The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

Today on The Rock Fight (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin & Justin Housman run through the top 10 episodes from 2024 that focused on the outdoor adventure community.

Running down the top episodes from the past year from 10 to 1, each episode explored significant topics, including the impact of outdoor media on small towns, the controversial legal issues surrounding athletes like Michelino Sunseri, the groundbreaking inclusion of women in events like the Red Bull Rampage along with many others.

Today Colin & Justin reflect on their original opinions and offer updated takes on the ten best rock fights of 2024.

Here is the full list along with links so you can go back and hear the original conversation:

10. Dec 11: Can outdoor media ruin a town/Hunting Grizzlies & Rocky Mounts Acquired by Clarus

9. May 20: Grand Canyon Tragedy, National Bike Month

8. Nov 13: Yeti to Sunset Mystery Ranch

7. Oct 23: The Jailtime FKT, Most Famous Foot on Everest

6. July 2: Patagonia’s Wetsuit Breakthrough, Cabins v Offices

5. June 10: Red Bull Rampage The Women Are In, A Talking Headlamp

4. July 8: Should Fireworks Be Banned

3. May 13: Baja Surfer Tragedy, Jackson Hole Skier Charged with Homicide

2. Sep 7: Should We Care About Killian Jornet’s New Record

1. May 6: Patagonia’s New Movie, Nepal Everest Ruling & Trash on the PCT

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's 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].

Today on The Rock Fight (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin is joined by industry insider Eoin Comerford and Producer Dave to run down the top 10 outdoor industry rock fights from the past year.

Going from 10 to 1 they provide their updated thoughts on the most popular industry focused episodes of 2024 and make predictions about what to expect in the future.

This past year The Rock Fight explored trends and challenges within the outdoor industry, including topics like "zombie brands" and the impact of economic shifts on consumer purchasing habits.

The topics that dominated the outdoor industry news cycle highlighted the importance of authentic engagement and innovation for outdoor brands, while also looking at topics such as the growing trend of secondhand markets and their potential to reshape consumer behavior.

This year end episode offers a comprehensive look into the landscape of outdoor retail and the pivotal changes on the horizon. We are excited to continue to elevate The Rock Fight as your go to source for outdoor industry news and discourse in 2025!

Here is the full list along with links so you can go back and hear the original conversation:

10. Oct 28: Marmot: From Outdoor Pioneer To Zombie Brand?

9. Sep 2: Outside Inc Goes Social

8. May 6: Patagonia’s New Movie

7. Sep 23: Secondhand Websites & Upcycled Garments: Why Outdoor Brands Need To Do Better

6. Sep 30: Is A Consumer Shift Coming To The Outdoor Industry?

5. Aug 12: EMS Sells For A Song

4. May 27: REI’s Union Problem

3. Aug 1: Let People Try: Inclusion In The Outdoor Industry

2. Sep 16: Does The North Face Actually "Play Different"?

1. Rock Fight Breaks The News! Sep 9: Backcountry Acquired/Nov 13: Yeti To Sunset Mystery Ranch

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's 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].

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Jessica Turner from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable returns to the show to talk about finally getting the EXPLORE Act through congress!

The passage of the EXPLORE Act marks a significant milestone for the outdoor recreation community, as it is the first comprehensive recreation package to be enacted without being tied to other legislative measures. Jessica joins Colin and Justin to discuss the implications of this landmark legislation, emphasizing its potential to modernize land management and improve recreational opportunities across the country. That conversation starts at (28:20).

Before that Colin & Justin hit a couple of headlines to come out of the outdoor adventure community over the past week including a hiker who made a poor footwear choice on a big hike in Nevada and a quick detour into Housman's House to talk about how the EXPLORE Act will impact filming in our National Parks.

The whole episode wraps up with The Parting Shot: holiday edition!

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's 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].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin opens the show with his reaction to Gear Patrol's mention of THE ROCK FIGHT in their recent best products of 2024 list.

Colin and Producer Dave use this mention to pump the tires of an outdoor media scene who has way more clout than many realize when it comes to how they cover the brands that drive the conversation in the outdoor industry.

Then Eoin Comerford joins the show to showcase his recent deep dive into the evolving landscape of outdoor direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands based on his recent LinkedIn post.

Lastly it's time for The Parting Shot where Eoin highlights the importance of inclusivity and diversity within the industry, emphasizing that these values should be seen as business imperatives rather than mere societal goals while Colin wants to reject your very thoughtful hand written thank you note.

Follow Eoin Comerford on LinkedIn.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's 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].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin is joined by the founder of LIVSN, Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, who shares his compelling journey from personal struggle to building an outdoor brand focused on sustainability and quality.

Andrew discusses the challenges of launching a new brand in a saturated outdoor market and highlights the need for innovation that aligns with environmental responsibility. The conversation also explores how LIVSN's approach to product development merges sustainability with functionality, ensuring that their offerings resonate with a younger, more environmentally conscious customer base.

Lastly today is the two year anniversary of the first episode of THE ROCK FIGHT! So Colin ends the show by reading TRF's first episode, Ski Resorts Are Not Outdoor, as today's Parting Shot.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's 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].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin and Justin run through some stories to come out of the outdoor community from the past week.

First up they respond to emails received about last weeks episode which featured a story about how outdoor media and enthusiasts can possibly ruin unknown mountain towns.

Then they talk about a hiker was rescued from quicksand and implore outdoor media sites to give us all a little more reporting about something crazy that happens in the backcountry before clicking that upload button.

Next they enter the House of Housman to explore the controversial topic of wildlife management in Alaska, where plans to cull bears and wolves have raised ethical questions.

The episode of course ends with The Parting Shot! This week Justin admonishes some over eager mountain bikers while Colin gives the definitive ranking of Rankin/Bass Christmas specials.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's 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].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin opens the show by talking about how the outdoor industry steadily operates from a position of fear.

Then Eoin Comerford joins Colin to analyze the dynamics of big box retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Academy, looking at their struggles and strategies in a competitive landscape, and what specialty retail can learn from these big chains.

The conversation then focuses on the recent collaboration between The North Face & Skims, where concerns about sustainability and brand integrity are highlighted before taking a look at the recent Under Armour investor day.

Colin wraps up the show with The Parting Shot where he offers a warning to those aspiring to become the next big water bottle after news broke last week about a recall impacting Stanley water bottles.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's 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].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin is joined by the founder and editor in chief of Blister, Jonathan Ellsworth, to talk about making the backcountry a safer and more affordable place for outdoor enthusiasts.

Outdoor enthusiasts face significant risks when engaging in their favorite activities, and having the right insurance coverage can be a game changer; which is exactly what Blister+ is looking to be.

Blister+, the gear review site's membership program, includes an innovative outdoor injury insurance policy designed to protect adventurers from the financial burden of accidents.

The conversation delves into Ellsworth's personal experiences with serious injuries and the hefty medical bills that often accompany them, highlighting the importance of accessible coverage for high-risk sports. As the outdoor recreation community continues to grow, the need for affordable and effective insurance solutions becomes increasingly critical.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Head to www.rockfight.co and sign up for News From the Front, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter!

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out our other podcast on the Rock Fight Podcast Network: Gear & Beer! It's a relationship and advice show for those obsessed with the outdoorsy lifestyle.

Have a question or comment for a future mailbag episode? Send it to [email protected] or send a message on Instagram or Threads.

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin & Justin hit on a few of the more interesting and notable stories to come out of the outdoor community over the past week.

The show kicks off by delving into a discussion about the complexities of brand loyalty in outdoor gear, based on the news that Rocky Mounts has been acquired by Clarus. The guys contemplate when brand identity truly matters versus when functionality takes precedence.

Then they touch on the impact outdoor media can have when it comes to changing who lives or visits unknown mountain towns based on a recent article on Outside Online and the social media comments that article inspired.

The episode then takes a trip to HOUSMAN'S HOUSE to get a deeper look at Justin's recent article on National Parks Traveler about the controversial topic of hunting grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, highlighting the ongoing debates around wildlife management and conservation efforts.

And because every rock fight ends with a parting shot, Colin & Justin wrap up the show with... The Parting Shot! Justin has some words for a recent medical experience while Colin thinks anyone who only does one outdoor activity should examine their priorities.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Head to www.rockfight.co and sign up for News From the Front, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter!

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out our other podcast on the Rock Fight Podcast Network: Gear & Beer! It's a relationship and advice show for those obsessed with the outdoorsy lifestyle.

Have a question or comment for a future mailbag episode? Send it to [email protected] or send a message on Instagram or Threads.

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford joins Colin and Producer Dave to recap his time at the ISPO trade show in Munich!

Eoin discusses the notable decline in participation and booth sizes at the show and how the changes seen at ISPO can tell us what to expect at future shows in the US. He also talks about his time touring Munich's legendary outdoor retail scene.

Then the trio react to a flurry of industry news to drop over the last week including Merrell's new brand direction and CPO, Cotopaxi's new CEO, and The North Face's latest collaboration, this time with Kim Kardashian's Skims.

Eoin sticks around for The Parting Shot where he takes aim at the poor form some users exhibit in their choice of LinkedIn profile pictures. Producer Dave takes a look at Thermos who is trying to reclaim its title as champion of insulated bottles. And Colin wraps things up by reflecting on the unfortunate closure of the Diamond Brand Gear Company at the hands of Hurricane Helene.

Start your Monday off right by joining in THE ROCK FIGHT!

Follow Eoin on LinkedIn.

Click here for all of Eoin's ISPO posts.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Head to www.rockfight.co and sign up for News From the Front, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter!

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out our other podcast on the Rock Fight Podcast Network: Gear & Beer! It's a relationship and advice show for those obsessed with the outdoorsy lifestyle.

Have a question or comment for a future mailbag episode? Send it to [email protected] or send a message on Instagram or Threads.

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.