Chainsaws are without a doubt one of the most dangerous power tools you will ever use. Fortunately there have been huge advances in safety equipment over the years and chainsaw chaps are a part of that safety revolution. They have the ability to greatly minimize injuries and perhaps even save a life during a chainsaw mishap. We will take the time to do some reviews of some of the top model chainsaw chaps you will find in the power tool safety marketplace.
Quick Reference Chart of the Best Chainsaw Chaps You Can Buy
More Detailed Reviews Will Follow the Buying Guide
Last update on 2024-04-19 at 11:49 PST - Details
Chainsaw Chap Buying Guide
There are certain characteristics of chainsaw chaps that you need to focus on when you are shopping for them. You don’t want to buy just any pair of chainsaw chaps and price should not be a factor where safety is concerned.
Here are the key features of chainsaw chaps to keep in mind when you are looking to buy a new pair:
Safety
Of course all the other characteristics of chainsaw chaps do not matter if they don’t keep you safe. Keep in mind that chainsaw chaps are not designed to be impenetrable suits of armor. They are designed to minimize damage to your body in the event of a chainsaw chain coming into contact with you.
Here are the two ways they accomplish this and what you need to look for in a pair of chainsaw chaps that will help keep you safe:
Outer material
The top pairs of chainsaw chaps are made with an outer layer of material that is usually very slippery. It is also a type of material that is woven very tight. They use this type of material so in the event you slightly come into contact with a chainsaw chain the material will not catch the teeth easily and pull the chainsaw chain into your body.
Inner ballistic fiber layer
This is the main safety mechanism in a pair of chainsaw chaps. What is known as ‘ballistic fibers’ (made of Kevlar material) are woven into the inside of the pants. Many people think they are designed to deflect the chainsaw teeth away from your body in the event of an accident but that is not the case.
How they work is when they come into contact with a chainsaw chain they shred easily and quickly throw fibers in all directions. Inevitably one of these strands of fiber will rapidly get caught up in the chainsaw and cause it to jam up. The whole process happens very quickly.
Maybe you don’t believe it works? Then check out this YouTube demonstration video:
Certification
The best pairs of chainsaw chaps have been put through tests by reputable authorities to make sure that they work. You can have a lot more confidence in a pair of pants that has been approved by some type of safety association. Look for certification or approval from groups such OSHA or ASTM on any pair of chainsaw chaps you are thinking about buying. These certifications require a pair of chainsaw chaps to pass rigid testing standards in order to get approval.
Fit
Most chainsaw chaps are designed to be adjustable but you don’t want to go as far as getting a pair that is one size fits all. Having a pair of chainsaw chaps that fit is an important part to the safety aspect of them. They have to rest over the areas of your body that are most likely toc come into contact with a chainsaw chain. So by a pair that is close to your size and has adjustable straps and buckles to fine tune that fit as needed.
See Also
Comfort
You want to be safe when using a chainsaw but there is absolutely no reason why you can’t be comfortable to. Fit is part of that but there are other things to consider as far as comfort goes too.
Here are the most important of those factors.
Flexibility
Having your movement restricted when using a chainsaw can be almost as dangerous as not having your legs protected when using one. You want your chainsaw chaps to fit snug but not in a way that restricts movement. So find a pair that is constructed in a way that gives you protection and flexibility when using a chainsaw.
Weight
Chances are you are going to be physically exerting yourself pretty good when using a chainsaw. For that reason you don’t want a pair of chainsaw chaps that are heavy and bulky and cause you to exert yourself even more physically. There are many models of chainsaw chaps that are made out of lightweight material that will still do a good job of protecting you.
Easy to take on and off
Using a chainsaw can be physically exhausting as we mentioned. This is especially true if the weather is warm. That means you will probably want to remove your protective gear when you take a break from working. Having a pair of chainsaw chaps that is easy to take on and off is a nice bonus and also encourages you to wear them every time you use your electric chainsaw.
In case you were wondering how it’s done. Here is a video that demonstrates how to put on and take off your chainsaw chaps:
More Information on How Safety Chaps Work
Here is another YouTube video that goes into even more detail on why it’s important to wear chainsaw chaps when running a chainsaw:
Reviews of the Top Model Chainsaw Chaps
Let’s take a closer look at what we consider the best chainsaw chaps available in the power tool safety marketplace:
You should not be surprised that a big name in chainsaw manufacturing would also be a big player when it comes to making quality safety gear for them. Kudos to Husqvarna for trying to keep the users of their chainsaws as safe as possible. These are a very good pair of chainsaw chaps to say the least.
What makes these paints so good to wear when you are using your chainsaw? For one they are made out of smooth and lightweight PVC coated denier polyester. The fibers embedded in them are proven to quickly jam up the sprockets on any chainsaw that comes into contact with them.
That is why these chainsaw chaps are approved for use by both OSHA and ASTM sanctioning bodies. They are lightweight and flexible and have a little bit of style to them also.
Pros
- Lightweight and flexible
- Fully adjustable acetyl Delran buckles
- Meets all OSHA and ASTM standards
- PVC coated denier polyester
- Good looking chainsaw chaps
Cons
- A little long in size
- Crotch area is left unprotected
Here is another high quality pair of chainsaw chaps. These are approved for use by many testing bodies including OSHA and ASTM testers. They even have a seal of approval for use from US Forestry Service. That means everyone is in agreement that these chainsaw chaps will definitely increase your safety level when you are using a chainsaw.
Everything on them is very high quality. It starts with the comfortable 6-ply Kevlar polyester blend they are made with and even includes some high quality buckles to adjust the fit with. This is a brand of chainsaw chaps that has been proven time and time again in the field to be reliable.
One of the best things about Labonville safety chaps is the huge variety of sizes they are offered in. Just about anybody that operates a chainsaw should be able to find a pair of Labonville chaps that fits good and increases their safety.
Pros
- Excellent sizing options
- High quality buckles
- Proven reliable in the field
- USFS approved
- Multiple color choices
- 6-ply Kevlar polyester blend
Cons
- So so looking
- Waist is too loose for some users liking
These Forester chainsaw chaps offer a very affordable way to protect your upper thigh area when using a chainsaw. They are built tough to handle wooded area working conditions and will quite effectively jam the chainsaw sprocket on any chainsaw that comes into contact with them.
They are a chainsaw chap that has been tested and approved for use by such authorities as ASTM and OSHA. That will give you confidence that if you follow proper chainsaw use guidelines and wear these chaps you will be more than reasonable protected from upper thigh injuries while working.
These chainsaw chaps are easy to take on and off and are also very lightweight and flexible. They have an included large front pocket and several adjustable straps on them too. Forester also offers these chainsaw chaps in a variety of different colors.
Pros
- Adjustable to fit the user properly
- Meets all OSHA and ASTM requirements
- These come in a variety of different color choices
- Large front thigh pocket
- Very lightweight and flexible
Cons
- Snaps on these chaps could use some improvement
- Leg coverage is less than some other model chaps
STIHL is yet another big chainsaw manufacturer that has gotten big time into making safety clothing for use while operating them. These chainsaw chaps prove that their safety clothing is just as well-made as their line of chainsaws. Anyone who wears this will increase their leg protection considerable when operating a chainsaw.
These are a little bit heavier than some of the other chaps on our list but it’s not a deal breaker with how protective they are. They are especially nice for use with higher powered chainsaws. The ballistic fiber they are made with is highly cut retardant.
These are a very stylish pair of chainsaw chaps with their sleek black look. We would be more impressed with these particular chainsaw chaps if STIHL would start making them in a wider variety of specific sizes.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- Durable and heavyweight protection
- Made of highly cut retardant material
- The most stylish chainsaw chap we reviewed
Cons
- A little short in length
- One size fits all style not to our liking
- The waist area seems to fit a little tight
These are a little lighter duty version of the Husqvarna chainsaw chaps that we looked at in item number one. But they still offer superior leg cut protection when operating a chainsaw. They are the perfect pair of chainsaw chaps for homeowners and other users who only use a chainsaw on an occasional basis.
They are a pair of chainsaw chaps that are approved for use by many testing authorities such as ASTM, ANSI and OSHA. These chaps are made of very durable Denier Polyester material that is nicely PVC coated too. Several layers of what Husqvarna calls their ‘Tek Warp’ protective material is what is used to stop dead a spinning chainsaw chain when it comes into contact with these chaps.
Husqvarna offers these chaps in a nice variety of sizes too. They have a very good strap and buckle system to help them fit you perfect too. Without a doubt the better the fit the more safety a pair of chainsaw chaps will provide you.
Pros
- Cut retardant Tek Warp protective layers
- Denier Polyester material with PVC coating
- Nice selection of sizes
- ASTM, ANSI, OSHA and UL Certified
- Excellent quality fastening system
Cons
- Shorter in length
- Fit a little tight on stocky built users
Which Pair Of Chainsaw Chaps Would We Choose?
This one is a tough call here. All the models we reviewed offer excellent safety protection and have other great design features. After much debate between the Husqvarna chainsaw chaps and the Labonville chainsaw chaps we decided it was the Husqvarna 587160704 Technical Apron Wrap Chap that we like best.
There was just a lot to like about them including their sturdy and tight woven PVC coated denier polyester. Testing prove these chainsaw chaps were superior when it came to cut protection. That fact is why they are certified for use by both OSHA and ASTM governing bodies. When you consider how lightweight and flexible they are it really puts these chainsaw chaps over the top.
If you truly want to buy the best chainsaw chaps for yourself, then you should strongly consider buying this particular pair of chainsaw chaps. Never take chances and go without protective leg chaps when using your chainsaw.
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