The 10 Best Hard Hats
This wiki has been updated 38 times since it was first published in July of 2015. Just because your coworkers tell you you're hard-headed, doesn't mean you shouldn't protect your dome while you're on the job. Try one of these hard hats on for size and you should be able to survive falling debris or other dangers that might be lurking above. They're available in a range of designs to suit a variety of needs and tastes, and are all ANSI certified for safety. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Klein Tools 60347
2. Lift Safety Dax
3. Ridgeline Full Brim
Editor's Notes
April 26, 2021:
With every model on our list built to meet top safety standards, it should be of little surprise that all of our previous picks for this category continued to be great selections, more than a year later. We did, however, notice that a couple of our choices – namely the MSA Skullgard and Evolution Deluxe 6161 280 – seemed to be relatively redundant selections, considering the comparable options we’d already included. With that in mind, we removed both units to make room for a couple of new choices,
Our first new addition, the LIFT Safety Dax, is an expensive choice, but some style-savvy tradespeople are going to love its two-tone aesthetic. It’s available in three flashy colorways, sports a sturdy six-point suspension system, and is lined with perforated PU leather that will chafe much less than a basic, plastic harness.
Our second new pick, the Klein Tools 60347, is a smart-looking model that sets itself apart from much of its competition with the inclusion of a removable and rechargeable head lamp. It also features absorbent padding that can be soaked with cold water during hot days, and the company offers replacement parts, so you always have the option of changing your padding out in a couple years time, if the bucket’s still going strong.
For further PPE solutions, check out our lists of respirators, fall protection gear and steel-toe work boots.
December 31, 2019:
Overall, we fixed several links that were directed to the wrong item online, and also replaced a couple of models with better choices. There was also a bit of colorful/ineffective language in a few of the descriptions that we made more informative and straightforward.
We removed the Sticker Bomb Full Brim because of a questionable safety issue. Due to the hydro-dipped method used to create the "sticker bomb" effect, the seller can't technically say that it is ANSI (American National Standard Institute) certified. This is because even though the hard hat they use is ANSI certified, they are technically modifying the helmet after it has left the factory. So, even though this particular modification most likely doesn't make the hard hat less safe, (and honestly probably makes it even stronger), we decided to remove it.
We did not remove other modified products like the Ridgeline Full Brim because, despite having a matte finish, this modification was made at the Pyramex factory, and not at a middle man/distributor.
(the pushback against modifications like paint or stickers from OSHA is because they can make it harder to see if your hat has any damage, which makes sense. Even a small crack or dent can compromise the hat's structural integrity, and significantly lower its ability to protect your head.)
We also removed the WinCraft NCAA Collection because, though it met ANSI safety requirements, a frequent complaint by reviewers was that the sports team decals were falling off/chipping/not applied correctly. Since that would really be the only reason to buy this hat over another, we removed it.
Obviously, the most important prerequisite for items on this list is safety, so we also double-checked that all of them were still ANSI certified.
Special Honors
Texas America Safety Company If you're looking for standout piece of PPE, consider checking this company out. On top of keeping lists of hardhats sorted by color, they offer a variety of flashy, patterned options with loud designs in a variety of styles. Some of their choices include flame graphics, camouflage patterns, beer-company logos and even glow-in-the-dark units. tasco-safety.com
CustomHardHats.com Looking to get some personalized brain buckets made up for your company? This website has you covered. They're also a great source for sports fans, as they offer licensed NFL, NHL, NCAA and MLB hard hats. customhardhats.com
4. Fibre-Metal Roughneck
5. Pyramex Safety Cap
6. Husqvarna ProForest Chainsaw Helmet System
7. Noa Store HDPE
8. Amston Type 1 Class C
9. MSA Skullgard Standard
10. OccuNomix Cowboy
Be Hard-Headed For A Hard Hat
Depending on the type of work and organization involved, hard hats are also designated in different colors in order to represent different job functions or locations.
Imagine yourself walking on the street between two high-rises in close proximity to one another. You look up and are amazed by how tall each building appears. As you look straight up, do you get this uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach while imagining what could happen if something were to fall from the top? Perhaps you might also notice a construction crew on a scaffold working on one of the floors of these buildings or on the ground floor near the foundation. Picture yourself as one of these workers and imagine what could happen if you were not protected from falling objects or sparks from the tools used to perform work on the building's structure.
Without something to protect your head, you'd be in constant panic about what could potentially happen should your concentration wander. Just like common sense would dictate never to reach into a burning hot oven without a pair of safety mitts, one should never operate heavy machinery or work at a construction site without first having head protection. You'll need the reassurance and protection from a durable hard hat to keep you safe when working in potentially dangerous settings like these.
A hard hat is a specially-designed helmet (made from either fiberglass or thermoplastic) that is meant for use in industrial working environments. The hard hat offers protection from blows to the head, impacts from falling objects, debris, rain, and even electric shocks. Most hard hats feature internal suspension bands that help to evenly distribute the weight and force of an impact in case of such an eventuality. The suspension system also provides extra space between the hat's shell and a person's head. If something does happen to strike the hat's shell, the force of that impact is absorbed by the shell and not the wearer's skull.
Hard hats are often equipped with different accessories. A safety visor, for example, comes in handy for a variety of welding jobs to protect the wearer's face. Some hard hats also have additional lips in the front or wide brims for additional shade during hot and sunny days. If there's a lot of debris flying around a construction site, ear protectors can be built into some hard hats. Assuming you're responsible for working underground in a subway system, it would prove useful to attach a headlamp to your hard hat. Hard hats can also include insulated side padding for circumstances where you may find yourself working outdoors in the extreme cold.
Depending on the type of work and organization involved, hard hats are also designated in different colors in order to represent different job functions or locations. For example, a white hard hat might identify a manager or site supervisor, whereas blue could indicate an electric worker.
A Brief History Of Hard Hats
The original concept of the hard hat comes from a California mining equipment firm known as the E.D. Bullard Company, founded by Edward Dickinson Bullard in 1898. Prior to this point, Bullard's company sold protective hats made from leather. However, this idea evolved upon the return of Bullard's son from World War One and the sight of a protective steel helmet.
By the year 1919, Bullard patented what he called the Hard-Boiled Hat, which was constructed from steamed canvas, glue, and black paint.
By the year 1919, Bullard patented what he called the Hard-Boiled Hat, which was constructed from steamed canvas, glue, and black paint. A follow-up commission from the United States Navy afforded Bullard the opportunity to produce a protective cap for shipyard workers. This cap spawned the widespread use of the hard hat. Bullard further developed his initial invention by adding an internal suspension system to the cap.
In 1938, Bullard created the first aluminum hard hat, setting aluminum as the standard for the time due to its strength and lightweight nature.
The first heat-resistant hard hat was made from fiberglass and appeared in the 1940s. By the 1950s, thermoplastics replaced fiberglass as the standard for hard hat construction because they were easy to shape and less expensive than their fiberglass predecessors.
By 1997, the American National Standards Institute approved the use of ventilated hard hats that would allow workers' heads to stay cool when completing tough jobs. In today's hard hat market, it seems to be all about the accessories, which include attachable face shields, radios, headlamps, cameras, and sun visors among others.
Finding The Best Fit
It goes without saying that suspension and durability make the best hard hat. Providing adequate protection when working at industrial job sites is paramount. For that reason, one must consider the environment they'll be working in. A cutting-edge suspension system will provide superior impact protection in the event that something hits you. The shell of the hard hat will be strong enough to withstand the impact without impacting the skull.
Secondly, a hard hat shouldn't be noticeable. In other words, it should be lightweight and comfortable so that you can concentrate on the work at hand instead of adjusting the hat or complaining about how heavy it feels on your head. For that same reason, finding a hat with a good ventilation system will keep you comfortable, especially when the weather gets hot and you're working outdoors.
Consider the types of accessories you'll need. This will depend on your work situation, but if you'll be doing a lot of underground labor, then a hard hat with a headlamp accessory will definitely come in handy. If you're into welding and operating heavy machinery, then a hard hat with a protective face shield is definitely in your future.
After deciding that the pen was mightier than the pliers, Canadian electrical contractor William Rhoda abandoned his career and headed back to college, where he majored in marketing and advertising and won a scholarship along the way to earning a diploma in creative communications. His past career landed him a depth of knowledge in tools and hardware, while his current career schooled him in audio, video and camera equipment. During his leisure time, he’s learned lots about outdoor gear, and years of tiresome backyard maintenance have taught him all about pools and hot tubs. His recreational pursuits include rest, relaxation and revolutionary action, and his roommate’s a hairless cat.