chaps vs. pants

[Mark Cowdrey]

This is sort of a stretch for Sustainable Forestry” but…

I’ll start with a beef. :rolleyes:
Why are chain saw chaps not sold by the leg rather than by the pair? How many guys do you know that have a cut in the left leg of their chaps that renders it “need to be replaced” but have a perfectly intact right leg so procrastinate replacing the pair? If one could buy the legs separately I suspect that they would be replaced when they need to be more frequently, keeping us 😮 safer.
OK, now to the question.
I have never had pants with inserts, only chaps. It seems to me the inserts would provide the “switch out” functionality I am looking for in “separate leg” chaps. I see Labonville has both twill “summer” ones and insulated nylon “winter” ones.
How does wearing pants with inserts compare to chaps? Does anyone have favorite brands or styles? General comments welcomed.
Thanks,
Mark

[Does’ Leap]

Mark:

I have both pants and chaps and hardly ever wear the pants. I find them hot in the summer and bulky in the winter. I like the chaps that wrap all the way around your calf.

George

[Anonymous]

I have both pants and chaps. In our province chaps must be full leg and provide back of calf protertion to be legal. If it’s really really hot or for junking on the landing I’ll wear chaps the rest of the time I wear Husky summer pants.Have seen too many close calls with chaps being pulled aside by the saw or brush leaving legs exposed to danger. Also feel strongly that the pants offer better protection for the upper thigh as the chaps avable here the protective layers don’t come up to my hip bone.

The Husky summer pants are still darn hot in the summer so I’ll often take a spare pair with me and change in to the at noon. Feels a little better having dry pants for the rest of the day. In the late fall we treat our pants with silicone water repelant use in camping. Dosen’t make them water proof but helps quite a bit. For me summer ventilated pants with a good pair of long jonhs is just perfect to work in. Also buy a size larger than I would wear jeans. Loose fit seems to be more comfortable.

We work in soft wood that is very dense and requires alot of limbing. So leg protection is paramount. I feel pants are safer.

Tristan

[Jim Ostergard]

I used to wear mostly chaps, the pants are too hot in summer and at least the ones I have are drafty as a bugger in the winter. I found a pair of what is labelled skidder pants which are a bib and have zippers rather than the snaps on the chaps. Back in the 70’s the first pair of chaps I had were full lower leg with stout, large zippers rather than the snaps. Don’t know why they are not made as they never snagged the way chaps do. I have tripped so many times on a snag behind the horse and on a skidder they are looking for something to hook on when you climb out. Must cost more to make with a good zippers so some bean counter said get rid of them.
Jim

[Anonymous]

Jim I have looked high and low for the old zippered chaps. They were great.
Our saw shop told me they cost more to produce than the pants so the manufacturer took them out of production.

Tristan

[Jim Ostergard]

Tristan,
When I pooched those old chaps I unstitched the heavy zippers and figure some day I will see about using them on some chaps. Might not be possible but is sure hate it when I’m behind the horse and a short stick gets caught up in the darn clip straps.
Jim

[Carl Russell]

Have used both. As has been stated I found the pants too hot. I also didn’t like the fact that I had to lug them around on my body all day.

I like chaps as they go on and off really easily. I can wear them while chopping and take them off when skidding. I like that I can wear my favorite work pants, and not have to wear the logging pants all day.

Carl

[Anonymous]

@Jim Ostergard 25507 wrote:

Tristan,
When I pooched those old chaps I unstitched the heavy zippers and figure some day I will see about using them on some chaps. Might not be possible but is sure hate it when I’m behind the horse and a short stick gets caught up in the darn clip straps.
Jim

Thats good idea. I bet anyone who can stitch harness could put zippers on chaps.

Wearing the pants 6days a week there are times I just can’t stand putting them on in the morning. So I take duct tape and tape up my chaps at the ankles and above the knee. It helps prevent them from opening up at the calf and brush sticking in the straps. Not perfect but… oh well:)

Tristan

[Andy Carson]

OK, here’s a (possibly) dumb question getting back to Mark’s origional beef about chaps… Would chaps protect just as well if worn inside out? If so, one could recycle two pairs of chaps with damaged left legs into one good pair, with the left leg worn inside out. Just a niave thought from a non-logger…

[john plowden]

If you damage your chaps throw them out and get another pair!! The outer covering is designed to protect the lining and any pull on the fiber will effect their integrity –
You can buy liners and sew them into a pair of pants –
John

[Author]

Posts