top of page



Your mom knows everything you've ever done. So does ours.


Tradeshow News Recap + America's Next Top Trail Running Brand!
Click here to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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
Oct 27, 2025


How Mammut Made Humor Work in the Outdoor Industry
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 gold Th
Oct 24, 2025


Outdoor Industry Buy or Sell: Patagonia, VF, Trail Running and More!
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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' a
Oct 20, 2025


Pitchfest 2025: Women Building the Future of the Outdoor Industry
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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
Oct 17, 2025


The Rock Fight Deep Dive: Fabric Innovation Isn’t Dead (But It’s Different)
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 trad
Oct 15, 2025


REI Retreats, Orvis Shrinks & Lulu Loses Its Mojo
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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
Oct 13, 2025


So What Is An Emerging Brand Anyway?
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on The Rock Fight, Colin digs into the question: what the hell is an “emerging...
Oct 10, 2025


REI’s 'Peak 28' Unwrapped + Hobie Hooks Up with Bass Pro
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on The Rock Fight , Colin, Eoin Comerford , and Producer Dave tackle a packed week...
Oct 6, 2025


Outdoor Retailer’s Big Shake-Up: Instant Reaction!
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! In this instant reaction episode of The Rock Fight , Colin and Eoin Comerford break...
Oct 3, 2025


Good News or Bad News: The Latest Wins & Facepalms From The Outdoor Industry!
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on The Rock Fight , Colin and Producer Dave break down the latest headlines in the...
Sep 29, 2025


Why Outdoor Brands Should Show Up At Outdoor Economy Conferences
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Could Outdoor Economy Conferences be the future of industry gatherings? Today on The Rock...
Sep 26, 2025


Who Owns America's Wild Places? Public Lands and the Fight for Truth
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Welcome to Open Container, where today we're discussing one of the defining features of the...
Sep 23, 2025


Rutabaga’s Last Paddle: Another Outdoor Retailer Closes Shop
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on The Rock Fight , Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave are joined by Darren Bush ,...
Sep 22, 2025


From Trendy to Timeless? Cotopaxi’s Plan for the Future
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today Colin sits down with Lindsay Shumlas , CEO of Cotopaxi , for a conversation about the...
Sep 19, 2025


Can Run Outpace Outdoor? Plus: Are U.S. Outdoor Brands at Risk Abroad?
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! It's Monday on The Rock Fight! Which means that Colin is joined by outdoor industry insider...
Sep 15, 2025


The Launch of RE:PUBLIC - Public Lands Get Their Newsroom
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on the show Colin is joined by longtime journalist and former Outside magazine...
Sep 12, 2025


Who Will Be The 2026 Outdoor Industry Comeback Brand Of The Year?
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today Colin and the Monday Boys (outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford and brand &...
Sep 8, 2025


Outdoor Retail Shakeup: Closures, Comebacks & Community
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! On this episode of The Rock Fight , Colin sits down with Todd Frank , owner of The...
Sep 5, 2025


Summit Hut Closes: Is The Era Of The Outdoor Gear Shop Over?
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today Colin is joined by The Monday Boys (outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford and brand...
Sep 1, 2025


Columbia Goes Big: Inside “Engineered for Whatever”
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! Today on The Rock Fight, The Brief is back! The Brief is a look at the brand and creative...
Aug 29, 2025
bottom of page

