Looking for a hard hat that’s a little bit different?

Wanna bring a touch of the wild west into your workday?

If you wanna stay safe and rock the western style, then a cowboy hard hat is what you need.

Stick around to see our guide to cowboy hard hats and our top 4 picks. 

Here are the 4 western style hard hats we’ll be reviewing:

1 Occunomix, Cowboy Style Hard Hat

2 Western Cowboy Hard Hat with Ratchet Suspension

3 Jackson Safety, 19500, Western Outlaw Hard Hats

4 Jackson Safety Black Cowboy Hard Hat – 4-Point Suspension

But before we jump into those reviews, I wanna give you a little more info about cowboy hard hats. We’ll also go over a few tips to help you pick the one that’s best for you. 

Why choose a cowboy hard hat?

Some folks might think that a cowboy hard hat is just a gimmick.

But they are much more than that.

Yes, a cowboy hard hat will add style to your workwear – and you’ll probably get a few compliments and lots of smiles. 

But a western-style hard hat is also very practical and has extra benefits that you don’t get with a regular work hat.

For example, cowboy hard hats have an extra-wide brim. This is great to protect your eyes, face, and neck from the sun.

The wider brim also offers better protection. You’ll be more comfortable in the wind, rain, sleet, and hail if you’re working outdoors.

The wide brim also offers better protection from sparks and other bits of flying debris like nuts and bolts etc.

Are cowboy hard hats safe?

Yes, cowboy hard hats are safe to use in any work environment that requires a regulation hard hat.

But don’t take my word for it. Here’s the official spiel from OSHA.

They are basically the same as regular hard hats. They just happen to have a wider brim.

Your cowboy hard hat will protect you, (just like a regular hard hat will) from all types of impact such as falling or flying objects.

It will also give you better protection from the elements and from debris than a normal round hat will.

You can find cowboy hard hats that follow the standard regulations for head protection. Including those issued by the United States Department of Labor.

Make sure that you check the description carefully as it will usually state what regulations the cowboy hard hat conforms to.

As with a regular hard hat, with cowboy hard hats it’s important to get the fit right.

Here’s a handy video that shows how to adjust the suspension height of your hat for a perfect fit:

Will my cowboy hard hat pass a safety inspection?

If you have on a cowboy hard hat you can bet that the safety inspector is going to make a beeline for you. 

But they’ll be surprised and delighted when you pass with flying colors!

The cowboy hard hats in this post are regulation compliant, so there’s no need to worry about passing safety inspections.

Can you get an OSHA and/or ANSI-approved cowboy hard hat?

Yes, you can!

You won’t exactly be spoiled for choice. But there are western style hard hats on the market. These hats are made from heavy-duty plastics that meet the official OSHA and/or ANSI regulations.

Cowboy hard hats are a great way to show off your unique style and stay safe and protected. 

So if you wanna be cool and regulation-compliant, then check out our list below for some OSHA and ANSI-based recommendations.

What does a cowboy hard hat protect you from?

Like a regular hard hat, a cowboy hard hat will protect you from sustaining a serious head injury caused by any type of impact.

If you have a chin strap, a hard hat can also protect your head if you fall.

Your cowboy hard hat will also protect you from cuts and bruises, swinging cables, and in some cases, even burns and electric shocks.

Who should wear a cowboy hard hat?

Anyone who has a job that requires them to wear a regulation hard hat can wear a cowboy hard hat to work instead.

A cowboy-style hard hat is great for keeping the rain from running down your face and the back of your neck.

Anyone working out in the rain/snow/hail/strong winds is going to be much more comfortable wearing a wider brimmed work hat.

If you wear glasses, a cowboy-style hard hat is going to keep the rain off them so that your vision is clearer.

Are you out in the sun a lot? If so, a cowboy hard hat will protect your face, ears, and neck from UV rays better than a regular round hard hat can.

But you don’t have to be a construction worker to wear a cowboy hard hat.

They are also useful for tasks around the house such as plumbing or wiring.

A cowboy hard hat can also be a great way to avoid sunburn.

Or to protect your noggin from falling trees or branches in the garden!

How long does a cowboy hard hat last?

How long your hat lasts will depend on how often you use it and what you are using it for (i.e how much of a beating it takes!).

How long you get out of your hat before it needs replacing will also depend on how well you take care of it.

But how do you know when your hard hat needs replacing?

Well, you should replace any hard hat (cowboy or not) if you see any dents, cracks, holes, or major scrapes.

You should also replace the suspension once a year. Or more often if there are any cuts, tears, or fraying on the straps.

If your hat gets hit pretty hard, you should replace it even if there are no physical signs of damage.

This is important because there may be damage to the structural integrity of your hat.  

You can also check the expiration date for your hat. 

As a general rule, if you wear your hard hat every day, you should get a new one every 2 years.

How to look after your cowboy hard hat.

Proper maintenance is important if you wanna stay well protected (and keep on looking cool)!

Here are some top tips for keeping your hat in good condition:

Be careful what you use to clean your cowboy hard hat. Strong chemicals found in most cleaning products can cause damage.

The best way to clean your hat is to use good old-fashioned soap and hot water.

Your cowboy hard hat is designed to keep you safe from the sun. But it’s not a great idea to leave it out in the sun when you aren’t wearing it.

Too much UV, heat, or cold exposure can cause damage.

When it’s time to switch out the suspension, you should always use the same brand suspension as your hat.

Painting your cowboy hard hat is a big no-no. The harsh chemicals in the paint will damage your hat!

If you want to put stickers or decals on your hat – you should place them at least ¾ of an inch away from the bottom of the crown. 

This helps lessen the chances of the decal acting as a heat conductor between the inside and the outside of your hat.

Best overall cowboy hard hat (OSHA and ANSI approved)

Occunomix, Cowboy Style Hard Hat

This one size fits most western style hard hat is made in Massachusetts.

The Occonomix VCB200-20 is a Type 1 hard hat that meets current ANSI requirements (Z89.1 – 2009).

It’s suitable for anyone who needs a class G hat (general hard hat rated for 2,200 volts). Or a class E hat (an electrical hard hat rated up to 20,000 volts). 

It also meets OSHA requirements and this is labeled on the hat.

It comes with either ratchet suspension or squeeze-lock suspension.

I would recommend getting the 6 point ratchet suspension as it’s easier to adjust.

This made in the USA cowboy hard hat comes in 4 different colors, so you can get black, white, gray, or tan.

It looks great on. It doesn’t look like a hard hat at all (it looks more like a real cowboy hat!) and it’s very well made.

It’s a little bit heavier than a regular hard hat, so keep in mind that it may take some getting used to.

The brim is around 2 ¼ inches wide.

You won’t be able to attach a face shield to this hat. 

But you should be able to use a half-face mask or one that fits on the forehead if you need one.

Pros:

• Looks totally awesome – like a real cowboy hat!

• OSHA and ANSI approved.

• Made in the USA.

• Comfortable to wear for 8 to 12 hours a day.

• Good choice of colors.

• Great protection from the sun, wind, rain, hail, and snow.

• Highly durable.

• Reasonable price.

• The 6-way ratchet suspension is easy to adjust.

• Surprises safety inspectors!

• Makes people smile.

• Great for keeping your glasses clear in the rain.

• Easy to clean.

• Makes work more fun!

Cons:

• A bit heavier than a regular hard hat – might take a bit of getting used to.

• Not the best hat to wear in tight spaces.

• Not the best choice for those with big, wide heads!

Best choice of colors (ANSI approved)

Western Cowboy Hard Hat with Ratchet Suspension

Tired of wearing hard hats in the same old boring colors? 

Then this could be the perfect hard hat for you!

This ANSI-certified western style hard hat offers excellent protection and a whole lot of fun!

The Jackson Western Style hard hat comes with a ratchet-style suspension and there are a whopping 15 colors to choose from.

Here’s a list of all the color options:

• Black
• Dark green
• Gray
• High vis green
• Hot pink
• Maroon
• Orange
• Pink
• Raspberry
• Red
• Royal blue
• Tan
• Textured gunmetal
• White
• Yellow

With this on you’re bound to get noticed!

Especially if you go for one of the more eye-catching colors like high vis green, red, yellow, or orange.

If visibility is a concern for you, then this could be a great hard hat to go for. 

The fit and quality are good, it’s comfortable and the hat stays on well throughout the day.

It’s suitable for a wide range of tasks including most construction work. 

Pros:

• Everyone will love it and want to know where you got it!

• Good fit and ratchet suspension is adjustable.

• Fantastic choice of colors.

• Durable.

• Meets ANSI requirements.

• Good all-weather protection.

• Great value.

Cons:

• The hat is painted so it can chip if dropped or hit.

• Not the most realistic looking.

Best 4-point suspension cowboy hard hat (ANSI approved and accepted by OSHA)

Jackson Safety, 19500, Western Outlaw Hard Hats

The Jackson Safety 19500 Western Outlaw hard hat is a type 1 hard hat that is ANSI approved. 

It’s also stamped MSA which means that OSHA accepts this model.

This cowboy style hard hat conforms to ANSI regulation code Z89.1 

It is suitable for classes G, C, and E. So the top of your head will be safe and you will be protected up to 20,000 volts if doing electrical work.

There are no MSHA markings.

This comes with a 4 point ratchet suspension.

If you find that 6 point suspension systems dig into the top of your head, you might be better with this one.

This is a comfortable and stylish hat. The suspension system is easy to fit and it offers greater protection from the sun and rain than a round hat.

Pros:

• ANSI and OSHA-approved cowboy hard hat.

• Great value.

• Stylish.

• Keeps the sun out of your eyes and the rain off your face.

• Comfortable enough to wear for long periods.

• Suspension is easy to fit and adjust.

• Highly durable – lasts ages if properly looked after.

• Everyone will call you sheriff!

Cons:

• A bit narrow – not great if your head is wide.

• Only available in white.

• Doesn’t stay on as well as some of our other top picks.

Best ventilated cowboy hard hat (ANSI approved)

Jackson Safety Black Cowboy Hard Hat – 4-Point Suspension

Do you work outdoors in the sun, or indoors in a hot environment?

Then you’ll need a cowboy hard hat with a little more breathability.

The ventilated brow pad in this Jackson Safety hard hat has better airflow. So you’ll be more comfortable in the heat.

This hat comes with 4 point ratchet suspension that’s adjustable. 

It is suitable for any rugged type of job including most aspects of construction work.

It’s ANSI certified so no need to worry about passing the safety inspection.

Like any cowboy-style hard hat, this is going to give you great protection from the sun and the rain.

It’s made from HDPE blended plastic, so it’s highly durable. 

If you have a big head, you might wanna go for this one, as it should fit up to a size 8. The bigger your head is, the higher the hat will sit on your head.

Pros:

• Has a ventilated brow pad for breathability.

• Comfortable to wear all day.

• Made from durable plastic.

• Good all-weather protection.

• Makes a great gift.

• You get to say things like “howdy there fellas” etc

Cons:

• Only available in black.

• Sits a bit high on the head.

Final thoughts:

If the wild west is your thing, then getting a cowboy hard hat for work is a no-brainer.

They make work way more fun. 

But they also offer better protection from the sun, wind, rain, snow, and hail compared to a regular round hard hat.

You can get an ANSI and/or an OSHA-approved cowboy style hard hat if you need one, and they are available in classes C, G, and E.

Western-style hard hats are great for supervisors and inspectors as well as for a wide range of construction workers. 

This style of hard hat works for roofing, plumbing,A and everything in between.