“Our mission with this next generation of safety helmets is to offer a cooler, lower-profile helmet that reduces the temperature around the head, with zero compromise on safety,” said STUDSON Founder and CEO Ryan Barnes, in a release. “We designed the SHK-2 with our customers at the forefront: the electricians, roofers, linemen, and others required to wear a safety helmet on the job. The SHK-2 is a product of their feedback, matching the needs of the industrial athlete while helping them get home safe after every shift.”

Total KOROYD Integration

The core of the SHK-2 is the result of a deepened strategic collaboration between STUDSON and KOROYD. Moving beyond the EPS hybrid design of the SHK-1, the SHK-2 is STUDSON’s first industrial safety helmet to solely integrate KOROYD material under the shell. KOROYD precision-welded tubes eliminate the need for EPS foam, providing a strong crumple zone for high-velocity impacts while enabling high-airflow pathways to dissipate heat. This cooling is built into the helmet itself, with no bolt-on fans or battery packs to add weight.

"The move to a 100% KOROYD interior design was a direct response to field crews demanding better thermal regulation and comfort without sacrificing impact consistency,” said Piers Storey, managing director of KOROYD. “We have pushed the boundaries of heat dissipation and energy absorption by utilizing the welded tubes to create more effective crumple zones across the entire surface of the helmet."

Rigorous Lab Testing and Stakeholder Feedback Loop

The SHK-2 has been designed, engineered, and built to comply with the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026 Type II+ standard. It provides defense against both top and lateral impacts. The “+” reflects the 2026 edition’s added testing for chin strap retention, roll-off, and off-center force transmission. Testing protocols included exhaustive trials in independent third-party labs for penetration, environmental resistance, and high-velocity impact.

STUDSON, KOROYD, and the crews that tested the SHK-2 validated the safety helmet through exhaustive field testing and a continuous feedback loop. Beyond impact protection, the SHK-2 prioritizes stability during complex maneuvers with a universal design to ensure a secure, comfortable fit, especially for those working at heights.

“The worker is the most valuable asset on any job site, and the SHK-2 is built to provide the advanced Type II protection they deserve for their most valuable asset: the brain,” said Barnes.