x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

Rock Fight, LLC

Tired of the same old outdoor industry narratives? If your post-adventure chats are filled with laughter over mishaps, commiseration about broken gear, and celebrating real triumphs (and epic fails), then The Rock Fight is your new tribe. Imagine this: you"re no longer stuck in echo chambers. After listening in, you"ll be part of honest, unfiltered discussions that mirror the conversations you have with your closest outdoor buddies. You"ll gain fresh perspectives and feel more connected to a

sports wilderness

All Episodes

01:06:22

The 2025 Rock Fight Awards!

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/12/22

In this special episode, Colin, Owen, Shawnté, and Producer Dave hand out the 2025 Rock Fight Awards, recognizing the outdoor industry’s biggest wins, painful missteps, strangest products, and standout brands and individuals of the year.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

en

59:04

Too Many Shows? Taking the Outdoor Industry’s Trade...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/12/15

Today on The Rock Fight, the crew runs a temperature check on the outdoor industry national trade show scene!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. marketArc’teryx living between performance and luxuryL.L. Bean’s retail expansion strategyWhy

en

49:32

The Running Event Recap: Who Brought It and Who...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/12/08

In this episode, Colin, Shawnté, Eoin, and Producer Dave deliver their on-the-ground, end-of-show breakdown of The Running Event and Switchback 2025 — recorded moments after the TRE Retailer Awards wrapped in San Antonio. 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 worksTRE vs. Outdoor Industry Trade ShowsBooth Breakdown: The

en

37:57

The Rock Fight LIVE at TRE 2025!

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/12/06

From San Antonio, TX it's The Rock Fight LIVE! 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

en

01:09:04

5 Predictions For The Running Event, Dick's...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/12/01

It's an action packed episode of The Rock Fight as Colin, Eoin Comerford, Producer Dave are joined by Gear Abby herself, Shawnté Salabert to preview and offer their predictions for this week's edition of The Running Event & Switchback!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

en

53:11

Nike Eyes Trail Running & Sierra Steals the Suburbs

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/11/24

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave break down two major outdoor-industry storylines: Nike’s push into trail running and Sierra’s rapid suburban takeover. Plus listener feedback, The Lightning Round, and The Parting Shot!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

en

28:04

Topo’s Big Year: Tariffs, Trail Running & Staying...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/11/22

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave sit down with Tony Post, founder and CEO of Topo Athletic, live from GOA Connect in Kansas City, to talk about the booming trail running market and Topo’s big year.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 EpisodeTrail Running’s Not New: Why today’s

en

58:10

Vuori Snow, Patagonia’s Paradox & Goodbye Gorewear

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/11/17

Today on the show Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave return with a full-tilt breakdown of the outdoor industry’s latest developments. From trade show energy to tariff fallout to brands making questionable product choices.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,

en

26:23

Why The Outdoor Industry Needs Its Cool Back

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/11/14

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave sit down with Amy Beck, President of Obōz Footwear (recorded at GOA Connect in Kansas City), for a wide-ranging, and honest conversation about what’s missing in the outdoor industry.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:

en

44:39

GOA Connect Discovery Marketplace: 6 Brands That...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/11/10

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave hit the show floor at GOA Connect and explore their favorite brands and products from the Discovery Marketplace. 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

en

32:28

PFAS Isn’t Over: What Comes Next for Outdoor Brands?

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/11/07

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin and Eoin Comerford sit down at the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Connect show with Alex Lauver, the former Director of Materials & Sustainability at Outdoor Research, now leading Douglas Strategies LLC, a consultancy focused on impact reduction and supply-chain transparency.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

en

43:31

Outdoor Industry Trends: Reporting Season & Trade...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/11/03

This week on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave break down a packed slate of outdoor industry headlines, from financial shakeups to listener drama.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

en

01:02:55

Tradeshow News Recap + America's Next Top Trail...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/27

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave put three buzzworthy trail running brands to the test in the first-ever America’s Next Top Trail Running Brand showdown.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

en

46:15

How Mammut Made Humor Work in the Outdoor Industry

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/24

The Brief is back! Today on The Rock Fight Colin and Producer Dave break down Mammut’s Mountain Wear Rescue campaign.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 goldThe challenges and wins behind Mountain Wear RescueWhy humor in outdoor

en

52:35

Outdoor Industry Buy or Sell: Patagonia, VF, Trail...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/20

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave return with Outdoor Industry Buy or Sell as they name what’s hot (and what’s not). 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

en

35:42

Pitchfest 2025: Women Building the Future of the...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/17

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin is joined by Shawnté Salabert to break down her trip to Title Nine’s Pitchfest 2025, where women founders are reshaping the outdoor industry from the ground up.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

en

30:55

The Rock Fight Deep Dive: Fabric Innovation Isn’t...

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/15

Introducing The Rock Fight Deep Dive! A new series where we team up with a partner for a deeper look at an outdoor industry topic.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,

en

53:52

REI Retreats, Orvis Shrinks & Lulu Loses Its Mojo

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/13

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave tackle a chaotic week for outdoor retail, from store closures to corporate pivots and questionable marketing moves!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

en

43:04

So What Is An Emerging Brand Anyway?

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/10

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin digs into the question: what the hell is an “emerging brand” anyway?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

en

42:52

REI’s 'Peak 28' Unwrapped + Hobie Hooks Up with Bass Pro

The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports... ·

2025/10/06

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave tackle a packed week of outdoor industry news!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

en

431 results

Similar Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast

Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

Daily Fantasy Sports by Ship It Nation

Ship It Nation

Fantasy Football Today

CBS Sports, Fantasy Football, FFT, NFL,...

Bring The Pain

Heat00veride

ESPN SportsCenter Update

ESPN