The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

Available Episodes

5 of 425

Nike Eyes Trail Running & Sierra Steals the Suburbs
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! 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)!Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. 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].
--------
53:11
--------
53:11
Topo’s Big Year: Tariffs, Trail Running & Staying Authentic
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 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… everThe 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.Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. 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].
--------
28:04
--------
28:04
Vuori Snow, Patagonia’s Paradox & Goodbye Gorewear
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, 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 partnershipFor 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.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].
--------
58:10
--------
58:10
Why The Outdoor Industry Needs Its Cool Back
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: 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.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].
--------
26:23
--------
26:23
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].
--------
44:39
--------
44:39

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

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.

Podcast website

Business Leisure Sports Hobbies Marketing Wilderness