Are there any comfortable hard hats?

[gtc]

Mine gives me a headache if i tighten it down enough so it doesn't flop around. Fine if I'm just standing around like a boss, but not so great if i have to move around and do any real work.

Anyone have one they can stand to actually work in? I saw a guy on a job a while back with a spiffy carbon fiber looking one...

[wilnj]

I’ve always worn an MSA V-Guard (about 25 years now) but I’m management, so I don’t test the limits of the harness’ grip very much.

Some of the big GCs have been switching to the MSA V Guard H1 which I haven’t tried but heard good things about it’s comfort, once you get past the goofy looks.




It comes with the added benefit of integrating accessories like hearing and eye protection, face shields, etc.

[gtc]

I like it... the bike helmet style straps look a lot more comfortable. Expensive, but better than cracking my skull on some overhead pipes.

People spend more on a baseball cap than a hard hat most of the time... go figure.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[maxnine11]

Fibre-Metal brand is very light.

[A930Rocket]

I hate wearing one, but it’s company policy. Not needed for 99.9% of the time. That said, I tighten the band to where it’s just barely comfortable and that fucjer falls off whenever I lean over.

I may get a chin strap....

[red-beard]

It depends on what you need it for. When I'm on site, I use a "bump hat" instead of a proper PPE. If your site allows this, I suggest this instead.

[sc_rufctr]

[sammyg2]

I wore hardhats for almost 40 years but not as much as i got older and turned into an office rat.

AB or MSA fiberglass hard hats are the kind because they are so light. Light makes all the difference in the world. But they're close to $100 (and worth every penny). Don't leave one lying around or it'll sprout legs and walk.

The ones I've owned were fiberglass but I've heard there are carbon fiber hats out there that are even lighter.

The last company I worked for insisted that all employees wear their hardhats, no other brands or colors allowed.
Onliest problem was, they didn't go big enuff her my gargantuan noggin.
Pretty sure they went up to 7-7/8 and I needed at least 8-1/2

I hated putting that thing on and eventually claimed it was a health issue and got a waiver to wear my own hat. That started al kinds of trouble.

https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/msa-816651-skullgard-protective-cap-with-swing-ratchet-freeship/?sku=816651-1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjtnAz6iw6gIVghx9Ch3TbQzbEAQYBCAB EgIhk_D_BwE

[sammyg2]

The worst was when I had to wear a full face shield on a hard hat, after an hour of that I was looking for an excuse to be some where's else.
Hated that.

[vash]

it isnt so much the hat, it is the suspension.

i can go 8 hours with one. it gets old, but i have gotten used to it. my hat is waaaaayyyy over there in my truck, and i just had a lunch beer..so a picture is not happening.

nap time. focus on the part that touches your head.

[gtc]

Exactly.... it is the pressure from the band around my occipital (?) bone that gives me an instant headache.

Originally Posted by vash

it isnt so much the hat, it is the suspension.

i can go 8 hours with one. it gets old, but i have gotten used to it. my hat is waaaaayyyy over there in my truck, and i just had a lunch beer..so a picture is not happening.

nap time. focus on the part that touches your head.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I wore hardhats for almost 40 years but not as much as i got older and turned into an office rat.

AB or MSA fiberglass hard hats are the kind because they are so light. Light makes all the difference in the world. But they're close to $100 (and worth every penny). Don't leave one lying around or it'll sprout legs and walk.

The ones I've owned were fiberglass but I've heard there are carbon fiber hats out there that are even lighter.

The last company I worked for insisted that all employees wear their hardhats, no other brands or colors allowed.
Onliest problem was, they didn't go big enuff her my gargantuan noggin.
Pretty sure they went up to 7-7/8 and I needed at least 8-1/2

I hated putting that thing on and eventually claimed it was a health issue and got a waiver to wear my own hat. That started al kinds of trouble.

https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/msa-816651-skullgard-protective-cap-with-swing-ratchet-freeship/?sku=816651-1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjtnAz6iw6gIVghx9Ch3TbQzbEAQYBCAB EgIhk_D_BwE

Here's a big +1! Once you wear a fiberglass brain bucket, the plastic ones feel even worse. I wore one for years when I was a commercial electrician, and the difference was night and day when I switched.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by red-beard

It depends on what you need it for. When I'm on site, I use a "bump hat" instead of a proper PPE. If your site allows this, I suggest this instead.

We were allowed to wear these instead of a hard hat when crawling around inside the airplane, or on the major assembly jigs. Just a baseball cap with a hard shell. Very comfortable even for all-day use.

[gtc]

Though it might work for my purposes, I probably can't get away with a bump hat. I need the hard hat to enter various shipyards and some customer vessels.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by gtc

Though it might work for my purposes, I probably can't get away with a bump hat. I need the hard hat to enter various shipyards and some customer vessels.

Yes, bump caps are exactly that. A hard hat is intended to protect from falling objects.

[URY914]

The type of headband with the knob makes all the difference. Adjust quickly. Can be loosen up or tightened down as needed.

[Jeff Higgins]

Yeah, "hard hats required" precludes the use of bump caps. OSHA/WISHA sets the rules.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Yeah, "hard hats required" precludes the use of bump caps. OSHA/WISHA sets the rules.

You also need to keep in mind the safety program in effect at the work site.

OSHA requires a hardhat where you’re exposed to overhead hazards, however many work places have mandatory hardhat rules. So even if OSHA doesn’t require one in a particular setting but the safety program in place does, it’s still an OSHA violation for non-conformance with the safety program.

[ian c2]

I have this .

My latest project

Without the eye and ear protection it’s remarkably light compared to most hard hats .
It cost about 120 , and I’m not sure how long it will last in California sun , but if the insides wear out they can be replaced for around 20 bucks .
I also have a plastic hat called “serpent Vented ” made by pyramex That is probobly the best and lightest plastic one I’ve had .
Around 20 bucks on amazon etc.
It’s about the same weight as the carbon fiber one , but that’s purely down to the weight of the suspension in the carbon shell .

[ian c2]

Just ventured into the garage To take pics as I realized I had both in there .
I modified the carbon one to take the active ear protection using parts from kask .
They make hard hats more like climbing / military helmets for forestry workers etc .
Light and comfortable , but not sure they’d be suitable for me at work .