King of the Hammers (KOH) never gets easier – you just have to get tougher. Held in the unforgiving desert of Johnson Valley, California, KOH remains the ultimate proving ground for off-roaders, rock crawlers, and the gear that gets them home.
We’ve been bringing our winches to the dust and rocks of KOH for years, and 2026 was absolutely one for the record books. With over 80,000 spectators and the most brutal course layouts we’ve seen to date, this year brought new rigs, new gear, and new challenges. Here’s a look at what made King of the Hammers 2026 such a great year.
KOH: Looking Back
Joining with our tried and true partners, like X Comp Tires and SoCal Eric featured above, we made the Optima Oasis our home away from home this year.
To appreciate where we are in 2026, let’s take a look at the battles we’ve fought on the lakebed over the last few years:
- 2023: We hit the desert hard, providing essential recovery kits – winches, bull bars, and cargo racks – to the drivers braving the brutal no-chase format. It was a year of learning just how punishing the expanded vehicle classes had become.
- 2024: Who could forget the heartbreak of Team West? After two months of intense prep on their modded Tundra, they suffered terminal vehicle damage. Even though it ended in a DNF, their Superwinch Tiger Shark and SX12 winches were the heroes of the day, successfully pulling their heavy rig off a brutal rock hang-up before the truck ultimately gave out.
- 2025: We saw the true spirit of the off-road community shine through when Darren Parsons took on the infamous 5+ rated Jack Hammer trail. Darren didn’t just use his Superwinch SX Series to save himself; he used it to rescue fellow trail-rider on a steep, rocky ridge.
What’s New And Exciting For KOH 2026?
The Debut of the Scorpion 10SR Winch: Our winches have been staples at KOH for years, and this year we debuted the Scorpion 10SR Winch. After teasing it at SEMA in late 2025, we finally got to show off its capabilities in the dirt. With a lightning-fast line speed, an ultra-rugged synthetic rope setup, and a sleek midnight profile, the Scorpion was the talk of Hammertown. We set up interactive recovery demos at the Superwinch Basecamp, allowing fans to feel the no-bind clutch and pulling power of the Scorpion firsthand.
Electrifying the Lakebed: For the first time, we saw a massive surge in the Electric Vehicle (EV) Class on the trails. Superwinch partnered with several EV off-road teams to test our low-draw, high-efficiency winches. Watching near-silent rigs crawl up Chocolate Thunder while relying on Superwinch power for safety line pulls was a completely new, futuristic experience compared to the roaring V8s we usually sponsor.
Always Be Prepared With A Superwinch Winch
King of the Hammers 2026 proved once again that whether you’re racing for a podium or just wheeling with your buddies on the weekends, you need recovery gear you can trust. The trails in Johnson Valley don’t care what kind of rig you drive, and there are no tow trucks coming to save you.
Ready to upgrade your off-road recovery setup before your next adventure? Check out our full lineup of industry-leading winches and make sure you’re ready for whatever the trail throws your way.
