Arbortec Patriot BreatheFlex Pro Chainsaw Pants

The Arbortec BreatheFlex Pro chainsaw pants are lightweight, stretch-panel saw trousers with cut-resistant protection built into the front of the legs. The Patriot version is the US-market model of the BreatheFlex Pro, made for climbers and ground workers who want saw protection that moves like regular work pants.

Why climbers choose saw pants over chaps

Chaps work fine on the ground, but in the tree they snag on stubs, twist on your legs and trap heat. Chainsaw pants like the Arbortec BreatheFlex Pro put the cut-resistant layers inside the pants themselves, so the protection stays where it should when you are working a limb walk, setting a lanyard or crouching in a crotch.

The BreatheFlex Pro is built for movement. Stretch panels in the seat and knees let you high-step onto a limb or drop into a squat without the fabric fighting you, and the overall weight is low enough that you are not dragging extra pounds up the tree on every climb.

Pants also mean you are not wearing a second layer over your work trousers, which helps on hot days and keeps the protection from shifting when your saddle leg loops pull on it.

Comfort on long, hot days

Heat is the main reason people skip saw protection. Arbortec designs the BreatheFlex line around airflow, with breathable fabric and zip vents you can open when you are sweating through a summer removal. Close them up when the wind picks up or the brush gets thick.

The lower legs get tougher reinforcement, which helps where spurs, rough bark and brush piles wear out ordinary pants. Pair them with good arborist boots and a well-fitted saddle, and the pants should not bunch or ride up under your leg straps.

Pockets and belt loops matter more than you would expect. Check that you can still reach a phone, wedge or file without fighting your saddle, and that braces buttons or a belt keep the pants up when you are hanging in the tree.

Protection that you have to look after

Saw pants only work if the protective layers are intact. The fibers inside are designed to clog a moving chain; once they have been cut, that section is done and the pants should be retired. Inspect them regularly for cuts through the outer fabric, and follow Arbortec's washing instructions, since the wrong detergent or heat can reduce the protection.

Check the label for the standard the pants are certified to and the protected area, and make sure that meets your employer's rules and ANSI Z133 requirements for the work you do. No saw pants are cut proof. Safe saw handling, chain brakes, and training are still your first line of defense.

Keep in mind that most saw protection covers the front of the legs. The back of the leg and other areas are not protected, so good saw technique and body position are still what keeps you safe.

Fit and sizing

Order by waist and inseam, and try them on with your saddle if you can. You want enough room to move without loose fabric hanging below the boot or catching on gear. Compare other options in our chainsaw pants section.

If you are between sizes, think about what you wear underneath in winter and whether you want a little room for base layers.