Chainsaw Boots

[WH308]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonably priced pair of chainsaw boots? Ideally a lace up pair rather than a welly. They are only for occasional use when I cut firewood or fallen trees, so don’t need to be everyday tough. Just something that affords sufficient protection from a bigger saw.

 

[Stalker62]

I am reminded of the military advice given when the recruit asked why they were patrolling through a stream rather than alongside it.
The reason was to avoid landmines or IEDs.

"Better two feet wet than one foot dry".

On that very sound advice, buy the very best you can afford - you do not want to be the person who only "occasionally" cut his own toes off. You absolutely need your gear to be "everyday tough".

 

[hairycow]

What size are you think I have a pair of size uk9 kicking about but I can ask about for a different size as someone might have a pair, and how much are you thinking of spending as has been said buy a good pair and keep your toes.

 

[WH308]

Cheers guys, sound advice.

having looked a bit more, it seems like the welly type boots are more cost effective. The Oregon Yukon rubber boots are class 3 and on offer for £50 at screwfix. They have steel toes rather than composite and offer a high level of protection.

better 2 hot feet than one cool one eh!

 

[Stalker62]

Back in the days of black and white, I was an apprentice with BR.
I still remember the labourer who was chain sawing sleepers - he had absolutely no protective kit on at all.
He had a "kick back" and the chain sliced through the centre of his forehead down to the bone. He survived but I have never felt the need to chainsaw without full kit since...

 

[WH308]

Yeah, I’ve always used chainsaw trousers and a hat, ears and visor. Just never had any boots as I’ve always worn a stout pair of steel toed work boots.
But I’m looking at getting a bigger saw for ringing up trunks, so felt it was time to invest.

 

[Stalker62]

... I’m looking at getting a bigger saw...

For the love of God do not do what I did when I went to "get a bigger saw".
Bought it from the catalogue - Stihl MS 880 with a 3" bar - yes that is what I need.

When I came to collect it from the store a couple of things became apparent.

1) I could barely lift it off the counter.

2) I could barely fit it into the back of the 110 (just diagonally).

The worst was the putdown by the bloke behind the jump:-

"You get many Redwoods in Hertfordshire?"

 

[countrryboy]

Chainsaw wellies are horrendous, I hate having wet feet normally but would rather have wet feet than where chainsaw wellies all day.
Think mine must be over 20yrs old ( I know the show I bought them at) and be lucky if been worn 5 times in all that time.
And I do a lot of cutting for a peat bog restoration throu the winter, so walking on soaking peat bogs and still avoid chainsaw wellies.

While they may be cheap if there uncomfy u might not out them on.
I generally think cutting trousers/chaps are more important for most chainsaw work thou.

I bought a pair of Stihl leather boots for 100, must admit don't really like them but far better than wellies.
Best chainsaw boots I've ever had are mendl airstreams about 200 so expensive for hobby use but brilliant ( althou to low, easy to go over the top in rpthem, why I rushed into the stihls)
Been wearing them almost daily for 3 odd years now in some rough ground, just finished a skyline job so ground was very steep and feet wee never sore

Must admit loads of fancy expensive chainsaw boots now but husky, Stihl, haix all do cheap models which would be ideal for wot u want for about 100 quid.
Dunno if any decent saw shops close to u? Best trying a pair on

But if doing internet job try looking at Clark forestry, Buxton's, honey bros, f r Jones, northern ARB to name a few . Loads out there

 

[countrryboy]

Ps.

Not going to worry u but just know most/all chainsaw PPE will not really stop a powered chain ( a chain hitting ur leg with throttle on full tilt, but then again ud have to be a complete idiot to hit ur leg and keep throttle going), esp with a big saw.

They will stop a slowing chain which is wot they wee designed for and wot most accidents are

Think. Northern ARB strapped some trousers to a log on a saw horse and once u got over 60cc saws weren't long cutting right throu trousers, but again test wasn't very representative of a real world accident.
Bit of an eye opener thou.

I'm not 1 to recommend training or useless tickets but chainsaw training really is worth it, even if just of a local decent cutter.

My tips would be always use the chain brake (and keep chain tight, the ammount of hobby saws u see with chain hanging lose, just asking for it to come off) keep ur body out off the line of the saw chain is saw always to 1 side.
And finally and importantly learn about kick back from the tip and how it works, will cause a lot of accidents/injuries

 

[Stumpy2]

Haix boots all day long! I even did a walked up moorland day in them and regularly wear them for stalking, particularly clearfell sites. If you’re only doing half an hours firewood logging wellies are a cheap solution for chainsaw use, but if you also use boots for stalking they are multi purpose and you can justify spending more money.

 

[Stalker62]

I'm not 1 to recommend training or useless tickets but chainsaw training really is worth it, even if just of a local decent cutter.

I did a week residential course with Phil Dunford in Wales - never knew how little I knew.
Best money I have ever spent.
Really nice chap.

 

[CarlW]

Have to agree with @countrryboy : man has yet to invent a torture more uncomfortable than chainsaw wellies. I chucked my Stihl pair on the fire after about 15 years...worn three times.

Buy lace-up boots!

 

[White Hart]

I've a pair of Arbortec Scafell, now there alright but on the heavy side. There good for the money and if your not in them all day everyday there fine:

Arbortec Scafell Lite Green Chainsaw Boots

Fantastic Price - Check out the Arbortec Scafell Lite Green Chainsaw Boots - Experience Excellent Service from Forest And Arb - Read More and Order Online Today!

www.forestandarb.com

If I had my time again Id have bought these Meindl's there much lighter but more expensive...

Meindl Airstream ROCK Chainsaw Boots - Honey Brothers

Meindl Airstream Rock Chainsaw Boots UK's leading Arborist supply company, Honey Brothers tree surgery and arbourist supplies trusted around the world

www.treekit.com

Now I'm not into bright blingy stuff and would err on the side of brown / black boots but for snedding etc having a bright pair of boots makes me more aware...

 

[JeffreyL]

100% agree with Countryboy about Meindl boots, also about never boots without trousers. Or gloves, ear muffs, helmet etc.

 

[jall55]

Thread hijack coming !
But relevant !

I still have about 6 pairs of chainsaw trousers for sale if anyone is interested !

Sorry !

 

[Island]

Brandecosse have reduced the price of their Bernina forestry boot. Although I have no first hand knowledge of that exact boot I do rate their other offerings very highly.

 

[countrryboy]

I did a week residential course with Phil Dunford in Wales - never knew how little I knew.
Best money I have ever spent.
Really nice chap.

I was the same when I done mine and had been using saws for years.
I never even knew u had to use saws right handed had been using it lefty for years ( althou more to do with PPE, in those days never had PPE)

Must admit I could walk all day in my mendl cutting boots they're that good, but normally there not as comfy as decent walking boots and slightly dearer.
All chainsaw boots will have steelys and metal in sole as well as the cut protection so always going to be heavier and less comfy than normal boots.

I'd save them just for ur cutting any pair should last u a very long time.

 

[Smelly Yeti]

I’ve got a pair of Treehog Tusk boots - won’t break the bank, good protection & sturdy build but a complete $€>>$$ to break in!

 

[User00035]

Can't stand chainsaw wellies either (or any wellies come to that). You have to wear your trousers over the top to keep the chippings out so you might as well wear proper lace-up boots.
£100 wil buy a very good pair of Husqvarna or Stihl boots.

Screwfix gear is mostly Oregon. I'm not keen on any of their PPE stuff. It may be cheap but it's cheap for a reason. Husqvarna or Stihl are both far better and are generally widely available in agri merchants without going to specialist arb shops.
The Husky helmet for example is a far better design and more comfortable than Oregon's for only a few quid more. (The Oregon has a horrible foam pad on the headband which soaks up sweat whereas the Husky uses chamois leather). Small touches that make all the difference to usability.

Oregon Yukon boots are OK but I think they're pretty stiff and heavy. The Husqvarna or Stihl equivalent are nicer to wear and they're only £20 more.

If it's only occasional domestic use I'm guessing you're not going to choose to go out cutting in the pouring rain, in which case I'd just get a pair of leather boots and treat them with dubbin. If you really want fully waterproof boots try Treehog Extreme. Same sort of money and made by Arbortec so should be good. Doubt they'll be as comfortable as leather though.

 

[Ade C]

You could pay a £1000 for a pair of chainsaw boots and still cut your foot off. Best thing is to understand that your not invincible in the ppe and act appropriatley. chainsaws dont care who they hurt!!!
any boots with impact protection are better than none, regardless of cost.