Hub · Cowboy hard hats
Cowboy Hard Hats
Cowboy hard hats are ANSI-rated hard hats shaped like a western hat, with a creased crown and a brim all the way around. Most are Type I with Class G or Class E protection.
Who wears them
Cowboy hard hats on the job
Ranch and farm crews
Head protection around equipment, chutes and overhead work, with shade on long days.
Oil and gas
A common sight on leases and pads where the operator accepts Type I hats.
Construction
Supervisors, inspectors and crews on sites that allow western-style hard hats.
Sun-exposed work
Surveyors, landscapers and utility crews who need more brim than a standard hat.
How they're built
Same protection, western shape
The shell is molded from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or another rigid plastic in a cattleman or pinch-front shape. Inside sits a 4- or 6-point suspension with a ratchet or pin-lock headband and a replaceable sweatband. The suspension, not the shell, keeps the hat off your head and absorbs the force of a strike.
- Shell: HDPE, ABS, fiberglass or carbon fiber composite
- Suspension: 4- or 6-point, ratchet or pin-lock
- Label: maker, date, ANSI Z89.1, Type, Class, size range
Compliance basics
What makes a cowboy hard hat legal on site
OSHA does not approve individual products. It requires head protection that meets ANSI Z89.1, and your employer or site decides which Type and Class you need. If the label inside the shell is missing any of the required markings, the hat is not certified head protection.
| Marking | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 | The hat was tested to the US industrial head protection standard |
| Type I or II | Top-only or top-and-side impact protection |
| Class G, E or C | 2,200 V, 20,000 V or no electrical protection |
| Date of manufacture | Starts the clock on the maker's service life |
Read more in are cowboy hard hats OSHA approved? and cowboy hard hat ANSI ratings explained.
All guides
Cowboy hard hat guides
Cowboy Hard HatsCan You Paint or Put Stickers on a Cowboy Hard Hat?Paint is usually a no, because solvents can weaken the shell. Stickers are usually fine if the manufacturer allows them. Here is…
Cowboy Hard HatsWhen to Replace a Cowboy Hard Hat: Expiration and Damage SignsReplace it right away after any significant impact, when the shell shows damage, or at the end of the manufacturer's service life.…Cowboy Hard HatsHow to Clean and Care for a Cowboy Hard HatMild soap, warm water and air drying. No solvents, no harsh chemicals. Here is a step-by-step routine and how to store your…
Cowboy Hard HatsCowboy Hard Hat Colors and What They Mean on a JobsiteThere is no federal hard hat color code. Here is what colors usually mean on site, which cowboy hard hat colors are…
Cowboy Hard HatsCowboy Hard Hats in Oil and Gas: What Job Sites AllowMany oil and gas sites accept cowboy hard hats with the right rating. The operator and contractor rules decide. Here is what…Cowboy Hard HatsCowboy Hard Hat vs. Full-Brim Hard HatBoth protect your head and shade your face. The differences are brim width, accessory slots, Type II options and which sites accept…Cowboy Hard HatsWhat Is a Cowboy Hard Hat? Styles, Materials, and Who Wears ThemA cowboy hard hat is a certified hard hat molded in the shape of a western hat. Here is how they are…
Cowboy Hard HatsAre Cowboy Hard Hats OSHA Approved?OSHA does not approve or certify any hard hat. What it requires is head protection that meets ANSI Z89.1, and many cowboy…Cowboy Hard HatsHistory of the Cowboy Hard HatThe cowboy hard hat was invented in the 1990s by Bret Atkins, a Bakersfield, California machine-tool salesman who was tired of getting…Cowboy Hard HatsCowboy Hard Hat ANSI Ratings Explained (Type I, Class G, E, C)Most cowboy hard hats are ANSI Z89.1 Type I with Class G or Class E protection. Here is what every marking on…Cowboy Hard HatsCan You Wear a Cowboy Hard Hat on a Construction Site?In most cases you can, if the hat is ANSI certified and meets your site's Type and Class requirements. Here is what…
Cowboy Hard HatsCowboy Hard Hat Sizing and Fit GuideMost cowboy hard hats come in one shell size with a suspension that adjusts from about 6½ to 8. Here is how…Cowboy hard hat questions
What is a cowboy hard hat?
An ANSI-rated hard hat molded in the shape of a western hat, with a creased crown and a brim all the way around. It uses the same kind of suspension as any hard hat.
What rating are cowboy hard hats?
Most are ANSI Z89.1 Type I with Class G or Class E electrical protection. Vented models are Class C.
Who makes cowboy hard hats?
Safety manufacturers including Jackson Safety (the Western Outlaw) and OccuNomix (the Vulcan line) make certified western-style hard hats.
Do cowboy hard hats work with earmuffs?
Many models have no accessory slots, so hat-mounted earmuffs may not fit. Check the manufacturer for approved accessories, or use behind-the-head earmuffs.
Comparing hard hat styles?
See how cowboy hard hats stack up against cap-style and full-brim hard hats.