Forestry Safety Gear: Chainsaw Boots, Trousers, Jacket, Helmet Kit and Gloves

Forest work combines several hazards at once: a running chain close to the legs and feet, falling branches, noise, flying chips, uneven and slippery ground, and machines that need to see you. No single garment covers all of that. This guide goes through a complete forestry safety kit from the ground up – chainsaw boots, chainsaw trousers, a visible forestry jacket, a helmet kit with visor and ear defenders, and gloves – and explains which standard and marking to look for on each item. It is written for forestry contractors, landscapers, municipal crews and construction companies that clear trees on site.

The forestry kit at a glance

Chainsaw boots: EN ISO 17249 classes

Chainsaw protective boots are safety boots with an extra layer of cut-protective material in the front of the upper. Like chainsaw trousers, the fibres are pulled into the drive sprocket and block the chain. They are tested and marked to EN ISO 17249, with a chainsaw pictogram and a protection class:

Choose a class that matches or exceeds the maximum chain speed in your saw's manual. Because EN ISO 17249 boots are also safety footwear, they have a protective toe cap, and most models add a puncture-resistant sole, water resistance and a deep cleated outsole for forest ground. When comparing boots, check:

• the chainsaw symbol and class on the tongue or inside label – a toe cap alone is not chainsaw protection;
• a high leg that supports the ankle on uneven ground;
• a deep, self-cleaning sole with good grip on wet roots and snow;
• water resistance and cold insulation (CI) for Nordic winters;
• lacing or hooks that will not catch on branches.

An alternative for occasional users is to wear normal safety boots with chainsaw-protective gaiters certified to EN ISO 11393-5. For forest workers who do not operate a saw – machine operators, planters, surveyors – a waterproof, insulated high-leg safety boot is usually enough. Our safety boots range includes waterproof, winter-rated high boots for that kind of work; they are not chainsaw-protective boots, so always check for the EN ISO 17249 marking if you need cut protection.

Chainsaw trousers and bib and brace

Leg protection is the most important part of the chainsaw kit, because most chainsaw injuries are to the legs. Trousers and bib and brace are certified to EN ISO 11393-2 (older products to EN 381-5). Two things matter on the label:

• Class – the chain speed tested: class 1 = 20 m/s, class 2 = 24 m/s, class 3 = 28 m/s.
• Design – Design A protects the front of the legs and is standard for trained professionals; Design C protects all around the leg and suits occasional users, storm-damage work and awkward positions.

We explain classes and designs in detail in our guide to chainsaw protective clothing, EN ISO 11393 classes and Design A vs C. Bib and brace stays in place better when you bend and kneel, and keeps snow out at the waist; trousers are easier to put on and lighter in summer. Note that trousers made only for clearing saws or brushcutters do not necessarily have chainsaw protection – if the same worker also uses a chainsaw, choose EN ISO 11393 trousers.

Forestry jacket and visibility

In the forest you need to be seen by colleagues and by forest machines, often in dim light. A forestry jacket in orange or with high-visibility panels and reflective tape makes that much easier. There are two types:

• Chainsaw jacket – with cut-protective layers in the arms, shoulders and front, for limbing and work above waist height. The Portwest CH15 Oak Professional has 6 protective layers in the arms, front body and shoulders, plus a reflective panel and heat-resistant reflective tape.
• Forestry work jacket – no cut protection, but durable fabric, visible colours, ventilation and pockets. Examples in our range are the Portwest CH10 Oak, which matches the Oak trousers, and the orange and green CXS LESNIK jacket.

If your site or client requires certified high-visibility clothing, look for EN ISO 20471 on the label – an orange colour alone is not the same as a hi-vis certification.

Helmet kit: helmet, visor and ear defenders

A forestry helmet kit protects the head, face and hearing in one system. A complete kit normally combines:

• a safety helmet to EN 397 against falling branches;
• a mesh visor to EN 1731 that stops chips and sawdust while letting you see and breathe;
• helmet-mounted earmuffs to EN 352 – a chainsaw is loud enough that hearing protection is needed whenever it runs.

The Portwest PW98 Forestry Combi combines a ventilated helmet with ratchet adjustment, height-adjustable earmuffs and a reinforced mesh visor with eye guard. For brushcutting and clearing-saw work we also stock the 3M G500 kit, which pairs a mesh visor (EN 1731) with earmuffs (EN 352-1) on a headband; it has no helmet shell, so for felling, where branches can fall, choose a kit with a safety helmet. Check the manufacturer's service life for the helmet and replace it after any heavy impact.

Gloves

The left hand holds the front handle and is closest to the chain, so chainsaw gloves usually have the cut protection in the left glove. Current gloves are certified to EN ISO 11393-4; older products carry EN 381-7. The Portwest A290 Oak gloves are full-grain leather with chainsaw protection in the left hand, rated EN 381-7 Class 0 (16 m/s). Look also for a good grip on the saw handles and enough warmth for winter work – a thin liner glove can help in the cold.

Putting the kit together

Order the kit as a set so that sizes and colours match and nothing is missing on the first day. Browse everything in one place in our forestry workwear collection. EU companies with a valid VAT number buy VAT-free under the reverse charge, and we deliver to EU countries from Estonia in 8–16 days (Estonia 8–11 days).

FAQ

Are safety boots with a steel or composite toe cap enough for chainsaw work?

No. A toe cap protects against impact and crushing, not against a running chain. For chainsaw work, choose boots marked EN ISO 17249, or wear chainsaw-protective gaiters (EN ISO 11393-5) over safety boots.

Which EN ISO 17249 class do I need?

Check the maximum chain speed in your saw's manual and choose a class that matches or exceeds it: class 1 is 20 m/s, class 2 24 m/s, class 3 28 m/s and class 4 32 m/s.

Do I need ear protection with a chainsaw?

Yes. Chainsaws and brushcutters are loud, so wear earmuffs or a helmet kit with integrated earmuffs whenever the engine runs.

Is an orange forestry jacket the same as hi-vis clothing?

Not necessarily. Many forestry jackets use orange for visibility, but certified high-visibility clothing carries the EN ISO 20471 marking and class on the label.