What Are the Best Custom Full Brim Hard Hats for Outdoor Construction Work?

Full Brim Hard Hat Questions Buyers Ask

Is a full brim hard hat better than a cap style hard hat for outdoor work?

For crews spending full shifts outdoors, yes. A full brim hard hat wraps protection around the entire head instead of just the front, which blocks sun off the neck and ears and keeps rain from running down the back of a worker's collar. Cap-style hats work fine indoors or in tight spaces where a wider brim gets in the way, but roofers, oil and gas crews, and utility workers who spend hours in direct sun typically prefer full brim styles like the MSA Skullgard Full Brim for the added coverage.

What is the best full brim hard hat for construction crews?

There isn't one single best model, it depends on the environment. The MSA V-Gard Full Brim is a solid all-around choice for general construction and utility crews. Crews working near heat sources or welding operations often choose the MSA Skullgard line for its higher heat resistance. Budget-conscious contractors outfitting large crews frequently go with the ERB Omega II full brim for its high-density polyethylene shell and lower per-unit hard hat cost.

How should a full brim hard hat fit?

A properly fitted full brim hard hat should sit level on the head, about one to one and a half finger-widths above the eyebrows, with the suspension adjusted so there's roughly an inch of clearance between the shell and the wearer's head. The chin strap, if used, should be snug but not tight. Ratchet suspensions like the ones on the MSA Skullgard and V-Gard lines make it easy for each worker to dial in their own fit without swapping headbands.

What brands make the most trusted full brim hard hats?

MSA and Fibre-Metal are two of the most established names in the industry, and both are available through Custom Hard Hats as printable, custom-decorated shells. The MSA Skullgard Natural Tan and MSA V-Gard Blue are two of our most requested styles for crew branding, along with the Fibre-Metal E-1 in colors like yellow, orange, and white.

What are full brim hard hats used for on a jobsite?

Full brim hard hats are worn anywhere workers face falling object hazards combined with heavy sun or weather exposure: roofing, oil and gas fields, mining, utility line work, and general outdoor construction. The extended brim also helps keep rain and debris off the face and neck during overhead work, and many crews choose the full brim style specifically because it doubles as sun protection during long outdoor shifts.

What safety standards do full brim hard hats need to meet?

In the US, hard hats sold for jobsite use should meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 standards, which classify hats by Type (I for top impact, II for top and lateral impact) and Class (E for electrical, G for general, C for conductive). Full brim hard hats from MSA and Fibre-Metal are manufactured to meet these classifications, but it's the buyer's responsibility to confirm the specific hat and class match their jobsite's hazard assessment before use. Custom printing and decals do not affect the shell's certification when applied correctly.

Can a bump cap be used instead of a full brim hard hat on a construction site?

No. Bump caps are not rated for the same impact and penetration hazards as ANSI Z89.1 certified hard hats, and OSHA does not recognize them as adequate protection where falling or flying object hazards exist. Bump caps are designed for minor bump protection in low-hazard environments like warehouses with low ceilings, not active construction, oil and gas, or utility work where a full brim hard hat is required.