After four straight years of losses REI is facing some tough financial realities — and payroll is squarely in the spotlight.

Eoin digs into what’s driving the decision, why payroll costs at REI are significantly higher than other retailers, and why a healthy REI still matters to the broader outdoor industry.

Also in this episode:

• Vail Resorts’ historically bad winter season
• Why ski resorts are still making money despite poor snow
• Eoin is then joined by Rock Founder and Outdoor Industry veteran, Colin True, to discuss the outdoor recreation economy’s “$1.3 trillion” headline number (and why it’s misleading) as well as the new brand campaigns from The North Face and Merrell.

Outdoor Unfiltered looks past the PR spin to explore what’s really happening in the outdoor industry and why it matters.

Connect with Eoin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/

Email the show: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.com

In this trailer, Eoin lays out the mission: honest conversations with insiders and experts about the forces shaping the industry — from innovation and branding to affordability, sustainability, and the real stories behind the headlines.

If you want to understand where the outdoor industry is headed — and why — Outdoor Unfiltered delivers the straight talk.

Follow now and get ready for the first episode dropping March 2.

Outdoor Unfiltered is part of the Rock Fight podcast network.

In one last, wide-ranging conversation, Colin True, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave take a final look at the outdoor industry they’ve spent three years questioning, criticizing, and celebrating.

From the state of outdoor media and the resilience of specialty retail to brand sameness, authenticity, and the growing influence of algorithms and AI, this episode serves as a candid closing argument for why curiosity and critical thinking still matter.

No headlines. No hot takes. Just one last honest conversation before the final stone is thrown.

Drawing parallels to sports dynasties, iconic artists, and cultural moments that knew when to walk away, Colin reflects on the three year run of the show, what it became for the outdoor industry, and the realities of podcasting, media, money, and burnout in the outdoor space.

Come back on Monday January 23 for our final episode.

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For the Lightning Round they do quick hits on J Crew, JD Sports, and OR's new athlete team.

Then they unpack the launch of Stoke Footwear, a running-inspired shoe brand built for “real American men” that’s already landed in hundreds of retail doors. Is this smart retail validation, or another case of active heritage being repackaged for a different audience?

Lastly for The Parting Shot, Colin takes aim at the promotion of Alex Honnold's next big thing.

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From Fleet Feet’s growing footprint, to the maturation of the hydration category and what it means for brands like Hydro Flask and YETI, the conversation spans retail scale, category fatigue, and where real opportunity still exists.

The episode also explores why more brands are opening their own stores, how DTC has evolved into an omnichannel strategy, and what that means for wholesale partners. Plus, the Lightning Round covers ski patrol strikes*, Everest trash, and why bikes still sit awkwardly outside the outdoor industry.

*This episode was recorded before the Telluride Patroller's strike ended.

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Then for The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin calls out Timberland’s latest boot, using it as a case study in what happens when legacy brands lose the plot on product quality, relevance, and execution. Watch the video that sparked the conversation by clicking here.

What do you think of our predictions? Weigh in with your opinion and make your own outdoor industry 2026 prediction by clicking here!

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From trail running’s continued dominance to zombie brands, WTF products, creative breakthroughs, and a few well-earned shots across the bow, this is a no-filter temperature check on where the outdoor industry stands and where it might be headed next.

Award Categories:

🪨 THE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN BRAND COLLABORATION

🪨 THE CHIP WILSON SELF INFLICTED WOUND AWARD (AKA BIGGEST BRAND BONER)

🪨 THE OPEN CONTAINER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE OUTDOOR COMMUNITY

🪨 THE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN OUTDOOR INDUSTRY OVEREXPOSURE

🪨 THE CATEGORY OF THE YEAR

🪨 THE WTF PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

🪨 THE NEWCOMER OR EMERGING BRAND OF THE YEAR

🪨 THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE OUTDOOR ZOMBIE HORDE

🪨 THE BRIEF AWARD FOR BRAND CREATIVE EXCELLENCE

🪨 THE GEAR ABBY GOLDEN BIDET AWARD FOR CONSUMER EDUCATION

🪨 THE JUSTIN HOUSMAN MEMORIAL ROCK FIGHTER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

🪨 THE 2025 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN TRADE SHOWS

🪨 THE 2025 ROCK FIGHT LISTENER AWARD

🪨 2025 OUTDOOR INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

🪨 2025 BRAND OF THE YEAR

See you in 2026!

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From fragmentation to event fatigue, Colin, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave break down whether outdoor still needs a single “north star” gathering; and who should be responsible for making it happen.

But first they hit a rapid-fire six-pack of industry stories, including:

• ANTA’s push into the U.S. market
• Arc’teryx living between performance and luxury
• L.L. Bean’s retail expansion strategy
• Why outdoor still plays it safe with color
• TNF x Skims (you know, for kids!)
• Kappa’s Olympic kits

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The crew dig into what worked, what surprised them, and what the outdoor industry should take away from a trade show that knows exactly what it is.

On The Docket!

• The TRE Retailer Awards: Emotion, community & why it works
• TRE vs. Outdoor Industry Trade Shows
• Booth Breakdown: The Best & Worst
• Trends & Rumors From the Floor
• Predictions: Who got it right and who missed? The crew evaluates their earlier predictions now that the show is done.

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Colin, Shawnté Salabert, Producer Dave and Eoin Comerford take the stage at The Running Event & Switchback 2025 for a fast, funny, high-energy conversation on the annual trade show.

On The Docket!

• The Future of TRE & Switchback: Christina Henderson and Kent Ebersole discuss where the event is heading, how outdoor fits in, and whether an awards program is coming.
• RUNHER Magazine founder and Editor In Chief joins TRF to discuss what outdoor can learn from running when it comes to being more inclusive.
• Gear Abby Live: Shawnté answers your burning questions!
• Booth Hits & Misses: Standouts include Brooks’ funhouse, Superfeet’s geodesic dome, and Rabbit’s unbooth. Low points: Clif Bar’s table and Prana’s identity crisis.

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They also dig into Dick's Sporting Goods plans for Foot Locker and respond to a listener email about the profitablity of resale economics. Lastly it's the final interview recorded at GOA Connect in Kansas City last month as the Monday crew chats with Fjallraven CEO Nathan Dopp.

On The Docket!

• Is resale profitable? Becky from Tersus challenges the pod on resale profitability.
• Dick's/Foot Locker Update! What a $500–$750M of “pretax charges” actually means and why so much of Foot Locker’s inventory is getting liquidated.
• The Running Event Preview & Predictions: What the crew is excited for and what they think will happen at the show
• Fjallraven's Nathan Dopp: Our final GOA Connect interview!

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On The Docket!

• Mailbag: A listener response to the Patagonia Impact Report and how they make their stuff.
• Nike Targets Trail Running: Does a Hoka lookalike and a new race sponsorship puts Nike ACG in the trail running pole position?
• The Lightning Round! Running continues to crush, REI's new travel partnership, and highlighting Women Led Wednesday!
• Sierra’s Expansion: Now at 141 U.S. stores Sierra's growth continues so The Rock Fight takes a field trip a couple of local stores to see the chain for themselves.

For The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear Colin highlights a friend of the pod's outdoor industry trade show call out (and solution)!

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Topo has quietly become one of the most talked-about brands in trail running. Growing 70% last year and expanding into 25 countries all while staying true to its specialty roots and never running a sale on its website in 12 years.

In This Episode

• Trail Running’s Not New: Why today’s hype is really the second (or third) wave. From Leadville in the ’90s to the Born to Run era to now.
• Surviving 145% Tariffs: How Topo shifted production from China to Vietnam without sacrificing fit or durability.
• A 13-Year Overnight Success: Why Topo focused on authentic growth, not blowing up fast.
• Run vs. Outdoor Specialty: Why the brand refuses to choose.
• Silent Flex: Zero discounting… ever
• The Up-and-Comers: Tony weighs in on Speedland, Norda, and Mount to Coast and why entering the category is harder than it looks.
• Why Topo Will Still Be Here in 10 Years: Tony’s philosophy: deliver a better experience, every time.

For The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin struggles with the glut of poorly executed maximal midsoles.

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On The Docket!

• Functional Fabric Fair Recap: Dave reports from Portland with notes on increased exhibitor energy, better layouts, stronger innovation hubs, and heritage insulation brands making a comeback.
• Tariff Watch 2025 (DUN-DUN!): New China tariff adjustments, South American deals, and what they actually mean for outdoor brands. Astral, Osprey, and Terramar are already making painful adjustments.
• Patagonia’s First Impact Report: Transparency, paradox, and the “greener than thou” crowd.
• Vuori Snow Is… a Thing: A new winter sports line with a clunky launch video. Can Vuori make the jump from soft gymwear to genuine snow apparel?
• RIP Gorewear (1985–2025): Gore is shutting down its cycling/run brand after 40 years.
• Lightning Round: ON’s tariff-proof sales surge, the secondhand market grows, and Fleet Feet’s big Adidas partnership

For The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Sorel released a new brand video and Colin would like to see prAna get some Columbia portfolio love.

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Here's the rundown!

• Hiking vs. Trail Running: Why Obōz believes hiking has never been less appreciated.
• Innovation Pressure: How the obsession with the next same thing can hold brands back, and what true innovation actually requires.
• Specialty Retail’s Role: Why Obōz waited until 2021 to launch e-commerce and why independent retailers continue to be the heartbeat of the outdoor world.
• Operating Under KMD Brands: The advantages and challenges of being part of a New Zealand-based outdoor portfolio.
• The Energy Gap: Amy’s case for why the industry needs more personality, more creativity, and more willingness to stand for something.

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From coolers to chef-designed backpacking meals (and at least one trail running brand) these are the most exciting things they saw at the outdoor industry's most consequential event.

• Rugged Road: A foam-first, ultra-light cooler that floats upright.
• VSSL: From prepper tools to the most over-engineered coffee system ever made.
• NNormal: Kilian Jornet’s performance-meets-design trail running brand
• Lems Shoes: The 15-year “overnight success” building momentum in retail.
• Thacker NYC: A stylish, urban-inspired brand shaking up outdoor fashion.
• Luxefly: Gourmet freeze-dried meals created by a celebrity chef (goodbye unwanted freeze dried gas).

For The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin takes aim at our nation's airport bathrooms (seriously).

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They unpack the state of PFAS (“forever chemicals”). Once the outdoor industry’s biggest story, now quietly complicated by regulation, cost, and unintended consequences.

They dig into:

• PFAS bans and the fallout — where the legislation stands and which states are next.
• Who benefits most from PFAS removal (hint: supply chain workers).
• Legal gray zones — what brands can (and can’t) claim as “PFAS free.”
• What’s next — new concerns around solvents, BPA, phthalates, and antimicrobials.
• The rise of natural fibers and the myth of “cotton kills.”
• The F/M/K round: “PFAS Free,” “Non-PFAS,” and “No Added PFAS.”

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On the docket!

• VF’s Up-and-Down Quarter: North Face & Timberland steady the ship while Vans still struggles.
• HOKA’s Plateau: Deckers cools expectations as HOKA’s U.S. sales flatten but international growth keeps soaring. Is the bubble finally bursting or just shifting?
• Marmot’s Resurrection: Newell Brands shows signs of life, prompting Producer Dave to upgrade Marmot from “zombie” to “revenant.”

2026 Outdoor Trade Show Watch!

• Outdoor Retailer’s “Leadership Village” expands with new names from Cotopaxi, Garage Grown Gear, and Founded Outdoors plus a focus on small and emerging brands.
• ISPO Moves to Amsterdam: Europe’s biggest outdoor trade show changes cities and strategy, raising questions about timing, purpose, and relevance.

Lightning Round!

• Wolverine Named Footwear News Company of the Year (and somehow not Nike).
• Lululemon x NFL Collab would Chip Wilson have ever approved?
• Specialized E-bike Lawsuit: The latest in “gear that tries to kill you.”

The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear!

A listener calls The Rock Fight “Patagonia’s biggest haters.” The crew responds (with vigor) clarifying that critique comes from love, not spite.

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Focusing on Brand Position, Retail Appeal, and wear test performance, the trio have a look at Speedland, Norda, and Mount to Coast to crown one who will move on to the next round (provided there will be a next round).

But before the big shoe showdown, they have a look at a couple of stories that have come out of the outdoor trade show scene:

• OIA and Switchback’s deeper partnership (and what it means for Outdoor Retailer)
• The new Cascade Summit trade show launching in Portland in 2026
• Next Adventure LIVES!
• Nike vs. Adidas: Can Adi take down the top dog?

Lastly for The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin uses history as a bucket of cold water for all of the people out there who think that trail running is the next big mainstream sport.

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They’re joined by Mammut’s Chief Marketing Officer Nic Brandenberger, who shares the inside story of how the campaign came together, from the insight that “8 out of 10 jackets never see a mountain” to the decision to embrace humor.

Episode Topics:

• How Mammut’s team turned an internal truth into creative gold
• The challenges and wins behind Mountain Wear Rescue
• Why humor in outdoor marketing is so hard to pull off
• Working with Katie Burrell and casting for comedy
• The evolution of Mammut’s brand voice and personality
• Outdoor industry tropes that need to die
• The Rock Fight’s final score: originality, brand fit, messaging, visuals & strategic cleverness

Spoiler: Mammut scores high and gives zero f*cks.

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Here's the rundown!

• Rough Q4 on the way? Multiple reports this past week paint a less than rosy picture for the end of the year. (06:44)
• A new survey names what is trending with teens. Spoiler: it's not Puffin Drinkwear. (12:17)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round! Rutabaga changes course, Runnin' and Gunnin' in our National Parks, and On sued for their squeaky shoes. (18:50)
• Support those who support The Rock Fight! Ripstop By The Roll, Fjallraven, Lems Shoes, and Ibex! (22:47)
• Outdoor Industry Buy or Sell! Each host brings outdoor brands, trends or products and make the case for why they are either buying or selling. (26:50)

Lastly for The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin has a note for a recent cycling study. (49:00)

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Since 1989, Title Nine and its founder Missy Park have been putting money behind women-led brands; more than $1.7 million in Pitchfest investments and $72 million in total purchasing power.

Shawnté attended this year's edition and shares what makes this event different: collaboration over competition, community over ego, and a focus on solving real problems.

The conversation covers:

• How Pitchfest is rewriting the rules of outdoor entrepreneurship.
• Standout brands from this year’s event.
• Why representation in design and leadership still matters.
• The growing movement to fund women founders, not just feature them.

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Today Colin takes an unfiltered look at the state of fabric innovation in the outdoor industry by heading to the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon.

Prompted by a listener letter asking whether the industry’s obsession with lifestyle over performance has killed innovation, Colin hits the trade show floor to find out for himself.

He’s joined by:

• Charles Ross, performance material expert, who defines true innovation as “solving real problems — not just changing colors.”
• Michelle Rose, designer and founder of Struktur Society, who argues that imagination and play—not process—drive breakthroughs.
• Greg Garrigues, Director of Innovation at Mountain Hardwear, who insists innovation is about diligence and iteration, not just creativity.
• Mya Franklin of LifeLabs, a new textile company pushing thermal-regulation fabrics born from Stanford research.
• Stewart Sheppard, sustainability veteran, who explains that consumers don’t dream of “green products” — they dream of great gear that works and feels good.
• And Ben Ryan, formerly of The North Face and Salomon, who reminds us that the spark of excitement and curiosity still fuels every real innovation.

What did we find when we dove deep? Innovation isn’t dead — it’s just not where you used to look for it.

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On the docket!

• REI shutters its SoHo and Boston stores: Both shops are unionized, sparking speculation about whether this is cost-cutting, anti-union, or just part of the Peak 28 overhaul. (03:55)
• Orvis blames tariffs for closing 36 stores: Are we sure it isn't just the brand’s long drift away from its fishing roots? (13:15)
• Backcountry partners with AllGear Digital: Smart retail-media synergy or just another way to cram ads into your shopping experience? (19:35)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round: Hydro Flask’s poor quarter, Mount To Coast gets sustainable, Halfdays raises $10 million! (28:50)
• Chip Wilson is Back: Lululemon takes it on the chin and hears about it from their founder. (41:05)

Lastly for The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin draws a parallel between dying local hockey shops and the decline of outdoor retail. (47:48)

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Joined by Emily Holland (Founded Outdoors) and Lloyd Vogel (Garage Grown Gear), the conversation talks about what life is really like for small outdoor businesses.

• Defining “Emerging”: Why the term is so fuzzy and whether it even matters.
• Founded Outdoors: How the organization is creating a free, vibrant community (and consulting arm) to support founders, minimize gatekeeping, and provide resources for early stage outdoor companies.
• Success & Failure: Why most small brands don’t flame out dramatically, but quietly fade away and how expectations play a huge role.
• Product vs. Brand: The chicken-and-egg debate. Do you lead with killer gear, or build a story first?
• Why Small Brands Matter: Faster innovation, closer ties to real community needs, and local economic impact.

They also debate whether the outdoor industry is too insular, how outside perspectives (Sephora anyone?) could add value, and why supporting small brands doesn’t always mean paying a premium.

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First up, the crew reacts to the latest ripple effects of Outdoor Retailer’s Minnesota move and whether the industry is being too quick to jump on the “OR is back” bandwagon. With questions around the “Leadership Village,” the role of run and lifestyle categories, and whether the show truly knows who it’s for, Colin and Eoin argue that defining the audience is the only way forward. (05:56)

Next, the conversation turns to Bass Pro’s acquisition of Hobie. Once a pioneering surf and sailing brand turned kayak powerhouse, Hobie has faced dealer frustration, supply chain nightmares, and brand drift. Will Bass Pro revive Hobie, turn it into a house brand, or alienate specialty retailers even further? Dave dives into Hobie’s rich heritage and what Bass Pro could do with the name; if they think beyond fishing kayaks. (13:23)

The lightning round brings more industry headlines (21:20):

• Kohl’s pushes its FLX line into kids’ activewear.
• Keen jumps into the crowded trail running shoe market with “The Seek.”
• Arc’teryx shrugs off PR fallout from its controversial Himalayan fireworks stunt.

Support those who support The Rock Fight! Today's sponsors: Ibex, Fjallraven, Lems Shoes, Royal Robbins, and Conatus Counsel! (26:18)

Finally, the hosts analyze REI’s new strategic plan, Peak 28. With four lofty pillars—culture, assortment, service, and membership—the co-op hints at big changes ahead. But with payroll bloat, declining margins, and vague promises, the question remains: will REI truly reinvent itself, or is this just frosting on an underbaked cake? (30:37)

The show closes with The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, celebrating a big week for women-led outdoor brands like Wild Rye, Gnara, and Title Nine’s Pitchfest. Proof that despite the challenges, inspiring things are happening across the outdoor landscape. (39:59)

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Colin and Eoin debate whether these changes are enough to reestablish OR as the national gathering for the outdoor industry, or whether the momentum has permanently shifted away from the iconic show.

Guests Sunny Stroeer and Lindsay Hubley (Emerald Expositions) join to explain the vision behind these moves, why Minneapolis won out, and how they plan to attract retailers, brands, and groups like the OIA and Conservation Alliance back into the fold.

Topics Covered:

• Why August makes strategic sense for buyers and brands
• The role of emerging brands in reviving OR’s relevance
• How nonprofits and advocacy groups could bring back OR’s “soul”
• Whether lifestyle and run trends are a blind spot for the show
• What success in Minneapolis would look like

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• Retail updates: Sherman Outdoor Sports closes after 103 years, while Sherpers celebrates 90 years and Eau Claire Outdoors gets it going. (04:07)
• Brand updates: Is Marmot showing signs of life? (07:38)

Good News or Bad news?

• New Shells: Rab launches a PFAS-free Gore-Tex line. (08:36)
• Collabs gone grocery: Nike x Kirkland shoes hit the internet. (13:04)
• Athletes & influence: Does Killian Jornet’s 14er linkup land the way it once might have? (16:09)
• Support those who support The Rock Fight! Today's partners: Ibex, Fjallraven, Royal Robbins, Lems, Conatus Counsel
• Marketing done right: Mammut’s mockumentary-style campaign hits the landing. (27:08)
• The big one: Arc’teryx’s fireworks fiasco in the Himalayas begs the question: how did this even happen? (33:03)
• Lightning Round: Salt Life eyewear, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Huffy. (40:41)
• Parting Shot: The X Games announce a new “league” with betting baked in. (43:15)

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Today on The Rock Fight, Colin sits down with returning guest Darren Josey (First Seed Sown, Founded Outdoors, Great Malden Outdoors) to unpack what went down at the National Outdoor Economy Conference in North Carolina.

Unlike trade shows, these conferences bring together governors, policymakers, state OREC directors, economic developers, tourism leaders, trail builders, and healthcare advocates. All of them focused on one thing: using outdoor recreation to strengthen communities and economies.

Colin & Darren discuss:

• Why states like Tennessee and Arkansas are leading the charge on outdoor rec.
• How outdoor economy conferences differ from traditional trade shows.
• Why brands and retailers need to show up and what they stand to gain.
• The untapped link between outdoor rec and healthcare costs.
• How states are building infrastructure that literally creates new customers.
• The opportunity for the outdoor industry to move beyond selling gear into shaping healthier, more resilient communities.

TL;DR: The outdoor industry can move beyond its bubble and spoiler: brands that get involved early may benefit the most.

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Here is the full rundown for today's episode:

• VF sells Dickies for $600m 8 years after acquiring the 103 year old workwear brand for $820m. How does this benefit VF and what does it mean for the outdoor industry? (03:10)
• Is an increase in participation driving fresh M&A actitivity? Capstone Partners says that is. The Rock Fight's consigliere weighs in. (11:25)
• Support this weeks partners of The Rock Fight! Ibex, Fjallraven, Royal Robbins, Lems Shoes, and Conatus Counsel! (22:12)

The Monday Boys are then joined by Darren Bush to talk about the following topics (26:22):

• Why Darren is closing Rutabaga after more than 25 years of ownership.
• How his personal journey, from epidemiologist to retailer to chaplain, shaped his outlook.
• The state of specialty retail, from margins to customer service.
• Why experiential opportunities like paddling schools and Canoecopia still matter.
• The challenges of succession planning and selling independent shops.
• What the closures of Rutabaga, Summit Hut, and Next Adventure say about the industry.
• Darren’s proudest moments and the thousands of hugs he’s received from grateful paddlers.

Finally for The Parting Shot, Colin thinks the outdoor industry may be a little too concerned with that 'seat at the table' and could stand to be a little louder in the face of recent events. (43:40)

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What we cover:

• How Cotopaxi sees itself today: outdoor brand, lifestyle brand, or both?
• The role of iconic products in a market that’s shifting toward versatility and lifestyle.
• The future of Del Día and Más Vida, Cotopaxi’s sustainability-driven product lines.
• Why resale and circularity matter for the outdoor industry.
• How Cotopaxi is planning for growth across wholesale, D2C, and international markets.
• Shumlas’ 5-year vision: Cotopaxi as a household name, known as much for impact as for bold gear.

Cotopaxi has taken its share of rocks on The Rock Fight which makes this open conversation even more exciting. Lindsay showed up ready for the fight and to talk about whether “doing good” can coexist with growth.

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• Comeback brand feedback & Eoin's surf brand game: We discuss the listener feedback to last weeks episode where we nominated the candidates for 2026 comeback brand of the year and Eoin quizzes Colin & Producer Dave about their knowledge of current up and coming surf brands. (04:05)
• Topo has themselves a quarter and continues the trend of running brands showing big growth which begs the question, can run overtake outdoor like outdoor once overtook surf and ski? (14:56)
• Adidas releases a new shoe designed just for running on the treadmill. No really, they did that. (21:55)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round! This weeks fast acting topics: Glamping over camping, are outdoor retailers missing the boat on the grow wearable tech category, and Combat Flip Flops! (26:26)
• Support those who support The Rock Fight! This weeks partners: Ibex, Fjallraven, Royal Robbins, Lems Shoes, Conatus Counsel. (30:37)
• Pre-holiday blues? Three surveys dropped this past week painting a relative gloomy picture of the upcoming holiday shopping season. (35:32)
• Are US outdoor brands at risk overseas? A new article from The Guardian details challenges being faced by US fashion brands, are outdoor brands facing the same challenges? (39:20)

For The Parting Shot Producer Dave offers an update on the roll out of Columbia's campaign and rebrand. (44:42)

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What we cover:

• How the decline of journalism (75% fewer reporters than 20 years ago) impacts public lands coverage.
• Why RE:PUBLIC chose the nonprofit model and how it differs from traditional outdoor media.
• The role of brands and retailers in speaking up for conservation.
• Why public lands deserve dedicated, investigative storytelling beyond listicles and quick-hit news.
• How RE:PUBLIC plans to partner with outlets to deliver long-form, high-impact stories.
• What listeners and outdoor industry pros can do to support RE:PUBLIC right now.

Public lands are at the heart of the outdoor industry and our way of life but they’re under constant pressure. With journalism shrinking, RE:PUBLIC wants to step in to ensure these stories don’t get lost.

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• Listener Mailbag! We hear from a new outdoor retailer and long time industry vet about last Monday's episode. (03:55)
• Backcountry acquires Portland cycling retailer a month after acquiring a different retailer in SLC. What's the strategy? (10:48)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round! This weeks topics: On's new weight training shoe, Nike ACG is back... again, happy birthday Kula Cloth! (16:07)
• Friends of The Rock Fight! Please support this weeks partners: Fjallraven, Lems Shoes, Royal Robbins, and ENDVR. (20:45)
• Presenting the candidates for the "2026 Mountain Hardwear Comeback Player Of The Year Award". Hardwear was the toast of the industry in 2025, who will fill that role in 2026? We make the case for and against 10 big brands in the outdoor industry and then predict who we think will take home the top prize. (24:00)

For The Parting Shot we bid farewell to NW Alpine who announced last week that they would be shutting down. (50:00)

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With recent closures like Summit Hut and Next Adventure , the question looms: what’s the future of independent gear shops? Todd shares what makes specialty retail resilient, the challenges of D2C and online competition, and why resale programs could be a lifeline for shops like his.

They also dive into:

• Why community connection still sets local shops apart.
• The role of GOA in elevating specialty retailers.
• Why some markets (like Missoula) thrive while others (like SoCal) struggle.
• The importance of brand storytelling in making product choices.
• Todd’s pick for the next big comeback brand (hint: it’s all about Black Diamond).

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• The Footlocker/Dicks merger is one step closer to being finalized. What's next? (05:55)
• The Lightning Round: Nike loses to While On Earth, Polartec's Warm Weather Fleece, and Athleta's disappointing second quarter. (11:05)
• The big news of the week? Retailer Summit Hut announces that it will be closing its doors. Is this a sign of the outdoor industry's demise or just another sign that things are evolving? (18:12)
• The Outdoor Brand Scorecard! Eoin put together a scorecard to evaluate outdoor brands relationship with their retailers. (32:26)

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The Brief is a look at the brand and creative efforts of the outdoor industry as broken down by our brand and creative expert, Producer Dave. Today we're taking a look at Columbia's recent (and maybe controversial?) campaign: Engineered For Whatever.

And we have a special guest as Colin and Producer Dave are joined by Columbia's SVP of Marketing, Matt Sutton.

Matt talks about the origins of Engineered For Whatever, how he and his team were empowered to go big, and what the campaign means for the future of Columbia. And of course we ask Matt about the reaction to the campaign; both the positive and the negative.

Would you like your brand or marketing campaign to be broken down on a future edition of The Brief? Drop us a line at myrockfight@gmail.com.

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The Rock Fight is moving to two episodes a week with episodes dropping on Monday and Friday. Fans of the adventure sports and outdoor community topics we typically covered on Wednesday should run right over and follow Shawnte's new podcast Gear Abby. The trailer is now live and the show debuts on September 4th! Colin will be cohosting so you'll get your outdoorsy banter fix on Gear Abby going forward.

Today Colin talks about the decision to move on from Wednesday and Shawnté previews what listeners can expect on Gear Abby.

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• Mailbag! A listener looks back on one of the OG low top hikers. (05:23)
• Consumer sentiment is on the decline. What does this actually mean for the outdoor industry? (09:57)
• Gravel Running Mania! Salomon has added gravel as a category on their website. Is that the first domino to fall that leads to gravel becoming a full time shoe wall category? (17:52)
• Big week for Vans. First they unveil the objectively terrible 'Future Clog' while prognosticators ponder if vulcanized rubber sneakers are poised for a comeback. (23:17)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round! This weeks topics: Angler Core! Alcohol Consumption! Inactivity! (28:35)
• According to The Rock Fight's consigliere, retailers are being conservative heading into the F26 selling season. What's going on out there? (32:20)

Lastly for The Parting Shot Eoin takes over and creates his own 1990's playlist. (43:58)

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• Fake summit selfies! Scandal breaks in the mountaineering world as a climber is accused of faking summits. (08:44)
• Nepal pimps other peaks! Nepal is issuing free permits to 97 other mountains to try and relieve some of the traffic on Everest. Will it work? (17:32)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round! Today's topics: a bear kills Japanese hiker, a rattlesnake kills a Tennessee hiker, and SUPs are killing more people than ever before. (24:30)
• Is completing the Triple Crown of Hiking 'dumb'? A recent blog post ponders the motivation of those who pursue thru hiking the PCT, CDT, and AT. Do we agree? (29:12)

For The Parting Shot, Shawnté reflects on Hurricane Katrina's 20 year anniversary while Colin follows up on Kilian Jornet's new venture.

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• With brands like On Running and Brooks joining Altra, Saucony, and Hoka in the 'recent excellent financial performance club', is the category of running set up to weather the tariff storm better than everyone else? (05:50)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round! This weeks lightning round topics include: Gildan Activewear acquires Hanesbrand for $2.2b, Merrell's claim that they are modernizing hiking, and a stop by Pickleball Corner. (21:41)
• Vuori turns 10 and celebrates by opening its 100th store. Is there anything that can slow them down? (29:03)
• On the other side of the athletic coin Under Armour is still trying to refind it's footing. Maybe they need a little more 'grrrr'. (36:08)

Lastly for The Parting Shot Colin has a look at the endurance world's 'discovery' of Rice Krispie Treats. (45:12)

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• A British hiker ignores the signs and is now on the hook for his $16,000 rescue. Should people have to pay to get help? (06:44)
• A NY man was arrested for leaving his 9 year old in the VIP tent of the Lake Placid Ironman while he went out and competed in the race. Did Ironman also submit an invoice for their babysitting fees? (14:57)
• Killian Jornet has a new project... because of course he does. (21:35)
• The Rock Fight's Lightning Round: The fastest 3 minutes in outdoor news! Antarctica tourism, a Russian chairlift collapses, and long distance mushroom boating! (30:56)
• Let's talk about trail etiquette...because it seems that not enough people know the rules these days. (33:23)

Lastly, for The Parting Shot, Colin declares his now semi-eternal position on e-mountain bikes. Brace yourself... the rocks are coming in fast for this one. (53:52)

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• Tariff Watch 2025! After week of surveys, brand reports, and new tariff percentages it is time to check in on the latest tariff situation. (05:32)
• ThredUp's recently earnings report shows that secondhand continues to be an opportunity that everyone should be leaning into. (16:53)
• The Rock Fight Lightning Round! The fastest 3 minutes in outdoor industry news. This weeks topics: Altra's impressive growth, Saucony's even more impressive growth, Reebok sale rumors, and Emerald Expositions overall flat earnings. (22:29)
• Columbia launches it's new brand campaign: Engineered For Whatever. A new video and a new stance from Columbia was the buzz of the outdoor industry last week. We take a look at what the brand is trying to do, determine if they were successful, and discuss the backlash. (28:00)

For The Parting Shot, Colin ponders what you give up when you pursue big outdoor goals. (42:54)

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Ok to be fair, they mostly poked fun at the press release, but still they were not optimistic about Sequence, Ortovox's forthcoming lineup of outdoor apparel and gear.

Tom Mason, the US Brand Manager for Ortovox, heard their comments and today he is on the show ready to throw some rocks of his own!

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Host of Open Container, Doug Schnitzspahn, joins Colin & Shawnté as they each take a look back at the 1990's and assemble a playlist inspired by adventure. Each of them built a list of 10 songs from the 1990's (one from each year starting in 1990 and ending in 1999) to be the soundtrack of a their chosen activity.

3 activities, 10 years, 30 songs. Get ready of the ultimate outdoor playlist, 1990's edition!

Listen to the Ultimate Outdoor Playlist: 1990's Edition on Spotify by clicking here.

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Throughout 2025 The Rock Fight crew has named the 20 best brands in the outdoor industry when they created top 5 lists of the best outdoor brands going in footwear, apparel, gear, and accessories.

And on today's episode, Colin is joined by outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford, brand and creative expert Producer Dave, and outdoor journalist and author Shawnté Salabert to draft from those 20 brands and see who can assemble the greatest team of outdoor brands!

Can't remember who those brands were? Here's a reminder:

• Footwear: Hoka, Norda, Merrell, On Running, Birkenstock
• Apparel: Picture Organic, Cotopaxi, Fjallraven, LIVSN, Mountain Hardwear
• Gear: NEMO, Osprey, Black Diamond, MSR, Exped
• Accessories: Outdoor Research, Smartwool, Biolite, Sea To Summit, Garmin

Who will end up with the best roster of the best brands? Listen to find out!

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The Brief is a look at the brand and creative efforts of the outdoor industry as broken down by our brand and creative expert, Producer Dave.

A few weeks back Producer Dave noticed some billboards popping up in his hometown of Portland, OR for running shoe upstart Speedland. Today we take a deep dive into the creative of the Speedland campaign and determine if billboards were a good idea at all to support that campaign.

We end with Produce Dave debuting The Brief Final Assessment where he scores the efforts of Speedland's campaign out of a possible 50 points!

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• Gen Z Paddlers to the rescue! A new crop of young paddlers and kayakers are redefining what makes for a fresh and cool outdoor expeditions! (07:52)
• Do we still need approach shoes? I mean if you're looking for an uncomfortable shoe that is half as functional as a climbing shoe and can be replaced by the myriad of other options the outdoor industry produces I guess we can keep making them? (15:14)
• The Rock Fight LIGHTNING ROUND! The fastest 3 minutes of news in outdoor media! Today we hit why icebergs rule, a 9 year old climbs 5.14b, MLFNOW (it's fishing not 🌽), and underground marathons! (19:23)
• The US Forest Service is going to close it's 9 regional offices. Yet another terrible idea from our current leadership in Washington DC that will have long lasting impacts across the US. The bad decisions just keep racking up. (23:21)
• The Parting Shot! Colin takes aim at Big Hot/Cold and Shawnté provides a climate update from the Hague! (37:52)

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• Outdoor Industry History! In what year did these outdoor headlines occur? (04:41)
• Industry ups and downs: Clarus & Fenix struggle in their recent earnings while Hoka and UG continue to thrive. But is the Deckers rocket ship starting to slow down? (08:10)
• Hope for ski resorts? Two recent stories buck the trend of bad news for snowsports. Was this a good week or a sign of things to come? (17:35)
• The Rock Fight LIGHTNING ROUND! The fastest 3 minutes of news in outdoor media. This week we hit the new House of Sport store coming to SoCal, Dad's leading the back to school charge, and insole maker Ortholite sold for $770m! (21:23)
• A recent lawsuit out of the hunt/fish world highlights the importance of MAP pricing. We discuss. (25:52)

For The Parting Shot, apparently last Wednesday's tribute by Colin about Malcom Jamal Warner was just the beginning of a bad week for Gen X because we also lost Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan. We pour a little out for these 80's icons (even if Hulk did turn out to be a scumbag). (42:16)

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He kicks things off by level setting what Rock Fight is going to be up to in the coming months and then reflects back on LAYERS; the show he and Producer Dave first did under the moniker of Rock Fight.

And because it's the dog days of summer, your favorite podcasters are also trying to get some time off. So enjoy the first episode of LAYERS and we'll see you back here on Monday morning!

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• It's been a deadly month on the trail as tragedy has hit the Sierra and the Whites. Separate from both of these incidents, Colin & Shawnté reflect on how it is sometimes hard to leave an objective behind. (14:05)
• Inspiration in the heat! 80 year old Bob Becker finishes Badwater. What an absolute bad ass. (29:32)
• Instagram commenters have weighed in on the topic of carrying a gun in the backcountry. They're pretty much what you expect. (35:46)
• The Parting Shot! Colin reflects on the loss of Malcom Jamal Warner while Shawnté reflects on the loss of the climate as we know it. (44:18)

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• Ortovox has returned fire! After criticizing the brands new mountain biking line on last week's episode, it looks like a brand representative from Ortovox may be appearing on the show soon. Stay tuned! (06:48)
• Salomon's CEO wants to see the brand expand their products to provide more lifestyle options. A tricky proposition that others have also tried. (09:16)
• The OMA Media Event has quickly become one of the most important industry events on the calendar for PR Agencies and the writers, YouTubers, and podcasters who make up the outdoor media scene. Colin & Eoin talk about how there is still room for the event to grow especially among the brands who would greatly benefit from the coverage they could get if they attended. (16:12)
• Colin & Eoin's six favorite brands and products that they saw over the course of the two day event. (30:42)

Lastly for The Parting Shot Colin has some choice words for his least favorite airport. (52:19)

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Colin is joined by the Editor-In-Chief of Gearjunkie, Adam Ruggiero, to offer their initial thoughts on the OMA Media Event and use it as a springboard into a conversation about the "new" phase of outdoor media and how legacy media entities are responding to the rise of Substack, podcasts, and YouTube.

They wrap up their conversation with the favorite thing they each saw at this weeks event.

Click here to help those in need after the flooding of Texas' hill country.

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They talk about what worked, what didn't, how the standalone show will impact Switchback at TRE, and what the outdoor industry can expect next year in New Orleans.

Click here to help those in need after the flooding of Texas' hill country.

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• Big 5 Sold! Did the new owners make a good deal? (06:09)
• To celebrate Ortovox entering the mountain bike market we count the amount of cliches in the press release and ponder the motivation behind the move itself. (15:23)
• Helen Of Troy had a rough Q1 thanks mostly to Hydro Flask's poor performance. Was it the Costco of it all? (21:50)
• Tariff Watch 2025 is back! After a flurry of updates to our ridiculous tariff situation during the first part of the month, the guys take a look at the moves that were made and analyze the fall out that is likely to come for the innovation engine of the outdoor industry. Spoiler Alert: it doesn't look great. (32:29)

For The Parting Shot, Producer Dave takes a look at Hoka's new brand video. Go Bob Dylan! (53:14)

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Since the launch of Open Container in January Doug has had 26 conversations with artists, musicians, authors, brand founders and many others who operate in or around the outdoor community. Today he and Colin find out what he's learned so far and how it reflects on the broader outdoor world.

For The Parting Shot, Colin previews his trip to next week's Outdoor Market Alliance Media Event and makes a prediction about Superman.

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Colin & Emily hit on the following topics:

• Get to know your co-host! Colin asks Emily some random questions so the audience can get to know her better (be sure to write down some of her food recommendations). (05:50)
• The Tour de France kicked off last weekend! Do we still care? It not, what would make us care? (17:05)
• From the files of No Sh!t Sherlock, recent running based study lets us know yet again that sleep is good for us and life is deadly without it. (25:40)
• Last week a six year old boy summited Mt. Elbrus. Is that cool? (31:30)

For The Parting Shot Colin has a request for anyone who covering or commenting on the Trump administration. Thank you. (39:59)

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Jon talks about why Rab has found more traction in the US when other EU based brands have struggled to enter the market. They also discuss Rab's current product initiatives and what Jon would like to see out of the national trade show scene.

Then Shawnté Salabert calls in with an update from her three week hike on the JMT to help Colin process his discovery that he no longer likes hiking.

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Last year Kristin wrote this piece offering all the reasons why we should rethink fireworks despite them being a significant fixture in modern society. We covered her article here on The Rock Fight and now, to celebrate this year's Fourth of July, Colin finally gets to chat with Kristin.

In addition to fireworks we also get to hear what Kristin is currently working on to lead a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

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They talk about Travis's unique path to owning Eagle Creek and if that puts him in the same category as other founder led outdoor brands. They also touch how Eagle Creek tries to differentiate in an increasingly competitive travel market. Lastly they touch on outdoor events and what needs to happen on the national level.

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• Back to school predictions! Reports are coming in that tariffs are impacting early back to school shopping. What does this mean for the second biggest shopping season of the year? (07:20)
• In a recent interview, Topo Athletic founder Tony Post reveals the secrets behind the trail running footwear brands big 2024 growth. Is Topo poised to take the trail running shoe championship belt? (12:40)
• Wolverine has launched a made in the USA work boot. Is this the beginning of a wave of loud domestically made product launches? (21:46)

After last weeks edition of TrailCon, an industry strategist posited that trail running is poised to go mainstream. For today's main topic the boys talk about what 'going mainstream' means to the outdoor industry in 2025 and what trail running being mainstream would actually look like. (27:33)

For The Parting Shot we saunter back over to pickleball corner as Colin takes umbrage with a recent survey. (52:47)

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Tania provides an update of where things stand with Senator Mike Lee's proposed sell off while Stacy provides some context on the importance of protecting and preserving our public lands.

Our public lands need your help! Click here to contact your local representatives to send word that you do not support the sale of America's public lands.

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• Bison Attack 2: Electric Bisaloo? A Yellowstone visitor has been gored by a bison...again. (08:19)
• A grizzly bear has pushed a hiker off a cliff. New fear unlocked for Shawnté on the eve of her departure to the JMT? (14:21)
• A man was pinned by a boulder while hiking in Alaska. How can you be prepared for that?! (18:50)
• Would carrying a gun make you feel more secure when out on the trail? (24:25)

For The Parting Shot Colin wants us to stop recruiting others to go outside, but probably not for the reasons you think. Meanwhile Shawnté promises to send us voice memos from the trail! (34:45)

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We already have the dates and location for next year's Switchback Spring. With the show staying June, will there be a public pushback by brands? (07:28)

It's The Rock Fight Lightning Round where we hit a couple of industry news stories:

• Moody's has downgraded VF due to the poor performance of Vans and Dickies. How does this news impact the broader outdoor industry? (15:40)
• Solo Brands makes some moves that will help them avoid bankruptcy. (18:02)

Today's main topic peels back a key takeaway from last weeks OIA Trends presentation that took place at Switchback, namely that the casual outdoor consumer is growing and outdoor retailers should be luring those consumers into their stores. We ponder how that should be done and wonder if the outdoor industry as a whole has a genuine marketing problem. (23:16)

For The Parting Shot Colin hosts a round of "What Year Is This Outdoor Industry Story From?!". (47:05)

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Recorded in a Nashville hotel ballroom on the second day of the trade show, Colin is joined by Producer Dave, Shawnté Salabert, and outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford to talk about what they liked, what they didn't like, and what needs to be improved for next time when it comes to the newest trade show in the outdoor scene.

They also revisit their pre-show predictions to see what they got right and what did not come to pass.

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This past week Colin was joined by Producer Dave, Shawnté Salabert, and outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford in Nashville, TN to record an episode of The Rock Fight in front of the crowd at Switchback Spring.

The crew handed out their brand booth awards and were also joined by Switchback show director, Christina Henderson, president of the OIA Kent Ebersole, president of Mountain Hardwear, Troy Sicotte, and GM of Cumberland Transit, Jason Thienel.

Whether you were there when it happened or missed it entirely, relive this live recording of The Rock Fight!

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It was about a year ago that The Rock Fight broke the news of a new national outdoor trade show from the organizers of The Running Event and now the event is here!

After hitting a quick Lightning Round of industry topics, the guys get into what they think will go down in Nashville. Here's the rundown, with time codes, for today's episode:

• TARIFF WATCH 2025! What does the new trade handshake with China mean for the outdoor industry? (8:00)
• According to remarks made by REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton wants the retailer to be more welcoming to casual participants. Does this mean that REI is going to get more casual? (15:10)
• Previewing Switchback Spring! What we are expecting from this new show. (27:00)
• Our predictions! Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave all make a prediction for Switchback Spring. (38:27)
• The Parting Shot: Colin awards the first ever Rock Fighter of the Week to journalist Maggie Slepian.

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First up Colin and Eoin Comerford sat down with NEMO's Cam Brensinger to talk about 20 years of building a bullet proof reputation and ponder if outdoor gear needs to go as far with sustainability initiatives as apparel.

Then Colin is joined by Tania Lown-Hecht from the Outdoor Alliance to discuss the news of the Senate's attempt to require the sale of 3 million acres of public lands. Get your emails and phone calls ready, it's time to get back to work. Or just click here to get it done quickly.

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At Connect, before the big show begins, they hold a 5 hour mini-show called the Discovery Marketplace to highlight brands that don't have the required retailer appointments necessary to earn a spot at the main event. This part of the show features lots of brands you've heard of and even more that you haven't.

On this episode Colin & Eoin highlight 12 of the brands that they spoke to during the Discovery Marketplace (with a few smuggles along the way).

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• What have learned from the past 10 years tumultuous trade show scene and shows do we actually need? (05:50)
• On the eve of GOA Connect and with Portland's Next Adventure closing up, what do we make of the broader specialty landscape as we head to a show focused on independent dealers? (20:55)
• GOA Connect Preview and Predictions! This episode comes out on the first day of exhibition at GOA Connect, what are we expecting? (34:30)
• The Parting Shot: Producer Dave has some feelings about threats to outdoor schools and Eoin highlights some new dealers who have joined GOA's ranks. (47:17)

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Marmot has been the poster child of what we've been calling the 'zombie brand' here on The Rock Fight. Not quite what it once was but not entirely irrelevant either, a zombie brand is a former 'it' brand that has fallen out of favor with retailers and doesn't have the juice it once did.

Marmot is one of the OG outdoor brands that the outdoor industry was built upon but after a series of acquisitions and big swings that didn't pay off, they've lost some of their clout. Jon, who comes from the fashion side of the apparel industry, has been working for the past 18 months to change that. And as the Marmot team heads out to sell for Spring 2026, Jon has something to say about where Marmot is today and where he thinks the brand is heading.

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• People are using Fake My Run and hiring 'mules' to falsify their Strava feeds. And we want to hear from those who are doing it! If you have faked your run, hired a running mule or have been hired as a running mule email us at myrockfight@gmail.com. (06:39)
• The mother of a six month old won a 100k ultramarathon after starting 30 minutes late and stopped along the way to breastfeed her baby. Legend. (12:27)
• Two New York hikers called 911 from an Adirondack mountain to report that a third member of their party had died on trail. Only they weren't quite dead. Turns out the two that made the call? Were just high on mushrooms. (16:49)
• According to a new survey eBike injuries are on the rise! (25:38)

Lastly The Parting Shot covers the following: toilets, smartphones, hemorrhoids. 'nuff said. (33:19)

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• Which brand would you resurrect? On the heels of last weeks Top 5 Outdoor Apparel Brands episode, the good folks at the Utah State Outdoor Archive reached out and asked us to memorialize the outdoor brands we've lost over the years. So we take a look at several of those names and talk about which brands we are missing the most. (04:38)
• Industry News Lightning Round! Next we take a look at some recent updates to three stories we've covered on The Rock Fight. The latest court rulings on the Trump tariffs, Dick's first earnings report post Foot Locker acquisition, and a change in CEO at Vail Resorts. (20:20)
• The Parting Shot! For this week's parting shot Eoin implores our industry to support emerging brands so we can help minimize the damage inflicted upon them by the decisions being made by our current presidential administration. (38:27)

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Started in 2023, Reju is a "textile regeneration company" that is trying to create a circular system for polyester by taking existing polyester garments and turning them back into reusable polyester components that apparel brands can then make into new garments.

On today's episode Patrik talks about the mission of the brand, the challenges they face, and the need for these kinds of innovative solutions to solve our textile waste problem.

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• Everest season comes to a close with multiple FKT attempts. (05:39)
• Pickleball Corner returns because campgrounds are now building pickleball courts. Colin will offer his opinion after the blood stops gushing from his eyes. (12:15)
• Is our outdoor media scene healthy? Colin and Doug take stock of the health of outdoor print, digital, and podcasts. (19:06)

Lastly for The Parting Shot, Colin reminds everyone heading to a trade show that you don't need to dress like you're about to go on an adventure. (44:17)

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While completely subjective, the mission is simple: determine the top 5 outdoor apparel brands of the moment. Colin is joined by Shawnté Salabert, Producer Dave, and Eoin Comerford to pick a brand from the following categories:

• Emerging/Small Brands
• Snow/Surf
• Lifestyle/Athleisure
• Euro/International
• North America Core Outdoor

Will you agree with the final list? Maybe? Maybe Not. But this is a list for all time! Or at least until The Rock Fight runs back this gimmick in 2026.

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Today on the show Chris sits down with Colin and Eoin Comerford to talk about MEC's new ownership group, where the brand is and where it's going. (04:00)

Then Colin is joined by Tania Lown-Hecht from the Outdoor Alliance who has an update on the plan to sell off hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada. Spoiler alert: It's actually good news! (38:00)

Click here to keep the pressure on congress!

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100,000 new mountains were discovered below the ocean's surface. No one tell Killian Jornet. We don't want him to drown trying to run all of them in a single day. (07:14)

One person died and 3 others went to the hospital due to excessive heat during a recent trail half marathon and we're really hoping no one gets blamed for this. (11:20)

Outdoor Pop Culture Watch! Colin & Shawnté react to the following recently released trailers (17:00):

• The North Face Presents: Trango
• The North
• You VS Wild Season 8

Lastly for The Parting Shot, Colin reacts to news that skiing visitation numbers were up this year and hope isn't how people are discovering the outdoors.

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• How does this acquisition play into Dick's long term strategy? (06:45)
• How has the market reacted to the acquisition? (19:25)
• What will be the fallout to footwear brands? (23:28)
• How will this acquisiton impact the broader outdoor industry? (28:07)

Lastly Colin wraps up the show with The Parting Shot with a tip for any of our older listeners!

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Today on the show Colin is joined by outdoor author and journalist, Shawnté Salabert, and the host of Open Container, Doug Schnitzspahn to draft the best outdoor towns in the US!

Round by round they'll draft outdoorsy locales from all across the United States. In the end they'll each have a list for you the listener to vote on and determine who has the best team of outdoor towns for 2025! (Voting will begin on Monday May 19th on www.rockfight.co!)

Listen to see if your favorite outdoor town made the cut!

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• MLFNOW on MyOutdoorTV! Yes, we also thought it said what you thought it said, but don't worry the link is completely SFW. (06:07)
• Resale platform ThredUp raised its sales and earnings targets for the year after a strong first quarter. Secondhand FTW! (10:30)
• 300 billboards in 40 different cities around the country have been put up highlighting national parks in the area and the tagline “Now With Reduced Staff, Made Possible by D.O.G.E.” We appreciate a good troll around here. (16:09)
• It's time for a new segment we call WHY DO PEOPLE?! This week we look at Why Do People Continue To Pet Bison? Why? Why do people?! (21:25)
• Lastly for The Parting Shot, Shawnté points out a different way that women are marginalized in the outdoors. (34:58)

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First Tania Lown-Hecht from the Outdoor Alliance sits down with Colin to talk about the congressional midnight vote that happened last week that is threatening thousands of acres of public land in Nevada & Utah. (01:19)

(We need the Rock Fight Army to show up and make their voices heard!

Click here to send the message that selling this land would be the wrong move. Every voice is needed right now no matter where you live but for those of you in the following states, your lawmakers are especially important on this issue: Montana, Colorado, Utah, Arkansas, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico.)

Then outdoor industry insider and consigliere to The Rock Fight, Eoin "The Captain" Comerford, drops in to react to the latest update to our tariff situation. On Monday news broke that the US lowering its tariff on goods from China from 145% to 30% and China lowering its levy on US goods from 125% to 10%. That may sound like great news, but as Eoin points out during our conversation there is more to unpack. (13:11)

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First! After checking in on the recently released Outdoor Retailer floor plan (04:59), Colin, Producer Dave, and Outdoor Industry Insider Eoin Comerford go through the key takeaways from the annual REI members meeting that went down last week.

Here are the topics they hit along with time codes if you want to skip around:

• Takeaways from the earnings report including a look at revenue, merchandise/inventory, and payroll. (10:28)
• The impact and go forward options after REI's board failed to get three seats filled thanks to efforts by REI's union. (21:10)
• What's the brand vibe? Taking a look at the erosion of of goodwill when it comes to REI and how does all of this information impact the broader outdoor industry. (24:19)

Second! Colin, Producer Dave, and Eoin present the inaugural inductees into the Self-Inflicted Wound Hall Of Fame. The history of the outdoor industry is loaded with numerous brand boners, some of which make you stop and ponder, "how did that happen?!"

Today we present three hall of fame worthy examples and suggest how the outdoor industry can avoid such blunders in the future. (30:13)

The 2025 Self-Inflicted Wound Inductees are:

• Lulu's See Thru's. Presented by Colin True. (35:45)
• Backcountry Sues Everyone. Presented by Eoin Comerford. (40:04)
• The Higg Index Debacle. Presented by Producer Dave. (45:02)

Lastly, for The Parting Shot, Eoin wants REI to stop gaslighting us and it's a totally fair request. (53:33)

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Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen or heard the following:

• A leaked document from the Department of the Interior.
• Last week the administration released their budget guidelines for 2026 which included upheavals for the Park Service including things like transferring National Parks sites over to state control as well as a number of cuts to things like NPS Historic Preservation Fund.
• The Forest Service and the BLM have been directed to come up with parcels ready for "disposal" that are near big population centers.
• Agencies are currently sorting out their “RIFs” which means Reduction In Force, where they are losing about 30% of their staff. This on top of the cuts that already happened a couple of months ago.

And just two days ago, literally in the middle of the night, an amendment was voted on to sell off somewhere between 11,000 and 500,000 acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada.

So what is an outdoor enthusiast to do? We get into it on today's episode.

And stay tuned to The Rock Fight in the coming days and weeks for actionable updates from the Outdoor Alliance so that you can help protect our public lands!

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• Aspiring Mt. Everest climbers will now have to climb another 7,000m peak in Nepal before attempting the world's highest mountain. Progress? (05:20)
• A team has successfully completed an expedition to drive to both the North and South Pole. The only question that no one can answer is, "why?" (07:30)
• Researchers at Ohio State University have created solar powered insoles that can help protect your health. Colin & Shawnté are dubious. (11:47)
• Yosemite has finally launched their 2025 reservation system. Book at your own peril. (17:35)
• Last Friday the Trump administration released their budget guidelines for 2026 which include some major upheavals for our National Park Service. Get ready to protest everyone. (26:13)
• For The Parting Shot Colin finally reviews the Lems Switchback. (39:29)

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Then Eoin walks us through the model he put together to demonstrate the impacts the current tariffs that are in place are having on a small outdoor brand(16:15). That leads to Colin & Eoin talking about the amount of brands that are publicly addressing the tariff situation, searching for signs of hope, and what kind of timeline we are on (26:42).

Lastly it's a very lighthearted edition of The Parting Shot as Colin & Eoin remember why they are in the outdoor industry to begin with (39:34).

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Then for The Parting Shot he pays tribute to one of the original Rock Fighters our own, Justin Housman.

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• Paddler Kyle Parker is looking to paddle across the United States from "Tip 2 Tip"! (06:55)
• Injinji released a line of tech tees. Is this a sign they're going to take on apparel? (23:33)
• Strava announced a new subscriber feature designed to help runners maximize their potential! Do we give that a 'thumbs up'? (32:30)
• New segment... SHAWNTÉ RECOMMENDS! This is a segment where Shawnté recommends things. (38:00)
• The Parting Shot! Mt. Everest is back on the menu! (46:58)

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Then they're joined by independent retailer Wes Allen to get his reaction and thoughts to last weeks rumors that REI is putting the squeeze on their brand partners to get new product exclusivity. (21:33)

Lastly for The Parting Shot, Eoin focuses on a leaked presentation from the Department of the Interior that details all the terrible ways that the Trump administration will be treating our public lands and Colin has a bone to pick with a new company who is seeking to take the outdoors and bring it inside. (39:55)

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Today on the show Colin is joined by outdoor pop culture aficionado, Shawnté Salabert, to talk through some of the more quintessential outdoor movies of the last 25 years: A Walk In The Woods, Wild, Touching The Void, and 127 Hours. The two talk about what works about these movies from and outdoorsy perspective and some outdoor movies simply fall flat.

Then in a new segment called Shawnté Explains!, Shawnté talks about why pop culture actually matters more to the outdoor community then some may think and offers suggestions on how outdoor enthusiasts can enrich themselves and the world around them.

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• Colin caught a great inside wave and Justin has rave reviews for Priority Bike's belt drive and gear box! (05:48)
• Two divers off the coast of Australia were left in the water by the boat that brought them there. This is objectively funny and terrifying. (16:25)
• A new wave pool is being planned to be built near St. George, UT. Colin and Justin are not cool with this idea. (26:05)
• For The Parting Shot, Colin praises a recent ESPN article and Justin wants you to roll your car windows up (33:56)

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They also talk about the recent report that Passenger is pausing their launch into the US market due to the issues being caused by the Trump administrations tariff policy. (16:42) This leads to a new segment on the show A Little Frank Advice!

Lastly for The Parting Shot, Colin takes aim at Switchback's recently announced keynote address. (29:55)

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Then Colin is joined by Producer Dave and outdoor journalist and host of Open Container Doug Schnitzspahn to reflect back on the role Bob Woodward played setting the tone for the Outdoor Industry. RIP Woody.

Remembering Rob Coppolillo.

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On the docket today:

• The crew reacts to last week's rollback to all but 10% (unless you're China) of Trump's tariffs (05:00)
• Will the tariff situation help boost secondhand business (17:24)?
• The other big story of last week was the acquisition of Jack Wolfskin by ANTA who is the majority owner of Amer Sports. Eoin breaks it down (18:15)!
• REI says sorry and backs off of their endorsement of Doug Burgum (33:12).
• The Parting Shot! Producer Dave answers a listener question about Rock Fight's choice to promote our work with AI generated images (40:30).

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Jonathan talks about the background of BioLite and why this deal makes sense particularly due to the alignment in mission and product offerings between the two companies.

Lastly during their conversation news breaks about the roll back of the more retaliatory tariffs that had been announced. So we get breaking news inside of breaking news!

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Then they're joined by the owner of Garage Grown Gear, Lloyd Vogel, who lists off five US made outdoor brands that many of our listeners have likely not heard of. Check them out!

• Igneous Gear
• Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear
• allmansright
• Brautigam Expedition Works
• Timmermade

Lastly, for The Parting Shot, Colin offers a retraction for last week's Parting Shot at footwear brand Lems.

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Colin is joined by the Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance, Paul Hendricks, who gives the background on this new coalition, how it came together, and what will happen next.

Then Mountain Gazette's Kyle Frost returns to The Rock Fight. Last weeks edition of Kyle's newsletter, Here & There, discussed partisanship in nature. He and Colin dig into the examples Kyle offered that show we are not always united when it comes to outdoor conversations. They also talk about the current tariff situation and get Kyle's point of view from an American currently living abroad.

To learn more about participating in Brands For Public Lands click here.

Subscribe to Here & There by clicking here or by subscribing to Mountain Gazette.

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They start off by getting into the broader impact of the announcement and the idea that higher tariffs could drive manufacturing back to the US. Then they talk about the how the tariffs will specifically impact the outdoor industry and offer suggestions on what brands and retailers should expect ahead of the delivery of Fall 25 products.

They wrap things up with The Parting Shot where they take a look at some of the better 2025 attempts by brands to pull off an April Fools Day joke on social media including the following posts:

• Eoin: The Hoka Speed Loafer
• LIVSN: Adventure Pants Capital
• Garage Grown Gear: Move To Analog
• Gnara: Netflix n Chill Pant
• Wild Rye: Ski Ballet
• Darn Tough: Dating App
• Skratch Labs: Marathong

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The 'outdoor boys club' and a continued lack of gender representation is something that has persisted in the outdoor industry since there has been an outdoor industry. Today on the show Colin is joined by Cassie Abel, the founder and CEO of Wild Rye, who provides a unique perspective on the challenges and progress regarding women's inclusion in outdoor spaces.

Throughout their conversation, Cassie & Colin take a look at the historical patterns of inequality, significant steps taken been taken, and the ongoing obstacles that hinder true equity. Cassie also articulates the necessity for women in leadership positions to in order to create meaningful change and highlights the importance of collaboration over competition among outdoor brands.

Basically as Cassie puts it, "it's time to prop up the girls club."

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• They open the show with the news that the fallout from the Trump layoffs have caused the Fiery Furnace Trail in Arches National Park to close indefinitely. Buckle up because we're probably gonna be getting news like this for a while. (07:57)
• Lady Gaga is being sued by surf brand ...Lost. Apparently her new album, Mayhem is also the trademarked nickname of ...Lost's founder/boardmaker. So....what's the connection here? (13:04)
• Cybertruck owners can now get a pop up camper because even the lamest vehicle of all time deserves after market accessories...I guess? (17:15)
• Q&A Corner: Reddit edition! What if you don't want to do outdoor activities but you still have the urge to go outside? (25:55)

They of course wrap things up with The Parting Shot (38:52). Colin has a stone to throw at footwear maker Lems while Justin would like us to pick a firm date for Easter.

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They also talk about Academy forging ahead with plans to open 25 new doors in 2025 and Lululemon's recent earnings report showing double digit growth. (21:10)

Then they crack open listener feedback that came in after last week's episode regarding the evolution of innovation in the outdoor industry. (30:38)

They of course wrap things up with The Parting Shot where this week we have a look back on a busy first quarter of 2025 in the Outdoor Industry. (44:34)

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First the hosts rely on their experience working in the outdoor industry and media to breakdown what makes a great brand video including the best way to deploy these types of brand assets and what we should expect from the finished product. (02:26)

Then they take a detailed look at the following videos:

• On: Dream Together, with Zendaya (22:43)
• Outdoor Research: Rooted (35:51)
• Puma: Go Wild (44:15)

After offering a detailed description of each video Colin, Shawnté, and Producer Dave give their thoughts and then rate each video with a thumbs up or thumbs down. Which will be their favorite? You'll have to listen to find out!

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On Wednesday an alert listener of The Rock Fight sent us this article on PE Hub which reports outdoor brand Stio is being shopped for acquisition.

Players in the mix to take over the venerable Jackson brand being Columbia, YETI, or potentially several PE firms.

On this emergency reaction podcast, Colin and outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford take a few minutes to offer some context and run through what they know.

On this emergency reaction podcast, Colin and outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford take a few minutes to offer some context and run through what they know.

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A few weeks back in Rock Fight's weekly newsletter, News From The Front, Justin wrote about how he mistook the slow erosion of his participation in his favorite outdoor sports as part of getting older when in actuality there were some bigger issues that he needed to address. If you missed it you can read that column by clicking here.

Colin & Justin talk about the impact of the outdoors on one's mental health as well as what Justin has learned along the way.

Then they hit Q&A corner and discuss the overwhelming response we received from our listeners about your favorite outdoor socks.

They of course wrap up with The Parting Shot. Justin is looking for a shorter hockey season and Colin has a TV recommendation.

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Innovation in the outdoors is a misunderstood word. It's often only applied to the performance of the apparel, gear, and footwear that the industry produces. And while there will surely be advances that will improve the stuff we make the opportunity for the industry to innovate lies more within our approach to making and marketing that stuff.

On this episode we take a look at what can be learned from (gasp!) fast fashion as well as the opportunities that lie within experiential marketing. We of course wrap things up with The Parting Shot by lobbing a rock at the latest news to come out of Authentic Brands.

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Then Colin offers a take on why you may not want going outside to be your sole existence for being.

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• First up, The North Face has yet another collaboration with a fashion brand that has (almost) sold out! There has probably been too much TNF chatter around here the past few weeks, but this collection is super cool. (05:05)
• Jetboil has a new version of it's iconic stove out so Colin asks accomplished backpacker Shawnté to power rank the top 5 camp stoves ever! (13:25)
• The Everest pregame is on! News has started to come out of Everest basecamp including this story about how the famed Everest Ice Doctors will use drones to help map this year's route through the Khumbu icefall. (24:00)
• It's time for The Parting Shot! Colin is over the moon with his new pair of Norda's while Shawnté finds similarities between her recent experience at SXSW and the old days of Outdoor Retailer (33:46)

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Optimism was high at the end of 2024 that the outdoor industry was due for a come back year. Inventory issues had improved and open to buy was increasing. But with the end of the first quarter just a couple of weeks away things have fallen off of a cliff. We take a look at what happened and what to expect. (07:25)

Then the crew turns their attention to a new backpack by Yeti (that looks an awful lot like something made by Mystery Ranch) and the recent news that two outdoor parent companies Solo Brands & Pelican International are experiencing financial distress. Is this related to the other issues the industry is experiencing? We take a deeper look. (24:59)

Lastly for The Parting Shot Colin looks at the new footwear collection launched by Stio. Will Stio's Mahomes like luck continue? (43:08)

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Then outdoor industry insider and consigliere to The Rock Fight, Eoin Comerford joins Colin to run through what he learned from The North Face's presentation at VF's recent Investor Day.

Lastly for The Parting Shot, Eoin highlights two brands from his Founder's Friday series on LinkedIn.

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• Several brands put out new product press releases over the past week including Mountain Hardwear, Tifosi, and NEMO. Colin & Justin give their thoughts on each of these but save most of their commentary for the NEMO Dagger OSMO that is bluesign certified and PFAS free.
• They read responses they received to last weeks question they posed to The Rock Fight listeners about the value athletes offer to outdoor brands in 2025. This week's question? What is your favorite outdoor sock brand and why?
• For The Parting Shot, a recent crazy outdoor story prompts Colin to wonder why we don't get action movies featuring action sports anymore. And Justin would like you to know what you're ordering before you get to the counter.

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They've ranked footwear and they've ranked gear and today the Outdoor Media Avengers are assembling to do the same for accessories. Only for this round we don't have our own version of Thor as Producer Dave couldn't join the show.

In his place is the latest addition to the team, acclaimed author and outdoor journalist, Shawnté Salabert!

Shawnté joins Colin, Justin Housman, and Eoin Comerford to do the impossible and whittle down the hundreds of outdoor accessory brands and name the top 5.

Will our heroes pull it off? You have to listen to find out!

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Recently on The Rock Fight Colin was critical of a new video from Patagonia that detailed their journey to remove forever chemicals from their product line. In Colin's point of view he thought Patagonia was late to the party and this was a case where the brand was behind their peers rather than leading.

Patagonia heard that episode, and they're here today to throw some rocks of their own.

Today on the show Patagonia's VP of Global Product Footprint, Matt Dwyer, joins Colin to talk about the path Patagonia has taken when it comes to PFAS, the unique challenges they faced in order to remove these chemicals from their product line, and offer a glimpse into what lay ahead for outdoor product innovation.

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On the docket:

• Last weekend there were protests held at National Parks across the country. Are we feeling encouraged about the state of things? (06:03)
• A non profit in Kentucky purchased 700 acres and 14 miles of cliffline to establish new climbing areas. Is this a road map for when our public lands are sold off? (10:10)
• We debut a new segment presented by Obōz: Q&A Corner! Where we ask the questions and listeners send in their responses. This week: Do branded athletes really matter anymore? Send your responses to myrockfight@gmail.com. (20:43)
• A man who spent the past five months attempting to row from San Diego to Brisbane had to be rescued after getting caught in a cyclone. This may be the scariest outdoor thing ever. (31:18)
• It's time for The Parting Shot! This week Justin has stern words for his favorite author and Colin celebrates a study that celebrates swearing! (36:30)

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Today Colin is joined by Monday regulars Eoin Comerford and Producer Dave and they break down the following topics:

• After being acquired by Kontoor Brands last month, Helly Hansen has announced their intention to make a meaningful push into the United States' outdoor market. After announcing Helly's intentions, Kontoor CEO Scott Baxter said "Get ready, this is going to be fun." Points to Kontoor for the smack talk. (04:55)
• TJX announced last week that Sierra will be adding 20 new doors in 2025 with their long term plan to have as many as 325 locations. Is this growth plan a sign that Sierra could become outdoor's most dominant US retailer? (17:55)
• Lastly for The Parting Shot, Colin begs all would-be outdoor pundits to simple leave The North Face alone! (31:59)

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Next Colin talks about how the outdoor industry needs to unite in order to fight for our public lands over the next four years. He looks at a story that was recently published on the DCReport by war veteran and outdoor advocate Stacy Bare as an example of how important our wild places are and can be. You'll hear how the outdoors helped save Stacy's life in his own voice. (08:46)

Lastly for The Parting Shot, for third year in a row on The Rock Fight, Colin makes his prediction for Best Picture at Sunday's Academy Awards. (15:40)

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On the docket:

• In response to the Trump Administration's Valentine's Day staffing and budget cuts, employees at Yosemite National Park hung an upside down flag on the top of El Cap. Hope ensued. (04:55)
• The Trump Administration backtracked on those cuts with the Department of the Interior announcing they would allow agencies to hire 7,700 seasonal employees. (08:21)
• On Tuesday 2/25 Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert posted an Op-Ed on Time.com stating Patagonia's intention to fight back against the moves made by the Trump Administration, breaking the silence from outdoor industry brands over the past weeks. (12:06)
• Kelly Slater opened a wave pool in Abu Dhabi and the WSL hosted a comp there. In related news: Justin Housman is angry. (18:41)
• A runner was recently disqualified as the winner of a 100 mile road ultramarathon as his shoes violated a USATF rule about stack height. So, this is a thing? (26:14)
• The Parting Shot! Colin loves the name of a new shoe by Obōz while Justin encourages you to do the maintenance. (35:05)

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On the docket today:

• In a rare industry spite move (ok it's not just that) VF spinoff Kontoor Brands acquired Helly Hansen from Canadien Tire Corporation. Eoin gives us the background and we take a look at what may be next. (05:20)
• SKIMS is back in the news as it was announced that they will be creating a new brand with Nike. Of course, backlash ensued. Colin & Eoin break it down. (16:30)
• Wolverine announces that Merrell products are "going back to the mall" and Saucony is a big part of their plans for 2025. (28:31)
• Lastly, The Parting Shot, where Colin talks about the latest video from Patagonia who wants you to believe they are leading on the PFAS front...fun fact: they aren't. (39:27)

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They recount their experiences at the show, how it compares to larger national events, and emphasize how the format allows PR Agencies and those in outdoor media to engage with brands in a focused manner.

They also talk about how the event could benefit from seeking out smaller brands to attend as well as how the current threat to our public lands are present even at a show like this one and how that is likely to impact the broader outdoor industry.

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They cover the ramifications of substantial layoffs that have left numerous employees without positions, thereby compromising the operational integrity of our national parks. The episode further examines the uncertainty that permeates the outdoor community as we grapple with the fallout from these sweeping (and ridiculous) changes. (04:49)

Then the guys quickly hit a couple of items to come out of the gear world including Snow Peak entering the fly fishing space and a new way to cover up your truck bed. They also talk about the amazing video making the rounds of a humpback whale that swallowed and spit out a kayaker. (21:36)

They of course wrap things up with The Parting Shot! (34:10)

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First they look at the recent earnings report by Newell (parent company of Marmot, Coleman, and Ex Officio, among others) which shows how the outdoor industry may be on the same path that was recently traveled by the surf industry. Eoin recaps how many iconic surf brands ended up being owned by Authentic Brands and how that past may serve as a cautionary tale for outdoor brands facing similar challenges. (02:55)

Next they talk about a recent report that Dick's Sporting Goods is quietly leaving outdoor behind as it closes most of their remaining Public Land and Moosejaw locations. They talk about how this move will impact the outdoor retail landscape. (18:29)

Then they dig into event news including the report that Europe's biggest summer show, OutDoor, is going on "hiatus" as well as the announcement of Outdoor Retailer's Industry Day. (29:15)

Lastly it's a combined Parting Shot as the hosts weigh in on the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable's endorsement of Trump Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, as well as the organizations who co-signed that endorsement including the OIA, People For Bikes, and REI. They look at what missteps may have been made and what the focus should be going forward. (35:55)

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Tersus Solutions acts as a backbone for brands striving to establish sustainable practices by managing their re-commerce efforts. Throughout their conversation, Colin and Peter examine the complexities and challenges inherent in fostering a circular economy for outdoor apparel, as well as the necessity for brands to embrace responsibility for their products beyond the point of sale.

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First up is an article that summarizes recent studies looking at the value of cold plunges. Turns out, there's not a lot science to support the claims that sitting in cold water is good for you. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't sit in cold water if you get something out of it! (5:55)

Then the guys stop in at Housman's House to dig into a new feature that Justin wrote about some folks who weren't as bullish on the EXPLORE Act as most of us and really hammer home the issues that lie in the conservation vs recreation debate. (21:40)

Lastly for this weeks Parting Shot, Colin reads the piece he wrote for Rock Fight about Outside's recent layoffs and he and Justin talk about the role Outside now occupies in the outdoor media landscape. (37:22)

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Coming off of last months episode where they ranked the top 5 outdoor footwear brands, Colin, Justin Housman, Producer Dave, and Eoin Comerford come back together to do the same for outdoor gear. They try to learn from their missteps (try being the operative word) from the footwear episode as they take on boiling down the absolutely massive category of outdoor gear to simply the top 5 brands going in 2025.

Did they succeed? Let them know! Email your feedback to myrockfight@gmail.com.

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Chris Jerard (aka CJ), Outside's VP of Marketing and Executive Director of The Outside Festival and Summit heard Colin's thoughts about a recent press release regarding the 2025 edition of the festival on Monday's episode of The Rock Fight and is here today to return fire and shed a little more light on what can be expected during the second year of this event.

The conversation delves into the event's purpose and how there is more to expect from The Summit then what has already been announced. CJ addresses topics such as the cost to attend as well as why professionals should consider coming to Denver even though June is packed with other outdoor industry events

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Then the guys resurrect Gear & Beer to do a round of Overrated, Underrated or Properly Rated. The items being evaluated? Gaiters, insulated hiking boots, and snowshoes.

They wrap things up with The Parting Shot. Justin has some advice for what to wear in the rain while Colin takes issue with the lack of pop culture references in this article.

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Then he is joined by outdoor industry insider and consigliere to The Rock Fight, Eoin Comerford and "Producer" Dave to react to the recently launched Speed Loafer from Hoka.

They also talk about how these big swings by brands can lead to a weaker outdoor industry and potentially put us on a path that would be similar to the fate currently being suffered by the surf industry.

Lastly Colin wraps up the show with a Hoka themed edition of The Parting Shot!

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