Saw chaps/pants?

[Ex Umbra]

Might be the wrong spot, mods feel free to move it.

Each year before firewood season I google "chain saw accident images." Real dang sobering stuff comes up. Pure gore. reminds me to not get lax or complacent.

Go ahead and boo & hiss but I have never wore kevlar while sawing. Never had an accident, but once the chain brake likely saved my hide.

These days I'm certainly feeling less like I'll bounce and more like I will break- getting older (and more cautious.)
Wanna get some saw protection. What the best going deal on saw pants or chaps or apron? Look like most come to mid-shin. I'd like something that comes to the ankle. These seem like the best deal I could find, but I don't actually know what I'm looking at:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chain-Saw-S...108?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item540dc3847c

Thanks everyone,
Umbra

 

[CTYank]

"Mid-shin"? You are kidding, no? Some require coverage from instep, up. I've seen some that leave lower leg exposed, but why?

Check with Labonville (sponsor) for products and sizing. They should be long enough to reach from waist to instep. "Full-wrap" wrap completely around lower leg, so they can't be spun around, leaving you exposed. Labonville is a manufacturerr- good quality & price.

There are others, good ones, but these are made in the US.

 

[Ex Umbra]

thanks for the details.

 

[LowVolt]

Problem is the sizing. I am 6'1 and where a 34 length regular pants and that is just right. But for the chaps to cover my ankles I had to get a size 40 length chaps. I had to special order them in.

 

[fearofpavement]

OP, hold a tape measure at your belt and lower it to the floor while in socks. subtract about 2" off that number and that should put you in the ballpark for chap lengths if you want complete coverage. Keep in mind pant sizes do not play into the equation regarding length.
I have worn a couple different brands of forestry pants and am now using the Labonville full wraps. You can get almost anything you want for less than $100 so shop for what you feel is best for your situation, not for the lowest price.
I went with the full wraps because I frequently cut in bramble and snake infested areas. I like the Labonvilles a lot.

 

[Tomc460]

I ordered a pair of the full wrap labonville from Baileys. Very comfortable & maneuverable! Money well spent in my eyes.

 

[Gologit]

Another vote for Labonville. You can get cheaper chaps but why would you?

 

[firefighterwolf]

I bought a couple pair of stihl chaps for my fire district. On both pair, the plastic snap buckles have broke. Won't be buying anymore of those.

I personally own a pair of husqvarna chaps (blue) and have been very happy with them. No regrets.

I just bought 7 pair of Labonville chaps for my fire district two months ago, mainly because they are reversible. Twice the service life...I figure.

 

[Philbert]

+1. By the time you buy those eBay ones, and add in shipping, you can get a first tier, high quality, brand name pair. Folks here mentioned the Labonville brand, but you can even get a basic Husqvarna pair at Lowe's for that eBay price. Other sponsors, like Bailey's, periodically run sales. This is not something that you want the 'lowest price' model on when you need them, but it is OK to shop for a good price on a good pair.

'Apron' chaps cover just the front of your legs. 'Wrap' chaps wrap around the back of your calves and provide more protection. Pants vary in the coverage they provide - you need to read the description or contact the vendor to be sure. Chaps also vary in their thickness, the number and type of protective layers, the amount of energy they will protect against, etc. That is why it is best to stick with a name brand pair from a known vendor.

The other side is that more protective chaps are heavier and hotter to wear - if that means that you don't wear them, you might be better off with a basic pair of name brand chaps that you will actually wear. I think that chaps should cover to the insteps of your boots - ***read the info on sizing, because it is different than the inseam on your pants! I find that suspenders help make them more comfortable.

Philbert

 

[El Quachito]

Labonville--Made in USA, great quality and I will tell you chaps are not half the devil I thought they would be. Chaps delivered with Calif. sales tax and shipping from Bailey's = less than 40 percent the price of 1 stitch at the hospital. A great investment IMO. I am first in my family to cut with them.

 

[shootingarts]

I went with the labonville "pro's". The orange ones are reversible, the advertising on the green ones seemed to indicate they weren't the same outer cover on the inside so wouldn't give the same protection reversed. Maybe somebody will chime in on that issue.

I wear 34" inseam jeans, the chaps are measured to the belt so I bought forties. Fits fine, maybe a gnat's ass long but the full wraps hold everything in place and the weight and stiffness aren't the issues I feared they might be. Can't tell you how they work except from watching their video, having tested mine yet I'm happy to say!

Hu

 

[buzz sawyer]

I like the Labonville chaps.
Referring to the ebay listing, fwiw, they may meet OSHA specs but OSHA doesn't "approve" anything.

 

[Gravedigger]

I had been considering chaps for awhile. Labonville full wrap chaps here only after a chain came off a 36 inch bar and hit my leg. Couple scratches , boy do I feel lucky. Now that I have them I use them with the weedeater when I'm wearing shorts. Cooler than a pair or jeans.

 

[Ex Umbra]

Thanks for all the info and details. I have learned I want a pair of Labonville full wraps.

 

[LowVolt]

You fellers wash them when they were new before you wore them?

 

[Gologit]

You fellers wash them when they were new before you wore them?

No.

 

[LowVolt]

No.

You are certainly the pro and I am less than the average joe but I thought I read that on the tag or whatever that came with my stihl chaps? When I got them they were pretty flat but then after I washed them they kind if puffed up a bit. I think when the fibers are washed they become finer or more frayed and puff up like after you wash a pair of Jeans after you cut the legs off making them more effective if hit with the spinning chain?

 

[Gologit]

I couldn't find anything on the chaps...Labonville green full wrap...that advised washing before wearing.
I've never washed a pair of chaps before wearing. I've never heard of anyone else doing it either.

I don't see where it would hurt anything, it's just not something that's commonly done.

 

[LowVolt]

Looks like it all depends on which ones you buy. So just follow the instructions when you get them. It has nothing to do with keeping them clean but has to do with effectiveness.

 

[Gologit]

Looks like it all depends on which ones you buy. So just follow the instructions when you get them. It has nothing to do with keeping them clean but has to do with effectiveness.

Effectiveness? How? How could washing them before wearing them make them work better?

My wife has a pair of Stihl chaps. I just walked out and read the label on them. It doesn't say anything about washing before wearing.