The ones I hade then (This was quite a few years ago) were pants, What I have now are more like bibs. The bibs are lighter and much more comfortable to wear ( think fatigue) with the same or better protection due to the better tech. they have now. Any approved PPE is by far better than none.
Let's talk chainsaw chaps
- Thread starter wistattman
- Start date
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The ones I hade then (This was quite a few years ago) were pants, What I have now are more like bibs. The bibs are lighter and much more comfortable to wear ( think fatigue) with the same or better protection due to the better tech. they have now. Any approved PPE is by far better than none.
johnzski
ArboristSite Operative
how much are a few stitches in your leg? I would bet a lot more than a hundred dollar set of chaps. I have the stihl chaps but have never tested them so I can't say how good they might work. A hundred bucks will seem cheap if you ever did "test" your chaps
gilraine
ArboristSite Guru
er visit with x-rays, a really cute PA and a sick student, 3300 clams..
wistattman
ArboristSite Lurker
I'm not disputing the price of the chaps, I'm just trying to find out which is the better chainsaw chap to purchase. Protection is the most important issue here and if the $100 pair of chaps provides the most protection, I will purchase them.
I'm just confused, so there is no better place to ask for help than here.
Thanks
Gary
spankrz
ArboristSite Operative
i wear stihl "wrap" chaps, which wrap around the back of your leg. i like them, they dont flop around and trip you, they are buckled securley around your shin, like jeans.
mercer_me
ArboristSite Operative
:agree2:
I suspect the best protection will be from the thick Stihl chaps or the 9 layer Labonville Competition chaps. Give me $200 and I'll tell you which one works the best. I'm glad I bought the Competition chaps when they were about $71 last year. ($79 in my size, and 10% off at the time)
Despite being listed as 'special order only', I ordered orange (more Dolmar orange than Husky) in a common size and got immediate shipment.
The green might look a bit better, but who cares what I look like in the woods? There's no benefit I can think of to not being highly visible out there.
Same here. I am not about to 'test' them on purpose, but they are comfortable and provide coverage.
zh
zipper1081
ArboristSite Operative
Got a par of STIHL chaps yesterday for my birthday. I may try them out when using the weedeater also.
Good stuff... Thanks for posting.
I wear the Husky full wrap chaps, those Labonvilles look really good too. The cost of $100 chaps are a heckuva cheaper than one visit to the ER!
I don't ever want to find out how well they work!
Does anybody have the summer pants chaps? What about protective coats? Anybody have those arm chaps?
I don't ever want to find out how well they work!
Does anybody have the summer pants chaps? What about protective coats? Anybody have those arm chaps?
gwiley
Addicted to ArboristSite
I wear the Forestry Supply chaps (green) and really like them - they are not full wrap but the straps keep them snug and out of the way.
For gloves I had a really hard time finding a pair with anything more than kevlar on the back of the left hand. I finally found a pair that are completely made of kevlar - a little bulky but I know that if I slip or have some sort of accident my whole hand is safe.
For the top I wear an elvex chainsaw vest - it has kevlar in the shoulders but the rest is nylon. I figure this gets the most likely kickback scenario.
For boots I choose the Matterhorn 10" chainsaw boot - steel toe, kevlar tops but dang they cost real cabbage ($300 or so).
For gloves I had a really hard time finding a pair with anything more than kevlar on the back of the left hand. I finally found a pair that are completely made of kevlar - a little bulky but I know that if I slip or have some sort of accident my whole hand is safe.
For the top I wear an elvex chainsaw vest - it has kevlar in the shoulders but the rest is nylon. I figure this gets the most likely kickback scenario.
For boots I choose the Matterhorn 10" chainsaw boot - steel toe, kevlar tops but dang they cost real cabbage ($300 or so).
Log Hogger
ArboristSite Operative
I have a pair of Husqvarna chaps
they are ok but if I had to buy again I'd go for the Labonville. These Husqvarna chaps have stiff buckles that are hard to work with gloves on, and the cargo pocket opening stretches closed when the chaps are buckled on, making it useless. Criticisms aside, while I'm out working I forget they're even on, and they rock for going through brambles and poison ivy, which goes through my jeans if they are wet or damp.
they are ok but if I had to buy again I'd go for the Labonville. These Husqvarna chaps have stiff buckles that are hard to work with gloves on, and the cargo pocket opening stretches closed when the chaps are buckled on, making it useless. Criticisms aside, while I'm out working I forget they're even on, and they rock for going through brambles and poison ivy, which goes through my jeans if they are wet or damp.
I'm on my second pair of Labonville's. The first pair lasted two seasons and I replaced them after I spilled oil on them. They were pretty beat anyway. This time I bought the wrap arounds and they are much easier to wear in the brush. No more snagging, I love them.
Any name brand pair of chaps is better than no chaps. Get what you want.
Dok
Any name brand pair of chaps is better than no chaps. Get what you want.
Dok
WadePatton
ArboristSite Guru
I recently got the Labonville Competition Chaps.
Really like having them, and they are warm. Probably wear shorts with them in 50+ weather.
And for the safety notes above...Yes, I work alone 99% of the time. I should check in with someone. And also a wise man takes many less risks when alone.
Also, I caught myself getting a little cocky with the chaps on whilst limbing on the near side of the trunk...so you gotta watch that too.
Be sure you get enough length. I'd like 2" longer, but the step (next size) is 4" and that probably adds a 1/2 pound to 'em.
echo chaps? like these? they look nice!
Really like having them, and they are warm. Probably wear shorts with them in 50+ weather.
And for the safety notes above...Yes, I work alone 99% of the time. I should check in with someone. And also a wise man takes many less risks when alone.
Also, I caught myself getting a little cocky with the chaps on whilst limbing on the near side of the trunk...so you gotta watch that too.
Be sure you get enough length. I'd like 2" longer, but the step (next size) is 4" and that probably adds a 1/2 pound to 'em.
echo chaps? like these? they look nice!
The local Jonsered dealer was still selling the pants, but in green, for about $75. I have to assume that they are the same, or very similar.
Philbert
WadePatton
ArboristSite Guru
Diamond Gusset makes the "Defender" motorcycle jeans. 100% USA denim with kevlar panels added--for around a 100.
Wonder if they'd make some with the stringy fibres we need? probably be bulky as all hell.
...
Wonder if they'd make some with the stringy fibres we need? probably be bulky as all hell.
...
stevohut
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I'm not being a smartass but why is the lefthand in danger when cutting? I'm pretty green still.
steve
