Protective headwear includes a body, band, cuff, and plurality of inserts. The body has an opening and a crown, and is configured to fit a head of a person. The band extends about the opening to an interior of the body and partially toward the crown. The band is free floating with respect to the body and configured to fit the head of the person. The band includes a plurality of pockets disposed about a base stitching that secures the band to the body. The cuff extends about the body and away from the crown, and incorporates a cuff element. The inserts are configured to be received into the pockets to provide a protective function to the head of the person. The inserts are disposed adjacently to one another about the band and extend from the base stitching of the band to the crown of the body.