Design C Chainsaw Trousers

Type A chainsaw trousers protect the front of the leg only, covering the thighs, knees and shins. They're the standard choice for ground-based work where the chainsaw is used below waist height. Type C trousers wrap fully around the leg, offering front and back protection, and are recommended for climbers and anyone working above ground level where the saw could contact the leg from any angle.

Chainsaw trouser class relates to the maximum chain speed the fabric is rated to stop. Class 1 protects against chain speeds up to 20 m/s, Class 2 up to 24 m/s, and Class 3 up to 28 m/s. Most professional arborists in the UK use Class 1, as it covers the vast majority of chainsaws in use. Check your saw's chain speed and always choose a class that meets or exceeds it.

Yes. All Arbortec chainsaw trousers are certified to EN ISO 11393, the European standard for chainsaw protective clothing. Declarations of Conformity for the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain are available to download from our Declarations of Conformity page.

While both trousers share identical leg length and waist width, the Breatheflex Pro offers a sleeker silhouette with a slimmer thigh that tapers down to the ankle. This results in an overall narrower leg, coupled with a lower rise that rests comfortably on the lower waist. One of the standout features of the Breatheflex Pro is its improved fit, as the reduced fabric around the thigh to ankle area and lower positioning on the waist prevent any excess fabric in the crotch area. This results in a polished, modern fit that combines style and functionality seamlessly.

EU rated trousers are certified to EN ISO 11393, the standard used across the UK and Europe. This standard covers four classes based on chain speed (Class 1, 2 and 3 in our range) and offers a choice of Type A (front-leg protection) or Type C (full front and back protection), giving a wider range of design options. UL-rated trousers are certified to ASTM F1897-20 for the USA and ASTM F3325-20 for Canada, the standards required across North America. UL certification offers frontal protection with partial side coverage and follows a more streamlined design structure than the EU system. Always choose the standard that applies to the country you'll be working in; EU-certified trousers should not be worn in place of UL-certified trousers, or vice versa.

Chainsaw trousers should fit snugly at the waist with enough room to move freely at the knee, since a loose or short fit can leave gaps in protection. Measure your waist and inside leg length and check them against our Size Guide, which also covers Regular, Short, Tall and Extra Tall leg lengths.

Most Arbortec chainsaw trousers can be machine washed at 30°C on a gentle cycle, but always check the care label first as some fabrics and hi-vis finishes need different treatment. Avoid fabric softener, as it can reduce the effectiveness of the protective layer. Full instructions are on our Maintenance Guide.

Arbortec chainsaw trousers are manufactured in our own factory in Portugal, with design and testing carried out at our in-house innovation lab in the UK. Keeping production and testing under one roof lets us control quality and certification at every stage.