Chainsaw Trousers for Climbing and Felling: IOG Professionals on What Really Works
On the coast of British Columbia, some timber can only be reached the hard way: by helicopter or boat, then on foot under 60lbs of kit, onto ground too steep for any machine. This is where the climbers and fallers of Integrated Operations Group (IOG) spend their working days, in some of the wettest, steepest and most remote terrain in Canada.
We asked three of them what they need from their chainsaw protective clothing when the nearest workwear shop could be weeks away. Their answers are practical, honest and hard-earned, and we have kept them in their own words.
Chainsaw Trousers at Height: Nash, IOG Climber
Tell us about your role as a climber and what a typical working day looks like for you.
I am a contract climber for IOG, specifically I work as a Certified Utility Arborist as well as Forestry climber for the company. My typical day consists of scenic rides in helicopters or boats, at least one gruelling hike wearing 60lbs of gear, and usually the removal of complex danger trees in almost inaccessible areas.
What are the toughest conditions you regularly face when climbing in Canada?
The west coast of Canada can experience some extremely wet and rainy conditions, as well as very hot and dry summers. Working in remote areas along BC's coast usually means I'm either soaking wet or sweating more than I ever have before!
When you're working at height with a chainsaw, what do you need most from your protective clothing?
"Trust. The nature of our work at IOG is high risk, often the demands of our work push us to the limit and the last thing I want to be thinking about is whether or not my PPE is functional or not."
Comfortable and effective protective clothing is absolutely essential for long days and long shifts of daily climbing. I need to trust that it will protect me and remain comfortable.
How important are mobility, flexibility and weight when choosing chainsaw trousers and other PPE for climbing?
When climbing I always prefer lightweight and flexible chainsaw pants, days spent in the saddle require a product that can hold up to the dynamic nature of our work at IOG. Long hikes, exposed rock rappels, and hours spent in trees demand a streamlined gear kit to minimise fatigue over long shifts.
What clothing or PPE problems become much more noticeable once you're actually up in the canopy?
No one likes chafing, especially when working at heights at your physical and mental limits. Having PPE that configures well together, is flexible, and breathes is essential to comfort while climbing in settings like single stem harvest here at IOG. If your saw pants are rubbing or starting to create sore spots, they need to be switched for something that is more comfortable.
How do Canada's changing temperatures and weather conditions affect what you choose to wear on the job?
As a climber who has worked across the province of BC and western Canada it's essential that you pack for all weather. Managing temperature in the deep of winter or height of summer can be difficult, breathable protective clothing that can be paired with merino wool underlayers is key to staying effective in all conditions.
What Arbortec Forestwear products are you currently using, and how have they performed in your everyday work?
I am currently wearing my fourth pair of Arbortec Breatheflex Pros, and a pair of Arbortec Vented pants in my rotation of chainsaw pants. Both types of pants have held up well in the BC West coast environment, becoming my go-to for long days single stem climbing and windfirming.
Is there a particular feature of your Arbortec gear that you didn't appreciate until you started using it on the job?
Before becoming an avid user of Arbortec equipment and Arbortec saw pants I was sceptical of their durability. I've come to know that their saw pants are some of the more durable on the market.
"If they can hold up for years on end for those of us who single stem climb, they will work for any climber in the industry!"
If you could change or improve one thing about the clothing or PPE available to professional climbers, what would it be?
More comprehensive sizing would go a long way for climbers industry wide. When discussing chainsaw pants I often hear that certain brands feel and perform differently for every climber, many climbers love a certain brand but can't seem to find the correct fit for their body type and resort to custom tailoring aspects of their protective clothing.
What advice would you give to a new climber about choosing equipment they can depend on every day?
Remain open minded when choosing what to use in the field. There are numerous brands and types of kit that are circulating through the industry, sample as much as you can and tailor your equipment to your preferences.
Falling Timber on Steep Ground: Andrew, IOG Faller
Tell us about your role as a faller and the type of environments you typically work in across Canada.
Our role as fallers is to fall timber in places machines cannot access. The terrain is often steep and covered in dense underbrush which wears heavily on our gear as we push through the bush from tree to tree.
What makes a particularly demanding day in your job: terrain, weather, tree size, hours on the saw, or something else?
How steep the ground is and whether there's lots of ground debris can make a day particularly demanding. Salal is an evergreen shrub which grows in the Pacific Northwest which blankets the hillside in places, cutting trails through it is difficult and we often inadvertently create sharp protruding branches which damage our pants and boots.
When you're operating a chainsaw for long periods, what do you expect from your protective clothing?
I expect my pants to stop my chain which is spinning at thirteen thousand, five hundred revolutions per minute. They must also be able to hold a few essential items such as flagging tape and a tuning screwdriver. It is also imperative that they allow me to move without too much restraint.
How do you balance chainsaw protection with comfort, movement and keeping cool during physically demanding work?
My old pants were a sacrifice of safety for comfort.
"My new Arbortec [Breatheflex] Pros are the most comfortable, breathable pants I've worn which actually provide me with adequate protection."
How hard is your working environment on clothing, and which areas of your gear tend to take the most punishment?
Pants and boots take the most punishment. Boots wreck the pants because they have caulks (sharp metal spikes) on the bottom, which snag on pant legs and shred them. Sticks are constantly poking holes in our clothing from hiking in the bush.
How much does Canadian weather influence your choice of workwear throughout the year?
It's all about balancing the weather and safety requirements. We work in terrible weather provided we have not exceeded the rainfall shutdown criteria and that it's not too windy to safely fall trees.
What Arbortec Forestwear products have you been using, and what has stood out to you while working in them?
I've been wearing the Arbortec [Breatheflex] Pro pants and definitely notice the overall build quality and the articulated knee.
Have you noticed any difference in comfort, movement or fatigue when wearing Arbortec compared with equipment you've used previously?
They are more comfortable and provide more manoeuvrability.
If you were helping Arbortec design the ideal piece of workwear specifically for Canadian fallers, what would you want included?
I would say: rain jackets and legal high-vis. Our legal high-vis rain jackets have stitches through them, which means there are tiny holes in the rain jacket, which obviously is not conducive to working in the rain. I would appreciate a high-vis rain jacket that really repels the rain and can keep me dry.
For someone entering the profession, what's one lesson about PPE or workwear that you only really learn after spending years on the saw?
Cheap gear isn't good and when it fails on you in the middle of a three week shift in some secluded inlet far from any workwear store, you suffer. Also, "Safety is its own reward."
Comfort in Extreme Terrain: Bill, IOG Faller
Tell us about your role as a faller and the type of environments you typically work in across Canada.
We work in extreme terrain, going into truly remote places that are very, very steep.
What makes a particularly demanding day in your job: terrain, weather, tree size, hours on the saw, or something else?
All of the above! You have to imagine how dangerous and demanding this job is. Everything you add to the job adds difficulty: steep terrain, weather conditions, etc.
When you're operating a chainsaw for long periods, what do you expect from your protective clothing?
I expect them to do their job and keep me safe. There are times where you might take a tumble while hiking with all your gear. It's critical in all moments that our gear protects us.
How hard is your working environment on clothing, and which areas of your gear tend to take the most punishment?
The knees and boots take the most punishment. Boots always seem to wear out in the heel/Achilles tendon area. For fallers, the tips of our boots can wear out, too.
How much does Canadian weather influence your choice of workwear throughout the year?
Canadian weather has a big influence on what we wear throughout the year. It's getting hot in the summer, with more stormy, rainy weather, and we work through it if it's safe to do so. In the winter, we need heavy gear and stuff that keeps us dry. In the summer, we need stuff that keeps us cool.
What Arbortec Forestwear products have you been using, and what has stood out to you while working in them?
Arbortec pants... They're comfy! I've noticed that the pants have durable fabric wrapped around the backside and down the knee, which is a critical safety feature.
Have you noticed any difference in comfort, movement or fatigue when wearing Arbortec compared with equipment you've used previously?
When you bend your knee, the pants move with your knee. It adds a lot of comfort and reduces friction abrasions. It's certainly less fatiguing.
"Money truly well spent."
If you were helping Arbortec design the ideal piece of workwear specifically for Canadian fallers, what would you want included?
A summer pant, something lightweight for summer.
For someone entering the profession, what's one lesson about PPE or workwear that you only really learn after spending years on the saw?
Comfort. You function a lot better if you're comfortable. My Dad started in this industry a long time ago. One piece of advice he gave me was to buy boots that are comfortable and fit well. Spend the money. I've spent two-thirds of my life in these things. You need to be comfortable: that goes for everything!
What Climbers and Fallers Need from Their PPE
One climber, two fallers and three very different days on the saw. Yet the same three priorities ran through every answer.
Trust
Nash summed it up in a single word. When the work pushes you to your limits, your protection should be the last thing on your mind.
Comfort
All three came back to it. Breathability, articulated knees and freedom of movement are what carry you through a long shift.
Durability
Dense undergrowth, rock and spiked logging boots all take their toll on trousers. Weeks into a remote shift, there is no shop to replace what fails.
Our thanks to Nash, Andrew and Bill, and to the whole IOG team, for sharing their time and experience.
Lightweight, breathable and built to move with you. The Breatheflex Pro and Vented chainsaw trousers worn by the IOG crew are made for the long days, steep ground and changing weather described here.