Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, host and former CEO Eoin Comerford dissects the collapse of Eddie Bauer and the "vampire" licensing model that is hollowing out iconic brands. Eoin also takes a hard look at the slowdown of athleisure, exploring whether the category has reached peak saturation and what outdoor brands can learn from the rise of Vuori and Alo Yoga. Later in the show, Kent Ebersole, President of the Outdoor Indu

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on Outdoor Unfiltered , Eoin Comerford breaks down the news that REI is cutting pay and benefits for employees  as the co-op struggles to return to profitability. 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 st

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Move past the PR speak and into the boardroom. In this episode of  Outdoor Unfiltered , host Eoin Comerford breaks down the latest strategic shifts from the industry’s biggest players before sitting down with the "unofficial mayor of the outdoor industry," Lloyd Vogel. On the Business Desk: Amer Sports & Anta:  A deep dive into the $6.6B powerhouse. Why are they raising $750M despite 27% growth? We look at the debt, the margins, a

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Is the outdoor industry in trouble, or just in transition?   Host Eoin Comerford is joined by industry icon Kristin Hostetter (former Editor-in-Chief of SNEWS) to pull back the curtain on why sustainability is currently under fire and what the "Trump Tariffs" reversal actually means for your wallet. In this debut episode of  Outdoor Unfiltered , we move past the PR fluff to give you the "why" behind the headlines. What we’re diggi

Tired of the PR spin and LinkedIn platitudes? Outdoor Unfiltered  is a new podcast hosted by industry veteran Eoin Comerford that digs into what’s actually  driving the outdoor business. 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

This is it; the final episode of The Rock Fight . 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 t

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! In the penultimate episode of the podcast, Colin True explains why it’s time to bring The Rock Fight  to a close and why ending things at their peak feels like the right call. 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

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on The Rock Fight Colin, Eoin Comerford and Producer Dave talk about some recent headlines to come out of the outdoor industry including recent comments made by some of the industry's more notable CEO's. 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

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! This week on  The Rock Fight , the crew digs into a round of reactions to some of the latest headlines to emerge from the outdoor industry! 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 o

Click here to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on The Rock Fight Colin and Producer Dave help break down Eoin's ten predictions for the outdoor industry in 2026! From tariffs and retail shakeups to REI’s membership future, used gear going mainstream, peak trail running culture, and AI becoming your next gear buddy. 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

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 out

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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. market Arc’teryx livin

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 &

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 found

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 sponsorsh

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 web

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 Wat

Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 brand

Click to listen on your favorite podast app! 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 . VSS