Chainsaw Boots, Recommendations....

[John Mc]

Yowch! Even with the helmet, that had to hurt. Lucky it wasn't a larger tree. Glad to hear you are OK.

It always seems to be that "one last thing" where people end up getting hurt. I've got a ski patrol friend who has pulled a lot of injured skiers down of the mountain. He says the majority always say something like "this was going to be my last run of the day", or "I was just headed in for a break".

[HolmenTree]

Glad to hear your ok too grassfed.
I like those Husqvarna  helmets too. They also have a  nice short brim to make it easier when looking up.
One time I felled a little 4 inch diameter maple, being a little careless I didn't see it land on a large rock at about the middle of the tree. The  button swung up like a teeter tooter  and then came down and nailed me on top of my hardhat.
That hurt.

[Atlantic Trader]

I was thinking on buying these but only available in Europe? Pricey but look good.

  

 

[Atlantic Trader]

Holme tree , that white helmet with the ear muffs is that a radio receiver? If so where did you get those?

[HolmenTree]

Holme tree , that white helmet with the ear muffs is that a radio receiver? If so where did you get those?

Yup it's a am/fm radio receiver with a plug for a MP3 . Comes in real handy for those long days grinding stumps or chipping brush.
I bought it at Canadian Tire.

[Atlantic Trader]

I will have to check it out to see if I can get a set, thanks

[Atlantic Trader]

Holmen tree, what is the name on the ear muffs?

[weimedog]

This is great info 8)  I used to wear a boot made by a company "Danner" (Do they still exist??) then after the injury's suffered during mid life crisis I am no longer comfortable in boots and had to go with the shorter work boot. So now wear Red Wing brand "Irish Setter" 83607 6inch steel toe work boot both at work and on the farm. A little pricey but I've tried everything else and its what I can deal with. Use "gators" in the winter to keep the snow out.


Looking for a better helmet system now so this thread is really timely

[HolmenTree]

Holmen tree, what is the name on the ear muffs?

AO Safety WORKTUNES

[HolmenTree]

Their also branded 3M Digital WORKTUNES.  They come with a head band mount. But being made by Peltor I replaced the head band with the hard hat attachment swivel mount as my picture shows.
Be extra careful when prying them off the muffs so not to break the stubs.


 

[HolmenTree]

Here's  one more guys. $34.08 at Walmart and now comes with Voice Assist.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/3M-Tekk-Protection-worktunes-Ear-Muff-Headset/15574016

[luvmexfood]

My helmet saved me a couple of weeks ago. It was the last hitch after a long hard day. I had just felled an 80+ foot aspen and was clearing a couple of small suppressed Balsam firs so I could winch the tree out of a soft area that I did not want to drive the skidder through.

I cut one 5 inch, at the base, 20 foot tall  fir but I misjudged it got hung up on another similar tree. Anyway I was tired and not at my best but I did not want to drive back to the landing with a partial hitch so I cut the other tree thinking that I would get out of the way before the 2 trees fell.

Of course My saw ran out of fuel just as I started cutting and after I refueled I finished cutting down the second fir but I completely FORGOT about the hung tree.

Just as I stepped away from the falling tree the hung tree landed perfectly square on the center of my head. My knees buckled instantly and I fell straight to the grown tossing my still running saw as I fell.

The first thing I thought was Doh! I forgot about the hung tree and the second thing I thought is that my helmet really does a good job of dissipating the impact. I was wearing a Husqvarna helmet with a six point suspension. I always like these because the ear cut outs help the ear mitts fit better.

Funny how when falling with a chainsaw it's natural to throw that saw. Once was up about 6 ft. on a ladder cutting a limb out of a tree in the yard. Not all that big but when the limb came loose it through me off the ladder. Suprised how far you can throw a chainsaw when falling thru the air.

[edkemper]

I need a pair of boots also. Unfortunately I've found it prohibitive to order boots online. I'm an old guy that remembers going into stores and having someone that knows how to fit shoes/boots to a customer. Now days, I tend to collect shoes that don't fit well and just get tossed aside.

[Real1shepherd]

I need a pair of boots also. Unfortunately I've found it prohibitive to order boots online. I'm an old guy that remembers going into stores and having someone that knows how to fit shoes/boots to a customer. Now days, I tend to collect shoes that don't fit well and just get tossed aside.

I hear ya on that...real hassle to return shoes/boots online that don't fit. Sometimes you have to get an RMA # and dance through their hoops. Boot salesman that knew what he was doing....yeah, lost trade and bygone era.

Kevin

[luvmexfood]

I need a pair of boots also. Unfortunately I've found it prohibitive to order boots online. I'm an old guy that remembers going into stores and having someone that knows how to fit shoes/boots to a customer. Now days, I tend to collect shoes that don't fit well and just get tossed aside.

I hear ya on that...real hassle to return shoes/boots online that don't fit. Sometimes you have to get an RMA # and dance through their hoops. Boot salesman that knew what he was doing....yeah, lost trade and bygone era.

Kevin

I can't buy boots or shoes on line. Pretty much flat footed and have to try them on. Last pair I found that fit were at basspro. Redheads. Not my first choice but if thats all you can find. Most regular boots fill like I have a 3/4 cake of worn out soap in my instep. Can't stand them.

[John Mc]

I can't buy boots or shoes on line. Pretty much flat footed and have to try them on. Last pair I found that fit were at basspro. Redheads. Not my first choice but if thats all you can find. Most regular boots fill like I have a 3/4 cake of worn out soap in my instep. Can't stand them.

Have you tried any of the aftermarket insoles? Some of them are made for either high or low arches. Or you could lift the existing insole and put something in to build up a bit under the heal and/or ball of your foot to help flatten the arch a bit.

Go in small increments, if you try this. Remember you may have to loosen laces way up and re-tie, then wear your boots around to form them to the new fit.

[Atlantic Trader]

I posted a pic of the husqvarna boots in this thread does anyone know if they can be purchased in the United States?

[wfcjr]

Likely narrow down to either Haix or Arbortec.
Can get Class 2 & Class 3 protection.  Class 2 from Haix, Class 3 from Arbortec.

Big downside with what appears to be all brands is that the soles are molded on rather than
goodyear welt & stitched.... so they can't be replaced.  Bit of a disappointment that such expensive
boots cannot be re-soled.

Any one have any experience with either of these boot brands?

Thanks....

[grassfed]

I have been using Haix Airpower P7 High boots since spring. They are not chainsaw protection boots but they give very good support and fit well after they are broken in. You can get them resoled and Haix sends you info on how to do that with the boots. I purchased mine from the Haix online store that sells "seconds" the price is very good on those but sizes are limited. I am very hard to fit (13 5E) so I thought that by getting these I would get an idea how they fit and might buy the chainsaw boots when I can afford them. I also have a pair oh Hofmans caulked boots that I like alot I have the 9012s but now they are upgraded and are called 9014. You can buy them online from hofmans. They only come in E but the 14s fit me ok and also give very good support. I have Husqvarna rubber boots that are about worn out and a pair of Labonville leather Chainsaw boots that are also pretty worn out . I will probably get the Labonville resoled at some point but since there are not any cobblers around anymore I have to send them out.

[wfcjr]

Update.

Ordered & received 2 pairs of boots; Haix Protector Prime and SwedePro Leather Chainsaw Boots.

The Haix boots carry a European Class 2 rating, (Class 3 being the highest & Class 1 lowest for chainsaw protection).
The only reference to ratings on the SwedePro that I can find are that it "meets the requirement for chainsaw protective footwear" in some OSHA reg.  The OSHA reg only requires that footwear "protect the employee against contact with a running chainsaw".... whatever that means.

At any rate, both have steel toes.  Both have fibers in the layers of the boot, like chaps.

Where they differ...  the Haix is very stout.  Feels almost like wearing a ski boot, albeit a more forgiving ski boot.
Just based upon feel alone, it seems like the Haix will provide greater cut resistance/protection.  The Haix are have a GoreTex layer, the SwedePro do not.
Haix is also a molded, integrated sole... forget about resoling.  Haix uppers are a NuBuck or suede, so no polishing/conditioning.

The SwedePro fits more like a traditional boot, looks more like a traditional boot.  Will likely be more comfortable for walking & working.
American made, Goodyear welt and sewn on/glued on sole.  So can be re-soled.  Traditional leather upper, will take polish, Sno Proof etc.
No GoreTex layer for the GoreTex fans out there.

My concern is that the Haix will be very stiff & somewhat awkward for walking around.  Also, I use a tractor to help with cutting trees for firewood and for skidding logs out to woods roads & trails.  Unless I am cutting logs into firewood length behind the barn, I am pretty much always working from the tractor when cutting trees, 9' log lengths and skidding.  The SwedePro will likely be an easier boot for working the clutch, accelerator, brakes, etc. 

Either boot is a big step up from my current leather work boots.  The Haix is likely more protection than the SwedePro but a lot less comfortable and mobile.  The SwedePro wears more like a boot, but the chainsaw protection/resistance is likely not on par with the Haix.  While both boots are very different in look, feel and construction, both boots, out of the box, appear to be of a very high quality.  Disclaimer here... no idea how either will wear long term.

So if I were going for pure safety, would be the Haix.  If I were going for comfort would be the SwedePro.
Question is, do the SwedePro provide enough safety to warrant the comfort, and/or do the Haix provide an extra measure of safety to warrant the compromise in comfort & mobility?

Gonna keep one & return the other once I (try to) figure this out.

If anyone has first hand experience with either, would be great to hear from you. 

Thanks,

[Ozarker]

Thanks for the update. I'm looking to get a pair of the SwedePro, too, this winter.

[celliott]

I will probably get the Labonville resoled at some point but since there are not any cobblers around anymore I have to send them out.

There's a shop in Barre VT that does boot resoling. They did a pair of chippewas for me last summer. I was pleased.
Boisvert's is the place. Think they mostly advertise motorcycle and leather goods but they do shoe repair as well.

[Old Greenhorn]

If you are doing research, this is a good place to do it. Use the search tool and just search all threads for "Haix" or other key words, seems like most of the discussion is in the logging section, here is just ONE, there are many more threads.

[barbender]

 My first pair of Haix XR200's had the sole seperate. Haix replaced them, even though they were no longer under warranty which I thought was great customer service. The second pair had the sole seperate after about a year and a half as well. 

 Lacking much for other options for saw boots, I bought another pair of XR200's. These ones have lasted longer without the sole separation issue, so I think maybe they got the issue figured out.

 Outside that sole separation, the Haix boots are top quality, with excellent components throughout, like real Gore-tex linings. 

 One other issue I forgot about, they have a locking lace system and it chews through your boot laces fairly quickly.

 I also find them rather stiff. Because of the good quality I'd like to say that they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned, but that's not the case.

 I think the XR200's are 6" height, and I would prefer 8". You have to go to their other saw boot, the model of which I forget at the moment, to get a taller boot. Those ones only come in flaming red, orange and lime green and I guess I'm not secure enough in my masculinity to rock a pair of boots that look like they came from Elton John's wardrobe🤷 If they came in black or brown I'd buy a pair.

[John Mc]

I've owned a pair of Haix XR200 boots for years, and not had a problem with sole separation. Very comfortable and have held up well.

The Haix XR200 boots have 7" uppers, European class 1 cut protection, brown leather
Haix Protector Ultra: 8" uppers and class 2 cut protection, available in bright green or red
Haix Protector Prime: 9" uppers and class 2 cut protection, orange

The Ultra boots were not made when I was shopping. I found the Primes too tall for my comfort, so went with the XR200 boots.  I do like the tread pattern on the the Ultra and Prime boots better than the style on the XR200. When these XR200 finally wear out, I'll consider the Ultra.

A sizing tip, if you are ordering online: My brother and I have both found the XR200 boots to run true to size. When I tried on the Ultra at a trade show, I was advised to go down a half size - that advice seemed right one, though I only had them on briefly.