Arborist Clothing: What Tree Workers Actually Wear

What arborist clothing needs to do

Arborist clothing takes more abuse than almost any other workwear. It scrapes on bark, catches on stubs, soaks up sweat on a hot climb, and has to move with you through every reach, step and knee-up into a crotch. Good tree work clothes stretch where you bend, resist abrasion where you rub, breathe when you sweat, and fit around a saddle without bunching.

It helps to separate two categories. Work clothing, like climbing pants and shirts, protects you from scrapes, sun and weather. Personal protective equipment, like chainsaw pants or chaps, is designed to stop a moving chain. Climbing pants are not cut protection, however tough they feel.

This guide covers both, plus boots, layers and the brands that tree crews tend to buy again.

Tree climbing pants

Climbing pants are built for movement and abrasion. Look for a gusseted crotch, articulated or stretch knees, reinforced wear areas, and a waist that sits comfortably under a saddle belt. Pockets should not sit where leg loops or a lanyard will press on them.

Arborwear is the name many US climbers know best. The Original Tree Climbers' Pants are a heavy, durable classic, while the Ascender and Canopy pants are lighter for warm weather. Teufelberger's wayUP Light and Clogger's Spider pants are other popular climbing pants. Browse our climbing pants for the range.

Chainsaw pants and the Arbortec BreatheFlex Pro

When you run a saw, your legs need cut-resistant protection. Chainsaw pants have layers of long fibers that pull into the sprocket and stop the chain, and many climbers prefer them to chaps because they move better and do not snag. We cover the trade-offs in chainsaw chaps vs chainsaw pants.

Arbortec is a UK brand, often searched as "arbortech pants" or "arbor tech pants". Its BreatheFlex Pro chainsaw trousers are popular with climbers for their stretch panels and ventilation, and they come in several colors, camo versions and protection types. Clogger, from Australia, is the other big name, with lines such as the Zero, DefenderPro and Ascend. See our chainsaw pants section to compare.

Check the label for the standard and protection type each pair meets, and make sure it matches what your work and employer require. Retire chainsaw pants after any cut into the protective layer.

Tree climbing shirts and layers

The best tree climbing shirts are long-sleeved more often than not. Sleeves protect your arms from bark, poison ivy, insects and sun, and a lightweight wicking fabric keeps you cooler than bare skin on a summer climb. Choose a cut long enough to stay tucked under a saddle and with enough shoulder room to reach overhead.

For roadside work, wear high-visibility colors or a vest that meets your traffic control requirements. In cold weather, layer a wicking base, a fleece or a heavy hoodie like the Arborwear Double Thick, and a waterproof shell such as Arbortec's BreatheDry smock. Our sweatshirts and jackets section covers mid and outer layers.

Boots for climbing and ground work

Boots are part of your arborist clothing and part of your PPE. Chainsaw boots, such as the Arbortec Scafell Lite, Arbortec Kayo and HAIX Protector models, add cut protection in the front of the foot for saw work. Spur climbers often choose a stiff, tall boot with a strong shank, like the Wesco Highliner, to support the foot on gaffs.

Fit matters more than features. A boot that fits well, supports your ankle and grips bark is safer than an expensive boot that hurts. See our arborist boots section for options.

Arborist clothing brands at a glance

A handful of arborist clothing brands show up on most crews. Each has a slightly different focus, so it is common to mix them.

• Arborwear: US brand known for durable climbing pants, Double Thick sweatshirts and work shirts
• Arbortec: UK brand known for BreatheFlex Pro chainsaw trousers, jackets and chainsaw boots
• Clogger: Australian brand focused on light, cool chainsaw pants and chaps
• Teufelberger: Austrian rope maker that also makes climbing pants and technical layers
• HAIX and Wesco: boot makers popular for chainsaw and spur-climbing boots

Hats, gloves and small extras

A thin helmet liner beanie or neck warmer keeps you warm under a helmet in winter without crowding the fit. Suspenders help keep heavier chainsaw pants up when your saddle belt is doing other work, and a low-profile webbing belt will not dig in under a saddle.

Gloves are worth buying in multiples: thin, grippy gloves for climbing and rope work, and heavier ones for brush and chipper duty. Our gloves section covers both.

Fit, care and replacement

Try climbing clothes on in a climbing position: knee high, arms overhead, and seated in a saddle if you can. Size for the layers you will wear underneath in cold weather. Wash chainsaw pants according to the label, since harsh cleaning can affect the protective layer, and repair small tears in work pants before they grow.

Replace clothing when it no longer protects you. Worn-through knees are a nuisance; a cut chainsaw pant is a hazard.

For a crew, it is worth setting a simple standard: chainsaw pants or chaps for anyone running a saw, long sleeves for climbers, and high-visibility layers for roadside jobs. Buying a couple of spare pairs of gloves and a backup layer for each truck saves a lost morning when someone shows up underdressed or soaked.

Common questions

What do arborists wear?

Durable climbing pants or chainsaw pants, long-sleeved shirts, boots with good support, gloves, and a helmet with eye and hearing protection. High-visibility layers are added for roadside work.

Are Arbortec and arbortech pants the same thing?

Yes. The brand is Arbortec, a UK maker of arborist clothing. Arbortech and arbor tech are common misspellings.

Do tree climbing pants protect against a chainsaw?

No. Climbing pants resist abrasion but are not cut protection. Wear chainsaw pants or chaps when you run a saw.

What are the best shirts for tree climbing?

Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts in a wicking fabric, cut long enough to stay tucked under a saddle. Choose high-visibility colors for roadside work.