The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head), Colin opens the show discussing Polartec's recent announcement of their Shed Less fleece, a fabric that, according to the brand, reduces microfiber shedding by up to 85%.

Drawing on his experience, Colin offers insights into the challenges ingredient brands face when developing innovative products, especially given the outdoor apparel industry's tendency to prioritize cost over performance. This approach often causes product messaging, like the press release for Shed Less, to come across as greenwashing rather than true innovation.

Finally, Colin concludes with The Parting Shot and a tribute to JanSport co-founder Murray McCory, who recently passed away.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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 returns to give Colin and Producer Dave his perspective on some of the topics that we've been covering lately.

Eoin discusses the loss of identity and authenticity brands deal with after being acquired by larger corporations. Using Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and Columbia's new creative push examples their conversation explores the importance of maintaining a connection to a brand's roots and the risks associated with prioritizing short-term financial gains over long-term brand health. They also look at why a brand like Vasque failed when they maintained the same ownership over their lifetime.

Additionally, Eoin highlights the growing opportunity in the secondhand market, emphasizing its potential to make outdoor gear more accessible to younger consumers while fostering sustainability.

Lastly Eoin offers his initial thoughts of what to expect the outdoor industry should expect from a second Trump presidency and why we need to prioritize sustainability, conservation, and inclusivity.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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 run through topics and headlines to come out of the outdoor adventure community over the past week or so including a French ski resort that has closed due to climate change, grades for Congress when it comes to National Parks, and Hipcamp's acquisition of BookOutdoors.

Here's the full list of topics with time codes:

• 4:49 - Congress gets graded on their record when it comes to National Parks
• 11:51 - Specialized releases new suspension technology for Gravel Bikes
• 20:19 - Hipcamp acquires Bookoutdoors
• 25:50 - French ski resort Alpe du Grande Serre shuts down due to impacts from climate change
• 34:08 - The Parting Shot

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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 opens the show reflecting on the latest earnings report from Crocs that details how their $2.5 billion investment, HeyDude, has not been faring too well.

Then he and producer Dave explore how HeyDude's limited demographic and marketing could end up making the whole thing a risky investment for Crocs.

They then comment on a listener email that identified prAna as another possible outdoor industry zombie brand and ponder why Columbia is doing things differently with them when compared to what Mountain Hardwear is up to.

Finally they talk about Vans entry into the technical hiking market with their new shoe that is based on the classic Old Skool.

Lastly they wrap things up with their Parting Shots!

Chapters:

• 01:49 - Will HeyDude end up being worth the $2.5 Billion it was bought for?
• 21:37 - Prana: The Zombie Brand of the Outdoor Industry
• 30:24 - Vans Enters the Hiking Shoe Market
• 38:15 - The Parting Shot

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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 and Producer Dave are joined by the founders of SENIQ; a new brand focused on making outdoor apparel for women.

It's not a secret that for much of the Outdoor Industry's history the primary directive when it came to apparel or footwear for women was to take something made for men and 'shrink it and pink it'. Even though there have been a number of advancements in recent years for female adventurers, there is still a long way to go.

That is why Madison Hilson and Tina Thompson started SENIQ. A women's outdoor apparel brand with a modern twist.

On today's episode they discuss how their time working at Victoria's Secret and Backcountry, led to creating a brand that prioritizes fit, function, and style for the modern outdoorswoman.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Fuel Goods
• https://outdoorbusinessalliance.org/ 
• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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 continue their annual Halloween tradition by taking in an outdoorsy horror flick. Last year it was The Blair Witch Project this year? The original Friday the 13th!

They start the show by talking about a couple of headlines to come out of the outdoor community in the past week including an Australian hiker was caught upside down for 7 hours and a new AI that has a soft spot for wild places.

Then they delve into their annual Halloween tradition of reviewing an outdoor-themed horror movie, this year focusing on the original 1980 classic, "Friday the 13th." As they dissect the film, they explore its themes, the outdoor setting, and share personal reflections on how it surprisingly evokes a desire to connect with nature and the outdoors.

Finally they determine their favorite use of outdoor gear, and finally answer the question: does this movie make you want to go outside?

Lastly, they wrap up the show with their Parting Shots where Justin has election fatigue and Colin wants new holiday decorations.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Fuel Goods
• https://outdoorbusinessalliance.org/ 
• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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 opens the show reacting to last weeks earnings report from Newell, owner of Marmot, that shows how the once great outdoor brand is sliding further into mediocrity.

Then Colin and Producer Dave discuss the historical significance of Marmot and its innovative past, contrasting it with mistakes that were made by their various owners (here's that Super Bowl ad they talk about).

The pair also discuss the recent earnings report that show Hoka's growth continuing to the point where they are now a $2b brand and the news that Dick's Sporting Goods is closing most of their Public Lands stores in order to convert them into House Of Sport locations (just like Colin predicted).

The wrap things up with their Parting Shots where Dave talks about the new creative team at Columbia and Colin throws a fit about a new Crocs collaborator.

Chapters:

• 01:42 - How Marmot became a zombie.
• 26:35 - Hoka continues to crush it. Can they be stopped? Where's Ahnu?
• 30:53 - Dick's to close Public Lands
• 36:24 - The Parting Shot!

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Fuel Goods
• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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) environmental fashion journalist Sophie Benson returns to talk about the latest sustainability topics to come out of the outdoor industry.

Sophie joins Colin & Producer Dave to share her insights on the recent upcycling and recommerce initiatives from various outdoor brands. The episode also delves into the implications of new legislation in California, SB707, which holds producers accountable for their textile waste. They also discuss Sophie's coverage of the Trashie program, which aims to tackle fashion waste while raising questions about consumer behavior and responsibility.

Lastly they wrap things up with another edition of This Week In Greenwashing!

Chapters:

• 02:27 - Exploring Upcycling and Recommerce
• 14:00 - California's New Textile Legislation
• 23:52 - Understanding the 'Trashy' Take Back Program
• 34:07 - This Week in Greenwashing

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Fuel Goods
• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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), Paddy O'Connell returns for his record setting 6th appearance! He joins Colin & Justin to talk about the production of season 2 of his show "PaddyO Sucks At..." and sticks around to chat about some adventure headlines to come out of the outdoor community.

Three hosts means three Parting Shots. And for his, PaddyO saves the best for last.

Want to skip around? Here are the topics that the trio cover:

• 04:50 - Season Two of "PaddyO Sucks At..."
• 21:00 - Ultrarunner Michelino Sunseri faces charges for his FKT attempt on the Grand Teton. Should he serve time?
• 27:13 - The discovery of Andrew "Sandy" Irvine's foot and boot on Mount Everest. Will there be a movie?
• 31:58 - Can you hack being in the backcountry with all of the mosquitos and black flies?
• 36:13 - The return of PICKLEBALL CORNER!
• 40:59 - The Parting Shot! Colin: Justice for Statler & Waldorf; Justin: No Seriously, Don't Text Me During Sports, Paddy: Fuck Ski Town Localism

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Fuel Goods
• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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 kicks off the show talking about the decision by Red Wing to sunset the Vasque brand.

Colin and Producer Dave delve into the historical significance of Vasque, a company that since 1964 has played a crucial role in shaping outdoor footwear in the US. They examine the trajectory of the brand, from its early innovations, such as the iconic Sundowner boot, to its struggles with brand identity and market competition.

The duo then talk about Nike's decision to utilize their ACG line to revitalize their international business before wrapping things up with their parting shots.

Here's the Nike ACG history article as referenced by Producer Dave.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Support Relief Efforts After Hurricane Helene
• 02:02 - The Fall of Vasque Footwear
• 20:06 - Nike's Strategic Shift in the Outdoor Market
• 30:00 - Parting Shots: Lessons from Vasque's Closure

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Fuel Goods
• 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.

Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.

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.