Are you looking for the best anti-cut gloves for chainsaw? Read my reviews, my opinions and the guide to choosing.
Those who work in the gardening sector, and those who love to take care of their green spaces, know that their hands are constantly put at risk. The dangers they can face are many, and mainly concern mechanical risks such as crushing, cutting and obviously abrasions. For this reason it is essential to protect them by choosing a pair of professional work gloves equipped with all the appropriate certifications. Precisely because it is a “cutting edge” issue, it is good to deal with it in depth.
Note: remember that the use of gloves is required by law. Never underestimate their importance.
Table of Contents
Characteristics of anti-cut gloves for chainsaws
Gloves are rightly considered as one of the most important PPE (personal protective equipment) by far for those who work in gardens. This is because the hands, due to the nature of the activities we do outdoors, are easily subject to many dangers. Clearly the most common are those we say “light”, such as small abrasions and cuts, but do not underestimate the biggest risks, such as cuts due to the crazy bars of chainsaws.
Here our gloves come into play, faithful allies who will be able to protect us from these unfortunate circumstances. As long as they are of quality and, of course, equipped with all the appropriate certifications. Specifically, they must first have the CE mark, in the absence of which I suggest you run away immediately. For a matter of safety, of course, but also because of the poor materials, which could cause dermatitis and various inflammations of the skin.
On the other hand, know that a pair of professional chainsaw gloves will have different characteristics from a common pair of work. This is due to the need to oppose the cutting risks created by the blade that comes into contact with the back of the hand.
How do they work? The system is identical to the anti-cut trousers for chainsaw, and I’ll explain it to you right away: in practice, the back of the glove has a special padding made with filamentary fibers. Should it impact with the chainsaw, the filaments will come out of the sheath “mixing” with the teeth of the chain. Then they will be dragged up to the clutch and, accumulating, will cause the blocking of the rotation of the chain itself. The system is as simple as it is effective, and will allow you to stem the bulk of the damage.
Before proceeding, there is some more info you should know. First of all, the specific gloves for chainsaws always have the icon of this tool printed on the internal label. Secondly, its degree of protection is always established based on the speed reached by the chain. To give you an example, there are models that can protect you up to a maximum speed of 20 meters per second.
Best cut resistant gloves
1. Oregon 295399L Gloves Size L Yellow
If you do not have great needs, and you need a protective glove for a chainsaw with cutting speeds up to a maximum of 16 meters per second (class 0), then I recommend this pair. The yellow Oregon gloves have filamentous protection in both the right and left (type B), and can count on an excellent quality of materials. In spite of a low price in my opinion, therefore, they are among the most convenient ever.
- Class: 0 (16 m / s)
- Protection: right and left
- Cuff: elastic cotton
- Certification: chainsaw, crushing
The outer lining is in soft leather, while the inner one is in nylon filaments, which twist around the chain blocking it in the event of an accident. The cuff does not have a strip but a stretch cotton band, and is particularly comfortable to wear, without blocking blood circulation. I had a chance to test them and the blade really locks in immediately, so I rate it very good for safety.
Note: there is also the orange model, as always class 0 (16 m / s) but with filament protection only in the left glove.
The resistance of the leather will allow you to do any job, relying on a pair of gloves designed to last a long time without getting too damaged. Also, know that these Oregon models can be washed without problems in the washing machine, and it takes very little to make them look like new. Finally, there are different sizes available and once worn they are particularly comfortable.
2. Stihl DYNAMIC Protect MS Size L
Stihl is undoubtedly one of the most reliable manufacturers, and it is no coincidence that its (professional) cut-resistant gloves cost more than other manufacturers. I would like to talk to you about the DYNAMIC Protect MS model, with size L (10 inches) and with internal filament coating on both the right and left glove (type B). The quality of the materials is truly amazing, as the outer calf leather proves.
- Class: 1 (20 m / s)
- Protection: right and left
- Cuff: elastic cotton with velcro strip
- Certification: chainsaw
The cuff is in elastic cotton with additional velcro strip, to better tighten the glove on the wrist and to adapt it to any circumference. As far as performance is concerned, we are really at the top: in the event of an accident the back of the skin opens, letting out the filaments, which will therefore immediately block the sliding of the chain on the chainsaw bar.
Note: in addition to size L you can also find size M (9 inches). There is also the class 0 version, therefore capable of withstanding a maximum cutting speed of 16 m / s.
Important detail: it is a class 1 glove, therefore it can withstand up to a chain sliding speed of 20 meters per second. It is very comfortable and comfortable to wear, and then it is a pair of course CE certified and equipped with the appropriate EN UNI certification for use with chainsaws. In conclusion, this is an expense that I believe is more than justified, considering the excellent quality.
3. Husqvarna Technical Polyester Class 1
Another lap, another run, another pair of cut-resistant gloves for class 1 chainsaws, therefore able to withstand up to a chain sliding speed of 20 meters per second. This is another high quality model, with a lower cost than Stihl products, but equally performing. The sturdiness is excellent and the protection is ensured by the compliance with the UNI EN standard for PPE for chainsaws.
- Class: 1 (20 m / s)
- Protection: right and left
- Cuff: elastic with velcro strip
- Certification: chainsaw
Consider that it is slightly stiffer than the Stihl models, which win both in terms of safety and in terms of softness and comfort. For this reason, if you have a size 9, I recommend that you take the 10 to be able to hear the chainsaw better. The materials are however excellent, both as regards the internal filament layer, and as regards the external covering in goat leather.
Note: I would also like to introduce you to the less demanding version, with class 0 and therefore able to withstand a speed of 16 meters per second.
Consider that the chainsaw cut protection is present on both the right and left gloves, and that the long-term resistance of the goatskin is high. Secondly, this pair of Husqvarna gloves has excellent quality seams, reinforced near the thumbs, and has an elastic cuff with Velcro strip closure. As far as standards are concerned, it complies with EN 381-7 and EN 388.
4. Work Secure Class 1 Chainsaw 20m / s
I decided to close my reviews by introducing you to this pair of cut resistant chainsaw gloves produced by Work Secure. They are a class 1 pair and therefore you can use them in combination with chainsaws with a maximum speed of 20 meters per second. They have a lower cost than other more famous brands, but still comply with all safety regulations (both CE and EN UNI).
- Class: 1 (20 m / s)
- Protection: right and left
- Cuff: rubber band
- Certification: chainsaw
They are not as comfortable as top-of-the-range gloves, but they fit well, although they are quite stiff. Of course at this price it would be difficult to expect more, considering that you will pay them less than half compared to a Stihl glove (the absolute top range). Also, be aware that protections with filamentary material are present in both the right and left gloves.
The quality is still high, with good attention to detail, such as the padding on the palms and the double stitching near the thumbs. In summary, we are faced with a pair of forest gloves that makes its “holy figure”: they are recommended especially if you want to save money, without sacrificing too much, although in my opinion – when it comes to safety – it is never the case. to skimp on expenses.
How to choose anti-cut chainsaw gloves
1. Materials and layers
First of all, a premise: chainsaw gloves are not designed to protect the palm of the hand from severe cuts, only the back. It means they have some sort of super effective protective cap on the outside of the hand, but are weaker on the inside. While they are amply padded, they are not suitable for protecting your hands from being cut with pneumatic scissors, and you should know this. As far as materials and layers are concerned, the question needs to be investigated.
- Outer layer: The outer layer of the glove is often made of soft leather, and has the task of protecting the filamentous filler from those small cuts that could cause the material to leak out. In summary, it has the simple purpose of acting as a first shield against superficial cuts and abrasions, and is obviously anti-tear.
- Inner layer: the real star of a pair of gloves for chainsaws. As I explained to you, inside there is a filling made of filamentary fibers, often derived from materials such as nylon, kevlar and prolar. In the event of a cut, the fibers will come out and wrap around the chain, preventing it from sliding, creating a solid block on the transmission.
In spite of the simplicity of the system, the latter knows how to prove itself really effective, because it minimizes the potential damage caused by the chainsaw. In summary, it will reduce the severity of the dangers incurred by the operator, providing in-depth protection although obviously not total, but just enough to… hold hands. It is also clear that a glove damaged following an accident must imperatively be replaced with a new pair.
As for the materials, nylon fibers are the most widely used, together with kevlar (aramid fiber) and prolar, which we find only in premium category gloves. Know that your fingers and palms are also protected, often with a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) filling. It resists abrasion very well and also has a decent stopping power against chainsaws, but clearly does not offer the same protection as the back.
2. Class and cutting speed
Not all anti-cut gloves for chainsaws are the same, because there are products that offer a more or less high degree of resistance. When we talk about protection, we also talk about performance, which is always defined by a specific class (0, 1, 2 or 3). Depending on the class, the glove will be able to withstand a chainsaw with a cutting speed within certain maximum values.
- Class 0: these are basic gloves, designed to protect the back of the hands within a maximum speed of 16 meters per second.
- Class 1: in this case you take a small step forward, with a back protection in elastic fibers capable of protecting up to a speed of 20 meters per second.
- Class 2: class 2 indicates the presence of a pair of chainsaw gloves capable of withstanding a maximum cutting speed of up to 24 meters per second.
- Class 3: class 3 is the highest. We find it only in gloves for professionals and offers back protection up to a maximum cutting speed of 28 meters per second.
The class is specified not only in the information booklet that you will find in the glove box, but also in the internal label. You usually find the class just below the chainsaw symbol enclosed inside a shield icon. Do you have to buy a professional pair of class 2 or 3? It is absolutely not certain, since it depends on the type of chainsaw you use. Of course, it is clear that with a very high performance glove you can count on better protection.
3. CE mark and UNI EN standard
We assume that a cut-resistant glove should always have the CE mark, to be considered as a minimum to be worn without risk. In reality, it is not only the CE certification that counts but also the presence of the label that specifies the UNI EN standard. This is UNI EN 381-7: 2001, which tells us the following: that pair of gloves has been tested and managed to offer an optimal degree of protection against the so-called mechanical risk (cuts, abrasions, crushing, etc.).
4. Padding only on the left?
In certain models of protective gloves you may find a left glove with a greater thickness than the right. In this case you are faced with a type A, with an anti-chainsaw guard located only in the left, to protect the hand that is usually closest to the bar. In this type of gloves the right is without reinforcement against possible chainsaw cut. This does not happen in type B anti-cut gloves, where both accessories are equipped with specific reinforcements and have the same thickness.
5. Technical data sheet and deadline
I always advise you to study the technical data sheet of a pair of gloves, because inside you will find a lot of valuable information. First, the resistance at a given cutting speed (e.g. 16 meters per second) will be specified here. Secondly, this is where you will find the expiration date of the gloves, because any PPE – a bit like with food – has a date after which it can no longer be used. Other interesting information is specified in the information booklet, such as correct maintenance operations (cleaning without solvents, and more).
6. Ergonomics and measures
On the one hand, safety counts, but on the other hand it is important that the gloves fit perfectly, also as a matter of feedback and comfort. Consequently, it is very important to “get it right”. How to do it, since you will probably buy them online without having the chance to try them? There is a rule that explains it to you.
In practice, you have to calculate the circumference of the palm, measuring it between the crotch of the index finger and the thumb (therefore about 2 cm below the base of the index finger). This measurement will need to be converted from centimeters to inches in order to find the perfect size for your needs. I’ll give you a concrete example: if the circumference of your hand is 25 cm, then 10 inches, you will need to buy a pair of anti-cut chainsaw gloves of size 10.
7. Cuff structure
So far we have mainly focused on the degree of protection and the materials, but know that the glove also has other aspects to analyze. I’m talking about the cuff, for example, which is usually made with an elastic material such as spandex or stretch cotton. In reality we can also find models of gloves with elastic band and velcro strip, which you can adapt to the circumference of the wrist.
The presence of one or the other option basically depends on the manufacturer: Husqvarna prefers Velcro strips, and the same goes for Stihl. The Oregon, on the other hand, uses long elastic cuffs without Velcro strips.
Utility of gloves and risk assessment
Now that you know how to choose anti-cut gloves for chainsaws, I would like to underline again some information that is important to me. First of all, you must be able to assess the actual extent of the risk, by purchasing a pair of accessories with a suitable protection class, but without exaggerating.
If your chainsaw does not exceed a cutting speed of 16 m / s, for example, you will not need to buy a class 3 that protects you up to 28 ms. This is also due to the fact that the very high protection gloves have a wider internal filament layer, therefore they are heavier and less manageable than the others. So make sure you respect what the IPR laws impose, without wanting to overdo it at all costs.
Secondly, I remind you that a work glove may not fit the chainsaw. You can easily notice it by viewing the icon printed on the internal label, where the chainsaw symbol must be present. If you find the hammer, for example, it means that that glove protects you from the risk of crushing but does not have the filamentary reinforcement, so it is not suitable for a use with chainsaws.
