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A chainsaw is one of the most dangerous power tools in your shed, especially if you’re someone who regularly conducts chainsaw maintenance b, which is why equipping yourself with the proper protective gear is so important. Chainsaw gloves look similar to work gloves but are manufactured to stop a chainsaw blade in the event it comes into contact with your non-dominant hand while you use your dominant one to hold the trigger.
A good set of chainsaw gloves not only resists the cut of a chainsaw blade but will also protect your hands when you grip rough logs or sharp limbs. Chainsaw gloves should also provide flexibility to allow for freedom of movement to grip the chainsaw trigger.
Ahead, I cover everything you need to consider when shopping for chainsaw gloves and share some of the best pairs I recommend.
The Best Chainsaw Gloves
- Best Overall: Vgo Chainsaw Gloves
- Best Value: Oregon Protective Chainsaw Work Safety Gloves
- Best Light Duty: Husqvarna Chainsaw Safety Gloves
- Best Cold Weather: Vgo Lined Chainsaw Gloves
- Best Durable: Yardmaris Chainsaw Gloves
What to Consider
Material and Durability
Using a chainsaw requires a significant amount of lifting and moving wood. There are also times when you may need to hold the cutting bar while conducting maintenance, so a good chainsaw glove needs to protect your hands from both rough bark and sharp chainsaw blades.
The palms should be made from cowhide or goatskin leather, which resists cuts and abrasions while still being flexible enough to allow you to make a fist, while the back of the glove should consist of a breathable material that promotes further flexibility, such as spandex, neoprene, or polyester.
Some chainsaw gloves, including the Vgo Chainsaw Gloves, also have patches with additional abrasion resistance on the palms. Others, like the Husqvarna Chainsaw Safety Gloves, reinforce parts of the glove that are prone to wear and tear, including the space between the thumb and forefinger. While these features add durability, they can also make the glove less flexible.
If you’re working in cold and wet conditions look for a pair of gloves that are insulated and waterproof, such as the Vgo Lined Chainsaw Gloves.
Cut Protection
All protective chainsaw clothing, including jackets, pants, and gloves, utilizes the same design principle—material layering in the most vulnerable areas—to protect you from the chainsaw’s blade. For gloves, this layered material is located on the top of the left hand, where cuts are most prevalent. When the moving chain comes into contact with the top of the hand, it pulls out these fibers, which instantly lengthen and wrap around the chainsaw’s drive, jamming it and stopping the chain from cutting through the glove and into the hand.
Chainsaw gloves, like other protective clothing, are rated under chainsaw protection classes. These ratings, which are range from 0-1 for chainsaw gloves, are based on the maximum chainspeed in meters per second (m/s) the protective part of the gloves can withstand:
- Class 0: Protects against chainsaw speeds of up to 16 m/s
- Class 1: Protects against chainsaw speeds of up to 20 m/s
Fit
Most chainsaw gloves come in three or four different sizes. They will also have either a hook and loop or an elastic or knit wrist strap. I prefer a hook-and-loop neoprene strap over an elastic wrist strap. The former allows you to get a tight fit around your wrist, keeping the glove securely on your hand while keeping wood chips and other debris out.
How We Selected
Having used and tested various types of chainsaws, I’m familiar with the importance of wearing a good set of chainsaw gloves when operating these dangerous tools. I used my own experience with chainsaw gloves along with extensive research, comparing the characteristics of different gloves and reading through dozens of customer reviews, to help inform my choices.
I limited my selections to only chainsaw gloves with an EN ISO 11393-4 safety rating, which means they’ve been tested to provide cut protection to the back of the hand and four fingers. My selections include both class 0 and class 1 rated gloves. I focused on gloves made of materials that I know offer sufficient dexterity, and as much as I could, I prioritized gloves with more size options, so almost anyone can find one that fits just right.
Pros
Five different size options- Added protection with patches on the palm
- Great dexterity thanks to innovative finger design
Cons
- Not the most durable
VGO’s chainsaw gloves have a 12-layer chainsaw stopper patch on the back of the left hand that has a 1 safety rating, which means it can stop chainsaw blades moving up to 20 m/s. PVC patches on the palm add another layer of protection when handling the chainsaw’s blade or lifting logs (though some users commented that the gloves wore out quicker than expected due to friction with rough logs).
These gloves use goatskin leather, which is more flexible than cowskin leather, to create solid freedom of movement, and the fingers are pre-curved, which makes it easier to grip the chainsaw handle. I also like the hook-and-loop wrist strap and five available sizes, both of which promise to keep the gloves snugly in place while keeping debris out.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL, XXL |
|---|---|
| Chainsaw protection class | 1 (up to 20 m/s) |
| Material | Goatskin leather, PVC patch, and spandex backing |
Pros
- Built with flexible materials
- Water-resistant palm
- Constructed with double-stitched seams and a reinforced palm
Cons
- Only available in one size
- Uses elastic wristband as opposed to a more secure hook-and-loop strap
Husqvarna’s chainsaw gloves offer good protection for lighter duty chainsawing tasks. The patch on the left glove stops chain speeds up to 16 m/s. The goatskin leather palm is flexible and water-resistant, so your hands stay dry in damp conditions while you maintain the necessary dexterity to grip the handle or maneuver logs.
Foam-laminated spandex on the back of hand, as well as neoprene knuckles, promote easy hand and finger movement. The gloves are also durably made with a reinforced trigger finger and double stitching on the thumbs. I do wish these gloves had a hook-and-loop strap, as opposed to an elastic wristband, which doesn’t hold the gloves as tightly to the hand. They also only come in one size, so they won’t work for everyone.
Key Specs
| Sizes | One |
|---|---|
| Chainsaw protection class | 0 (up to 16 m/s) |
| Material | Goatskin leather, neoprene knuckles, and spandex backing |
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Pros
- Reinforced palms and fingertips
- Good choice for wet conditions
Cons
- Uses knit cuff as opposed to hook-and-loop wrist strap
Oregon makes some of the top chainsaw blades, so it makes sense that the company would know how to make gloves that stop those blades. This pair has a left-hand cut patch that protects against blade speeds up to 16 m/s. Smooth leather palms make these gloves very flexible, giving them some of the best dexterity of any chainsaw glove on the list.
While the gloves do use a knit cuff instead of a hook-and-loop wristband, the palms are shaped to conform to your hand for a snug and secure fit. The palms are also reinforced, which adds durability and abrasion resistance when grabbing logs or branches. And since they’re waterproof, these gloves are a good choice if you happen to be working in a wet environment.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
|---|---|
| Chainsaw protection class | 0 (up to 16 m/s) |
| Material | Waterproof leather palm, polyester back |
Pros
- Insulated for working in cold weather
- Class-1-rated protection on the left hand
- Waterproof
Cons
- A little bulky
This set of class-1-rated chainsaw gloves offer excellent protection from both cuts and the elements. They’re lined with a layer of extra insulation that keeps your hands warm down to 32 degrees. This makes them the best choice for cutting firewood or clearing fallen limbs and trees after a winter storm.
They’re also waterproof and moisture-wicking, so your hands will also stay dry when conditions are wet. The gloves’ palms are reinforced with PVC patches that provide abrasion resistance when grabbing logs or holding the bar while chain tensioning.
There’s also a hook-andloop wrist strap that keeps cold air and snow (plus debris) out. While the thicker insulation and reinforced palms make these gloves beefier than other chainsaw gloves, the spandex back and goatskin palm allow for enough dexterity to grip your chainsaw handle comfortably.
Key Specs
| Sizes | M, L, XL, XXL |
|---|---|
| Chainsaw protection class | 1 (up to 20 m/s) |
| Material | Goatskin palm and spandex back with 3G insulate, reinforced PVC palms |
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Pros
- Genuine cow leather for excellent durability
- Class 1 level of chainsaw protection
- Hook-and-loop wrist strap for a secure fit
Cons
- Stiffer than most thanks to cow leather
If you’re looking for more durability and cut protection out of a pair of chainsaw gloves and don’t mind the stiffer feel, consider this pair of class 1 chainsaw gloves from Yardmaris. They have scraped cowskin palms and inner fingers that give them excellent cut and abrasion resistance. Just keep in mind that, in addition to feeling differently than many others, it may take longer to break these in than other chainsaw gloves that use goatskin.
The back is made from flexible neoprene that allows moisture to escape. I also like the hook-and-loop closure at the wrist that you can tighten for a secure fit, as well as the terry cloth thumb for wiping sweat off your brow.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
|---|---|
| Chainsaw protection class | 1 (up to 120 m/s) |
| Material | Genuine cows leather, neoprene |
Tony Carrick
Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.
