Cap style hard hats are used to protect the top of the head from impact. Similar to baseball hats, they have a brim only on the front, which provides partial protection from the environment. Vented hard hats have small openings in the crown of the hat that allow air to flow through and reduce heat build-up.

Full brim hard hats provide additional protection with an extended rim that wraps all the way around the helmet. This acts as a shield against the sun, protecting your ears and the back of your neck from sunburn. The 360-degree brim also provides a bit of extra protection from falling objects.