Best Snake Chaps Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Breathability
One thing that you may notice while you are shopping for a pair of snake chaps is that they tend to be water resistant or waterproof. Water resistance on its own is a good thing as it will keep your clothes from getting wet. However, you are also going to want to make sure that your chaps are breathable so that you feel comfortable while you are using your chaps. Breathability is less of an issue in cooler temperatures (however, so are snakes as well) but in hot temperatures (where snakes tend to be more active), you will want to have a breathable pair of chaps.
Chaps that do not breathe well will trap warm air and moisture. As the air and moisture build-up inside the chaps, your legs will get hot and start to produce more sweat to cool your skin. This creates a negative feedback loop where the body tries to cool itself down and instead keeps warming itself back up. In order to prevent this, you need a pair of chaps that will allow air to circulate through your clothing so that moisture is pulled away from your skin and your skin cools down.
Some materials to look for that are known to be breathable would be polyester, nylon, and duck cotton canvas. These materials will generally resist water but will also allow air molecules to pass through them so that you are more comfortable while you are wearing your chaps. Breathability will make a huge difference when you are in warmer climates since the last thing that you need in such conditions is clothing that makes you even hotter than what you may already be.
Comfort
Like any piece of clothing, you are going to want to make sure that your chaps are comfortable so that you will want to wear them. There are a few different ways to ensure that your chaps are comfortable but you will want to start with areas such as how they fit and their flexibility. This will help to make sure that the chaps are not too tight or too loose and make it easier for you to move around.
Snake chaps tend to be made of thick materials, which is good because thicker chaps are less likely to be penetrated by snake fangs. The problem is that they aren't always flexible and may even start to feel bulky. For this reason, you will want to make sure that the jobs are not too constricting and bend and move with your body so that you can move freely while you are wearing the chaps.
Additionally, you are going to want to make sure that the chaps fit you properly. They need to be large enough to go over your pants and your boots, but they shouldn't be so larger that they get caught on things such as the brush. Likewise, the chaps should not be too small where they can tear or constrict your movement. Furthermore, you will need to make sure that the chaps have the proper length so that they are not too long or too short on you. Comfort matters when it comes to any piece of clothing so, in order to get the best value from your chaps, you should make sure that they are comfortable enough for you to wear them so that you can enjoy your time outside.
Effectiveness
Most people agree that snake chaps that are unable to prevent a snake bite are not very effective. After all, this is the intended function of the shake chaps so if your chaps can't protect you then there is no sense in using them. Furthermore, you are going to want to make sure that your chaps can protect you from other hazards such as thistles, briars, or even brush. Chaps that can protect you from such hazards are clearly more effective than ones that do not.
One thing that you may notice when you are purchasing a pair of snake chaps is that some of them protection your entire legs from snake bites while other ones only protect below the knees. Chaps that offer full leg protection are going to be more effective than ones that only protect half of your legs but they can feel hot and you may not be able to move as well while you are wearing them. Full leg protection is safer, but half leg protection may be more suitable in certain situations.
Another thing that you should look for is if the chaps have been independently tested against snake bites. Some brands of snake chaps will advertise that the chaps have been tested with live snakes. You should take this claim one step further and ask the manufacturer to verify this statement. Generally speaking, chaps that are certified to protect against bites are going to be much more trustworthy than ones that are not independently tested. You certainly don't want to try and test your chaps yourself to see if they work so it's much better to look for chaps that are tested to keep you safe.
Weather Resistance
Just like all outdoor gear, you are going to want to check and make sure that the chaps protect you from the weather. This will help to make sure that you do not get wet and cold during some seasons and too hot in other seasons. Most of the time, your chaps won't be protecting you from snakes but instead foilage and weather. Therefore weather resistance is an important factor when you are looking for a pair of high-quality snake chaps.
Plant life will collect moisture from rain, dew, and general humidity. As your clothing brushes against leaves, it will start to absorb water which will start to make you wet. In order to prevent your clothing from getting wet, you will want to look for a pair of chaps that resists water. This will cause the water to run off of the chaps rather than soaking into your clothing which will help to keep your pants and legs nice and dry.
Additionally, you will want to make sure that your chaps can protect you from the wind as well. Excessive wind can blow through your clothing and cause you to lose body heat which can make you uncomfortable. Chaps that are wind breaking will reduce the amount of air that flows through your chaps and will help you maintain a proper body temperature.
Of course, you are going to want to make sure that your chaps are totally waterproof or windproof either. This will result in chaps that don't breath at all which can lead to them trapping excess heat. It's best to look for chaps that are water resistant and wind breaking so that you are protected without trapping heat in your chaps.
Weight
It might not seem immediately obvious, but the overall weight of the chaps is something that you are going to want to think about when you are purchasing a pair of snake chaps. Weight matters because chaps tend to be very thick and bulky. This naturally will translate into more weight which can make you feel weighed down by your clothing. When you are picking out a pair of chaps, you are going to want to make sure that they aren't too heavy so that you can move freely while you are using the chaps.
There are a few different things that can happen when your chaps are too heavy. Most of the time, your chaps are buckled to your belt and this can cause the weight and pull your pants down. Nobody wants to have to keep pulling up their pants while they are moving around. Another issue is that they may cause you to get tired more easily because you are moving extra weight. Chaps that are too heavy can start to feel stiff and may be difficult to move around in.
One way to reduce weight in the chaps is to get a pair that only protects from the knees down. This allows the manufacturer to use thinner materials and reduce weight. However, the tradeoff is with safety so you will need to decide if you want full leg protection or if reduced weight is more important. You can also look for chaps that use premium materials that may resist bites without adding a lot of weight and bulk to the chaps. Nevertheless, better materials may end up costing you more money so you will need to decide if it's worth it.
Top 10 Picks
1. Dan's Snake Protector Forester
These chaps made by Dan's are a great way to protect yourself from any hazards that you may encounter when you are walking outside. They resist briars and the heavy duty nylon material will keep you safe from a snake bite as well. This is a must-have item if you are walking in places that are known to have snakes.
Waterproof
Underbrush can hold a lot of moisture, especially after heavy rain. These chaps will help to keep your pants dry since they are fully waterproof and will repel water.
Sewn by Hand
You can trust the quality of these chaps as well. They are proudly made in the United States of America and have been sewn by hand to ensure the maximum quality.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. The lower price makes them into an excellent value and allows you to save.
2. TurtleSkin Below the Knee
SnakeArmor by Turtle Skin is another choice for a goto brand when it comes to snake chaps. These chaps will offer you protection below your kneecaps which will help to make sure that poisonous and deadly snakes don't bite your lower legs. They are resistant to wind, water, and moisture and will resist brush and other outdoor hazards that you will encounter.
Rattlesnake Tested
The company has tested these chaps with live rattlesnakes in order to make sure that the snakes can't bite through them. You can walk through the wilderness with complete confidence.
Machine Washable
There is a good chance that your chaps are going to get soiled when you use them. The fact that they are machine washable is a huge benefit because it's easier to clean them.
Cost and Value
You should plan on spending an amount that is much higher than the average price on these chaps. The higher price is due to the premium quality of the chaps which is reflected in the price.
3. Whitewater ScentBlocker
This is another brand of chaps that will give you protection from poisonous snakes that are commonly found in North America. They are made of a thick and heavy duty canvas that is too thick for the fangs of a snake to penetrate. You should never travel in areas that are known to have snakes without a good pair of chaps such as these.
Polyester Duck
The chaps are made of a thick and heavy duty polyester duck material that is spun. It's too thick for the fangs of a snake to penetrate making it ideal for protection.
Neoprene Coating
These chaps are coated with Neoprene, which is a treatment that will further enhance the water resisting capabilities of the chaps. It will help to make sure that your pants do not get wet.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps at a price that is lower than the average price. This makes them into an excellent value since it means that you can save.
4. TurtleSkin SnakeArmor
Sometimes it isn't enough to have protection below the knees which is why TurtleSkin also makes a pair of snake chaps that completely protects your legs from bits. They are still breathable and fully flexible which will allow you to walk in comfort and move freely. The chaps are perfect to wear for when you are hiking, hunting, or doing other outdoor activities.
Full Leg Protection
Many brands of chaps only protect the lower part of your legs. These chaps will protect you all of the ways up to your hips so that you are safer.
Weather Resistant
The material is fully waterproof and will block the wind also. This will help to keep you protected from adverse outdoor weather that you may experience while you are outside.
Cost and Value
These are premium snake chaps so you are going to have to plan on spending an amount that is much higher than the average price. They are worth it because of the high-quality materials used to make them.
5. Bell Ranger Outdoor Apparel
Sometimes you need a pair of chaps that are light and highly breathable. That's where these Bell Ranger chaps come into play. They feature a tightly woven mesh that will allow air to pass through them while offering you some of the best protection against snake bites available on the market. You should definitely wear these if you are in areas that are prone to snake attacks.
Wire Mesh
They are made of a mesh that is made of bronze wire. This allows them to move and flex while giving you the best protection against biting reptiles and other hazards.
Water Repellent
Water and moisture can condense on foliage and get your legs wet when the moisture gets absorbed into your clothes. These chaps solve that problem by having a water repelling canvas on the exterior.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. This allows you to get a high-quality pair of chaps without paying a premium for them.
6. Rattler Snake Proof
Rattler is a brand that is well known for creating gear that will protect you from snakes. These chaps live up to the name and will protect you from punctures such as fangs of a snake or other items that can cause puncture injuries. They are water resistant and very flexible which makes them easy to use when you are outdoors.
Puncture Proof
The material is thick enough to stop just about any sharp object from penetrating through it. While the intended use is snake fangs, these chaps can also prevent thorns and other hazards.
1000 Denier Nylon
The chaps are made a thick and heavy-duty nylon. The nylon will do things such as resist water, stay clean, and best of all, keep you safe from snake bites.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. The lower price makes them perfect because you get high-quality chaps without paying a premium for them.
7. Foreverlast
Do you want your snake chaps to last forever? We all do and Foreverlast tries its hardest to make sure that it happens. These chaps are made of a strong material that is similar to Cordura and will give you protection for outdoor hazards such as brush, snakes, and briar patches. You will love how great of a job they do keeping you safe.
Upper Leg Protection
The top portion of the chaps is made with a material that is similar to Cordura and will keep you safe from hazards such as briars, thistles, or thick brush.
Lower Leg Protection
The lower portion of the chaps offers you protection from snakes. The area of protection is from your ankles to your knees which will keep you safe from getting bit.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps at a price that is below the average price. The low price turns them into an excellent value since you will not pay a premium for them.
8. Scent Blockers Buckskin
Scent Blocker makes a pair of snake chaps that will help to keep you safe from an unexpected snake bite. These chaps provide you with full protection on your legs and they only weigh three pounds which means that you unlikely to notice them while you are wearing them. You can feel great and stay safe from snakes at the same time with these chaps.
Adjustable Inseam
The back portion of the legs has adjustable straps that you can use to make sure that you get the proper fit while you are wearing these chaps.
Full Leg Protection
Many brands of snake chaps only offer protection up to your knees. These chaps give you protection throughout your entire leg so that you have complete and total protection from danger.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. The lower price makes them into a great value for your money.
9. Youth Snake Chapz
Youth Snake Chapz is another brand of snake chaps that you may want to consider looking at. They offer protection from bites throughout the entire leg, which makes them into an ideal choice since you never know where a snake may try and bite you. Some additional benefits of these chaps are that they are comfortable and allow you to move freely.
Penetration Tested
The company has had the chaps tested and they conform to the ASTM-1342-05 standard which means that you can trust them to provide you with the protection that you are counting on.
Flexible
Sometimes it's hard to bend and move while wearing chaps that have full leg protection. These chaps are flexible enough that you can bend your knee easily and move freely.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps for a price that is considered to be around the average price. This makes them into an excellent value since you get protection without paying a premium.
10. Rattler Scaletech
If you are looking for something that will protect you from snakes, thorns, briars, and brush, then you will want to look at these chaps by Rattler. They will offer you plenty of protection from wilderness hazards so that you can move around safely and free. They are adjustable and comfortable to wear which is why they are such a great choice.
ScaleTech
The chaps feature ScaleTech (TM) which is a Rattler technology that increases the strength of the chaps by having the layers overlap while you are wearing them so that you are safe.
Water Repellent
The fabric used to make these chaps repels water. This will help to keep you dry when you are moving around in brush that can be wet from a rain.
Cost and Value
You can purchase a pair of these chaps at a price that is well below the average price. The low price makes them into a bargain buy since you get to save.