Budget Chainsaw Boots

[Pogle]

A smallholder here looking for some advice on chainsaw boots for the occasional user - probably 30 plus fullish days a year, woodland and hedge management and firewood collection.

 

Pretty much always use safety boots of one type or another for most jobs - much to the bemusement of my neighbour, a 70 plus year old “proper” farmer and former national hedgelaying champion who wears crocs or normal wellies and who probably thinks that PPE is some kind of insurance!

 

Although I have the full array of (budget) PPE for use with the chainsaw (a venerable Stihl 024AVS) I had always assumed that chainsaw rated boots started at £250 plus but have recently realised that sub £100 boots are available.
 

Recently been getting a funny feeling in my toes after looking at a post on a FB group of someone’s saw vs foot injuries and feel the need to improve my PPE.

 

Looking at the Oregon Yukon boots at £50 for the class 3 orange wellies which seem to offer the best protection at the expense of comfort and breatheablity - I have other toe-capped wellies so no use other than chainsawing. 

 

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Oregon-295385-43-Chainsaw-Protective/dp/B013KOGMG8/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GAWMY9BKBX59F9BP0DRN

 

or the confusingly also named Oregon Yukon class 1 leather boots at £80, which look comfortable enough to wear as normal safety boots but have less protection.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Oregon-Leather-Chainsaw-Protective-42/dp/B0723GB188/ref=pd_di_sccai_1/260-0454472-1142404?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B071W4X21W&pd_rd_r=c685fa1c-006e-416e-bf88-6b98151b5f31&pd_rd_w=OGUjV&pd_rd_wg=6qOFn&pf_rd_p=4d243aa6-d88e-4de2-9cbb-cd5cf6bb2669&pf_rd_r=MWDTG95BNXS0JN9VY7XZ&refRID=MWDTG95BNXS0JN9VY7XZ&th=1
 

What is the practical difference between Class 1 and Class 3 for the type of saw I am using and how far up and around the top and sides of the boot does the protection go? The ratings seem to relate to the toe caps but it is not much use having you toes safely protected in a nice toecap if the toecap is not attached to the boot! 
 

Are gaiters a sensible addition (or possibly an alternative, if used with standard safety boots), to rated boots.

 

Thanks for any advice - in anticipation of the (very sound) advice to do a course, maybe one day but not an option at the moment and in my defence, I am old and grey enough to have a decent understanding of risks and to have a decent self preservation instinct - which I know will be of little interest to the staff at A&E!

 

 

 

[Khriss]

Tree Hog are good- comfy from day one an not much money .  K

[Bob_z_l]

I'm a hobby user and these are my choice.

 

Not too heavy and comfortable enough to walk around in all day.  The first version I had a couple of years ago (4?)  were made out of what could have been rhino hide.

These are better and take dubbin well.

 

Treehog Extreme chainsaw boots (class 2) (39) – FR Jones and Son Ltd | Warehouse Operating As Normal

WWW.FRJONESANDSON.CO.UK

---

The Treehog Extreme chainsaw boot combines excellent chainsaw protective properties Class 2 (24m/s) at an...

 

 

Good luck as there will be loads of opinions I'm sure.

 

[Khriss]

@Bob_z_l   same as mine, comfy and last me abt 2 yrs. Good if yr in and out of a cab all day too. K

[Bob_z_l]

@Khriss   They are 345 S3 as well.... LUL compliant. 
Not that I'd want to walk the miles I used to have to   ?

[Pogle]

Thanks for Treehog recommendations.

 

How do these go sizewise - I’m normally around a UK 10/10.5 so 44 if they are on the big size or 45 if they are small?

[Khriss]

1 hour ago, Bob_z_l said:

@Khriss   They are 345 S3 as well.... LUL compliant. 
Not that I'd want to walk the miles I used to have to   ?

....which IS exactly wot I do in them    K

Edited October 12, 2020 by Khriss
Mmmmm ballast !

[Rough Hewn]

Get boots not wellies[emoji106]

[richyrich]

Cofra boots are ok. A few models- ones with green leather at top for about 70 or 80 i think...?

[Dan Maynard]

I have a friend who wears the £80 Oregon leather boots one or two days a week through winter, firewood and coppicing for wildlife trust. He's very pleased with them for the money.