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Chainsaw boots?

Started by gman98, May 08, 2016, 12:55:41 PM

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gman98

Hello guys.  This fall I'm going to college for a technical forestry program.  I need to get a pair of chainsaw protection boots for my program.  I live and will be going to school in a wet and snowy region, so I'm looking at a set of rubber boots with the chainsaw protection.  What do you guys reccomend for boots?

Thanks
Forest technician and part time equipment operator.  Looking to get set up with some logging equipment of my own.

motohed

Personaly , I like a leather kevlar reinforced steel toed boot with regular treatment of snowseal applied liberally . I then use a heat gun and cook it in . The rubber boots , just don't give me the support or compfort , I like .

Carson-saws

I personally like the "Rockeys" with GORTEX, black leather, steel toe, climbing boots.  Served me well in the cold and comfortable. I am guessing they require you to wear chaps.  The "ROCKEYS"  for me,  broke in well and were stable in and out of the tree. 
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

John Mc

MY rubber boots are OK when I've got to work in very wet conditions, but they are uncomfortable if I have to do much walking in them. They rub my shins raw. As a result, they don't get worn much. They might have been better if I'd ordered a bit larger so I could fit a pair of wool felt boot liners inside them (kind of like what is inside the Sorrel pack boots or the LL Bean duck boots). Of course, then they'd probably be too hot for the warm weather work.

I just ordered a pair of the leather Haix chainsaw protective boots at the Logging Expo in Vermont last Friday. Looking forward to them coming in. Should be a whole lot more comfortable.
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

barbender

     I've been looking those Haix saw boots over pretty hard myself.  I'll be waiting for the detailed review, John Mc  ;)
Too many irons in the fire

John Mc

To resurrect an old thread:

I've been very happy with my Haix Airpower XR200 chainsaw boots. I ordered the medium width (the wide they had at the show were just too sloppy on my feet). Along with chainsaw cut protection, they provide good support without being too stiff to be comfortable. They are as comfortable as my hiking boots, so they get worn regularly when I am cutting. They are a step down form their top of the line, Protector Prime boots, but the Primes just did not seem as comfortable on my foot (they guy trying on boots at the same time as me liked the fit of the Protector Prime better than the XR200, so it pays to try on both)

I did just get a notification that Haix USA (www.haixusa.com) is running a series of 1-day flash sales all this week which offer 15% off & $5 shipping on a different boot each day this week. Sometime later this week, the boot of the day will be one of the Protector Prime models. A contact at the company also mentioned that you can get 15% off your next purchase (of ANY boot) if you sign up for their newsletter.
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

celliott

I just got a pair of the protector prime's. Not necessarily as just a chainsaw boot but an all around woods  work boot. I do run a saw fairly often though so the protection factor is nice. I like them for their support and how waterproof they are. Time will tell on durability. I've only had mine about a week, so not broken in yet, but I like them so far. I was getting tired of the chippewa logger style boots (just too heavy and hot for summer work) so I wanted to try a different style of boot.

I also have a pair of the orange rubber boots with felt liners for winter time wear. My advice is don't expect one boot to do it all, and do it well. You'll always have compromises. The rubber boots are fairly affordable so maybe get a pair of those for winter and then something else higher quality for the rest of the time.

Also, HAIX has factory seconds on their website (have to check often for size updates) at a significant discount. They also have older discontinued models at a heftier discount, but good luck finding your size...

I ordered my protector primes in a 11.5, I normally wear a 12, and they fit very well.
Chris Elliott

Clark 666C cable skidder
Husqvarna and Jonsered pro saws
265rx clearing saw
Professional maple tubing installer and maple sugaring worker, part time logger

celliott

Quote from: John Mc on July 25, 2017, 02:33:08 PM
I did just get a notification that Haix USA (www.haixusa.com) is running a series of 1-day flash sales all this week which offer 15% off & $5 shipping on a different boot each day this week. Sometime later this week, the boot of the day will be one of the Protector Prime models. A contact at the company also mentioned that you can get 15% off your next purchase (of ANY boot) if you sign up for their newsletter.

That figures, right after I ordered mine  ::)  I did get a $5 shipping deal though, so that was nice.
Chris Elliott

Clark 666C cable skidder
Husqvarna and Jonsered pro saws
265rx clearing saw
Professional maple tubing installer and maple sugaring worker, part time logger

DeerMeadowFarm

I bought a pair of Oregon boots this spring. They are leather. I have a hard time finding good boots (size 14 E). Oregon didn't have a wide offering but the guy said he'd get them in and I could try them. I have to say that they are honestly the most comfortable work boots I've ever had. I am planning to get another pair just to have because with my luck they'll discontinue the model or something!

John Mc

Do the Oregon boots have cut protection?
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

DeerMeadowFarm

Quote from: John Mc on July 26, 2017, 12:08:03 PM
Do the Oregon boots have cut protection?
Yes, class 2. The guy I bought them from is also a one-man show logger. He said the only thing he didn't like was the toe-cap protection. He had several pairs and all of them had the caps torn off for some reason...? I haven't torn mine yet but I am a weekend/after my day job warrior compared to him. 

 

Stoneyacrefarm

Deermeadow.
What's the price on the Oregon boots compared to the haix prime boots?
Work hard. Be rewarded.

John Mc

Haix Airpower XR200 list on Haix site as $269 (MSRP $309)
Haix Protector Prime list on Haix site as $329 (MSRP $369) (available in black or orange)

The prices do not include the 15% discount mentioned earlier, so that will drop things a bit further.

I'm not finding the Oregon Fiordland Chainsaw boots at my usual US suppliers. I do see them on eBay (new) from a few UK sellers. Prices (with shipping added) range from about US$185-$215. If past experience is any guide, the US price will be significantly higher (I'm guessing we have US liability laws to blame for that. The Husqvarna Technical Forest Helmet I bought from the UK was about 2/3 the price of what the same helmet sold for when it eventually became available in the US.)

The XR200 has 7" uppers, The Protector Prime has 9" uppers. I don't see the spec for the Oregon on this, but judging from the picture, I'd guess they are similar to the XR200: about 7" uppers, but dropping lower in the back. The 9" uppers on the Prime were a bit too much for my taste, but if you like a taller boot, they are well-constructed.
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

DeerMeadowFarm

Quote from: Stoneyacrefarm on July 26, 2017, 11:19:20 PM
Deermeadow.
What's the price on the Oregon boots compared to the haix prime boots?
$200. Any Oregon dealer can get them.

Stoneyacrefarm

Work hard. Be rewarded.

celliott

Chris Elliott

Clark 666C cable skidder
Husqvarna and Jonsered pro saws
265rx clearing saw
Professional maple tubing installer and maple sugaring worker, part time logger

DeerMeadowFarm

Quote from: celliott on July 28, 2017, 05:46:58 AM
Are they gore tex?
I don't know. From a site:
Oregon Fiordland Boots

Class 2
•High quality, breathable, oiled nubuck leather.
•Waterproof.
•Ergonomic ankle padding for added comfort & support.
•Lightweight.
•Steel anti-penetration plate in the outsole protects against sharp objects.
•Breathable, fast wicking linings for moisture and temperature control.
•Anatomically formed breathable foot bed, removable & washable. Provides pressure absorption, recovery and comfort whilst wicking away moisture.
•Twin row of stitching for added strength and long wear performance.
•OREGON® exclusive polyurethane / rubber durable outsole.
•Slip resistant outsole, with superb tread grip.
•Removable metal crampon for ultra grip, stability and log control.
•Non corrosive metal lacing hardware.
•Reinforced static hook attachments for quick and easy tightening and loosening.
•Steel toe cap (200 joules impact and 15,000 Newtons compression).
•Vulcanized rubber toe guard.
•13.80 cm (from footbed to top) comfortable height.
•Achilles heel area is designed to flex perfectly, to match natural barefooted comfort.
•With soft ergonomic design padding.
•Ergonomic designed fitting tongue & collar padding.

John Mc

Resurrecting a slightly old thread:

Haix has their new Protector Ultra chainsaw boots on sale for the next few of days. MSRP is $374, the "real" price if you look around a bit is $335. Now on sale for $279 with free shipping. 8" leather uppers, GoreTex liner, Vibram sole, European Class 2 cut protection.

I really like my Haix XR200 boots ($309 MSRP/$269 "real" price, 7" uppers, Goretex, class 1 cut protection). The Protector Ultra were not out when I bought mine, and I didn't want to go as tall as their Protector Prime (9" uppers). If I were buying today, and at this price - just $10 more than their XR200 boots - I'd go for the Protector Ultra.
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

gman98

Just an update.  I've been wearing the husqvarna rubber loggers for a year now, both logging in the winter and precommercial thinning in the summer.  I've been happy with them.  I also have a set of Viking black tusks with caulked soles for wet days when thinning or icy logging jobs.  The black tusks still need to break in all the way, but I have no complaints on either boot.
Forest technician and part time equipment operator.  Looking to get set up with some logging equipment of my own.

barbender

An update on my Haix XR200, the soles started to seperate from the leather uppers at about a year and a half old. Not acceptable at all for a nearly $300 boot. They are only worn in the warmer weather, and I spend 90% of my time in them in a machine. I know John and I have a difference of opinion on these boots, but I am giving them a big 👎👎👎 They are stiff and never did get to be comfortable for me, and I had my worst ankle sprain EVER wearing these things, personally I think due to the extreme stiffness and low height. I will never buy another pair of these.
Too many irons in the fire

John Mc

Quote from: barbender on December 11, 2017, 09:50:45 PM
An update on my Haix XR200, the soles started to seperate from the leather uppers at about a year and a half old. Not acceptable at all for a nearly $300 boot. They are only worn in the warmer weather, and I spend 90% of my time in them in a machine. I know John and I have a difference of opinion on these boots, but I am giving them a big 👎👎👎 They are stiff and never did get to be comfortable for me, and I had my worst ankle sprain EVER wearing these things, personally I think due to the extreme stiffness and low height. I will never buy another pair of these.

Wow! We certainly have had different experiences. Mine are holding up well, though I don't use them full time. I've found the ankle support fine - though my ankles have never been a problem (it's usually my knees which have troubles - which is why I tend to choose lower-cut boots: the more you lock in your ankles, the more stress it puts on your knees).

Did you contact Haix about the sole problem?
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

barbender

No, I didn't John, and maybe I should. Maybe they would stand behind them.
Too many irons in the fire

barbender

Well, update on this issue- I contacted Haix's customer service department with the issue about the sole separation, and they responded that they were going to do a courtesy replacement with a new pair of boots. I really wasn't expecting that and I have to give them Kudos for standing behind their product, when they didn't have to (they weren't under warranty anymore). All they asked for were pictures of the boots and the serial#.
Too many irons in the fire

HolmenTree

Bartender, that's great to hear!
Here's a pic of mine.
My Haix Protector Volt boots are 4 years old now and still no sole separation. I wear them everyday at work 8 months of the year. Most times they have climbing spurs strapped to them which are really hard on boots.
I've  changed their laces about 3 or 4 times already, their heels are worn down pretty good and one lace hook broke last season but their still holding out good. :)

Their a little stiff when new but it don't take long when their buttery soft.
Great arborist boot.


 
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

barbender

Holmen, I like to see that and that's more along the lines of what I was expecting from mine.
Too many irons in the fire

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