Finding the right safety product online can be challenging, especially when you need a full brim hard hat for a construction or landscaping job. This is especially true for hard hats, as there are so many options on the market. You don’t want to skimp out on a quality product to save money, but you also don’t want to overpay for something you could’ve gotten at a much lower price.
This guide aims to break down our top five picks for full-brim hard hats. We’ll fill you in on the different features these products offer and how they stack up against one another.
When finding our top products to recommend here, we kept many things in mind. First, we didn’t just want to pick the most expensive products because keeping things affordable is essential to many of our readers. We looked at many factors to find the best products available.
Not only was price an important point, but durability was another key factor to consider. Plus, we wanted to look at the materials used, whether a hard hat was vented or not, and other things. Without any further ado, let’s dive into our picks for the top five full brim hard hats on the market.
What Is a Full Brim Hard Hat?
A full brim hard hat features a brim that extends all the way around the helmet, unlike a standard cap-style hard hat, which only has a front bill. This 360-degree brim offers enhanced protection against the sun, rain, and falling debris from all angles, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Key Benefits of Full Brim Hard Hats
Improved Protection
The wide brim shields your face, ears, and neck from sun exposure and provides additional protection from falling or flying objects.
Better Weather Resistance
Rain and sun are common in outdoor jobs. Full brims help keep rain off your face and block more sunlight, reducing glare and sunburn risk.
Enhanced Comfort
The design of full brim hard hats often improves airflow and helps reduce heat buildup, especially in vented models.
Professional Appearance
They tend to offer a sleek, more professional look, especially useful for foremen or supervisors.
Types of Full Brim Hard Hats
Standard Full Brim
Most common option, suitable for general construction and landscaping tasks.
Vented Full Brim
Ideal for hot climates, these hats feature small vents to allow heat to escape and increase airflow.
High-Heat Full Brim
Designed for use in industrial settings where high temperatures are common, these are made from heat-resistant materials.
Customized/Branded Hard Hats
Can be personalized with logos or company branding for a professional touch.
Top 5 Full Brim Hard Hats for Construction and Landscaping
1. Pyramex Ridgeline Full Brim Vented Hard Hat
Our first pick is the Pyramex Ridgeline full-brim vented hard hat. This hard hat is one of our top picks for various reasons. Not only is it intensely durable and built to withstand the type of wear and tear you’re likely to encounter on a construction or landscaping site, but it’s also a pretty comfortable pick.
The four-point ratchet suspension allows wearers to easily adjust the hat’s fit to match their head size, meaning the Pyramex Ridgeline should be easy to fit. This hard hat is practically a one-size-fits-all model, and it’s also ventilated for cooling during those warmer months.
This can make a big difference for workers on the job, and the hat’s design means it doesn’t lose any durability with this added cooling ability.
2. DAX Carbon Fiber Full Brim Hard Hat
Our next pick gets a bit pricier, but that cost is going to a good place. The DAX carbon fiber hard hat is the top-of-the-line for pure strength. If you want to acquire a full-brim hard hat built to withstand just about anything you could throw at it, look no further.
This full-brim hat is made of carbon fiber, one of the strongest materials on the market right now. It’s also incredibly lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about throwing on some stifling helmet while working hard on a building foundation.
Comfort was an obvious factor that went into the design of this helmet, as it features so many great additions. This includes a comfort dome constructed from synthetic leather to give wearers a cushioned feeling.
This is also helpful in case some sort of impact befalls the DAX carbon fiber hard hat, as it will provide a little more head protection, not from the impact, but from the force of the blow itself. The carbon fiber exterior should be more than enough to withstand just about any impact you throw at it. This full-brim hard hat was also treated to withstand high temperatures of over 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. LIFT Safety Full Brim Hard Hat
Our next pick for a full-brim hard hat is the LIFT Safety carbon fiber full-brim hard hat, which provides a lot of protection and a comfortable degree of style. This particular hard hat comes with a ratchet closure type for advanced protection and an additional level of security, which comes in handy to ensure your hard hat stays on while on the job.
The hard hat also ensures you stay comfortable with a comfort dome made of perforated synthetic leather. The perforation helps ensure the shock level you might endure from any forcible blow is toned down as much as possible.
This hard hat’s outer shell is made of reinforced resin and carbon fiber, making it as light and durable as possible. The brim grip is another feature of this hard hat that we wanted to highlight, as it makes the whole unit easier to grasp and control when on the job.
This is more of a quality-of-life feature than anything else, but it’s still worth highlighting. Finally, we also wanted to emphasize that this product was made in the USA, which helps explain some of its high price. Well-paid workers mean more expensive products, but it also usually means higher-quality products for buyers.
4. Dynamic WolfJaw Fiberglass Full Brim Hard Hat
Our fourth product on our list is the Dynamic Wolfjaw hard hat. This full-brim hard hat comes with a reasonable price and a wheel ratchet suspension system for easy wearing and adjusting. The fiberglass resin shell was built to withstand many external forces, including heat and hard knocks.
We should also emphasize this hard hat’s eight-point rivet suspension system, which makes it so that it can fit many different wearers in all kinds of industries. The versatile fiberglass material also makes this particular full-brim hard hat an excellent fit for all kinds of industries, including oil and natural gas, mining, metallurgy, fabrication, welding, carpentry, construction, landscaping, and more.
The heat-resistant fiberglass resin shell makes this a durable hard hat resistant to dents, scratches, and warping that might be caused by heat. This is one versatile, moderately priced full-brim hard hat that we are a big fan of.
5. AcerPal Full Brim Hard Hat
Our final listing is this full-brim carbon fiber hard hat from Acerpal. If you’re on the hunt for a versatile, lightweight hard hat from a small business, this might be it.
It’s the second-most affordable option on our list, so if the price is a big concern for you, then this might be the pick you will go with. It sacrifices no quality, as it’s made of an ultra-strong, lightweight HDPE material that will be highly resistant to scratches and forceful blows.
You should also note the multiple design options this hard hat features, as those are an obvious plus. It’s always better to have the option to accessorize and not need it than vice versa. We also wanted to note this hard hat’s comfortably plush harness system, which helps ensure workers won’t get tired of wearing this safety equipment.
Sometimes, hard hats can be tough to bear for long hours, so this one makes an effort to be so comfortable that you’ll forget you’re wearing it. Notably, this hard hat comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so if you end up not liking the fit, design, or something else about this product, you can be assured you’ll get your money back.
Picking Out the Right Full Brim Hard Hat
Now that we’ve reviewed our list of top five full-brim hard hats, we’re sure you have much on your mind. After all, how are you supposed to pick from such a list when so many of them seem to offer the same things?
Well, a big differentiator to keep in mind is price. Depending on your budget, you might choose the more affordable options. Another thing to keep in mind is overall versatility. If you want to find a hard hat that will fit as many people as possible, don’t go with the four-point ratchet suspension system – go with the eight-point option.
Material can also be a big factor when choosing the ideal hard hat. Maybe you have workers who prefer using HDPE or fiberglass – it’s something to keep in mind for sure. Also, some materials work better in different climates. Researching what will work in your environment can be a big boon to picking the proper products.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a full brim hard hat and a cap-style hard hat?
Answer:
A full brim hard hat features a brim that extends 360 degrees around the helmet, offering additional protection from sun, rain, and debris for the face, ears, and neck. In contrast, a cap-style hard hat has a brim only in the front, similar to a baseball cap. Full brim hats are ideal for outdoor work, while cap style may be preferred in tighter indoor spaces.
2. Are full brim hard hats OSHA-approved?
Answer:
Yes, many full brim hard hats are OSHA compliant as long as they meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 standards for industrial head protection. Always check the labeling on the hard hat to ensure it complies with OSHA regulations and is rated for the specific hazards of your worksite.
3. Can I wear a hard hat backwards for better sun protection?
Answer:
Only if the hard hat is reversible and clearly marked as such by the manufacturer. Some models are designed to be worn either way and will still provide full protection. However, standard hard hats should only be worn as intended to maintain safety compliance.
4. Do full brim hard hats help with heat and sun exposure?
Answer:
Absolutely. Full brim hard hats offer greater coverage from the sun, reducing the risk of sunburn on the neck and ears. Vented models also allow for better air circulation, helping to keep you cooler in hot weather.
5. How do I maintain or clean my full brim hard hat?
Answer:
To clean your hard hat, use mild soap and warm water—never harsh chemicals, which can degrade the plastic. Inspect it regularly for cracks, dents, or UV damage (like fading or brittleness). Replace the hat or its suspension system as recommended by the manufacturer or when signs of wear appear.
Go Forth and Find Your Ideal Full Brim Hard Hat
We hope that our guide proved helpful to you in picking out the best hard hat option. We’ve listed all the best picks we could find and are sure that out of them, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Between the fiberglass picks, the HDPE picks, and the resin shells, there is just about every kind of hard hat that you could hope to come across. Now that we’ve filled you in with all the necessary information, good luck shopping for your next full-brim hard hat!
Related Resources:
- The Advantages of Vented Hard Hats for Hot and Humid Work Environments
- 6 Best Construction Worker Uniform Items That Are Durable & Tough
- The Importance of Head Protection in Construction Safety
- Industrial Safety Helmet vs Hard Hat: What Are the Differences?
- 6 Tips for Choosing the Right Construction Outfit & Work Clothes
- What to Look for When Choosing an Electrical Hard Hat