The 5 Best Chainsaw Chaps (Never Work Without!)

It is incredible how many people don’t recognize the importance of chainsaw chaps. When you’re using a chainsaw, the most common motion you make with the saw is downward, towards your legs. Let’s say you lose your balance for a second. Can you imagine the outcome? I have seen it happen so many times by people who I would consider experienced chainsaw users.

My advice is to never do any work with a chainsaw without wearing a decent pair of chainsaw chaps. I have put together a list of the 5 most popular chainsaw chaps for your convenience. All of these chaps will protect you from getting seriously hurt.

🥇 The Best Chainsaw Chaps

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Like other types of chaps, chainsaw chaps are used to protect your legs from any damage or injuries that might occur when using your chainsaw, and because they are much more effective than regular pants, it is a good idea to always use them when you’re using your chainsaw.

They are often used by loggers or forest workers, and they usually cover your entire thigh to the top of your boots. In fact, chainsaw chaps are considered an item under the category of personal protective equipment, or PPE, that most manufacturers of items such as chainsaws, almost always recommend.

Why Do You Need Chainsaw Chaps?

Chainsaws are aggressive tools and can do a lot of harm if you’re not wearing chaps. A lot of people, especially men, dislike chaps, but the chaps used for chainsaw operators are specially made and in fact, many of them cause the chainsaw to stop on its own shortly after it hits the chaps. This means it doesn’t have time to injure your leg, and this is something that doesn’t happen with any other types of pants.

When you think of denim jeans, it may seem that they are thick enough and sturdy enough to protect you should your chainsaw get too close to your legs, but this is simply not true. In fact, a chainsaw can go right through a pair of jeans and then to your leg, which can cause a lot of pain and potentially the loss of your leg.

In the video below you can see how chainsaw chaps protect your legs.

When it comes to safety gear for activities such as using your chainsaw, there is no such thing as being too careful. Chaps made for this purpose are specially made out of extra-tough materials such as Kevlar, and they are designed to take the impact of a chainsaw without allowing it to cut through those pants and, therefore, your leg.

Of course, this doesn’t mean chaps are the only clothing item you should be wearing when using your chainsaw, because you also need high-quality boots, gloves, and face and eye protection.

What Are Chainsaw Chaps?

Chaps, made for chainsaw use, fit over your pants and usually fit the entire leg all the way down to the tops of your boots. They are made of leggings and a belt, and they are buckled up securely as soon as you pull them over your pants.

They are different, however, from regular pants, because most chainsaw chaps are not joined at the crotch and have no seat, since those areas essentially do not need to be protected when you’re working with a chainsaw. These chaps also come in a wide range of colors, including bright neon colors, and they are used in a variety of occupations, including tree surgeons, motorcycle riders, and even farmers in many instances.

Their main purpose is to protect your legs from harm, not just from chainsaws, but also from items you may rub up against while you’re doing your job, such as thorns and bushes. This is why there are so many people nowadays who choose to wear these types of pants.

What Are Chainsaw Chaps Made of?

These chaps can be made of various materials, including, but not limited to the following:

• Kevlar
• Denier nylon with PVC coating
• Leather
• Polyester with PVC coating
• Blends of various materials

In addition, these chaps normally include reflective tape that guarantees people will always see you from afar, Velcro to help keep the pants comfortable while you’re wearing them, and colors such as black, grey, and blue.

They are normally made with three to seven layers of the material that they are created with, making them extra-thick; however, they are made with high-quality materials that won’t make you feel like you’re on fire if you’re working in the sun.

The chaps are both comfortable and fit very well, and they usually come in either “one size fits all” or in different waist sizes, meaning you are guaranteed to find something that fits you perfectly every time.

The pants are also made with oil- and water-resistant materials, reducing the chances of getting stains on them while you’re working. They are both effective and comfortable, and these are two very important aspects when you’re working with your chainsaw.

The pants that you choose also depend on the type of chainsaw you are using, as electric chainsaws require thicker and higher-quality pants.

Safety Standards and Certifications

All chaps have to meet certain standards and certifications, and those certifications can vary depending on what they’re made to do. For instance, chaps made for chainsaw use might have different requirements than those made for regular ranch work, but as a general rule, these are the types of certifications most chainsaw chaps must have in order to be sold to the public:

• ASTM F1897-2008
• ASTM F1414-92A (1997)
• ANZI Z133.1
• UL certification
• OSHA Regulation 1910-266
• U.S. Forestry Service 6170-4F

They are also normally required to be flame- and burn-resistant, and because not all chaps meet all of these standards and requirements, it is good for the customer to do a little research and decide exactly what the pants will be used for before purchasing a pair of chaps.

Once you determine what you will be doing while wearing the chaps, the experts and some research can help you determine which qualifications you need to look for, and this is a lot easier to do than you might think. For chainsaw chaps, looking to the manufacturer can help, and of course, checking with the companies you purchase the chaps from can give you the information you need to proceed.

Chainsaw Chaps Reviews

Pro’s:

• Very durable, and they will protect you quite well. Gear pockets.
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Con’s:

• Will get kind of warm during hot weather.
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Husqvarna is one of the most recognizable names in tools, and they have created a really desirable pair of chainsaw chaps here. If you want to purchase a pair of chaps that will keep you safe while you’re working diligently, then these will work nicely. They’re made from 1000 denier polyester and also have a special PVC coating.
The protective layers are going to keep you as safe as you can be. They feel pretty comfortable to wear as well. They aren’t cumbersome, and they even include convenient gear pockets. If you want to have a pair of chainsaw chaps that have a lot of utility while also providing ample protection, then these come highly recommended.
These chaps are adjustable as well. They will fit waists up to a size 42. This is pretty convenient so you should be able to make use of these without having any issues.

Pro’s:

• The multiple styles and colors of these chaps help them to stand out.
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Con’s:

• These may not have as much variation in the sizes as some people would like.
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Forester has created a very desirable pair of chainsaw chaps of their own. These chainsaw chaps are apron-style, meaning that they will protect the front of your legs. This is the most common area where you will need protection, so it should definitely be adequate. You can buy them in multiple sizes as well, so you should be able to find a pair that fits you as long as you have an average-sized waist.
The sizes being represented are 35”, 37”, and 40”. Those who will need bigger chaps than that will need to look elsewhere. These chaps are really nice, though, and you’ll really enjoy the variety of colors and styles that they come in. If you want to purchase chainsaw chaps that aren’t just boring old orange, then these will be very appealing to you.

Pro’s:

• Oil and water resistant qualities make these chaps more convenient overall.
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Con’s:

• Could use more sizing options.
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These chainsaw chaps from Cold Creek are similar to the Forester chaps up above in many ways. These are also apron-style chaps that are designed to protect the front of your legs from injury. If you want to keep yourself safe, then these chaps will be a good option for you to consider. They come in the same sizes as the Forester model mentioned above, as well, so you’ll have to work within those parameters.
One good feature that helps these chainsaw chaps from Cold Creek to differentiate themselves is that these are resistant to both oil and water. This can help you to deal with stains a little easier and will also just keep you safer and drier. You want to be as comfortable as possible while you’re putting in all of that hard work, so these will be very helpful. They come in several different styles as well, so you’ll have some choices to make.

Pro’s:

• These full-wrap chainsaw chaps will provide you with ample protection.
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Con’s:

• Might feel cumbersome to wear these for some people and you may get hot.
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These chaps are another full-wrap chainsaw chaps set similar to the Husqvarna set. There are many different lengths that you can purchase. This is really convenient and it makes it so that most people are going to be able to purchase a pair of these chaps and have a good experience. They’re available to purchase in both green and burnt orange colors.
These chaps do weigh three pounds, so they might feel a little heavy to some people. They do provide you with ample protection, so you can feel safe while you’re working with a chainsaw. You’ll always feel more at ease when you know you have proper protection, so it makes sense to buy an option that will work well like this. These will still feel easy to move around in for most people, but they may make you hot on those long summer workdays.

Pro’s:

• The lightweight design makes these chaps easy to wear. You won’t overheat.
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Con’s:

• These are a bit generic and lack some of the features of the other chaps.
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Apron chainsaw chaps are definitely the most common style that you will run across. These chainsaw chaps being shown here are made by Oregon. They’re very standard in their design but that doesn’t mean that they won’t work well. These chaps are very capable of protecting your legs from harm and will come in handy during long work days.
They only weigh one pound, so they won’t feel too cumbersome for you to wear. This can be very beneficial when you are working in very hot environments. They won’t overheat you too much, and you will feel like you can move around in them easily. The only downside of these chainsaw chaps is that they are a bit on the generic side, but they’re reliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Size Chainsaw Chaps Should I Buy?

It is easy to choose the right size of chainsaw chaps, because all you have to do is start by measuring the distance from your belt to the instep, then look for the number that is listed under “overall size” wherever you are buying the pants.

You should also keep in mind that the length of the chaps is not the same as your pant length. Chaps are always sized by overall length, and if you measure the distance from your waist where your belt fits down to the tops of your boots, you’ll be able to determine what size to purchase.

Chaps are usually available up to 40 inches in length and with waist sizes up to 46 inches, so there is a wide selection that is accommodating to nearly everyone.

Chainsaw chaps are crucial anytime you’re working with a chainsaw, because they protect you more than you might think. This is not to say that they will protect you from everything, but if you get the right type, material, and size, you can at least protect yourself from the chainsaw you are using.

As mentioned earlier, other equipment is also necessary to fully protect yourself from injuries while using a chainsaw, but it is good to know what things you need to look for when shopping for these types of chaps.

Where Can I Find Chainsaw Chaps?

The good news is, chaps for chainsaw users are extremely easy to find, and a few of the stores that carry these pants include:

• Amazon
• Arbormaster Arbor Gear
• Bartlett Arborist Supply
• Cabela’s
• eBay
• Gempler’s
• Home Depot
• Husqvarna (brand name)
• Lowe’s
• Menard’s
• Northern Tool
• Sears
• Stihl (brand name)
• Tractor Supply Co.
• Walmart

Naturally, the pants can be found at other stores as well, including sporting goods stores, hunting and fishing stores, outdoor stores, and even some hardware stores. Of course, you can also purchase them on the Internet, but if you do, then it is best to do some research first so that you are guaranteed to get the type of pants that are right for your needs before making a final decision.

How Do Chainsaw Chaps Work?

In order for chaps to work right, there are certain features you need to check for before purchasing the pants you want. These features include the following:

• Fabric: classified according to how much resistance they give when you accidentally touch your leg with the chainsaw, it is recommended that you choose pants made out of Class 3 fabric, although Class 0 fabric may work if your chainsaw has a lower speed.
• Comfort and flexibility: just like most other apparel, it is important that you try these pants on before you buy them, because if you cannot move freely or they are too hot, you won’t want to purchase them.
• Type: these usually include Type A, which only protects you in the front and is good for general or low-risk use, and Type C, which gives you protection on both sides and works best for heavy or professional jobs.

Most of the time, a visual inspection of these chaps can give you the information that you need to make the right decision. This includes reading the inside labels and any packaging the pants may come in. These types of chaps require that you do your due diligence so that you can find the perfect pair in the end, and since safety is the main reason these pants are made in the first place, the more qualifications you find they have, the better the pants will be.

Last update on 2023-04-25 / affiliate links / image and description from Amazon