Chaps

[yomax4]

I'm not sure how many people are using saw chaps but after 20 years of fairly heavy cutting I thought it may be time. Fatigue has caused a few near misses over the years and The more I think about them the more I think about getting chaps and a hard hat/face shield. Anyone have experience with more than one brand or is there a general consensus out there.
Thanks

 

[sea2summit]

I use them, don't think brand matters a whole lot other than ensure it's quality. I don't do a full face shield but do wear an aluminum forestry helmet and "bugz" safety glassses and really like them. I prefer ear plugs over ear muffs...mostly because the average temps around here are 80+.

 

[jeff9366]

It is pretty warm in Florida, even in winter. Today, January 22, is unusually warm for January. The forecast is for 77 degrees F.

On warm days like today I wear Big Bill's 14.75 ounce Jeans with double knee material and heavy suspender buttons, model 1993.
http://www.workwearheadquarters.com/jeans/1993BIG.htm


When it is 55 degrees or below I wear full length Labonville chaps, model LW850, and steel toed boots.
CHAINSAW CHAPS from Bailey's

I always wear Uvex safety glasses, a plastic hard hat and leather gloves. Uvex makes model OTG 3001, for wear over prescription eyewear, in several variations.
Uvex OTG 31 | eBay

At age 69-1/2 I limit myself to three hours of chainsaw time and take care to stay hydrated.



LOOK IN THE "SIMILAR THREADS" BLUE BOX AT THE FOOT OF THIS PAGE. THERE ARE 154 "CHAPS" POSTS.

 

[motownbrowne]

I've heard good things about the labonville chaps. Also the Husqvarna pro models.

Brand may not matter, but they do come in different ratings. I'd suggest figuring out the rating system and choosing accordingly.

My stihl pro mark chaps are alright, but I won't buy them again. Something with full coverage of your calves would be better than mine (if you catch the calf part with the saw chain the chaps can spin and let the chain get to your leg). I'll probably buy the labonvilles or go to cutting pants.

 

[innrkid]

I never thought I would ever wear hard hat and chaps. I think the OP makes a good point about getting a little older and fatigue does impact safety. While the mind is running at 35 years old the body is not, in my case.

This past year I purchased the Husqvarna integrated hard hat, hear protection with face shield. Very comfortable and happy with purchase. Chaps I am using some old Filson chaps. I need to upgrade to purpose built chaps this year.

 

[teg]

I bought chaps, they are still in the box... I was googling to see if they are needed... NEVER google "Chainsaw Leg Injury". Lets just say I will start using them from now on...

 

[yomax4]

I bought chaps, they are still in the box... I was googling to see if they are needed... NEVER google "Chainsaw Leg Injury". Lets just say I will start using them from now on...

Saw that too. One of my near misses cut a 4" slice in my jeans right at the knee and only left a light scrape on the skin. 3/8 chisel would eat meat even when idling down..

 

[rekees4300]

I'm not sure how many people are using saw chaps but after 20 years of fairly heavy cutting I thought it may be time. Fatigue has caused a few near misses over the years and The more I think about them the more I think about getting chaps and a hard hat/face shield. Anyone have experience with more than one brand or is there a general consensus out there.
Thanks

Never leave home without Stihl chaps and hard hat/face shield/ear muffs.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Seen chain saw leg injury first hand. I way chaps. As cost effective as they are its kinda like why not, my best advice be sure they are easy to put on and take off or you won't use them.

 

[The Deerslayer]

You would be wise to invest in both the chaps and helmet, in fact you may want to pick up a pair of cutting gloves that have Kevlar in them. Hands are another prime target for mishaps. Having an OR nurse for a wife will enlighten the most ardent non-protective gear advocates.

I researched the various brands awhile back and ended up going with Labonville chaps which are excellent quality and worth every penny. As stated, the ratings are more important than brand IMO. It is really the number of layers of the material that makes the difference. I went with the thickest Labonville carries, the "competition" grade. They also cover my calves, which was a must have for me.

As far as the helmet and face shield go, I recommend going with a face shield made of wire mesh vs. plastic. Much better for ventilation and no fogging. I had the plastic and ultimately traded up. I wear safety glasses with them as well. Mine is a Stihl. The helmet comes in handy when a branch flies back or for widowmakers. I also use it when using the wood chipper, and it is invaluable in that regard.

 

[RNeumann]

They make 3/4 and full length chaps. I purchased the 3/4 and wish I had full length. Seems I get the closest to body parts near my shins and ankles.
100% I'd use them! Not only do they prevent injury they also hold a few tools and take a lot of bar oil that would otherwise stain and wear out my pants.
I have no brand preferences. However I wouldn't get some off brand from eBay or something similar. You are relying solely on trust as their is now way to test the Kevlar....

 

[Wagtail]

Never leave home without Stihl chaps and hard hat/face shield/ear muffs.

X2!!!!

I bought the full length (expensive) chaps with the full wrap-around calf. Spend the money and then forget about how much you spent. Then wear them, even for a little job.

I'm a safety pedant... especially as I mostly work alone around the property.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Another good use for chaps is for weed whipping in the summer. When it's hot I hate to put on jeans just to weed whip. Just throw the chaps on over your shorts and no need to go inside and change before using the trimmer.

 

[KennyG]

Like my Husqvarnas. Also remember the steel / composite toe shoes.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I use them, don't think brand matters a whole lot other than ensure it's quality.

I pretty much agree, but the Labonville.... They may have the best.

I've heard good things about the labonville chaps. Also the Husqvarna pro models.

Brand may not matter, but they do come in different ratings. I'd suggest figuring out the rating system and choosing accordingly.

Exactly. :thumbsup:

Another good use for chaps is for weed whipping in the summer. When it's hot I hate to put on jeans just to weed whip. Just throw the chaps on over your shorts and no need to go inside and change before using the trimmer.

Yep, same here, and all my boys, too. It really works well.

Glad to hear some of you have seen enough gory pictures to change your mind. I just frankly think not wearing chaps is just not smart. I know they can be a pain, and are sometimes uncomfortable, but the price you may pay for leaving them off is just too high for that to be a good trade-off.

I have a nick in the knee of one of my chaps that reminds me of how easy it is to slip up. With no chaps, that would have been 4 or 5 stitches, and that was an idling saw that was moving the chain just a bit. (Yeah, I know, it needed adjustment and why didn't I have the brake engaged?)

 

[jeff9366]

It is pretty warm in Florida, even in winter. Today, January 22, is unusually warm for January. The forecast is for 77 degrees F.

On warm days like today I wear Big Bill's 14.75 ounce Jeans with double knee material and heavy suspender buttons, model 1993.

When it is 55 degrees or below I wear full length Labonville chaps, model LW850, and steel toed boots.

I always wear Uvex safety glasses, a plastic hard hat and leather gloves. Uvex makes model OTG 3001, for wear over prescription eyewear, in several variations.

At age 69-1/2 I limit myself to three hours of chainsaw time and take care to stay hydrated.

And I keep a First Aid Kit + large supplemental surgical dressings and long pre-cut gauze for tying on surgical dressings with pressure, in my utility vehicle with my chain saw. If you have a major cut incident in the woods, Band-Aids will not be of much help.

I have never needed these trauma items but they are there, bungee corded together.

 

[ArlyA]

After getting NFS sawyer certification class B, I read the chainsaw accident statistics. It was something like 30,000 ER visits per year. In it I noted that 50% of saw wounds were above the waist..... I now have full length Kevlar chaps, shirt and only work with a sawyer first-aid kit and a 2nd person along.

It appears that many people fall back, and get there calves and shins struck by the chain. So my chaps wrap around the shins and ride low down on the boots. (yes steel toed)

Life so to short to have one stupid sawyer accident mess it all up.

And I keep a First Aid Kit + large supplemental surgical dressings and pre-cut gauze for tying on surgical dressings with pressure, in my utility vehicle with my chain saw. If you have a major cut incident in the woods, Band-Aids will not be of much help.

I have never needed these trauma items but they are there, bungee corded together.

 

[motownbrowne]

Good call on the first aid kit!

I have a quick-clot trauma pack on the dashboard of the Jeep, which is always nearby when I'm cutting. One thing they taught us in the chainsaw safety course i took was to be sure to show your cutting buddy where the first aid kit is. Time spent looking for the kit might be the difference between life and death.

 

[nybirdman]

I am not a big chain saw user,just home-owner stuff.I had a real close call cut through the first layer of my double layer work pants.That was enough for me;went to the Stihl store and purchased the safety gear.
On another note;hired a :tree trimmer with a bucket truck to take down a couple large trees in my yard.
The fellow in the bucket(30 year old body builder) wore no safety gear and had on shorts and a short-sleave shirt.The next week my son showed me a picture on FaceBook of the same fellow in the hospital with a chainsaw injury to his head/face.Almost lost an eye.

 

[JackyJ]

I bought a pair of the recommended Labonville full wrap chaps, but found they were a bit of a pain to buckle, and not that comfortable with the wide waist strap/buckle. They weren't that bad, but enough of an inconvenience that I would often skip wearing them if I was just grabbing a saw for a few quick cuts.

I've since purchased a pair of Husqvarna chainsaw pants, and I greatly prefer them. Especially since I cut almost exclusively on my own property, it's actually much easier to slide off a pair of jeans and slide on specialty pants. They are WAY more comfortable for me, and with vent zippers behind the knee, about the same heat retention as jeans + chaps. Since they reside in the garage, they also help me not track wood chips and dust into the house, which helps keep me from getting yelled at.

Cost more, but worth it for me.