MSA V-Gard Cap Style Hard Hat with Fas-Trac III

If you've been on a construction site, you've seen a V-Gard. It's the shape most people picture when they hear "hard hat," and with more than 3,000 Amazon ratings averaging 4.5 stars, it's still one of the most popular.

The shell is high-density polyethylene with a UV inhibitor to slow sun damage. It's a Type I, Class E hard hat certified to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 and CSA Z94.1. Type I means it's designed for impacts to the top of the head. Class E means the shell is proof-tested to 20,000 volts for electrical protection. The slotted cap weighs well under a pound, so it's easy to wear all day.

The Fas-Trac III suspension is the best part. It's MSA's top ratchet suspension, redesigned with input from users. Flush rear attachment points remove the pressure points that older suspensions caused at the back of the head. The nape strap has three height settings, so you can get the hat to sit level instead of tipping forward. The ratchet pad is contoured and comfortable.

The shell is slotted for MSA's huge range of accessories, more than 100 in all: earmuffs, face shields, sun shades, winter liners, lamp brackets and more. Replacement 4-point and 6-point Fas-Trac III suspensions are easy to find, so you can replace the suspension every year without buying a new shell.

The limits are the ones that come with any traditional hard hat. It's Type I only, so it isn't rated for side impacts. There's no chin strap in the box, so it can fall off in a slip or when you look up. And a cap style gives no shade for your neck and ears.

If your site still allows Type I hard hats, or you need a reliable spare for visitors and new hires, the V-Gard is hard to beat for the money.