By Tony Carrick | Updated Jan 21, 2024 5:59 PM
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A chainsaw is one of the most dangerous tools you can use, as kickbacks or slips can bring the chain into contact with the user’s body. A good set of chainsaw chaps will keep your limbs intact while providing you with enough freedom of movement to get the job done.
These invaluable garments cover the front of the legs and are made of tough materials (such as denier polyester) that prevent the chainsaw blade from cutting through the material and into the leg. In this guide, we offer our top chainsaw chap recommendations and explain all of the factors shoppers may want to consider before buying chainsaw chaps.
During intense projects on construction sites or in backyards or forests, chainsaw chaps can protect from severe injuries. Selection for the best chainsaw chaps depended upon materials used, weather and moisture resistance, and comfortable designs.
The above picks come with strong polyester and Avertic Engtex, Armortex, Kevlar, and Tek warp materials for protection. Many also come with water-, dirt-, gas-, and oil-resistant PVC coating. The above list also prioritizes comfort by coming in a wide variety of waist sizes ranging from 28 inches to 44 inches.
Length and adjustability are also covered in this list with a few picks offering partial to full-leg coverage, adjustable waist straps, or wraparound designs. Be advised, however, that some of the chainsaw chaps in the above list only provide frontal coverage and are not suitable for use with electric chainsaws.
Wearing chainsaw chaps gives anyone who works with chainsaws and other potentially dangerous tools some peace of mind and protection. Our list includes some of the most effective chainsaw chaps on the market.
The Husqvarna technical apron wrap chainsaw chaps feature multiple layers of protection. The tough 1,000-denier polyester outer layer resists cuts, abrasions, and punctures and includes a PVC coating that repels water, oil, gas, and dirt. A Tek warp interior will splinter apart when the blade breaches the outer layer, clogging the chainsaw blade and preventing it from causing serious injury.
The adjustable waist on these Husqvarna chaps features a variance of 2 inches, while three adjustable straps enable a secure fit around the lower legs. A convenient gear pocket holds a felling wedge. This set of quality chainsaw chaps meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and comes in waist sizes ranging from 36/38 inches to 40/42 inches.
Get the Husqvarna chainsaw chaps at Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., Husqvarna, or Walmart.
The Powercare Pro Saw safety chaps provide plenty of protection for operators’ legs. A nylon shell resists cuts, while 11 layers of polypropylene in the core will disintegrate and bind the chainsaw blade should it penetrate the outer shell.
These chaps feature a bright orange color that adds visibility, and they meet OSHA and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards for safety. Large resizing straps on the waist and legs make this a one-size-fits-all set of chaps. A large leg pocket offers plenty of space for a chainsaw wrench and a felling wedge. These chaps are wash-and-wear fabric, so they are easy to clean.
Get the Powercare chainsaw chaps at The Home Depot.
With its four layers of protection, the Forester chainsaw safety chaps meet OSHA safety standards. The wraparound style protects the legs.
An adjustable waist fits various sizes ranging from 28 inches to 44 inches, allowing these Forester chainsaw apron chaps to accommodate multiple chainsaw operators. Length options include short, regular, and long, meeting heights ranging from 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 4 inches. Features include a 6-by-6-inch pocket, which is large enough to hold a felling wedge. These Forester chainsaw safety chaps come in a variety of colors, including safety yellow and forest green.
Get the Forester chainsaw chaps at Amazon, Forester, or Walmart.
Since Kevlar is one of the most durable materials used in personal-protective equipment like bulletproof vests, some brands have incorporated this material into their chainsaw chaps. One of the best options made with two layers of DuPont Kevlar is Bailey’s WoodlandPRO chainsaw safety chaps. These durable, forest green-colored chaps come in multiple sizes to fit a variety of users, have a 2-inch adjustable waist belt, and 1-inch adjustable straps on the legs for a perfect fit.
For added leg protection, these chaps have a 1,000-denier ultra nylon covering and are UL and ASTM certified.
Get the Bailey’s WoodlandPRO chainsaw chaps at Amazon, Bailey’s, or Walmart.
The RealTree apron-style chainsaw safety chaps from Forester in a camo-orange color are like having two pairs of chaps in one. These reversible chainsaw chaps come with a bright orange side that makes the wearer visible while working and a camouflage side for disappearing into the foliage. They feature multilayered construction that resists cuts and meets OSHA safety requirements for leg protection while also resisting oil and water.
This wraparound style of these chainsaw safety pants offers plenty of protection for the front and sides of the leg. A large side pocket is an excellent place to store a chainsaw wrench. A flip adjustment belt allows these protective chainsaw pants to fit a wide range of sizes.
Get the Forester reversible chainsaw chaps at Amazon, Target, or Forester.
For some lighter chainsawing efforts, a full set of wraparound chaps isn’t necessary, but users can get comfortable protection from the Husqvarna functional apron-style chaps. The chaps meet UL and OSHA safety requirements and provide a thick layer of protection for the front of the upper legs without restricting movement or causing the operator to overheat.
These Husqvarna chainsaw chaps feature a 600-denier polyester outer layer with a PVC coating that resists water. Multiple interior layers of Tec warp will clog the chainsaw drive, stopping the blade if it penetrates the outer layer. An adjustable waist fits sizes up to 42 inches, while straps with Delran buckles keep the chaps secured to the legs.
Get the Husqvarna functional chainsaw chaps at Amazon, Husqvarna, or Walmart.
Whether it’s apron-style or the full-wrap version, Echo’s chainsaw chaps feature a water-resistant nylon outer layer that prevents moisture from soaking through clothes when working in wet conditions. These chaps feature six layers of polyester for protection, so they are compliant with OSHA safety standards. The leg guards’ bright orange color makes wearers easily visible as they work.
Echo’s chainsaw chaps suit a variety of sizes, with a waist that adjusts from 30 inches up to 42 inches. A large pocket in the front provides plenty of room for a chainsaw wrench and wedge tool. Heavy-duty straps hold these pads securely in place on each leg.
Get the Echo chainsaw chaps at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
Before buying a pair of chainsaw chaps, shoppers may want to learn more about the common types available, the material used to make them, why they’re worn, and the safety standards that regulate them. Here’s a closer look at all of these factors.
When shopping for chainsaw chaps and pants, it’s essential to consider what type of coverage you need to protect yourself while operating a chainsaw. Keep in mind that chainsaw chaps are rated for use with gas chainsaws only because chainsaw chaps are unable to stop electric chainsaw blades.
Chainsaw chaps consist of multiple layers of material. This chainsaw safety gear features a tough outer layer made of rugged polyester denier designed to endure cuts and punctures with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating that resists oil and water. If the chainsaw manages to penetrate the first layer, the second layer features dense fibers of ballistic nylon or Kevlar that instantly come apart, clogging the chain and causing the chainsaw to stop functioning. An additional layer on some safety pants for chainsaws prevents the chain from reaching the operator.
Some also feature ballistic cores that serve as an extra stopgap to clog the chainsaw and bring it to an immediate stop should the blade breach the chainsaw protective pants’ outer layer.
Make sure to choose a set of chaps that will meet the maximum chain speed of the chainsaw. Chainsaw chaps use a fabric class rating from 0 to 3. Class 0 fabric is suitable for chainsaws with a max speed of 16 meters per second (m/s), while class 1 can handle speeds up to 20 m/s.
Thicker chaps with a class 2 rating are suitable for chainsaws with a 24 m/s rating, and class 3 chaps will protect against chainsaws with a max of 28 m/s. The speed of a specific chainsaw can be found in the operating manual. Keep in mind that chaps with a higher rating will be thicker and hence hotter, so it makes sense to get chaps that are adequate for the speed of your chainsaw as opposed to going with the highest rating you can find.
Chainsaw chaps also are regulated by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations to ensure they provide the protection they advertise. Buyers should make sure that the chaps they purchase have both safety certifications.
Many chaps are not rated to protect against corded or cordless electric chainsaws. The Kevlar and Tek warp fibers in chainsaw chaps will break apart and clog the chain in the event of an accident, instantly bringing the chain to a halt by stopping the engine or disengaging the clutch.
This will not work with electric-powered chainsaws because they use an electric motor instead of a gas-powered engine and do not use a clutch to engage the chain. Manufacturers of chainsaw chaps will not certify their products for use with electric chainsaws.
The main difference between apron and wraparound chaps is that an apron-style product will cover only the front of the legs while wraparound chaps provide more coverage around legs. Wraparound chaps might offer better coverage but are bulkier, heavier, and hotter. If using a lower-power chainsaw for household jobs, an apron style should suffice. Bigger jobs with more powerful chainsaws demand the protection of wraparound chaps.
Chainsaw blades need constant lubrication to work properly. As this oil tends to get everywhere, most chainsaw chaps resist oil, water, and fuel, preventing these substances from soaking into and staining the material. Some sets of chaps also include handy pockets for storing chainsaw accessories. Chainsaw chaps also come in bright colors, making the wearer visible, which is crucial when working in a group with several chainsaw operators.
Most chaps include a broad range of fits with waistbands that expand from about 28 inches up to 42 inches to suit various sizes of wearers. Most chainsaw pants also come in different length options that use either inseam or full-leg length measurements from waist to foot.
Chainsaw chaps include waist and leg straps that allow the wearer to tighten or loosen them so they fit over layers of clothing, making them comfortable to use in both warm and cold weather. Chainsaw chaps should fit loosely enough that they give the user enough freedom of movement to work without restricting activity.
There are a few things to consider when shopping for a pair of chainsaw chaps. First, get the coverage you need. While a pair of chainsaw chaps will suffice for cutting limbs from the ground, you’ll need full pants if you happen to be climbing. Although chainsaw chaps use breathable, lightweight materials, they’re still hot. With that in mind, it’s ideal to complete your chainsaw jobs in cooler weather, if possible.
When wearing chainsaw pants, make sure they don’t fit too tightly. Chainsaw pants feature straps that allow you to tighten them to your leg, but don’t tighten them too much. Chainsaw chaps should fit loosely, allowing for the range of movement you need when using a chainsaw or while changing or tightening the chainsaw chains. The material should have enough give for the saw blade to gather fabric instead of flesh if it makes contact with your leg.
If you still have unanswered questions regarding how chainsaw chaps work, their fit, and proper use, look below for answers.
When a chainsaw blade comes into contact with your leg, the heavy material will resist cutting. Should the blade breach the pants’ outer layer, it will engage a Kevlar or ballistic nylon core, which will shred and instantly clog the drive gears, stopping the chainsaw before it reaches your leg.
Chainsaw chaps are made of a rugged shell of denier polyester typically treated with a water-resistant coating. That shell covers a core composed of either ballistic nylon, Kevlar, or Tek warp.
Type A chainsaw trousers cover only the front of your legs and fit over standard work pants. Type C trousers function as full pants, protect the fronts and backs of your legs, and don’t require a layer to be worn underneath.
Proper sizing depends on the manufacturer. Though some manufacturers provide inseam sizes, others require that you measure from your waistline to the top of your feet. Most chainsaw chaps feature adjustable waist straps that accommodate a variety of waist measurements.
Some chainsaw chaps should be hand-washed to prevent damage to their protective materials. Others allow you to run them through the washing machine. Check with the manufacturer’s care instructions for specifics on how to care for your chainsaw chaps.
You do not need to wear pants under chainsaw trousers. Since chainsaw trousers are often quite hot due to their multilayer design, you might not want to add a layer under these pants.
In addition to chainsaw trousers or chaps, you should wear other personal protective equipment, including a helmet with a face shield to protect you from kickbacks and projectiles as well as chainsaw protection gloves and hearing protection.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
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