Burnham, here's how it is for me. Firstly, I don't feel like a wimp. But if I am, that's not the reason I've shelved the saw pants. The reason I'm not wearing them right now, is because I don't agree with them. I've always been that way....if I don't agree with something, I won't do it, if within my power. I don't care who says this or that, I'm not doing it. If someone else's sees a different order of risks and dangers for themselves, that's up to them. I'm not arguing or telling anyone else what to do, nor trying to force my ideas on others. Along the same lines I won't accept someone else's thoughts and preferences are better for my welfare, than what my thoughts and preferences are for myself. If you get my meaning. There's not a person alive who's judgement I would trust more than my own in that sense. It goes way beyond saw pants. You can't change or deny who you are and how you feel.
That said, I have been thinking about giving chaps another go. I haven't worn them since 99, but there might be a compromise there. I took for granted how much I climb on my knees until the other day.