Chainsaw Pants & Chaps

Are Chainsaw Pants Really Necessary?

We wanted to get this question out of the way before going further into detail on chainsaw trousers. When it comes to being an arborist, chainsaw safety should always be the number one concern. Any chainsaw user, regardless of experience, should be using chainsaw protection. This includes the use of chainsaw pants or chaps.

The added protection of wearing these pants means that any slip ups will not be costly. The same way that you wear glasses to protect your eyes, these pants should be worn to protect your legs. Safety always comes first. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's take a look at chainsaw pants and chaps as a whole!

Choosing Between Chainsaw Pants and Chainsaw Chaps

Chainsaw pants and chainsaw chaps serve the same function. Should a chainsaw come into contact with them, the inner fabric is drawn out into the saw's sprocket, locking it up and preventing it from doing harm. The difference between the two comes down to functionality, and the way that the protective equipment is worn. Both choices are durable and safe, making either a great choice. Here's some quick info on both.

Chainsaw Pants or Chainsaw Trousers

As the name implies, these are protective pants that are worn when doing any cutting with a chainsaw. They're offered by many different brands, meaning that features may vary from pair to pair. Of course they come with their own pros and cons.

Pros

• Less snagging while climbing
• Better fit since they are purchased individually
• Easier to maintain, can be washed normally
• Light weight in most cases, allowing you to stay cool

Cons

• Tend to be more expensive than chaps
• Can't be removed when not working with saws
• No ventilation on lower legs

Chainsaw Chaps

Chainsaw chaps differ from pants by quite a bit. Rather than being worn in place of pants, these are layered on top of them. This offers a distinct number of advantages and disadvantages, however. Check them out below.

Pros

• Cheaper than chainsaw pants in most cases
• Highly adjustable, and can be worn by multiple people by changing the buckle or zippers
• Come with the convenience of being able to be removed
• Open in the back, providing great ventilation

Cons

• Harder to maintain
• Cannot be used while climbing due to snagging
• Wear out faster than dedicated pants
• Hot when layered

Choosing the Right Fit

For clothing to be safe, it needs to be fit properly. When you're choosing your next pair of pants for chainsaw protection, keep some of these things in mind.

• Choose chainsaw protective pants that are comfortable. This makes you more likely to wear them without any issues. It can be tempting to leave them at home, after all.
• Make sure that the chaps or the pants cover your boots. Boots don't provide the same protection that these specialized pants do.
• If you're working in the heat, look for lightweight fabrics that breathe.
• Choose a durable pant, the life of your pants means less replacements in the future.

If you're looking for more help with choosing your next pair of pants, our customer service team would love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out and learn more about new products, chainsaw protective equipment, and picking the right gear for your needs!