Honeywell North NSB Short-Brim Hard Hat — Vented, HDPE, 4-Point Ratchet

What the Honeywell North NSB Short-Brim Hard Hat Offers

The short brim is the defining feature and the reason to choose it. A short brim is a small peak from the front of the shell — more shade and rain protection than a bare cap-style hat, but without the 360-degree coverage of a full brim around the ears and neck. Honeywell pairs it with a grooved shell and rain trough that channel water off to the sides rather than down over the brim, so it keeps rain out of your eyes better than a plain cap-style shell in wet work.

Underneath is a 4-point ratchet suspension with a dual-locking mechanism that resists loosening through the day, plus accessory slots for compatible earmuffs and face shields. The shell is HDPE and the helmet is certified to ANSI, CE/EN, CSA and NOM — the US, European, Canadian and Mexican standards. Compare it against the wider field in our cap-style guide and the overall rankings.

Vented or Not — the Choice That Decides Electrical Class

The NSB line comes two ways, and the difference is not cosmetic. The vented NSB11001 — this product — runs cooler by letting heat escape through shell openings, and those same openings make it Class C: no electrical protection at all. The non-vented NSB100 seals the shell and earns the Class E rating, tested at 20,000 volts, at the cost of the venting.

That makes the decision straightforward and hazard-led. If electrical exposure is credible in your work — including the "I only work near it" case, which is precisely the scenario head protection exists for — you need the non-vented Class E shell, and this vented one is the wrong choice at any price. If there is no electrical hazard and heat is the enemy, the venting on the NSB11001 is a real daily benefit — much like the vented Ergodyne 8966. Our electrical hard hat guide covers what the classes actually mean, and whichever you buy, the authority is the stamp molded inside the shell, not the listing text — the hard hat rankings keep the classes straight.

Pros & Cons

Specifications

Related Guides

Related Products

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a short brim, and where does it sit between cap and full brim?

A short brim is a small peak extending from the front of the shell — more than a bare cap-style hat but far less than a full brim. It shades the eyes and sheds rain off the front, which is the everyday benefit, without the 360-degree coverage of a full brim that also protects the ears and neck. Choose it when you want a little front shade and a low-profile shell rather than all-round coverage.

Is this the vented or non-vented version?

This SKU, the NSB11001, is the vented version. That matters for one reason above all: a vented shell is Class C, with no electrical protection, because vents are openings that cannot be tested as a dielectric barrier. Honeywell makes a non-vented version, the NSB100, which carries the Class E electrical rating. A small number of listings describe the NSB11001 as non-vented, so confirm the vent state and the class marking inside the shell you actually receive.

So can I use it near electrical work?

Not this vented one. Class C means no electrical protection whatsoever, and incidental contact is exactly the scenario head protection exists for, so "I'm only near it" is not a safe rationale. If electrical exposure is credible in your work area you need the non-vented NSB100 with its Class E rating, or another Class E helmet — and you should verify the class stamped inside the shell before relying on it.

What does the rain trough actually do?

It channels water away from your face. The grooved shell and rain trough direct rain to run off at the sides rather than sheeting down over the brim and onto you, which is a small but genuine comfort improvement in wet outdoor work. It is not a substitute for proper rain gear, but combined with the short brim it keeps water out of your eyes better than a plain cap shell.

What is a dual-locking ratchet, and why does it matter?

The 4-point ratchet has a dual-locking mechanism designed to stop the suspension loosening under normal conditions. A hard hat that quietly loosens through the day ends up sitting wrong and gets pushed back on the head, which defeats the fit you set — a locking ratchet keeps the tension where you put it. Four points also spread impact force and the helmet's weight better than a two-point or pin-lock cradle.

Is it Type I or Type II?

Standard short-brim hard hats, this line included, are Type I — impact to the top of the head only. Type II adds lateral protection to the front, back and sides, and a brim does not confer it. If your job hazard analysis calls for Type II you want a rated Type 2 safety helmet instead, and you should confirm the Type marking molded inside any helmet before relying on it.

Why is it certified to four different standards?

Honeywell lists ANSI, CE/EN, CSA and NOM certification — the US, European, Canadian and Mexican standards respectively. That breadth suits multinational operations and cross-border work where more than one standard applies. As always, meeting several standards means it satisfies each one's own requirements, not that the ratings translate between systems; for US workplace use the ANSI Z89.1 classification is the one that governs.

What are the accessory slots for?

They accept compatible attachments such as earmuffs and face shields designed for this shell. The value of purpose-built slots is that the accessory mounts where the designer intended rather than being clamped somewhere that stresses the shell or interferes with the suspension. Verify accessory compatibility against Honeywell's own documentation for this model rather than assuming a bracket from another helmet will fit.

What shell material is it, and what are the limits?

High-density polyethylene, the standard industrial hard hat material — tough, light and economical for general construction and maintenance duty. Like every thermoplastic shell it is not for high radiant heat or molten metal exposure, which require materials specified for those environments. For the general-purpose work this helmet is built for, HDPE is exactly right.

How do I check its age and know when to replace it?

The date of manufacture is stamped inside the shell, usually as a clock-face marking the month and year, alongside the Type and Class markings. Combine the date with the manufacturer's service-life guidance, retire the helmet immediately after any impact since a shell can absorb energy without visible damage, and replace it on any sign of cracking, chalking or UV brittleness. Suspensions wear faster than shells and are replaced sooner.

Can I drill it or put stickers on it?

Never drill or modify a shell — a hole compromises impact performance outright. Stickers are a grey area: they can hide developing cracks and some adhesives attack the plastic, so keep them minimal, off the crown, and check the manufacturer's position. Do not paint the shell either, since solvents degrade the plastic over time.

Does the shell color change anything about protection?

No — color is visibility, not protection. A lighter or hi-viz shell is easier to spot on site, and many workplaces use hard hat color to signal role or trade, so check the site convention before choosing. The white shell of this SKU is a common default, and the impact and electrical performance are identical whatever the color.