The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

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5 of 421

GOA Connect Discovery Marketplace: 6 Brands That Delivered The Goods
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 made.NNormal: Kilian Jornet’s performance-meets-design trail running brandLems 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).Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].
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PFAS Isn’t Over: What Comes Next for Outdoor Brands?
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 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.”Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].
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Outdoor Industry Trends: Reporting Season & Trade Show Shake-Ups
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 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.Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].
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Tradeshow News Recap + America's Next Top Trail Running Brand!
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 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 2026Next 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.Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].
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How Mammut Made Humor Work in the Outdoor Industry
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 marketing is so hard to pull offWorking with Katie Burrell and casting for comedyThe evolution of Mammut’s brand voice and personalityOutdoor industry tropes that need to dieThe Rock Fight’s final score: originality, brand fit, messaging, visuals & strategic clevernessSpoiler: Mammut scores high and gives zero f*cks.Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].
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About The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

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 community that speaks your language. On The Rock Fight we get into the topics others shy away from – the real, sometimes messy, and always engaging aspects of the outdoor industry and culture. Ever debated the best layering system for an imaginary ice planet adventure? We're there. Concerned about the true environmental impact of outdoor brands beyond the marketing spin? We're digging in. We're not afraid to challenge the conventional and offer the candid insights you crave. We're those voices around the campfire, on the chairlift, and at the pub who aren't holding back. Our diverse discussions are fueled by a genuine love for the outdoors and a healthy dose of skepticism towards the status quo. Our goal is to create meaningful conversations and a stronger sense of community for outdoor lovers who are ready for something real. So grab your rock, hit play, and get ready to step up and participate in The Rock Fight.

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