Chainsaw Pants

Chainsaw Pants Ratings and Certifications

Chainsaw pants give you constant protection when cutting on the ground or in the tree. Saw pants are easier to move in and cooler than wearing chainsaw chaps over your work clothes. The ANSI Z133 safety requirements for arboriculture specify that chainsaw protection is required for any one using a saw on the ground. While not required by the standard, chainsaw pants are highly recommended for anyone using a saw in the tree.

Chainsaw pants are also suitable for working on the ground. While a pair of chainsaw chaps is easy to put on over your work clothes, chainsaw pants are already in place and ready to go. There are options for rugged conditions, working wildfires, or in hot or cold weather.

Type in Chainsaw Pants

You will see some chainsaw pants marked "Type A" or "Type C".

Type A chainsaw pants have protection along the front of the leg only. This is the most common area of injury with a saw, so protecting this area makes sense. Type A saw pants may be lighter and less expensive due to the limited area of protective material.

Type C chainsaw pants have additional protection that wraps around the back of the lower leg. 360 degree wrap padding offers extra protection to the bag of the leg, which could be exposed when working in the tree. The extra material enhances safety, but increases weight and heat.

Class in Chainsaw Pants

European rating EN381 breaks down saw protection into classes based on saw speed used to test safety of the product:

• Class 0 : 16 metres per second (36 mph) (3,150 feet per minute)
• Class 1 : 20 metres per second (45 mph) (3,937 feet per minute)
• Class 2 : 24 metres per second (54 mph) (4,724 feet per minute)
• Class 3 : 28 metres per second (63 mph) (5,512 feet per minute)

ASTM F1897 – 20 for Chainsaw Pants

In North America, the standard for chainsaw protective clothing is ASTM F1897 - 20. This standard references saw speed requirement for testing, and that the range that the protective material must cover; the front of each leg from the upper thigh to the boot top. It also includes requirements for construction, labelling, etc.