By Jayden Mark
If you work in a hazardous environment, like the oil and gas industry, electricians, and welders, flame resistant overalls are essential. There are so many FR coveralls advertised as being the best, how do you know that you’re actually getting what you pay for? Our flame resistant overall review intends to put your mind at ease.
Having researched flame resistant clothing, with a particular emphasis on coveralls, we’ve done our homework so that you don’t have to. Through careful consideration, we’ve narrowed the search down to a short list of great products that offer outstanding value for money.
To ensure that your safety is properly taken care of, all the FR overalls in this review meet the highest standards. We’ve looked for brands that are certified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This is the number one priority when considering the best fire resistant protective workwear.
After selecting products that meet the requisite safety standards, we considered all the other requirements that would be important to you:
Best Fire Resistant Overalls
With all the work being done for you, this review should simplify things immensely. You can shop with complete confidence.
1. Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant 9 Oz Twill Cotton Deluxe Coverall
At a very reasonable price, for a brand that has been supplying quality protective clothing for over 45 years, Bulwark midweight deluxe coveralls offer great comfort, safety, and practicality. It’s easy to see why this is a top choice for many professionals.
Available in a range of sizes, styles, and colors, the 9 Oz 100% twill cotton offers the best fire resistance, whilst also providing good comfort. Meeting a really high safety standard, Bulwark 9 Oz FR overalls, are CAT 2 rated, with NFPA 2112 compliance and ATPV 11 certification.
A high-quality brass zipper enclosure, with Nomex tape is really convenient and perfectly safe. It has a brass snap button for quick break away and brass snap cuffs. Side vent openings keep you cool in a hot environment.
With 5 pockets, conveniently placed for easy access, it’s easy to keep your essential items safely within reach. Bulwark flame resistant coveralls are also machine washable.
It’s a pretty easy decision, buying Bulwark flame resistant coveralls. The brand instills the greatest confidence, so you really don’t have to worry about quality or your safety in the workplace. If you’re happy with the design, practical features, and price, it should be a no-brainer. This is a really great product.
2. Carhartt Men's Big & Tall Flame Resistant Traditional Twill Coverall
Another great brand for safety work gear, Carhartt has an extensive range of quality FR clothing. The flame resistant twill coverall lives up to the expectations we have for Carhartt PPE. Carhartt advertise this product as “Big and Tall”. This has raised some issues in the customer reviews. While these coveralls have a comfortable loose fit, the sizes are pretty standard.
Safety first. In this regard, Carhartt FR 9 Oz twill coveralls can hold up to the very best. They meet the safety standards that we expect: NFPA 2112 and 70E certified; HRC2.
Being 100% cotton, with a wonderfully designed split bi-swing pleated back, Carhartt overalls are extremely comfortable. They allow for easy and free movement. Convenience is also tops, with a tough zipper and Nomex zipper cover for extra fire protection. Not to mention, hassle-free machine washing.
Carhartt Traditional FR Twill Coverall is definitely a professional-grade product. Well-made, using high-quality materials, they will stand up to the toughest working conditions. Many tradesmen swear by the brand, which says a lot.
3. MAGID Dual Hazard 7 oz. FR 100% Cotton Coveralls, Arc Flash & Flash Fire Protection
Lightweight cotton does a lot to improve comfort while you work hard. This makes MAGID Dual Hazard 7 Oz 100% FR coveralls a big favorite for many. Don’t be fooled by the lightweight material, these overalls provide the best fire and arc protection for electricians, welders, basically anyone who works in a hazardous profession.
Top certifications for fire and arc resistance is guaranteed: NFPA 70E, NFPA 2112, and a pretty high 7.7 calorie ATVP rating. A heavy duty brass zipper will work perfectly for a long time to come. There are a bunch of useful pockets, including two chest and back pockets with snaps, as well as a utility pocket and through pockets, giving you access to workpants under the overall.
Apart from the blissfully lightweight material, there are a lot of additional comfort and convenient features, like an elastic back waist band, adjustable cuff snaps, and pleated action for improved movement. MAGID FR coveralls hold up well to multiple washes.
MAGID is a family-owned business, giving a great sense of personal attention to detail. They’ve been in business since 1946, so you know there’s a great deal of experience behind the product that you’re getting. Their 7 Oz 100% cotton FR overalls offer all the protection you need and a great deal of comfort.
4. Just In Trend ǀ Flame Resistant FR Coverall
A lightweight 7 Oz cotton and nylon blend (88% cotton, 12% nylon) make Just in Trend FR coveralls delightfully comfortable. At the same time, they offer one of the highest standards for arc resistant protection. A real win-win situation.
The list of high-level certifications provided for these overalls are nothing short of impressive: ASTFM F1506 (D6413 & F1959) ; ASTFM F1930; NFPA 2112; HRC 2; ATPV 12. This should certainly satisfy the requirements of any health and safety officer.
I’m super impressed with the high-quality YKK 2-way zipper and it has really convenient pockets. The standard two breast have flaps and snaps, the left breast pocket has a pen slot. It also has two quarter cut front pockets and two back pockets, with some wonderful extras – a pen or cellphone pocket on the upper arm, and a 4” hammer loop.
Designed for ultimate comfort, Just in Trend FR coveralls have a dual elasticized waist, side vents for extra cooling, and action pleats which make it easier to move. There’s also a quality metal snap on the collar.
It’s not easy to find quality coveralls on a tight budget. This is what makes Just In Trend FR overalls a very popular choice. Price vs durability is outstanding. Though they may not meet the expectations of people wanting a more heavy-duty overall.
5. Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant 4.5 oz Nomex IIIA Premium Coverall
It seems like a lot of people are reluctant to believe that such a lightweight material can be truly flame resistant. The 4.5 Oz Bulwark Nomex IIIA premium coverall may appear to be second rate if you’re simply looking at the thickness of the material. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Most manufacturers use cotton, with a fire resistant coating to achieve a NFPA 2112 rating. This requires a fairly heavy material. By using 93% high-grade Nomex, arguably the best FR material ever made, 5% Kevlar, and 5% Aramid, Bulwark have achieved the same results with out the bulk and heat retention of a heavier cotton (or cotton nylon blend) material.
Admittedly, these coveralls don’t have the best ATPV rating, only 4.4 calories, making them CAT 1, unlike the CAT 2 rating for most of the other FR overalls in this review. The plus side is a much lighter overall, that’s cooler to wear, yet ultimately durable, with a high level of flame resistance.
The downside is that these materials are not cheap, making Bulwark Nomex Premium coveralls one of the more expensive options. Top-quality materials make this product incredibly durable and worth the price if you want the best.
The design is really practical, for both comfort and convenience. Deep pleats and well-positioned elastic takes care of comfort. Vents for cooling and concealed cuff and collar snaps help a lot too. Pockets abound, in all the right places. You get the expected chest, rear, and hip pockets, with snap closure for the chest pockets. It also has a ruler pocket and left sleeve pocket.
If you understand the value of using a high-grade material, like Nomex, then you’ll fully appreciate the Bulwark Premium FR overall. This is an exceptional product, in a whole different league to the other coveralls in this review. Worth paying extra for.
6. Carhartt Men's Big & Tall Flame Resistant Deluxe Coverall
These flame resistant overalls are great for tall people, possibly the best in this regard. They are also one of the best options from the brand.
Made from 7 Oz material, consisting of 88% cotton and 12% nylon, you get top UL certification, great comfort, and a good deal of durability. Everything is reinforced with triple stitching. As with all the products selected for this FR overall review, it meets the highest safety standards: NFPA 2112, NFPA 70E, Cat 2 arc resistance.
The brass zipper is really tough and has a Nomex FR cover. There are pockets of every type and size, placed in really convenient positions, as well as through pockets to access workpants under the coverall. A really comfortable elasticized waist and metal snap on the collar complete the list of high-end features and comfort aids.
As practical as they are tough, Carhartt Big and Tall Deluxe coveralls are machine washable and wonderfully comfortable. For a high level of fire resistance, with a bunch of useful design features, these overalls certainly make the grade.
7. Viking Professional Journeyman FR Waterproof Flame Resistant Bib Pant
An FR bib overall does not offer the full fire protection like the other products in this review, but they sure are a lot more comfortable. I should state, from the outset, that Viking Professional FR waterproof bib pants don’t meet the same fire resistant standards as the overalls featured in this review.
While the class 1 nylon material is reasonable for fire resistance, it does not fully meet NFPA 2112 standards. If this required for your job, then the other fire resistant overalls (reviewed above) would be the right choice.
There are a bunch of other reasons why Viking bib pants are a great choice, both for safety and comfort, not to mention extreme durability. The 300D 100% nylon material is 100% waterproof and super tough. High visibility markings are another great safety feature.
The bib and pants are detachable, using strong metal snaps and adjustable shoulder straps make for a perfect fit. It’s really easy to fit over your work boots, thanks to a 13” boot zipper with Velcro covers. The elastic waist is really comfortable.
Okay, so you don’t get full fire protection, but the thermal layer does help classify this as a fire resistant bib overall. This also helps a bit in extreme cold. As these are waterproof coveralls, they should be great for anyone working on a boat.
Viking professional fire resistant waterproof bib pants offer a super high level of indestructible quality, some fire resistance, and complete waterproofing. They are comfortable and designed for maximum convenience.
Understanding Fire Resistant Clothing
Really heavy-duty fire resistant workpants and overalls are made from a high-end fire resistant material like Nomex. Thick Nomex and Kevlar blend material will far exceed the requirements for most jobsite fire resistance certifications.
Since materials like Nomex are extremely expensive, most fire resistant clothing, that meet NFPA 2112 certification standards, are made from cotton or a cotton blend. A fire resistant coating is applied to the material to ensure that the material is flame and arc resistant.
It is important to know that FR treated cotton has a limited lifespan. It is not as tough as Nomex, and the coating may become damaged. To ensure that your cotton (or cotton nylon blend) fire resistant overalls remain in good condition you should avoid using harsh detergents. Abrasive chemicals in the workplace also damage the fire resistant material. In these situations, a Nomex Kevlar blend would work better.
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