Ben O’s 2026 Forecast

The Kaizen way to self-improvement, how to train in bad weather, and more...

Happy New Year, ya’ll (officially 5 years in TX so I can say that now)! I hope you’re soaking up the last few days of holiday break. Probably like a lot of you, this is always one of my favorite times. The holiday fun and madness is behind us, and that reset and routine is taking shape again. Cue Coach Taylor “Clear Eyes, Full Heart” mode. As always, around HB we are using this time to take inventory—both of our goals and adventure lists for the year—and then what’s in our closet to ride shotgun along the way. And luckily for all of you our product team is bringing the heat this January. New Year, New Gear is in full swing so I put together a list of a few of my new “Can’t Lose” favorites to kick things off. 

Let’s not bury the lede—this is one of the most exciting new products on HB for 2026. It’s impossible to describe how incredible the Polartec Alpha Direct fabric is in a few lines here—so make sure to nerd out on the product page—but I'll say it's become one of the most versatile cold-weather layers I've ever worn. I run in them, I ski in them, I travel in them. The hype is real.

I’m probably one of the last people that needs a new pair of shoes—so it takes something special to add to the collection. The new Jibflex Chukka checks that box. An all-new moc-toe style, with a winter-ready lug sole, all packaged together in a rugged-meets-refined way only the masters of Italian footwear can do.

I’ve been using GORUCK’s classic plate carrier for years, adding that extra spice to a run or home gym circuit. As their founder and my good friend Jason McCarthy preaches, “If you just add the weight, it’s that damn simple.” But to change something that’s already so effective, well, it better be good. And their new curved ruck plates are just that. Improved ergonomic design for your back, and freeing up the pressure on your chest so you can breathe easier in that next high-output sweat session.

What Mario and the crew down the road are putting out from their San Antonio workshop are some of the most thoughtful and subtly unique pieces I own. This chore coat exemplifies that—a classic foundation, with a little western grit, made from an incredible Japanese fabric. Refined enough to dress up, hardwearing enough for everyday. Heavy rotation for the year ahead.

 I’m stickin’ to my New Year’s resolution this year: better sleep. And that all starts with improving my evening routine. These blue-light blocking glasses are a new part of my toolkit each night (in addition to leaving my phone outside my room). Dr. Andrew Huberman helped develop the lenses to lower stress hormones and stabilize dopamine with our Austin friends at Roka.

Relwen just doesn’t quit. After dropping one of their best collections ever this winter, designer Jamie Rupp is following it up with new gear inspired by ’60s mountain towns. I’ve already picked up the new Pique Fleece Workshirt. Super-soft, yet durable. Easygoing, yet sharp. Will be my après uniform for the rest of winter.

Starting the year off in full-stride.
📍Eastern Sierra
📷 @a_souza_photo

©2026 Huckberry Inc. | 220 Industrial Blvd, Ste 100 Austin, TX 78745

View in Browser | Unsubscribe