Chainsaw Boots. Tips from a Professional

Everybody knows that using chainsaws can be risky. When something goes wrong, the fast-rotating chain can do a lot of damage. To protect yourself, you need to use protective gear. Chainsaw boots are part of that gear. Good chains boots offer much better protection than regular safety boots.

Chainsaw boots:

In general, chainsaw boots offer protection against accidental hits with a running chainsaw. They also contain a steel cap protecting against other hazards. They can be divided into three classes. Class 3 offers the most protection and is suited for fast and powerful chainsaws.

In this blog post, I will explain why you should use chainsaw boots. What the difference between the three classes are, and how to choose chainsaw boots.

What are the different chainsaw boot types? And what gives the best protection?

Chainsaw boots are divided into three classes. Each giving a different protection level.

Class 1, Class2 and Class 3 chainsaw boots:

• Class 1: The class 1 boots are usually lightweight and offer protection against a lower speed level chainsaw. From the three classes, they offer the least amount of protection. They do have a strong steel cap.
• Class 2:  Class 2 boots are meant for stronger and faster chainsaws and offer more protection than class 1. They give excellent protection against flying debris.
• Class 3: Class 3 chainsaw boots offer the best protection. It includes a more resistive layer that can handle high-speed chains.

Are chainsaw boots necessary?

If you plan to use your chainsaw with regular safety boots, or even normal boots, you have to understand that they do not provide a lot of protection. If something goes wrong, and the chainsaw hits your boots, it will rip through it easily. And this happens more often than you think.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission database showed nearly 28,500 chainsaw injuries in 1999, and about 1,872 were foot injuries. To prevent the impact of accidental cuts and slips, good chainsaw boots can be of great help.

Here are some of the reasons why you should wear chainsaw boots:

• Hits and cuts: Good chainsaw boots offer excellent protection when the chainsaw accidentally hits them. This is by far the biggest reason to use them.
• Debris: Sharp pieces of debris that fly around can penetrate through regular safety boots. This is much harder with chainsaw boots.
• Environment: When working in the forest, you will encounter sharp stones, twigs, thorns. The chainsaw boot will protect you from this and also gives good grip, and keep your feet dry.

What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 chainsaw boots?

Chainsaw boots can be found in three classes. Each class has its salient features and resistance against different chainsaw speeds. Keep in mind that the class number does not say anything about the price. A Class 1 pair of boots maybe even more expensive than Class 2 or 3.

In general, Class 1 and 2 are excellent chainsaw boots. But they have different features and levels of protection. Class 1 is targeting smaller, less powerful saws. Class 2 is meant for bigger, more powerful chainsaws. The following table shows the differences more clearly:

What are chainsaw boots used for?

The most important reason why you should use chainsaw boots is overall protection. Both for the chain and falling objects from trees. But they also give a firm grip on the ground when working on different terrains and surfaces. The boots also play an essential role in keeping your feet comfortable and resisting the impact of unfavorable weather conditions.

They’ll protect your feet from sharp objects, cold temperatures, falling logs, and sharp edges. A good quality boot will give you support, grip, and durability, which will prevent ankle rolls too.

I always recommend using chainsaw boots when working with chainsaws, particularly when you work in the forest.

Lightweight chainsaw boots

It can be tiring when you have to wear boots all day long. Many will feel sore and fatigued after wearing heavy and uncomfortable boots. I recommend prioritizing comfort if you expect to wear them often and for prolonged periods.

Lightweight boots can be a good option in those cases. For many users, they provide a good mix of protection and comfort. Here are two options for lightweight, protective boots:

● Oregon Yukon Class 1 Leather Chainsaw Protective Boots :

The Oregon boots are an excellent example of lightweight chainsaw boots. They are suitable for heavy-duty work, and many owners are really happy with their comfort level and weight. These boots are rated Class 1 and are a good choice for muddy and wet environments.

● Cofra Power Chainsaw Safety Leather Boots :

The Cofra power chainsaw safety leather boots give a good combination of safety and comfort due to their being relatively lightweight. The high-quality leather is water-resistant and gives excellent protection against cuts. It is a Class 2 rated boot.

● What are the best chainsaw boots?

Chainsaw boots come in different variations and classes, which makes it challenging to find the best one. To find the best chainsaw boots you should look for key features like general protection, comfort, fit, strength, material, and budget.

– Comfort and fit:

These factors go together. You need to ensure that the boots are the right size, lightweight, and comfortable for the terrains you plan to work on. This will reduce soreness and fatigue when working long hours and prevent blisters or any injury. I always recommend choosing comfortable boots. If they are not comfortable, you will not wear them.

Steel toe caps:

There are no ifs or buts when it comes to boots with steel caps. I recommend against purchasing boots without them. They offer much-needed protection from falling and sharp objects.

– Chainsaw boot ISO standard:

When you see a chainsaw boot, it is impossible to know the level of protection. Boots look like boots. The amount of protection they give depends on the materials and the way they are designed. To help identify boots that give a basic level of protection, the ISO committee and manufacturers have defined a set of requirements.

Currently, the most used standard is EN ISO 20345:2011. It specifies basic requirements that the boot must have to pass. This included mechanical risks, slip resistance, thermal risks, and ergonomic behavior. If a boot passes these requirements, you know it provides a certain basic level of protection. So check if the boots have passed this ISO specification. When you see a different number, google to find out what it means.

– Boots with high durability:

Another feature to look for in a good chainsaw boot is durability. This factor is important if you want the footwear to last long. Ensure that high-quality materials are used. And check how the boots should be maintained. Well-maintained boots will last considerably longer.

– Budget:

As with a lot of products, chainsaw boots can be found from cost-effective to quite expensive. Some brands will be more expensive than others. In general, more protection will be more expensive. Better materials will be more expensive. In general, high-end boots will offer better protection and will often last longer. But that doesn’t mean a more cost-effective boot can be a better choice for you. I have seen some really good boots with a lower price point over the years.