About HayLo
OUR STORY:
Matty Haynes and Shannon Logue met on the tough streets of Mt. Druitt, Western Sydney, when they were just four years old. Their friendship was forged in the rough environment that shaped their understanding of the world, where violence was more common than anyone wanted to admit. Growing up, they saw countless acts of brutality, and one thing stuck with them: most people aren’t prepared when violence finds them.
Years later, an idea sparked in Matty’s mind after a conversation with a childhood associate. The concept was simple—put protective gear in the hood of a hoodie—but it grew into something much bigger. As Matty dug into research, he discovered something life-changing: in violent encounters, most wounds are suffered on the forearms and hands. It’s instinct—people naturally raise their arms to protect themselves, but that same reaction leaves them vulnerable.
The more Matty and Shannon thought about it, the clearer it became. People needed protection, but existing protective gear was bulky, unstylish, and impractical for everyday life. That’s when the lightning bolt of inspiration hit: HayLo SHIELD technology. Combining their last names (Haynes and Logue) with the concept of a protective shield, HayLo was born. The mission was simple: to protect what matters most—yourself and your loved ones—with stylish clothing that doesn’t sacrifice protection.
They designed their first piece: a hoodie with stab/slash-proof forearms, the most crucial area for personal defense. It was sleek, stylish, and, most importantly, functional. From there, they expanded the line—first, SHIELD Streetwear, for those who want protection in their day-to-day life. Then, SHIELD Luxury, offering the same advanced protection in high-end designs for formal and luxury occasions.
But HayLo is more than just a clothing brand. For Matty and Shannon, it’s a personal mission born out of the violence they experienced firsthand. They knew they couldn’t be everywhere to protect the people they cared about, but HayLo SHIELD could be. Every hoodie, every jacket, every limited edition piece is crafted with the emotional promise: “We’ve got your back.”
The streets may still be dangerous, but with HayLo, you don’t have to face them alone. HayLo SHIELD’s revolutionary technology could be the difference between a close call and making it home safe. And it doesn’t just stop with the adults. Their KidZwear and lilKidZwear lines protect children too, because HayLo believes in safeguarding every generation.
From the rise of random knife attacks to the human instinct of self-defense, the forearm shields they created became a symbol of the power to protect. And it’s not just protection—they made it affordable for everyone, with a range of prices and promotional offers like the $199 Ember Opal Hoodie, the cheapest in their line but crafted with the same quality and care as their high-end products.
It’s not just about selling clothes—it’s about giving people peace of mind. It’s about knowing you can step out in style, and still be prepared for the world around you. HayLo is the shield between you and the unexpected, the protection you didn’t know you needed until now. They understand the fear, they’ve lived it, and now, they’re offering a solution that blends style, security, and emotional peace.
HayLo is not just a brand. It’s a movement to protect, empower, and connect with anyone who understands the stakes. Every stitch, every shield, is built with purpose because for Matty and Shannon, this is personal.
Join the movement. Protect what matters
MISSION STATEMENT:
Matty Haynes - Co-Founder, HayLo:
"Growing up in Greater Western Sydney, I’ve seen how brutal life can be. From an early age, I was surrounded by people I cared about, people I called family, who were affected by the senseless violence that can erupt out of nowhere. The moments that leave scars aren’t just physical—they’re the ones that make you feel powerless, like you couldn’t do anything to protect the ones you love. And that’s a pain that stays with you.
For me and Shazz, creating HayLo wasn’t just about clothing, it was about giving people like us the chance we never had. The chance to know that even in the face of random violence, there’s something standing between them and the unthinkable. We’ve designed HayLo SHIELD to be that barrier—to offer a level of protection that no one expects from everyday clothing. Because let’s be real: when you’re raising your arms to protect yourself, it’s instinctual, it’s primal. But most clothing won’t help you in that moment.
I know the world can be harsh. But I also know that feeling safe, looking good, and protecting the people who matter doesn’t have to be a choice between one or the other. With HayLo, we’ve made sure you never have to make that compromise. Every hoodie, every piece we create is made with real lives in mind, your husbands, wives, children, family and mates the people you couldn’t bear to lose. That’s what drives me every day.
This isn’t just a brand it’s personal. It’s about making sure that when it comes to protecting those who matter, you’ve done everything you can. HayLo is more than just clothing it’s a movement to keep you, your family, and your friends a little safer in a world where danger could be around any corner. And if you’re wearing HayLo SHIELD, you’ll look damn good doing it too.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Shannon Logue - Co-Founder, HayLo:
"For me, this is personal. Matty and I didn’t just want to create fashion; we wanted to fuse it with purpose, making protection something you can wear every day with confidence. Guided by our motto, ‘Protect What Matters,’ HayLo is redefining safety, seamlessly integrating it into the very fabric of your life. Whether it’s for yourself or the people you care about most, our clothing ensures that you can live fully, with peace of mind, knowing you're shielded from harm.
"Growing up with Matty on the tough streets of Mt Druitt, we learned that life doesn’t always give you the luxury of feeling safe. We’ve seen firsthand how unpredictable and dangerous the world can be, and that reality shaped how we think about everything, especially when it comes to the people we love. We weren’t interested in just making clothes; we wanted to make sure the people who matter to us had something more, something that could protect them when they needed it most.
At HayLo, protection isn’t just an afterthought, it’s a way of life. Co-founded with Matty, HayLo was built on a shared commitment to shield our loved ones from the uncertainties of today’s world. Our SHIELD Streetwear and SHIELD Luxury lines are crafted from innovative stab and slash-proof materials, offering safety and style without compromise. We’ve designed every piece to reinforce the body’s natural defence mechanisms, preparing you for those unpredictable moments when protection is needed the most.
Because with HayLo, you don’t just wear fashion—you wear protection."
HayLo SHIELD Technology:
The SHIELD:
At the heart of HayLo is the SHIELD technology, designed to offer unparalleled protection without sacrificing style. Our SHIELD tech focuses on one critical aspect of self-defense—forearms. Through extensive research, we found that the majority of defensive wounds occur on the forearms and hands, where people instinctively raise their arms to block or deflect attacks. Our clothing addresses this vulnerability with a patented blend of slash-resistant and stab-proof materials.
Multi-Layer Protection
Each SHIELD garment is constructed with multiple layers of specialized fabrics. The outer layer is a stylish, breathable material that blends seamlessly into the design of everyday streetwear or luxury clothing. Beneath that, we've incorporated an ultra-durable, high-density protective layer made from materials like Kevlar or Dyneema. These materials are renowned for their resistance to cuts, slashes, and stabs, offering top grade protection.
Lightweight & Flexible
Traditional protective gear can often be bulky and rigid, but HayLo SHIELD garments are engineered for comfort. We’ve developed a unique fabric combination that is lightweight and flexible, allowing for ease of movement while still providing comprehensive protection. Whether you're walking down the street, at work, or out with friends, the garments feel like normal clothing, but offer an extra level of safety.
Reinforced Forearms
Our key innovation lies in strategically reinforcing one of the most defensively vulnerable areas the forearms. The SHIELD technology uses advanced textile engineering to fortify these areas, reducing the risk of serious injury in dangerous situations. With materials that can withstand both cuts and stabs, in the most extreme cases our SHIELD clothing could mean the difference between life and death in the event of an attack.
Let Your Instincts be your guide, Let HayLo be your SHIELD!
The Science Behind the Instinct:
The forearm shielding response can be explained through a combination of psychological, neurological, and evolutionary factors:
- Evolutionary Roots: Throughout human evolution, survival often depended on quick physical reactions. Protecting the face, head, and chest from harm became essential for survival. The brain has evolved to prioritize the protection of vital organs—especially the head, as damage to the brain is often fatal or debilitating. Raising the arms to block attacks or blows became an instinctive way to ensure survival in combat situations. This protective motion is one of the fastest and most effective responses, as the arms are naturally closer to the head and upper body.
- Neurological Response: When a person perceives danger, the brain sends a signal through the autonomic nervous system, triggering an immediate "fight, flight, or freeze" reaction. The reflex action of lifting the arms is part of this system. The amygdala, which processes fear and emotion, communicates with other parts of the brain to execute this movement almost instantly. The arms act as barriers to absorb the impact, reducing the likelihood of severe injury to critical areas.
- Biomechanics of Forearm Protection: The forearms are structurally suited for blocking and deflecting blows. The bones in the forearm—the radius and ulna—are sturdy, offering a protective shield when raised in defence. Furthermore, the hands and wrists, though more vulnerable, are mobile and can position themselves to mitigate the force of an attack. Muscular reflexes also play a role in creating tension in the arms, bracing them against impact.
- Psychological Aspect: Humans are hardwired to protect themselves from harm, and the forearm shielding instinct is a manifestation of this primal survival mechanism. In moments of panic or fear, people often experience tunnel vision, focusing on immediate threats and responding instinctively to protect vulnerable areas. This instinct is subconscious and immediate, not requiring deliberate thought, which is why it’s such a common and effective defensive reaction.
Practical Examples of the Forearm Shielding Response:
- Martial Arts and Combat Training: Many combat sports and martial arts teach and reinforce the forearm blocking technique, recognizing the instinctive nature of this defence. Practitioners are trained to maximize the effectiveness of their natural reflexes.
- Everyday Reactions: In daily life, even when someone suddenly encounters a falling object or aggressive movement, their initial response is often to raise their arms to shield their head or face.
- Knife Defence: Studies show that during knife attacks, a high percentage of injuries occur on the forearms and hands because individuals instinctively raise them to block or deflect the attack. These wounds are referred to as "defensive injuries."
The Materials:
Summary
Cut-resistant and slash-proof arm sleeves provide critical protection in many industries and can be a valuable addition to clothing designed for personal defense. These sleeves are typically made from high-performance materials like Kevlar, Tungsten fibers, Dyneema, and Modacrylic blends. Kevlar, in particular, is renowned for its cut resistance and flame-resistant properties, able to withstand temperatures up to 900°F (400°C), making it ideal for protecting against both cuts and burns
The cut resistance of these sleeves is rated by the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard, which measures the force required to cut through the material. The highest rating, A9, provides protection from extremely sharp objects, requiring over 6,000 grams of force to penetrate. These sleeves also offer abrasion resistance and can be enhanced with features such as thumb loops, adjustable straps, and pre-curved designs to ensure flexibility, comfort, and that the sleeves stay securely in place
Such sleeves are used in a wide range of industries, from construction and manufacturing to landscaping and metalworking, offering protection against cuts, scrapes, and punctures while handling sharp objects like glass or sheet metal
MCR Safety. These attributes make them a potential feature for the HayLo SHIELD line, as they could be integrated into forearm protection to enhance the safety and durability of your hoodies and other clothing items.