best, of course, would be the A-class combined models.

Now, with regard to the type of gloves. If you know that you have to do fine work, where fine motor skills are required, then you cannot do without five-fingered gloves. However, if the nature of the future work is rather rough, then it is quite possible to get by with three-toed or two-toed models.They are not so convenient, but they are cheaper.

The most important nuance is the presence of a stamp on compliance with GOST standards. If there is no stamp, then you cannot be sure of the quality of the gloves, perhaps at the decisive moment they will let you down. Also, great attention should be paid to the manufacturer. According to user reviews, Swedish manufacturers such as ESAB offer the highest quality. They provide the highest level of protection and comfort. However, many may be scared off by the price, which starts from 1,500 rubles per pair.

Russian-made gloves are also in great demand. The leader of the domestic market is the Bars company. Their products are also very comfortable and durable, and the inner lining is made of a pleasantly soft material. The only thing they are inferior to the Swedish models is in durability. Their lifespan is lower, but they make up for it with an affordable price.

Although the service life is a rather controversial issue. Despite all the indicators of split leather gloves, they also need to be looked after. With due attention to the condition of the gloves, they will last much longer. For example, they must be cleaned of contamination. You cannot wash them, either in a typewriter or by hand. To clean, it will be enough to dry them, and then take a good walk with a dry brush or rag, paying special attention to the place of contamination. And if you do not take care of them at all, then an expensive model can begin to deteriorate after just a few uses.

It is also very important to choose the correct size of the gaiters. The glove should fit as tightly as possible on the hand. Under no circumstances should it slip off your hand. But do not overdo it, your hand should be comfortable inside the glove, including when bending your fingers and performing various hand manipulations. If you feel that the glove is squeezing your hand, it is better to choose a larger size.

An important point is the integrity of the protective layer of the cuffs. If there is a puncture or tear on the surface of the gloves, they will begin to let heat inside, and liquid metal, hot oil, or even fire from welding can also seep through it. It is very dangerous, therefore it is imperative to check the integrity of the outer layer of the gloves before each use.

What models of split leggings are better to use, see the video.