Why I wear my chaps

[MacAttack]

Chaps are measured by the length from the waist down. They should cover your boots by a minimum of 2". Call your suppliers and ask for the length measurement.

Thank you!

 

[Paul Bunions]

I have to work in shorts except in the winter. I have noticed that chaps keep sawdust out of my boots, keep bugs off the front of my legs, and prevent weeds from cutting me up.

 

[009Legend]

I reckon you owe it to yourself to give proper trousers a try. As mentioned before, there may be sticker shock involved, but they're a world of difference to chaps or "cheap" trousers.

I've never worn snow pants, but the trousers I have are just like wearing thicker work pants. Not too heavy, not too bulky and allow me to happily traipse through the bush over all sorts of terrain no worries. Don't do climbing but I can't imagine they'd restrict your movement.

 

[Patrick62]

. Don't do climbing but I can't imagine they'd restrict your movement.

The climbing I have done with a chainsaw involved, is about the ONLY time that I don't bother with chaps.
There is a lot more risk involved than the chaps would ever cover. Just gotta be sensible.
one handing a top handle saw, I am more likely to gash a forarm or chop my head off.

 

[Philbert]

The climbing I have done with a chainsaw involved, is about the ONLY time that I don't bother with chaps.

Wear pants.

Philbert

 

[Patrick62]

Wear pants.

Philbert

Im not climbing in a speedo... just kidding.

I don't see the logic. climbing a tree using a 150T saw, gaffs and saddle. Steel core flip line. Knocking branches off until I can top it off. Saw isn't gonna be anywhere near my legs or torso...
I suppose one could wrap chainsaw pants, or chaps around my arms...?

Years ago there was a time doing electrical work on a pharma plant, OSHA required a harness and lanyard be used if on a
ladder 8 feet or higher. The lanyard was 10 feet long. Thud.

 

[StoneyMeadowMaple]

I went for my annual physical last week, Dr was showing me
His knee, went right across it with a chainsaw, 18 stitches. He said he always wears chaps.. except this time.

 

[Philbert]

Some of the climbers like the dexterity of the better chainsaw pants. And they don’t have to put chaps on when on the ground.

Philbert

 

[bruiser1]

Went chapless about 2 years ago. Bought myself a pair of PPE pants. I really wanted Cloggers but boy are they pricey but, then again what price can you put on your leg or your arm.
I found the chaps to be too bulky always catching on brush or slash

 

[Philbert]

I wonder what Scottish sawyers wear?

Philbert

 

[moxiemaul]

I like the thickness of the chaps when digging into brambles. Today I was stuck in hard enough that they were pushing in behind the chaps and still spearing me.. so I totally buy the argument for full-on pants for those special occasions.

Oh yeah and btw, f' the ancient rusty trodden down fencing wire lurking in amongst the brambles just eagerly waiting for the chainsaw to pass too close.

 

[kickert]

I went for my annual physical last week, Dr was showing me
His knee, went right across it with a chainsaw, 18 stitches. He said he always wears chaps.. except this time.

That is my story too except it was only 17 stitches. Chain wasn't even moving. I was cutting storm damage and misread tension on a branch. Thought it was going to go away from me, but instead came back and down when it released. I have great muscle memory and got the chain break on before it hit my leg. Just the pressure of the limb on the bar pushed the teeth into my leg and back about an inch. Can't imagine what that would have looked like if it was running.

 

[Chainsaw Pete]

Has anyone tried Zelarman brand of chaps? What do you think of them? They are Amazonium chaps, so in my mind, of questionable quality until otherwise recommended by folks I trust. These are 8 layer, I recently bought a Forester brand pair of chaps* from Amazon for about the same $$ that feel to me to be very thin. I have to wonder about the protection. The Forester chaps are 6 layer (I think) and have all the appropriate UL and ASTM certifications, as well as meeting OSHA standards for Class B protection.

*Have not worn them yet, and still within return period.

I wonder what Scottish sawyers wear?

Philbert

Chainsaw kilts, but the long style that goes down to the ankle. Not the short sexy ones. Probably wear the sporran around the back so it doesn't get in the way.

 

[CBGold]

Always love the “I don’t wear PPE. I used a chainsaw for XX years and never been injured”. That’s what every joker says until the day he gets injured. Injuries do not happen all the time but they just have to happen once to screw up your life, or end it. But to each their own.

 

[firekindler]

I have a pair similar to the Cloggers that I like: https://www.supplycache.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoquQJGHQNzMhmOE76pUa30_loOrRdiWO577Ysx-x7TccNe9-4is
I like the built in tool compartment. I was working on a fire as a contract faller and the safety officer said I should trade in my old oil soaked chaps for a new pair. That was a deal.

 

[A Standard TreeGuy]

I have a pair similar to the Cloggers that I like: https://www.supplycache.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoquQJGHQNzMhmOE76pUa30_loOrRdiWO577Ysx-x7TccNe9-4is
I like the built in tool compartment. I was working on a fire as a contract faller and the safety officer said I should trade in my old oil soaked chaps for a new pair. That was a deal.

Nice but pricy, (link took me too homepage for some reason, by the way.) Does it make a big difference brand of chaps?

I'm running some bottom dollar Stahl chaps. (Forget what I paid, but I don't remember being that much.) 2nd pair of chaps, I "lent" a friend a pair which were bottom dollar Huskies. Only real difference is my Stahl have zippers, the others had snaps.

As long as they do the job I'll run them. Nice climbing chainsaw pants are in the "wishlist".

 

[firekindler]

Nice but pricy, (link took me too homepage for some reason, by the way.) Does it make a big difference brand of chaps?

I'm running some bottom dollar Stahl chaps. (Forget what I paid, but I don't remember being that much.) 2nd pair of chaps, I "lent" a friend a pair which were bottom dollar Huskies. Only real difference is my Stahl have zippers, the others had snaps.

As long as they do the job I'll run them. Nice climbing chainsaw pants are in the "wishlist".

I hear you on the priciness. I don't know if some offer more protection than others; that would be worth researching. Only takes once to ruin a leg. But as manager of a thinning crew since 1987, I've seen dozens of guys with cheap chaps have them wear out pretty quickly. Mine are in great shape since I traded in for them in 2003. The other factor is they seem like they would be much more breathable than most of the others.

 

[Philbert]

Nice but pricy, (link took me too homepage for some reason, by the way.) Does it make a big difference brand of chaps?

Technically, in the US, the test standard is ‘pass or fail’.

So, if a pair meets the ANSI standard, it at least meets the minimum protection standard.

Some companies, like STIHL and Labonville, will list the number of protective layers in specific models of chaps: more layers being more protective.

*** But, because different companies use different materials, they can only compare within that brand. ***

So a pair of ‘9 layer’ STIHL chaps will likely be more protective than a pair of ‘6 layer’ STIHL chaps, but maybe less protective than another brand of ‘7 layer’ chaps.

Sometimes, the more protective chaps also become heavier, and hotter to wear, discouraging use, which means zero protection if they are not worn.

Generally, more protective chaps are recommended for higher displacement, more powerful, chainsaws.

Some price differences also relate to the quality of the product, the fit, etc.

I like the full wrap chap style, because it also provides protection to the backs of my legs.

Philbert

 

[gsrsol84mm]

Just upgraded to the

Labonville X-Treme Competition Apron Chainsaw Chaps​

with 10 layers of Kevlar. Made in the USA with a great reputation.
Upgraded from the standard labonville chaps which has 5 layers of kevlar.
10 layers of kevlar is better than 5 to me especially when running a ported 661.
They wrap all around the ankles and not terrible to wear even when dragging some brush.

Don't know why you would waste your time and money with some BS imported chaps when the Labonville chaps are quite affordable. The imported junk will probably not work.
Chaps cost less than your deductible to the ER.

Was watching some videos of storm cleanup in North Carolina and cringed at people running saws with shorts and the bars swinging all around. Dont think some people grasp the damage that will occur if that chain comes in contact with your body. It will really hurt you.

 

[Patrick62]

For what it's worth, this is the pair that has been "nicked" more than a couple times.
If I was to compare the price of bandaids, new pants, and stitches... Yeah.
They are close to being "retired" but still good enough to protect my body from those stupid moments.