Chainsaw chaps vs. pants… It’s a very difficult decision to make. After all, it’s obvious that pants are more comfortable and easier to move in. Unfortunately, pants aren’t great for chainsaw operators.
Not only does the upper leg area of the pants get caught in the chainsaw, but chainsaw chaps also offer a great deal of protection in the event of an accident.
In this blog, we will cover the comparison between chainsaw chaps and pants, and we will also discuss why do people wear chaps?
When it comes to protecting your legs while using a chainsaw, there are two main options: chaps or pants. Both have their pros and cons, so which one is the best option for you?
What is the Difference Between Chainsaw Chaps and Pants?
Which is the best choice for chainsaw protection? Chainsaw pants or chainsaw chaps? Both have advantages. Chaps are easier to put on and take off, but they don’t provide as much protection. Pants are harder to maneuver in, but they provide more protection. It depends on the situation you’re in and what you’re planning to do.
Chainsaw Chaps
Chainsaw chaps are a lot easier to put on than pants. You have to pull them up over your regular work clothes, lace everything together in the front, then put your boots on. They protect everything but your knees and shins. And they’re not even that hard to walk in.
On the other hand, Chainsaw pants are extremely difficult to put on. There’s a reason they call them “pant grinders.”
You have to take off your pants and work boots (after unlacing them), roll up the pants legs so they don’t get caught in the machinery, put on the pants, lace them up, then hope you have another pair of work boots nearby, so you don’t have to walk around barefoot. And if you do happen to forget a pair of boots nearby, it’s usually back home.
Advantages:
It is easier to put on and take off than pants, which means they’re suitable for more people. Also provides good knee and shin protection. Easier to clean than chainsaw pants.
Disadvantages:
Slightly less protection than chainsaw pants overall. Legs are still exposed, so you might not want to wear them when executing an undercut on a tree with the back of your saw.
Chainsaw Pants
Chainsaw pants provide more protection than chaps, but they’re very difficult to put on. You can’t forget a pair of boots, or you’ll have to walk barefoot.
If there is anything blocking the path between your boots and the door, you might as well give up now. And if you plan on executing a standing undercut or you have a tendency to kick the back of your saw, chainsaw pants aren’t for you.
Advantages:
Provides full protection from the waist down. Easier to execute standing undercuts when compared to chaps.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to put on and take off. Pants legs can get caught in machinery, requiring you to unbutton the pants before continuing work.
Pants are more difficult to clean than chaps because there are no belt loops or pockets to hold scraps of wood and dirt away from the fabric.
What is Chainsaw Chaps Made of?
Most chainsaw chaps are made of leather or a synthetic material such as Kevlar. Both materials provide nearly the same level of protection, but leather absorbs moisture and provides more comfort to your legs.
Chainsaw chaps are made of heavy-duty material and are designed to resist cuts from a chainsaw blade. Most models have a nylon liner that helps keep the blade from cutting through the chap and into your leg, and some models also have Kevlar inserts for added protection.
What are Chainsaw Pants Made of?
Chainsaw pants are mostly made out of Kevlar, which is still better than regular work pants. It’s not as comfortable as leather, but it does provide the best protection. Some pants are made out of aramid fiber combined with nylon which absorbs moisture better than pure Kevlar.
What is the Purpose of Chaps?
The purpose of chaps is to protect your legs from getting caught in chainsaw machinery. This includes everything from the chainsaw bar, the kickback pawls, and the side handle. They work by covering up most of your leg with a tough material that doesn’t snag or rip easily.
What is the Purpose of Chainsaw Pants?
The purpose of pants is to protect your legs from the waist down. This includes protecting them from chainsaw kicks, catches in machinery, and accidental contact with the saw bar (especially when performing an undercut). They work by covering your legs with a tough material that doesn’t snag or rip easily.
How do Chainsaw Chaps Work?
Chainsaw chaps work by covering up your leg with tough material. That way, if the chainsaw kicks back or you catch it in machinery, the tough chaps fabric will snag instead of ripping.
How do Chainsaw Pants Work?
Most chainsaw pants are made out of a tough material such as Kevlar, which does not snag. If you catch the chainsaw in machinery, you’re probably dead unless you wear regular work pants because regular clothes will snag and rip easily.
Who wears chaps?
People who don’t want to take any risks usually choose to wear chainsaw chaps. They provide almost as much protection as chainsaw pants, but they’re easier to carry.
They’re perfect for people who don’t always use a chainsaw, whether that’s because they wear different clothes or work in different areas.
Who wears pants?
People who want the best protection possible usually favor chainsaw pants. If you need all-day protection with no compromises, this is what you want.
How to size chainsaw chaps?
Chainsaw chaps are sized according to your height and the length of your thigh. Most manufacturers list their sizes in inches, but you can choose whatever size is most comfortable for you.
How to size chainsaw pants?
Buy pants that fit snugly around your waist and legs without restricting movement for the best protection. Pants should be a little roomy but no more than one inch from your waist size.
Husqvarna chainsaw chain won’t stay tight: what to do?
There’s a small wire on the tip of your chainsaw bar that tells you when it needs tightening. If this wire starts hitting your chain, tighten it or replace the chain and pins.
Chainsaw Chaps vs Pants – FAQs
OUR VERDICT
Off-duty wearers want something they can slip on and off easily, which makes chainsaw chaps the preferable option. Chainsaw pants offer more protection, but you’re going to wear them every day, so you might as well keep a pair of coveralls in your truck if that’s what your job requires.
This is why chaps are suitable for people who use chainsaws only occasionally, while pants are better for professionals or people who have to work with them all day long.
Chainsaw pants offer superior protection because they cover your entire leg, but there’s a price to pay in terms of convenience.
I hope this article has helped you figure out if chaps or pants are better for your needs. Please feel free to leave comments.
