Today Colin and Justin take a look at recent headlines to come out of the outdoor adventure community.

On the docket:

• In response to the Trump Administration's Valentine's Day staffing and budget cuts, employees at Yosemite National Park hung an upside down flag on the top of El Cap. Hope ensued. (04:55)
• The Trump Administration backtracked on those cuts with the Department of the Interior announcing they would allow agencies to hire 7,700 seasonal employees. (08:21)
• On Tuesday 2/25 Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert posted an Op-Ed on Time.com stating Patagonia's intention to fight back against the moves made by the Trump Administration, breaking the silence from outdoor industry brands over the past weeks. (12:06)
• Kelly Slater opened a wave pool in Abu Dhabi and the WSL hosted a comp there. In related news: Justin Housman is angry. (18:41)
• A runner was recently disqualified as the winner of a 100 mile road ultramarathon as his shoes violated a USATF rule about stack height. So, this is a thing? (26:14)
• The Parting Shot! Colin loves the name of a new shoe by Obōz while Justin encourages you to do the maintenance. (35:05)

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Today Colin is joined by outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford (Producer Dave is out sick) to talk about all the big stories that came out of the outdoor industry last week.

On the docket today:

• In a rare industry spite move (ok it's not just that) VF spinoff Kontoor Brands acquired Helly Hansen from Canadien Tire Corporation. Eoin gives us the background and we take a look at what may be next. (05:20)
• SKIMS is back in the news as it was announced that they will be creating a new brand with Nike. Of course, backlash ensued. Colin & Eoin break it down. (16:30)
• Wolverine announces that Merrell products are "going back to the mall" and Saucony is a big part of their plans for 2025. (28:31)
• Lastly, The Parting Shot, where Colin talks about the latest video from Patagonia who wants you to believe they are leading on the PFAS front...fun fact: they aren't. (39:27)

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Today Colin is joined by outdoor journalist and host of Open Container, Doug Schnitzspahn to talk about what they saw this week at the Outdoor Market Alliance Media Event.

They recount their experiences at the show, how it compares to larger national events, and emphasize how the format allows PR Agencies and those in outdoor media to engage with brands in a focused manner.

They also talk about how the event could benefit from seeking out smaller brands to attend as well as how the current threat to our public lands are present even at a show like this one and how that is likely to impact the broader outdoor industry.

Check out hundreds of wildly cool products by visiting and shopping at Garage Grown Gear!

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Today on the show Colin and Justin talk about the turmoil caused by the Trump Administration's layoffs at various land management agencies.

They cover the ramifications of substantial layoffs that have left numerous employees without positions, thereby compromising the operational integrity of our national parks. The episode further examines the uncertainty that permeates the outdoor community as we grapple with the fallout from these sweeping (and ridiculous) changes. (04:49)

Then the guys quickly hit a couple of items to come out of the gear world including Snow Peak entering the fly fishing space and a new way to cover up your truck bed. They also talk about the amazing video making the rounds of a humpback whale that swallowed and spit out a kayaker. (21:36)

They of course wrap things up with The Parting Shot! (34:10)

Check out hundreds of wildly cool products by visiting and shopping at Garage Grown Gear!

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Today on The Rock Fight Colin is joined by Rock Fight Consigliere Eoin Comerford and Producer Dave to discuss several news stories that paint a picture about the long term health of the outdoor industry.

First they look at the recent earnings report by Newell (parent company of Marmot, Coleman, and Ex Officio, among others) which shows how the outdoor industry may be on the same path that was recently traveled by the surf industry. Eoin recaps how many iconic surf brands ended up being owned by Authentic Brands and how that past may serve as a cautionary tale for outdoor brands facing similar challenges. (02:55)

Next they talk about a recent report that Dick's Sporting Goods is quietly leaving outdoor behind as it closes most of their remaining Public Land and Moosejaw locations. They talk about how this move will impact the outdoor retail landscape. (18:29)

Then they dig into event news including the report that Europe's biggest summer show, OutDoor, is going on "hiatus" as well as the announcement of Outdoor Retailer's Industry Day. (29:15)

Lastly it's a combined Parting Shot as the hosts weigh in on the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable's endorsement of Trump Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, as well as the organizations who co-signed that endorsement including the OIA, People For Bikes, and REI. They look at what missteps may have been made and what the focus should be going forward. (35:55)

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Today Colin is joined by Peter Whitcomb of Tersus Solutions, one of the players working to enable a thriving secondhand marketplace in the outdoor industry.

Tersus Solutions acts as a backbone for brands striving to establish sustainable practices by managing their re-commerce efforts. Throughout their conversation, Colin and Peter examine the complexities and challenges inherent in fostering a circular economy for outdoor apparel, as well as the necessity for brands to embrace responsibility for their products beyond the point of sale.

Check out hundreds of wildly cool products by visiting and shopping at Garage Grown Gear!

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Today on the show Colin & Justin Housman talk about some of the stories making the rounds through the outdoor community.

First up is an article that summarizes recent studies looking at the value of cold plunges. Turns out, there's not a lot science to support the claims that sitting in cold water is good for you. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't sit in cold water if you get something out of it! (5:55)

Then the guys stop in at Housman's House to dig into a new feature that Justin wrote about some folks who weren't as bullish on the EXPLORE Act as most of us and really hammer home the issues that lie in the conservation vs recreation debate. (21:40)

Lastly for this weeks Parting Shot, Colin reads the piece he wrote for Rock Fight about Outside's recent layoffs and he and Justin talk about the role Outside now occupies in the outdoor media landscape. (37:22)

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Today the various hosts, producers, and consigliere's of The Rock Fight gather to once again rank the top outdoor brands! And this time it's all about gear.

Coming off of last months episode where they ranked the top 5 outdoor footwear brands, Colin, Justin Housman, Producer Dave, and Eoin Comerford come back together to do the same for outdoor gear. They try to learn from their missteps (try being the operative word) from the footwear episode as they take on boiling down the absolutely massive category of outdoor gear to simply the top 5 brands going in 2025.

Did they succeed? Let them know! Email your feedback to [email protected].

Check out hundreds of wildly cool products by visiting and shopping at Garage Grown Gear!

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Today on the show Colin and Producer Dave are joined by the most unlikely of guests... someone from Outside, Inc!

Chris Jerard (aka CJ), Outside's VP of Marketing and Executive Director of The Outside Festival and Summit heard Colin's thoughts about a recent press release regarding the 2025 edition of the festival on Monday's episode of The Rock Fight and is here today to return fire and shed a little more light on what can be expected during the second year of this event.

The conversation delves into the event's purpose and how there is more to expect from The Summit then what has already been announced. CJ addresses topics such as the cost to attend as well as why professionals should consider coming to Denver even though June is packed with other outdoor industry events

Check out hundreds of wildly cool products by visiting and shopping at Garage Grown Gear!

Help those who have been impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires by clicking here.

Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

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Today Colin and Justin pop into Housman's House to talk about Justin's big break down of the BOLT Act which is just one element of what's inside the seminal piece of conservation legislation known as the EXPLORE Act.

Then the guys resurrect Gear & Beer to do a round of Overrated, Underrated or Properly Rated. The items being evaluated? Gaiters, insulated hiking boots, and snowshoes.

They wrap things up with The Parting Shot. Justin has some advice for what to wear in the rain while Colin takes issue with the lack of pop culture references in this article.

Check out hundreds of wildly cool products by visiting and shopping at Garage Grown Gear!

Help those who have been impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires by clicking here.

Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

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