One of the first things people ask when they see chainsaw chaps is, “How should these chainsaw chaps fit?” Chainsaw chaps can be one of the most essential gear you will use as a forestry worker. They are worn over your coveralls and cover the area below your knees to the tops of your work boots.
The most often reported accidents involving chainsaw use result in leg injuries. The razor-sharp cutting chain most likely strikes legs in kickbacks, pushbacks, and pull-in situations.
Chainsaw chaps are essential for your protection and the reduction of fatal injuries. The layers of the chainsaw chaps will provide your limbs with the greatest level of protection if you unintentionally drop the chainsaw. Chainsaw chaps will additionally shield your legs from piercing flying splinters. You’ll need to invest in chaps that protect your legs from the saw’s onslaught.
Compared to a typical pair of pants, chainsaw chaps are far safer. Chaps are made to slow down the chainsaw’s rotation speed. Hence, lowering the danger of injuries. They can halt a chainsaw moving between 2,750 and 3,200 feet per minute.
We all want a fitting pair of chainsaw chaps. That way, we’ll be comfortable clearing out that stand of poplar trees. Here are my tips for measuring our chainsaw chaps and knowing when they fit well! This blog post discusses chainsaw chaps, which protect your lower body from chainsaw blows.
How Should Chainsaw Chaps Fit?
Chainsaw chaps should extend down your legs from the front. The distance between the ground and your waist calculates the total length. It might be as little as 30 inches for tiny sizes or as large as 50 inches.
For maximum protection, make sure your chainsaw chaps are the proper length. You can also use a measuring tape to determine the length accurately. The distance between your waists and the ground is used to measure the overall length of a chainsaw chap. It is a few inches longer than the distance between your legs. Your ankles are covered by the additional inches.
Avoid purchasing excessively long chaps, as this might result in the legging sliding on the ground. From a safety standpoint, this could cause dangerous tripping. When purchasing chaps, be sure to gauge your waist size and select the appropriate pair accurately.
How To Size Chainsaw Chaps For Household Users?
Wear chainsaw chaps over your jeans or pants to protect your legs from a chainsaw. The hefty material used in their construction is intended to delay the chainsaw chain. This is vital because even though the chainsaw will touch your legs, no damage will arise from its use. Injuries can be prevented since you will have more time to act.
Injury severity will be lessened, or you’ll be able to prevent getting hurt with this form of protection. Following these procedures will make it simple for a novice chainsaw user to size the chainsaw chaps:
- Stand upright on level, sloping terrain
- Next to one of the legs, place the measuring tape’s tip so it is in contact with the ground.
- Have someone measure the waist of the jeans by extending the measuring tape up to your waist. Chainsaw chaps should be purchased in this length. The next even number can always be used to round out unusual measurements.
How To Size Chainsaw Chaps For Professionals
If your chainsaw chaps are the correct size, they will fit you perfectly. Chainsaw chaps must be measured from the bottom of the bottom area to the belt loop. However, picking the appropriate chap will be simpler if you have a concept of the outseam length.
Chainsaw chaps are available from 32 to 40 inches in length, depending on the manufacturer. So how do you accurately measure the chainsaw chaps?
For half-length chainsaw chaps,
- Sit down with your feet on the ground and measure the calf. Use a tape measure to determine the calf’s widest point.
- Next, gauge your chainsaw chaps’ height. From the ankle to the kneecap, perform this. If the measurement was accurate, you should be able to flex your legs easily. Additionally, you will move more freely.
For full-length chainsaw chap,
- While wearing pants or jeans, measure your thighs by circling the largest portion of your thighs. This would be a few inches (2-4) below where your thigh bends.
- After measuring the two thighs, add one to two inches.
- Using the measurement you calculated above, choose the chaps. To ensure a tighter fit, remember to order one extra inch; if you prefer a looser fit, order two extra inches.
The optimal length for the chainsaw chaps should be achieved if you don’t want them to hang over your heels. Then, sit down and take the most accurate measurements to ensure that your chainsaw chaps are not too short.
Do Chainsaw Chaps Really Work?
When the chainsaw comes in contact with your lower body, chainsaw chaps are an excellent choice for protecting your legs from damage. These chaps’ filler material comprises unique fibers that wrap around the chain and sprocket to nearly instantly halt the chainsaw and prevent an accident.
Chaps are outfits that consist of a belted pair of leggings. Personal protective equipment can be worn outside the body over pants or trousers. A sharp chain that cuts quickly increases the likelihood of harm if it makes little contact with your legs. If the injury is severe, there could be significant blood loss or danger of leg amputation.
Leg protection is essential because of the dangers involved. Chainsaw chaps have an outer covering layer that is often composed of polyester that has been coated with PVC. It resists cuts and is durable. A layer of loose fibers such as Kevlar, ballistic Nylon, or Avertic serves as filler material beneath this.
By wrapping itself around the chain assembly, the inner layer is a barrier to stop the chainsaw once it has cut through the outer layer. An accident’s effects can be significantly reduced in this way.
How Safe Are Chainsaw Chaps?
Chainsaw chaps are a very effective way to shield your legs from the blades, most especially gas chainsaws. The chain is stopped by the filler material jamming the sprocket mechanism.
It is strongly advised for your protection to get chainsaw chaps. You can avoid spilling water and grease thanks to the cut-resistant outer material of these chaps. The filler material underneath is the major thing that keeps your legs from being caught in the chain. To clog the sprocket and stop the chain nearly immediately, the filler’s loose fibers wrap themselves around it.
Important Things To Take Note of About Your Chainsaw Chaps
The following are some crucial ideas to bear in mind when using chainsaw chaps.
1. Type Of Fabric
The chainsaw chaps are made from durable denier polyester with a water-resistant coating as one of the building elements. The textiles employed include Kevlar, ballistic nylon, or Tek warp.
These fabrics are used to group them according to their resistance to chainsaws. Fabrics should be your main emphasis because they will provide the highest resistance and leg protection.
2. The Type Of Chaps
Type A or Type C chaps are available. The Type A chaps shield the front portion of the leg. Contrarily, Type C chaps, often known as chainsaw trousers, have a front and back and cover the full leg.
3. Outer Layer
The main layer of defense is the chainsaw chap’s exterior. An excellent pair of chainsaw chaps will have a smooth, incredibly durable outer covering. This layer must resist damage from oils and liquids and the force of the chainsaw.
4. Flexibility And Comfortability
When wearing the chaps, the users of chainsaws must be at ease and have freedom of movement. Try the chaps on and experience the comfort. Choose a different alternative if you find it challenging to move around or feel hot.
5. Oil And Water Resistant
Chainsaw chaps that are oil-proof and waterproof will be simpler to wipe down and maintain. Additionally, wearing protective apparel will keep you dry when exercising in the rain.
How Do You Choose The Best Chainsaw Chaps?
Chainsaw chaps will shield you from harm during strenuous cutting and pruning activities in your lawn, woodland, or building sites. The correct chainsaw chaps should be chosen based on various elements, including the materials utilized and their moisture resistance. Strong polyester and materials like Armortex, Avertic Engtex, Kevlar, and Tek warp are found in some of the best alternatives on the market.
Many even have a PVC covering resistant to oil, gas, water, and other stains. Additionally, because waist sizes range from 28 to 44 inches, you should consider how comfortable you are wearing them.
Your chainsaw chaps should give partial or complete leg coverage, wraparound designs, or adjustable waist straps. Adjustability and length are further factors to take into account.
Here are a few things to consider before making your next chainsaw chaps purchase.
1. Chainsaw Chaps Standard
The chainsaw mechanism should be followed by a typical pair of chaps, even if this is not necessary. You should read the label to determine whether the chainsaw complies with the requirements for the task.
There are two standards, one for performance testing, ASTM F 1897-2008, and one for testing chaps, ASTM F 1414-92A (1997). Additionally, the US Forest Service has developed requirements called 6170-4F, and Underwriters Laboratories has a certification program.
2. Leg Protection Approval
Chainsaw safety and leg protection organizations have established norms and regulations that chainsaw chaps must follow. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and ASTM International Safety and Security Standards are some organizations offering these standards.
3. Chaps Ability While Using A Gas Chainsaw
Each chainsaw worker must put proper leg protection following OSHA regulations, such as chainsaw chaps. If an accident occurs, these chaps are designed to lessen the severity of injuries.
Depending on the chainsaw, a good pair of chaps can stop one that moves at 4,000 feet per minute. You’ll have a chance to react by shifting away as they can prevent the chain from immediately hurting you.
4. Chaps Maintainance
Chaps are really difficult to handle. Even though they are strong and resilient, they become as frail if you don’t keep them clean and maintained. If the chainsaw chaps are not properly maintained, they will quickly become worn out.
You must check your chaps to ensure they don’t have any tiny cuts or unnoticed holes. If you notice any, fix them right away. Wearing worn-out chaps is a bad idea since it might lead to disaster.
Conclusion
Chainsaw chaps must be worn, and they must be the right size. It is often the difference between a minor wound and a fatal one. Your legs will be protected from potential incidents that could seriously hurt you by the chainsaw chaps. Always wear a pair of chainsaw chaps whenever using a chainsaw to avoid being irresponsible and foolish.
It is crucial to get the sizing right when searching for a pair of chainsaw chaps. If you purchase a pair that is too big, it could be dangerous! There are a few different types of sizing, so it’s important to know your options. Ultimately, the most important thing about chaps is that they fit properly.
No amount of padding or armor in the world can make a pair of chaps fit right if they don’t stay in place when you’re felling a tree. Dig into the user feedback on chainsaw chaps to find out what people thought worked best and what they’re not happy with.
To sum up, with the help of a pair of chainsaw chaps, you’ll be able to cut down your project time by half and not have to worry about getting injured in the process. Just be sure to pick a pair that is extremely comfortable while offering complete protection.