Top 8 Reviews: Protect Your Legs with a Pair of Chainsaw Chaps
Typically, when we picture someone in chaps our minds will inevitably conjure up pictures of cowboys out on the range. Those popular images are certainly glamorous, but there are far more practical reasons to lace on a pair of chaps. One important reason to throw on a pair of chaps is whenever you’re planning on pulling out a chainsaw. Chaps provide vital protection for your legs and they should be an essential piece of safety equipment for anyone operating a chainsaw. No site on chainsaws would be complete without taking a closer look at chaps and this page has been added to review the best quality chaps for use with chainsaws.
When searching for a good pair of chaps you need to look for a pair that’s durable and comfortable. Over time there’s a good chance you may accidentally lose control of your saw and the chaps may be the last thing preventing the saw from cutting into your legs. Wearing a tough pair of pants, such as a pair of jeans, simply isn’t enough protection. On this page we look at the best quality chaps available.
Eight of the Best Quality Chainsaw Chaps
It’s important not to assume that all chaps are created equal. There are some essential things you should keep in mind when you’re looking for that perfect pair of chaps. Understanding what to look for can save you a lot of time and ensure you’re safely attired for the job of cutting wood. All of the chaps we review on this page are great choices.
Best Under $100
Husqvarna 587160704 Apron Wrap Chap
The Husqvarna 587160704 apron chaps are a quality set of chaps that provide your legs with a great deal of protection. They’re made out of several different layers of material, each of which has a role to play in providing the wearer with the best protection possible. The main material is polyester, but it’s reinforced with a PVC coating and an extra Tek Warp protective layer.
Adjustable Waist Size
While many of us may not want to admit our waist size, there’s no hiding the fact that people come in all different shapes and sizes. I know my waistline isn’t where it was when I was 18 and it’s something we all deal with in our own way. These Husqvarna chaps are fully adjustable up to 42 inches, which makes them ideal for just about anyone.
Multiple Straps
Chaps aren’t of any use to you if you can’t get them to stay on; that’s why this pair is equipped with multiple straps. In fact, they have three straps around the bottom of the legs and one around the waist to make sure the chaps remain firmly in place. The end result is a pair of chaps that are comfortable and dependable.
Best Over $100
STIHL 0000 886 3202 with Protective Apron
While all of the chaps reviewed on this page are of great quality, the STIHL 0000 886 3202 may be the best choice around. They’re made of the highest quality material and they’re designed to last for years. Make no mistake, these pants are thick, but they need to be to provide you with reliable protection from potential cuts. They easily hold their own in a crowded marketplace.
6 or 9 Layers of Protection
Some of the best chainsaw chaps have two or three different layers of protection, and that will provide you with the protection you need from accidental cuts in most cases, but not always. These STIHL chaps take things to another level. You have the option of purchasing them with either six or nine layers of protection – no wonder they’re thick!
Open Back Design
Working with a chainsaw can be hot work, especially if you’re working outside in the middle of the hottest days of the summer. Wearing a thick pair of chaps probably doesn’t sound too enticing when you’re already sweating, but that’s why these chaps have an open back design – to keep you cool even when you’re working under the hot sun.
Best Water Resistant Chainsaw Chaps
Forester Apron Pants with Pocket
The Forester Chainsaw Apron Chaps are a great addition to your personal protective equipment roster. They’re designed to help keep you safe after you fasten them on, and they’re kind of stylish, to boot. Style doesn’t have anything to do with personal safety, of course, but if you can stay safe and look good while doing it, why not?
Water and Oil Resistant
Flying debris isn’t the only thing you have to worry about when sawing wood outdoors – you also have to worry about the elements. Fortunately, these Forester chaps are 100% water resistant to keep you dry while you work – a good thing, as you’re bound to run into a bit of rain when working outside from time to time. They’re also designed to resist oil that you may come in contact with while working with a chainsaw.
Convenient Pockets
When working outdoors you won’t always have easy access to the tools you need close by. In order to make your life a little easier, these chaps have nice big pockets for storing small items. You won’t be able to fit any large items in them, but they’re still pretty handy just the same.
Best Chain Saw Chaps with Kevlar
WoodlandPRO Safety
When purchasing protective equipment we’re usually looking to strike the right balance between affordability and the need for proper protection – that is what you get with the WoodlandPro Chainsaw Safety Chaps. They’re priced well under $100, but that doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing your safety when you put them on. These chaps have overwhelmingly positive reviews and have consistently provided protection from cuts whenever needed.
Kevlar Protection
Normally when we hear the term Kevlar we think about bullet proof vests that the police wear to protect them when they’re in the line of fire. It stands to reason that a material that can withstand the force of a bullet might also be effective at protecting you from getting cut by a chainsaw. These pants are layered with Kevlar, which means you get effective protection every time you put them on. Hopefully you’ll never need to test them out, but just in case you do, you can be confident that they will provide the defense you need from a chainsaw blade.
Available in Four Different Sizes
In the real world we don’t all fit into the same pair of pants and the same is true when it comes to a pair of chainsaw chaps. These WoodlandPro chaps come in four different sizes, so you should have no problem finding a pair to fit. Each pair is equipped with adjustable straps so if you need to make some minor adjustments you still can.
Best Reversible Chainsaw Chaps
Labonville Full-Wrap
Labonville is a trusted and reliable name when it comes to all kinds of safety equipment, from hard hats to chainsaw chaps. They’ve been refining their products for more than 60 years, so it’s not surprising that they make some of the best chainsaw chaps around. These chaps are also reversible, so you can change things up if you feel the need. They may be a little bit more expensive than other chaps, but that’s because they’re more reliable.
Kevlar Polyester Blend
Wearing clothing made entirely of Kevlar is not a comfortable experi,ence and that’s why Labonville has include a polyester blend in their chaps. There are still four layers of Kevlar, so the end result is a more comfortable fit that’s designed to effectively protect you from coming in contact with a moving chainsaw. As soon as the saw’s chain makes contact with the Kevlar it becomes entangled with the material, which almost instantly disrupts its operation.
Available in Extra Long
Most chainsaw chap makers give very little thought to the length of the chaps. They may make the waist adjustable on their gear, but the length is an afterthought at best. Labonville does believe the length of your chaps are just as important in providing a proper fit. They offer their chaps in several different lengths between 30 inches and 48 inches.
Best Lightweight Chainsaw Pants
Elvex Protection Chaps
Elvex may not be the most familiar name when it comes to personal protective equipment, but they have plenty of experience as a provider of safety equipment. Their chainsaw chaps are some of the most popular sellers on the market, and for good reason. They are a quality product that provides you with superior protection from the potential of injury while using a chainsaw.
Lightweight and Flexible
The Elvex Chainsaw Chaps are both lightweight and flexible. That means they won’t slow you down as you work, allowing you the freedom of movement you need to react to any given situation. Their thin nylon coating is placed over a Kevlar layer that you hardly even know is there. One of the key complaints that people often have when wearing chainsaw chaps is that they’re too heavy and bulky, so this is a key advantage for these particular chaps.
Exceed ASTM Standards for Leg Protection
Many manufacturers of chaps provide the minimum amount of protection they can offer to achieve government safety standards. Elvex not only meets ASTM standards for leg protection, they exceed them easily. Their protective layers are several layers thick; that means the potential for life-changing injuries are almost eliminated completely. As is the case with any safety product, you still need to exercise proper caution. But these chaps will definitely protect you when accidents do happen.
Best with Quick Release Buckle
Chain Saw Chaps by A.M. Leonard
The name A.M. Leonard may also not be a household name, but it is a reliable one when it comes to safety equipment. Their chainsaw chaps are a quality product that provides great protection against cuts from chainsaws that kick back despite your best efforts to work safely. With an asymmetric design that provides extra length and protection to your left side, where more injuries are known to happen, these chaps give you an extra level of protection that you don’t want to be without.
Unravels by Design
The best chainsaw chaps include layers of Kevlar which are designed to unravel by design when a chainsaw comes in contact with them – these A. M. Leonard chaps do include this feature. As the material unravels it becomes entwined with the chain and automatically stops the chainsaw in its tracks. This feature can help to prevent serious injury.
Versatile and Adjustable
In a perfect world we’d all be the same size, but until that day happens it’s comforting to know that these chaps are versatile and adjustable. They feature several different straps that allow you to adjust the waist of your chaps for anyone between 30 and 48 inches. You can also adjust the length from 33 to 36 inches, which means they should fit most people comfortably.
Most Comfortable
Makita 841008-A 38-Inch
Makita has been producing reliable safety gear for years and so it’s no surprise that they also make a great pair of chainsaw chaps. The 841008-A’s come in a practical safety orange color that helps to make you more visible to your coworkers, to make sure they’re paying attention to your safety as well. These chaps can be used over and over again, so with a little luck they should last you for years.
Comfort Fit
Unlike the chaps produced by some of Makita’s competitors, these chaps are designed with comfort in mind. They still offer the layers of protection you need to effectively minimize injuries from contact with a chainsaw, but they won’t limit your mobility. If you work in the forestry industry where you’re likely to have to wear your chaps most of the work day, it’s nice to know that they won’t slow you down.
Asymmetrical Design
A design feature of the highest quality chaps is that they make the left leg longer than the right leg. The reason they do this is because statistics have shown that most chainsaw injuries happen on your left side and by quite a wide margin. These Makita chaps share this asymmetrical design feature with other quality chaps on the market. It’s an important feature that you should always look for when purchasing a pair of chainsaw chaps.
Don’t Leave Home Without Them
Any pair of chaps on this page will provide you with the protection you need from the potential for injury from a chainsaw. No matter which pair you choose, make sure they include several layers of Kevlar protection and an asymmetrical design to ensure the maximum protection possible. Don’t sacrifice comfort, but always consider safety first.