Who makes the best chainsaw chaps and pants these days?
Not only do you have to consider the level of safety the material provides, but factors like breathability and mobility are important too.
Whether you are a professional logger or arborist, or a casual cutter and pruner – we’ve answered this question and weighed up these factors (plus a few others) specifically for you.
Some people, especially professionals that need the extra safety, prefer to get an all-in-one chainsaw safety kit (chaps, gloves, glasses, helmet, earmuffs etc), like the Husqvarna 531307180 Chain Saw Protective Apparel Powerkit, for example.
But, if we are just talking about chaps and pants, the following buying guide and associated chainsaw chaps and pants reviews will help you find both the:
- Best Chainsaw Chaps, and
- Best Chainsaw Pants
We’ve also compiled a list of the top rated chainsaw chaps and pants from brands such as Husqvarna, Forester, Labonville and WoodlandPro
If you’re running a little short on time, you can check out the top rated chainsaw chaps list immediately below.
Otherwise, you can read the guide in full.
(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)
Top Rated Chainsaw Chaps & Pants
Best Value Chainsaw Chaps For The Money – Husqvarna 587160704 Technical Apron Wrap Chap, 36 to 38-Inch (on Amazon)
Best Kevlar Chainsaw Chaps – Labonville Full-Wrap Chainsaw Safety Chaps (on Amazon)
Best Cheap Chainsaw Chaps – Forester Chainsaw Apron Chaps with Pocket (on Amazon)
Best Chainsaw Chaps For Hot Weather – WoodlandPro Chainsaw Safety Chaps (on Amazon)
Best Chainsaw Chaps & Pants Reviews
Forester Chainsaw Apron Chaps with Pocket – Best Cheap Chainsaw Chaps
The Forester apron chaps are low priced, are lightweight, have good ventilation, allow for great mobility, are well made, and come with moderate padding and protection.
They are good for casual users, those looking for cheap chainsaw chaps, and those who want mobility and ventilation as their main priority – perhaps you need to be on the move alot or work in consistently hotter weather.
What’s good about them?
- Come in 35, 37 and 40 inch long versions, and colours available are Dark Green, Orange, Fluorescent Green and Camo.
- The material is water and oil resistant – and they are easy to clean bar oil from the chaps with soap and water (wash the soap off thoroughly afterwards though).
- The chaps are split up the middle and through the crotch – the back of the leg is open, allowing for plenty of ventilation in hot weather.
What’s not so great about them?
- Not suitable for use with electric chainsaws
- The padding in these chaps is through the thigh and lower leg – adequate padding, but not as much as you get in say the Husqvarna chaps that additionally wrap the calf or the Labonville full wrap chaps
View the Forester Chainsaw Apron Chaps with Pocket on Amazon
Husqvarna 587160704 Technical Apron Wrap Chap, 36 to 38-Inch – Best Value Chainsaw Chaps For The Money
As far as chainsaw chaps go, these Husqvarna chaps are mid-priced, but have the same superior quality and protection as a top of the line pair.
They will suit a casual cutter and pruner, but are more so designed for a regular used, or a professional arborist or logger.
Rated as the best value chainsaw chaps for the money on this list.
What’s good about them?
- Material is a 1000 denier polyester with PVC coating with Tek warp protective layers – designed to clog the chainsaw sprocket when it comes into contact with the chaps
- Chaps extend around to calves for extra protection
- Comes with chap pocket for felling wedges and other items you need to carry or store
- Meet certain US safety standards
- Chaps are cold water washable and easy to keep clean with a mild detergent (hand up to dry)
- Wait strap and buckle will fit a wide range of smaller to medium sized waists, but even so, there is also a 40-42 inch waist version available for the bigger person
- Three lower leg straps on each leg for snug fit and to prevent the chaps clumping or moving around on you while you walk or climb
- Lightweight and allow for good mobility
What’s not so great about them?
- If you consistently work in hotter weather, these chaps will make your legs warm – but that’s the same of any chaps with this much protection
View the Husqvarna 587160704 Technical Apron Wrap Chap, 36 to 38-Inch on Amazon
Labonville Full-Wrap Chainsaw Safety Chaps – Best Kevlar Chainsaw Chaps
Labonville are an established brand in the arbor industry, and these chaps are the best there is as far as quality and worksmanship goes (so, they do command a higher price).
The Labonville Full-Wrap Chaps are ideally suited for a regular user, or a professional who wants a comfortable fit, with the best safety and protection money can buy.
What’s good about them?
- Made in the USA, and are made of kevlar polyester protective layers (kevlar is the same material used for bullet proof vests)
- Meet OSHA requirements
- Are a full wrap set of chaps – they cover the full front of the legs and the calves
- Come in 4 sizes – 32, 36, 40 and 44 inch. So, they are suitable for the smallest or the biggest people
- Highly adjustable waist belt and are very comfortable to wear
What’s not so great about them?
- Because they are full wrap, they can get a little hotter than other chaps in hot or warm weather, or if you move around alot
- The premium quality means you do pay a bit more to purchase the Labonville chaps
View the Labonville Full-Wrap Chainsaw Safety Chaps on Amazon
WoodlandPro Chainsaw Safety Chaps – Best Chainsaw Chaps For Hot Weather
The WoodlandPro chaps are cheap, do not sacrifice on quality, but are made for people who are with only protecting the upper part of their legs (thighs).
They are a half length chap that are extremely mobile, and have heaps of ventilation.
What’s good about them?
- Very lightweight
- Very easy to wear with lots of ventilation
- Padding is good enough to stall a gas chainsaw snick to the top of the leg
- Very cheap
What’s not so great about them?
- Only cover the top half of your leg (your thigh area)
View the WoodlandPro Chainsaw Safety Chaps on Amazon
Best Chainsaw Chaps & Pants Buyer’s Guide
Other Names For Chainsaw Chaps
Other names for chainsaw chaps include:
Logger Pants
Chainsaw Pants
Chainsaw Trousers
Chainsaw Apron
Are Chainsaw Chaps Necessary?
Consider this – each year in the US there are over 28,000 chainsaw related injuries – with majority of those injuries occurring to the legs and hands.
If you choose not to wear chainsaw chaps, you expose yourself to some of the following risks –
Pain of the injury
Physical side effects like loss of movement or disability
Time off work and loss of earnings
Cost of surgery – can be thousands of dollars
What Features and Design To Look For In Good Chainsaw Chaps?
The following design features are useful for those choosing and wearing chainsaw chaps:
Breathable fabric and design (so they aren’t too hot in summer)
Light
Stretch for climbing
Material and padding suitable for chainsaw chain contact, and the type of chainsaw you are using (gas, cordless or electric). NOTE: some chaps are not designed to protect you in the case of contact from electric chainsaws – check what types of chainsaw the chaps are designed before.
Comfortable when you’re on the ground cutting and pruning
Pockets for wedges and other items
Comfortable and adjustable strap and buckle system for adjusting fit of the chaps to your body
Different sizes and lengths for different waist sizes and different height people
Meets the safety standards or codes in your country – manufacturer should state whether this is the case
What Size Chainsaw Chaps or Pants Do I Need – How To Fit Chainsaw Chaps?
There are two things to consider when considering what size chainsaw chaps you need – your waist size, and your height.
The manufacturer should tell you in the product information for what size waist the chaps are designed to fit.
With highly adjustable straps and buckles, the waist size for one pair of chaps might range from 28 to 42 inches for example.
Secondly, the manufacturer should tell you the length of the chaps, and what height person the chaps are suited for.
A pair of chaps might suit someone between 6 foot, to 6 foot four for example.
So, look at the size of your current pants/jeans and measure your height before purchasing, and look at manufacturer recommendations for sizing.
Chainsaw Chaps & OHSA Safety Standards
Countries like the US, UK and Australia will have Occupational Health and Safety boards and regulations for personal protection equipment – like chainsaw chaps.
The manufacturer should state the relevant codes and regulations that the chaps you are buying meet.
Chainsaw Chaps vs. Chainsaw Pants/Trousers
The main difference between chainsaw chaps and chainsaw pants is in the design and intended use.
Chainsaw chaps are generally designed to take contact from a chainsaw chain/blade – and as such are made of materials like kevlar, and can be full wrap or have more protection in areas where chainsaw injuries are most likely to occur.
Chainsaw pants on the other hand are just designed to be worn whilst outdoors and will only protect your from general hazards like debris and sharp wood – not the actual chainsaw blade itself.
It is common for professionals especially to have a pair of each, and depending on the season and activities they are performing will alternate between the two.
Other Chainsaw Safety Equipment
Other safety equipment that people usually purchase when they are using a chainsaw or similar high powered cutting tool are:
Chainsaw safety helmet with face mask and hearing protection/earmuffs
Chainsaw gloves
Chainsaw suspenders
Chainsaw safety glasses
Chainsaw safety boots
Best Chainsaw Chaps & Pants Resources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15027558
- http://www.husqvarna.com/us
- http://www.labonville.com/
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