What to look for in Chaps?

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Late to the party, but I prefer different summer and winter chaps. Winter, I prefer the "loader chaps" from Stihl, which are full leg / zipper up the back of each leg, with a bib. Nice and warm, full protection and movement (like pants!) without any straps / buckles. They're my favorite chaps, but they're too warm for summer. So, for summer you need some of those dreaded standard chaps, open in the rear with straps and buckles.
 
Joful said:
Late to the party, but I prefer different summer and winter chaps. Winter, I prefer the "loader chaps" from Stihl, which are full leg / zipper up the back of each leg, with a bib. Nice and warm, full protection and movement (like pants!) without any straps / buckles. They're my favorite chaps, but they're too warm for summer. So, for summer you need some of those dreaded standard chaps, open in the rear with straps and buckles.
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I am not sure if Labonville still sells them but they used to offer Woolrich winter pants with pockets sewn in for Kevlar inserts to turn them into chainsaw pants. I have the pants but never bought the inserts. GIven the price of the pants I think I would prefer having the chaps on the outside
 
i wouldn't say you are an oddball.....i would like to get a pair. i went with some husqy chaps, and they are nice, but the straps can take some getting used to.....i may try to modify the top strap to make more comfortable, if that don't work i may get some pants....and suspenders
 
Would of gotten pants, but not in the budget. Get what you can to get protected.
 
maple1 said:
Is there much of a price diff? I've had these ones for like 20 years.
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If I remember correctly, it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 more......above the budget I was given
 
OK, I have no clue on chaps/pants. So, are chaps generic? Or would the pants be better? I don't have anything yet (but the trees are being bucked and stacked this week). When I get to Oregon this December, I hope to rent my nephew to split and stack the wood. If I end up splitting it this time, I'll need more than my ear/face protection Any ladies out there have any opinions on what is better for women -- or doesn't it matter?
 
Chaps are easier to get into and easier adjusted for my shape. Pants, I would imagine, would be sized like men's jeans, leaving a huge gap at the waist in order to fit the hips properly. Any gaps collect chips. With that thought in mind I never tried the pants. Love my chaps though!
 
Chaps are generally VERY adjustable to fit the wearer. Pants is pants. They fit or they don't.
 
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Get modern chaps with the long kevlar strands in them. The goal is to clog up and stop the chain before it gets into your leg too much. A bad hit with the saw will still cut you, but it's the difference between cussing and getting a stitch or three vs a long hospital stay, nasty scars, and physical therapy. If you hit them with the saw and pull the strands out, throw that pair away and get new ones since they won't protect you any more. They're like air bags - single use only!
 
David.Ervin said:
Get modern chaps with the long kevlar strands in them. The goal is to clog up and stop the chain before it gets into your leg too much. A bad hit with the saw will still cut you, but it's the difference between cussing and getting a stitch or three vs a long hospital stay, nasty scars, and physical therapy. If you hit them with the saw and pull the strands out, throw that pair away and get new ones since they won't protect you any more. They're like air bags - single use only!
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Well said. Also, most come with instructions to wash and tumble dry on a regular basis, to keep the kevlar stranding properly "fluffed". Most of us hate washing our chaps (I earned that dirt!), lest we look like a newbie, but it is manufacturer recommended.
 
Joful said:
Well said. Also, most come with instructions to wash and tumble dry on a regular basis, to keep the kevlar stranding properly "fluffed". Most of us hate washing our chaps (I earned that dirt!), lest we look like a newbie, but it is manufacturer recommended.
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I wouldn't make a blanket statement on washing chaps, when I got my NPS training they insisted that they only be spot cleaned.
 
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peakbagger said:
I wouldn't make a blanket statement on washing chaps, when I got my NPS training they insisted that they only be spot cleaned.
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Surely, read your manufacturer's instructions, however I've seen this mentioned in the instructions for both Stihl and Husqvarna chaps, probably the two most common brands.

Stihl said:
During shipping these pads may become compressed. By washing them prior to use and weekly during regular use, these pads fluff up and offer maximum protection.
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she needs some apron chaps.....sick
 
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Been away a while, looks like perfect timing to redirect, I mean, report from my original post. I was at Menards, they had UL listed chaps, I had a rebate certificate for the price, I would be sawing soon, so I got them. Yesterday spent 3 hours sawing up a huge maple trunk from my first CL score, in return I'll get about 2 cords of wood, so I'm happy enough. And it was decently hot (mid 80's). The chaps certainly added warmth, but sometimes when it's hot it's all the same anyways. They seemed to do alright (for something that ideally does nothing). I did notice that they would twist and a couple times I was sawing and there was my knee poking out from the side of the chaps leg. So, maybe with a little practice and more attention I'll get the hang of it. Or, maybe I'll get a different pair at some point. But at least I'm onboard now.

Thanks for your help.
 
I like Labonville.
 
Labonville MADE IN USA is my choice and they are about as comfy as chaps can get. They meet the top USFS rating as well.
 
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