By Jayden Mark
Whether you’re a hobbyist metal art enthusiast or work in a job that requires fire protection PPE, FR clothing can be a real lifesaver. Good flame resistant clothing can be quite expensive. Before you head off to the nearest clothing store, our review of the best FR clothing will save you a lot of time and money.
This is probably the most comprehensive review of fire resistant clothing. We’ve gone to great lengths to find the best FR workwear of every description. This is a virtual one-stop shop for all your FR clothing requirements. With a great selection of fire resistant jackets, pants, shirts, T-shirts, and overalls, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find what you’re looking for.
FR Jackets
Quality FR jackets are made from flame resistant/retardant material, often with leather reinforcing in some areas. For the best convenience, FR jackets should preferably us a stud enclosure as opposed to buttons. This makes it easier to put on or remove the jacket in the quickest time.
A welder’s collar that closes quite high up the neck is a common feature. This offers the best protection and prevents sparks or hot metal from causing harm. Useful pockets can be huge advantage. Now that you have a basic idea of what to look for when buying an FR jacket, let’s move on to the review of two great products.
1. Black Stallion FN9-30C 30" 9oz. Navy FR Cotton Welding Jacket
The Black Stallion FN9-30C is a really cheap FR jacket that meets the quality requirements that I see as essential. At under $30, you won’t find a better work jacket that offers this type of fire protection, nor will you find higher quality materials.
The design is fairly basic, in sizes from small to XX-large. The jacket is made from 6 Oz flame resistant cotton, offering great protection and comfort. It is 30” long and has a high welder’s collar with a snap closure.
The 6-snap enclosure keeps you well-protected and is very practical for quick removal. For added durability, all the snaps are reinforced with leather. It has a scribe pocket and an inside pocket.
Without spending too much, it’s possible to own a good quality FR jacket. The Black Stallion FN9-30C 30” FR cotton welding jacket is proof of this. It has all the practical features that a welder requires and is made from quality materials to pretty high standard.
2. Lincoln Electric Premium Flame Resistant (FR) Cotton Welding Jacket
Lincoln Electric is one of the premier manufacturers of welding and cutting equipment. With decades of experience, catering to the needs of professional metal workers, these guys know exactly what welders require. They have an excellent range of Welding PPE that meet the requirements of die-hard professionals.
The Lincoln Electric Premium FR cotton welding jacket is clearly a high-end product. This is a professional-grade, ultra-durable FR welding jacket.
Made from 100% FR 9 Oz cotton, it is about as strong as an FR welding jacket gets. It’s breathable, keeping you cool and comfortable when working in tough conditions. You can keep your small items safe, thanks to a well-positioned inside pocket.
The jacket has a convenient snap enclosure and a flip-up welder’s collar. The cuffs can be adjusted for a perfect fit, using snaps. The jacket is machine washable – up to 50 washes.
Few brands instill the type of confidence like Lincoln does, when it comes top-quality welding equipment and gear. Made from the highest grade 9 Oz cotton, the Lincoln Electric FR welding jacket is one of the best of its kind.
FR Pants
FR work pants are essential for many high-risk jobs. Welders, workers in the gas and oil industry, and electricians are but a few professions that will benefit from using FR work pants.
When choosing the best FR workpants, look for quality materials, usually fire resistant cotton. Strong stitching and a quality button enclosure or zipper are critical aspects for the best durability. Strong belt loops or a comfortable elasticized waist are also important considerations.
3. ARIAT Men's Flame Resistant M3 Loose Fit Jean
Ariat men’s Flame Resistant M3 Loose Fit Jeans are comfortable enough to wear all day long and look good enough to wear on any occasion. These are top-quality, rugged FR jeans with impeccable attention to detail.
The straight leg, loose fit design is perfectly comfortable and quite stylish. Arial FR M3 jeans are made from a 100% cotton with a high-quality flame resistant coating. Ultra-strong stitching, along with a heavy-duty zipper and metal button, mean that these work jeans are as tough as they are elegant and comfortable.
Anchored belt loops are also made for extra strength and the pockets are practical with good, reinforced stitching.
The perfect FR jeans for work and play. Ariat Men’s Flame Resistant M3 Loose Fit Jeans are both elegant and practical. They are comfortable as well as truly rugged.
4. Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant 9 Oz Twill Cotton Work Pant
Bulwark is a trusted name in high-quality, affordable workwear, dating back more than 50-years. This is a brand that focuses on practical durable PPE. It’s not about making the most stylish FR work pants, it about making them tough, comfortable, and practical.
Bulwark 9 Oz twill cotton work pants are obviously made to withstand the roughest treatment. This is rugged workwear at its finest. The loose fit and FR twill 88% cotton 12% nylon blend make Bulwark Fr work pants really comfortable.
The button enclosure and belt loops are made super tough, and you have very practical pockets at the front and rear. As a manufacturer of professional work wear, Bulwark has ensured that these FR pants meet the highest safety standards: ATPV 11 calories/CM² arc rating, CAT 2, and NFPA 2112 compliance.
For top-quality professional FR work pants, it’s hard to beat Bulwark Men’s Flame Resistant 9 Oz Twill Cotton Work Pants. Designed for comfort and practicality, using the best materials, these are truly remarkable FR pants.
FR Shirts
Fire resistant shirts with a button or stud enclosure are a practical addition to your PPE workwear repertoire. They offer a high level of fire protection and are easy to put on or take off.
The design is very important for comfort, especially around the upper arms where sweat can be an issue. The FR shirt needs to be cut well and excellently stitched. High-quality buttons and studs are essential, preferably arc resistant, as this is a safety requirement for many professions.
5. Carhartt Men's Big & Tall Flame Resistant Classic Twill Shirt
Carhartt is probably one of the top go-to brands when it comes to high-quality workwear. They also have one of the best size selections. No matter how big or small, you’re bound to find the perfect fit in the Men’s Big and Tall Flame Resistant Classic Twill shirts lineup, ranging from small to 4 X extra-large. There’s also a fantastic selection of colors to choose from.
There can be no doubt that this is one of the best quality FR shirts. The 7 Oz lightweight FR twill fabric (88% cotton and 12% nylon) is ultimately durable and super comfortable. The FR melamine button enclosure and extra-strong stitching throughout are just as tough.
The Carhartt FR shirt has great chest pockets, with button flaps, and an opening for your pencil or scribe. It is NFPA 70E compliant.
For a comfortable fit in any size, Carhartt Classic Twill FR shirts are exquisite. They are tough, durable, and wonderfully practical.
6. ARIAT Men’s Flame Resistant Button Down
Ariat FR shirts combine beautiful styling with practical workability in a high-quality, durable product. They offer an enormous range of styles and colors that look as good as they perform in the workplace.
Great comfort, without compromising on heavy-duty quality, is provided by the 88% cotton 12% nylon twill material. Like any of the best FR shirts, Ariat has paid detailed attention to quality stitching and materials. Arc resistant metal buttons are used for the enclosure, cuffs, and collar.
Moisture movement design is great for controlling sweat, and the loose fit will keep you comfortable all day long – hot or cold. All this comfort and styling comes with the highest safety assurance. The Ariat FR shirt is HRC2, ATPV 9.5, NFPA 70E, NFPA 2112 rated.
Quality, style, and comfort are a great recipe for a fantastic FR shirt that can be worn anywhere, any time. This is a durable product, with very good safety ratings.
FR T-Shirt / Sweatshirt
FR T-shirts (or sweatshirts) are a lot less complicated than button enclosure FR shirts. Because of this simplicity, they are a lot cheaper. Manufacturing is easier and quicker, which saves on costs.
Being a much simpler product, there is also a lot less that you need to consider when buying an FR T-shirt. Basically, if the FR material is good quality, the stitching is strong, and the shirt fits well, you’ll be okay.
7. Titicaca FR Workwear Flame Resistant T-Shirt
Simple and easy to wear, this is a very comfortable FR T-shirt. Quality is indisputable and it’s delightfully inexpensive. You can’t really ask for more.
Using 100% FR cotton, the Titicaca Fr T-shirt is comfortable, cool, and will last as long as any of the best FR T-shirts. Extra strong, comfortable neck opening, and collars complete the deal. There is also a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from.
High-quality PROBAN FR treatment is used. This is both durable and offers great fire protection with high certifications: NFPA2112; NFPA70E; CAT2.
An all-round winner for price vs quality and comfort, Titicaca FR Workwear Flame Resistant T-Shirts are just marvelous. A relatively cheap product that offers everything you need in a fire hazardous working environment.
8. Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant 6.25 Oz Cotton Long Sleeve Tagless Henley Shirt
The Bulwark Men’s Flame Resistant Henley Shirt is one of the more expensive FR T-shirts. It’s also about the best you’ll find. Ultra-durable, well-made, with excellent safety ratings, this is a professional grade product.
Made from 6.5 Oz 100% cotton flame resistant fabric, the Bulwark FR T-shirt as comfortable as any you’ll find. It is also one of the best for high-level safety certifications. Arc rating is ATPV 9.6 calories/CM², it is CAT 2 and NFPA 2112 compliant.
The shirt has a 3-button placket enclosure and a handy chest pocket. The neck opening and cuffs are super comfortable and durable.
This is a winning FR T-Shirt. For those who are prepared to pay extra for a top-quality product, the Bulwark Flame Resistant 6.5 Oz Tagless Henly Shirt is about as good as it gets.
FR Overalls
Designed to fit over normal clothing, FR overalls (or coveralls) are a very practical solution for many. These tend to be the most expensive type of FR clothing as the design is fairly intricate, requiring more skilled labor and manufacturing time. Because they cover the body from neck to feet, more material is required which will obviously add to the cost.
Materials like FR fabric, buttons, and zippers are critical components and need to be of the highest quality. Overalls can become quite hot, so good ventilation is a great advantage.
9. Bulwark Men's Flame Resistant 9 Oz Twill Cotton Deluxe Coverall
Another good value product from Bulwark, the 9 Oz Twill Cotton Deluxe Coverall has every base covered – quality, comfort, and safety.
Using high-grade 100% FR cotton, quality is guaranteed. Cotton is one of the best materials for cooling and these overalls have the added benefit of well-placed vents for additional comfort.
Convenient pockets abound, at the front (chest), rear, sides, and a handy sleeve utility pocket. The Nomex zipper enclosure is fire resistant and tough. It’s also very convenient. Suitable for just about any job requiring FR clothing, the Bulwark FR overall is NFPA 2112 compliant with a very high ATPV 11 calories/CM² arc rating.
The medium weight 9 Oz twill cotton Bulwark FR coverall is supremely durable. It has good built-in comfort, like side vents, and is incredibly practical. You’ll definitely appreciate the convenient array of pockets and comfortable loose fit.
10. Carhartt Men's Big & Tall Flame Resistant Traditional Twill Coverall
True to their “Big & Tall” Slogan, Carhart Flame Resistant Twill coveralls are available in the greatest selection of sizes for short, regular, and tall guys. Having an overall that fits perfectly is a wonderful thing.
The design is very practical and comfortable, with wide legs to fit over any work boot. It has an abundance of pockets: 2 X chest pockets with flaps, 2 X through pockets, and a utility pocket. The high quality brass zipper is protected by Nomex FR Tape.
These FR overalls meet NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E standards. For a medium weight 90 Oz overall, it is incredibly comfortable and quite cool to wear.
At a very reasonable price, for a high-quality product, Carhartt Big & Tall Flame Resistant Traditional Twill Coveralls are extremely popular. This is workwear that can endure punishment, keep you safe from fire, and is delightfully comfortable.
Quality FR Clothing
Selecting quality products is something we take pride in. To this end, you can be sure that every garment in this review is worth buying. I know that budget is also a concern for everyone. The aim, when choosing the best FR clothing for this review, is to ensure genuine value for money.
You may find cheaper products from unknown brands. I don’t believe that going for the very cheapest option is the best way to spend your money. Real value comes in the form of a good quality product that is affordable. Not the most expensive, at the same time, probably not the cheapest either. It’s that Goldilocks secret recipe of just right.
There’s always a chance that you can buy FR clothing at great discounts and closeouts. We’re always on the lookout for bargain deals but there’s no telling when these arise and how long discount promotions may be available. In the end, it’s about ensuring that you get the best product at the best price.
Having done all the research for you, it’s purely a matter of reading the reviews and deciding which FR products are the perfect fit for your needs.
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