Put a running saw to my left leg while limbing some cedars. Strands stopped the saw and didn't even have a bruise. Image of results below.
I read all the reviews for both the small and large (36-38 and 40-42) chaps trying to figure out which size to get. I'm 6'2" with a 32" inseam and both sizes have reviewers saying they fit. Waist is irrelevant - both fit to 42" waist, and you could add to the strap if you needed to (just buy some strap and buckles that fit, like a seat belt extension. Length is the issue and Husqvarna has done us no favors trying to explain their sizing. I'm attaching some photos since I ended up getting both pairs. The 36-38 was way too short. Not sure what these reviewers were thinking. You can see in the photo that it's way too short. If you only wear relatively high boots, then maybe okay, but why? The 40-42 are the right size, if not a bit long. Long is fine since they are very adjustable. They're not like pants where you risk having your heels walk on them if they are too long. In the photos you will see that the short one is 37" long and the long one is 41" long, from top to bottom. Northern Tool left a review on one post saying they are measured from waist to ankle. That's somewhat accurate, but the actual length is never mentioned anywhere. So here you have it: 37" and 41". Husqvarrna - why the strange range measurements with no explanations? There is no crotch, so inseam doesn't apply, but still some height ranges would be VERY helpful. If you have a 31" or longer inseam, I'd say get the bigger ones. Smaller, get the smaller one. I'm sending the small one back due to inaccurate website description - not just on Amazon, but also on the packaging and on Husqvarna's website. Quality seems very good and I'm not testing them to find out if they work :). The pockets are very nice. The clips and straps are nice. The fabric is heavy-duty. Stitching is very good. I like that they are not 100% orange. I also like the reflective leg bands.
I read all the reviews for both the small and large (36-38 and 40-42) chaps trying to figure out which size to get. I'm 6'2" with a 32" inseam and both sizes have reviewers saying they fit. Waist is irrelevant - both fit to 42" waist, and you could add to the strap if you needed to (just buy some strap and buckles that fit, like a seat belt extension. Length is the issue and Husqvarna has done us no favors trying to explain their sizing. I'm attaching some photos since I ended up getting both pairs. The 36-38 was way too short. Not sure what these reviewers were thinking. You can see in the photo that it's way too short. If you only wear relatively high boots, then maybe okay, but why? The 40-42 are the right size, if not a bit long. Long is fine since they are very adjustable. They're not like pants where you risk having your heels walk on them if they are too long. In the photos you will see that the short one is 37" long and the long one is 41" long, from top to bottom. Northern Tool left a review on one post saying they are measured from waist to ankle. That's somewhat accurate, but the actual length is never mentioned anywhere. So here you have it: 37" and 41". Husqvarrna - why the strange range measurements with no explanations? There is no crotch, so inseam doesn't apply, but still some height ranges would be VERY helpful. If you have a 31" or longer inseam, I'd say get the bigger ones. Smaller, get the smaller one. I'm sending the small one back due to inaccurate website description - not just on Amazon, but also on the packaging and on Husqvarna's website. Quality seems very good and I'm not testing them to find out if they work :). The pockets are very nice. The clips and straps are nice. The fabric is heavy-duty. Stitching is very good. I like that they are not 100% orange. I also like the reflective leg bands. I dislike that Amazon has rotated my photos! Anyway, left photo is the short one, next to that is the long one. I took a star away simply due to the very poor sizing description.
I have now cut down ten 75ft or higher trees with these on. They still almost look brand new. I have two family members that ended up in the hospital because they had accidents while cutting wood. This is much cheaper than the $300 co-pay for the ER. To me, spend the extra money to get the ones that protect all of your lower legs, like this one.
My grandfather cut the back of his calf with a chain saw once and these will protect you from that. Most of the others I have seen only protect the front of your legs, not this one, you are very much protected.
As far as comfort; there are 4 straps per leg, 3 on the lower leg and one higher up. After about 2-3 minutes, you forget you have them on. When you take them off, it feels like something is missing. I had full range of motion while wearing them. I was able to climb on hills, over logs and rock, whatever it took. These are the safest chaps I could find. I will not be the third one in the family to take a trip to the ER while cutting wood.
Fit this 6'6" guy with length to spare. Cool from the chap styling; way better than the trouser style I started with after the ER visit for cutting the wrong limb. DON'T BE THAT GUY who thought he didn't need no stinkin' protection for his legs. My (wrong limb) cut was 8" long, 1.5" deep just above the right knee and happened so fast I never felt it before I saw it. Looked like an alien mouth open through my denim pants. The $10k bill for the ER visit and spinal headaches from a leaky spinal tap for four days was a bit more costly than a good pair of chaps. JUST DO IT!
Feature Product
- 1000 Denier Polyester with PVC coating with Tek Warp Protective Layers
- Adjustable Waist Size to 42 Inches
- Felling Wedge/Gear Pocket and Acetal Delrin Buckles. Wash in cold water mild detergent and hang to dry. Never use chlorine bleach
- Meets ASTM F1897, ANSI Z133.1 and OSHA Regulation 1910-266
- UL Certified
Description
Husqvarna chain saw protective chaps contain PVC coated Denier polyester with Tek Warp protective layers designed to reduce the risk or severity of an injury and give the operator extra reaction time when contact is made by a moving chain. The cut retardant material is designed to "pull" apart and clog up the sprocket system of the chain saw and slow or stop the chain from rotating depending on the speed of the chain, length, angle of contact and power of the saw. Protective chaps should never be considered safer than proper chain saw handling safety procedures. Husqvarna chaps also feature adjustable waist sizes, Acetal Delrin buckles, pockets for gear and are cold water washable. They are UL certified and meet ASTM F1897, ANSI Z133.1 and OSHA regulation 1910-266.
These are reasonably comfortable and fit great! My waist = 33, inseam 31. They work best with boots, as with the length, about 30" inseam, they don't really protect the ankles. I feel a lot safer, although my friends seem to look at me with a combination of snickering and envy (but I'm used to it haha).
I have been using these for about 2 years. They have worked well for me. The lower leg wrap is a good safety feature especially if you work with a longer chainsaw bar. No issues with fit or function. It helps to snug up the buckles from time to time, especially on the lower buckle of the leg wrap, as this area tends to get beat up by brush.
When I purchased these I was concerned that they would be more cumbersome than the typical 2 buckle apron style chap due to the additional buckles and lower leg wrap. Not so. They go on and off quickly and they might even be a little less likely to hang up on brush due to the lower leg wrap.
I have found these to be quick drying. Hanging them overnight in a warm room has always worked for me.
The pockets on these are not very functional. There is a small external pocket near the left hip. This one closes with a single snap on top of the pocket. I can just barely fit a 5.5" plastic wedge and lumber crayon in there and the snap slows things down, especially with gloves on. I think this pocket may have been intended as a cell phone pocket because it seems like a smartphone would fit in there. There is a second pocket down toward the bottom of the left thigh. This one has an open top and a bottom closure with 2 snap buttons. The open top is a problem. I used to put an 8" plastic wedge in there but the wedges go missing pretty quick due to the open top. I lost a couple of wedges this way and called it done. I no longer use this pocket. The pocket fills with wood chips, again due to the open top. You can pop the snaps on the bottom to clean it out. Now that I think of it, maybe it was the bottom snaps that let go causing me to lose wedges. Normally I find Husqvarna products to be very thoughtfully designed but this pocket gets zero points.
I put up a few pictures to show you what these things look like after being used for a while. I would guess I have between 100 hours and 200 hours of wear on these. The reflective bands on the lower leg are coming off but the straps and buckles are all good and that is what counts. They take a beating.
These are very hot and not exactly comfortable, but as someone who has experienced a severe kickback without these and I am lucky to have only lost some meat and bone (I still have a narly scar, but I also still have my ankle), I will not cut without these ever again. These only protect you once, and then you have to replace them, but I can assure you that it is still cheaper than the ER visit even with really good insurance coverage. Do yourself and your family a favor and do not log or cut firewood without a pair of these.
I can't review the performance of these because I haven't put a running chainsaw into my leg yet, so I'll stick with the aesthetic aspect of these chaps. First, I'm 6'4" with a 34/35" inseam and these fit really well length-wise. They come all the way down to my heel in fact and provide coverage over my whole boot. The waist strap and leg straps are adjustable and could fit someone much larger than me; I have a 35/36" waist and weigh just under 200lbs.
They are easy to put on, have a lot of adjustment in the waist and legs area, and are comfortable. Are they a bit heavy and bulkier than just regular pants? Of course, but that's the trade-off for what I assume is basically several layers of Kevlar or a similar type material that should bind the chain and engine in case the running saw comes in contact with them.
I tried the Stihl chaps, and while I own that brand of saw I did not like the chaps. These offer much better coverage and just had a better fit for me. I'll deal with the extra bulk for any measure of potential protection against a trip to the E.R. or worse.
First let me say these are serious professional grade protective chaps. All the material is high quality including the straps and fasteners around the waist and leg. I like that there are four straps that go around each leg, One at the thigh (which you cannot see in the picture) and three below the knee. This is important for comfort and safety because it allows you to adjust the size for a propper fit and it prevents the chaps from being loose and flapping around, which is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous because you could trip. Additionally, these pants are heavy so poorly fitted heavy chaps that flops around would add to fatigue while working.
Second, a comment on sizing. The measurements 36-38" and 40-42" pertain to the measurement from your waist to your ankle. This is not an inseam measure like for jeans. Everyone is shaped different so take your waist to ankle measurement to be sure. I'm 5'8" and waist to ankle I measure 37", the 36-38" size fits perfect. Rule of thumb is if your jeans inseam is 31" or less, go for the 36-38". Otherwise go for the the 40-42". Note, if the chaps are a little long you can cuff them under to shorten it and the bottom strap on the leg will hold the cuff in place (another great feature about these chaps). Waist measurement is nearly irrelevant, the waist strap is plenty big.
Lastly, these chaps are excellent quality for the money. I was surprised how high quality they were. Don't go cheap, chaps are one of the most important pieces of protective gear you need. Most common chainsaw injuries are to the leg. Jeans will not protect you at all, they are like tissue paper to a chainsaw.
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