North American industrial safety helmet innovator STUDSON today announced the debut of the SHK-2, its most advanced industrial safety helmet, at the 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis. The SHK-2 is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of the industrial athlete.
Modern gear needs to match the high-stakes precision and grit that today’s jobsites demand across civil construction, utilities, oil and gas, and more. The SHK-2 leverages the latest advancements in action-sports-grade engineering to enhance wearability and site-wide productivity.
“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 Ryan Barnes, Founder & CEO of STUDSON. “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.
The SHK-2 is on display at the 2026 NSC Safety Congress in Indianapolis through September 16, 2026. The Standard Brim and Full Brim models launch together, with first shipments expected in Q4 2026. A CSA-certified version is targeted for Q1 2027.
To learn more about STUDSON, visit www.STUDSON.com.
About STUDSON
STUDSON is a Sherwood, Oregon-based industrial safety helmet maker, named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Founded in 2019, STUDSON aims to deliver the most innovative above-the-neck protection on the market to save lives and livelihoods. Every SHK-1 safety helmet is compliant to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) Type II standards and integrates advanced protection components primarily used in action sports helmets. Its SHK-1 Full Brim Dual Cert models add CSA Z94.1-15 (R2024) certification for the Canadian market. Learn more at STUDSON.com and on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
About KOROYD
KOROYD is a platform of advanced material technologies for protective equipment, enabling users to perform at their best through superior user experience. Combining material science, engineered geometries and advanced testing, KOROYD develops impact protection solutions with a strong focus on breathability, mobility, lightweight design and long-term wearability. Working with leading brands worldwide, KOROYD supports partners from material integration through to product development, helping create protective products that balance impact performance with the experience of the people wearing them. Founded on technology originally developed through aerospace safety research, KOROYD continues to expand its material technology portfolio through research and development at its Monaco headquarters.
Learn more at KOROYD.com.
