Need advice on chaps

[happy thoughts]

I'd like to order a pair as a Father's day gift for my better half. Since I'm clueless about them I'd appreciate suggestions about style, brand and anything else I should consider before ordering. Any help you can give is much appreciated. Thanks and an early Happy Father's Day to all you special dad's out there.:D

[Maple Ridge Farm]

I assume you are talking chainsaw chaps, if you spend a few dollars more and buy a pair of chainsaw pants you won't reget it. Far better fit and more confortable to wear and he is more likley to wear them. Your local Stihl dealer will have pants in different sizes and lenghts that I am sure will fit him.

[Greenwich Maple Man]

I'd like to order a pair as a Father's day gift for my better half. Since I'm clueless about them I'd appreciate suggestions about style, brand and anything else I should consider before ordering. Any help you can give is much appreciated. Thanks and an early Happy Father's Day to all you special dad's out there.:D

Check out Labonville in NH. If you Google them you should find them, lots of choices. I logged for several years and always prefered a full wrap chap. Meaning a piece that wraps around the back of your calf. Safer and better fitting. Aslo try and get a pair with a pocket or two , always nice to have. Pants are nice but I find the oppisite , that they are a little harder to put on and therefore less chance of wearing them. Chaps do a great job and are a must for anybody using a saw.

[wiam]

What Greenwich said. And I have had a pair of another brand in between two pairs of Labonville. The Labonville would keep your legs dry in the snow and the others did not. Also I have a tool holder on the belt that holds a couple of wedges, a file and a chainsaw wrench.

[happy thoughts]

Thanks to all:D I'm going to check what's available at the Stihl dealer but like the reviews I've read on Labonville. I also like the fact they're made in the USA. Not sure whether my guy would prefer pants or full wraparounds, but thanks to you at least I have a better idea of the options. Guess I may need to ask him instead of making these a surprise. Either way he's going to wear them or I'll take the chainsaw to him myself:evil: One close call is one too many.

Again, many thanks!

[sugaringman85]

The pants are hot in the summer time. The full wrap chaps are cooler...not by much...but it is what i use in the summer time. I log full time and use husky wrap chaps during the summer. I use a pair of pant chaps during the winter. They act like snow pants and the convenience of not having to worry about putting them on and off is nice. Put them on before work and your protected all day long.

[Dill]

I bought a pair of Labonville chaps last fall. I really like them, went with the full wrap this time. Price is decent and your supporting a local NH company. Which means more to me than you down in PA I'm sure.

[tuckermtn]

I will second the opinion that cutting pants are too hot in the summer (even the ones with the vents). Full wrap chaps and jeans are my summer combo. Best cutting pants I have used are Stihl brand - wear them in the winter.

Make sure they are UL listed. 99% of them are, but once in a while you see a cheap imported pair that are not UL listed.

[adk1]

I bought a pair of full wrap Huskuvarna chaps from my local shop. They were the best ones they had on the rack. I dont remember the price off hand but yeah they were expensive, but not nearly as expensive as losing your leg! When it comes to equipment like that, I always get the best and am not concerned about price.

[sugaringman85]

they also make some really fancy cutting pants that come from Europe where they have higher safety standards than we do. I have a pair of SIP 5.1 cutting pants that are fantastic. Much more flexible and durable than the stihl or husky pants.