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The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary — Wilderness
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.

Copyright: © Copyright 2025 Rock Fight, LLC

Latest Episodes:

Can DoorDash Change the Game for Outdoor Retail? Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you can DoorDash a pair of trail runners as easily as an order of pad thai?

Locally founder and CEO Mike Massey joins Colin to talk about the company's new partnership with DoorDash and why getting outdoor gear delivered in an hour could be about much more than convenience.

They also dig into the health of specialty outdoor retail, the shift toward at-once buying, how real-time local data could change inventory decisions, and whether the coming battle over last-mile delivery could create a major opportunity for independent retailers.

Topics / Chapters

02:29 – DoorDash is coming to your local gear shop

06:58 – Locally CEO Mike Massey joins the show

07:21 – How the Locally/DoorDash partnership happened

11:31 – Are delivery apps becoming the new everything store?

15:09 – Could this be a game changer for specialty retail?

16:01 – The current health of outdoor specialty retail

21:32 – At-once buying, inventory risk & real-time demand

23:58 – Can local retailers compete with Amazon?

27:05 – Why specialty shops shouldn't try to become Amazon

Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Email us! myrockfight@gmail.com

The Rock Fight is (an awesome) production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Trail Running Has Peaked & Who Really Has the Power in the Outdoor Industry? Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

It's the day you've been waiting for because The Rock Fight, the best outdoor culture podcast, is back!

And we're starting things back up with some spice as host and outdoor industry veteran Colin True returns with five rocks for the outdoor industry.

Is the hype around trail running finally peaking? Does the industry need to rethink what “outdoor participation” actually means? Is REI exactly what we need it to be? And with Outdoor Retailer, Switchback, GOA Connect and Outside Days all fighting for attention, do we already have the national outdoor gathering everyone keeps asking for?

Then Outdoor Unfiltered host and Rock Fight consigliere Eoin Comerford joins the show to dig into the growing power of specialty retailers, why dealers are increasingly favoring at-once orders over preseason commitments, and what that shift could mean for outdoor brands.

Plus: Helly Hansen wants to more than triple its U.S. business by 2030. Eoin and Colin discuss where that growth could possibly come from.

TOPICS & CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome back to The Rock Fight!

04:00 – Rock #1: Has trail running peaked?

07:00 – Rock #2: Outdoor participation is changing

09:30 – Rock #3: REI is the Steadiest of Eddies

12:15 – Rock #4: The Outdoor Trade Show Wars

18:30 – Rock #5: Specialty retail has the power

23:15 – Eoin Comerford joins the show

24:50 – Why retailers are moving away from preseason orders

27:20 – The “sea of sameness” comes home to roost

32:05 – How specialty retailers influence consumers

35:55 – How much power do independent retailers really have?

38:45 – Are there too many outdoor brands?

40:40 – Helly Hansen’s massive U.S. growth ambitions

Send your feedback and questions to myrockfight@gmail.com

The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC

The Rock Fight Is Back! Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

Let’s not beat around the bush. If you’ve listened to The Rock Fight in the past you know that we’ve never minced words on this podcast. So why start now?

Here’s the deal: On Monday September 28th, The Rock Fight returns!

Why, you ask? Because the voice of the outdoor industry has been quiet for long enough. And because the people demanded it. And because we still have rocks to throw! And lastly, because…. It just is.

We’ll be returning with hot takes, actual interesting conversations, top 5’s, outdoor drafts, and our signature brutally honest point of view of the outdoors and the outdoor industry. If you are into going outside or the business and brands of going outside, then The Rock Fight is the podcast for you.

So warm up that shoulder, find a couple of pointy rocks, and get ready for the return of The Rock Fight.

Follow The Rock Fight on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods.

The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Did Outdoor Retailer Just Pull Off a Comeback? Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

Don't call it a comeback! No, seriously, don't call it a comeback. The Rock Fight just needed to let Eoin Comerford weigh in on Outdoor Retailer!

Today Colin dusts off the mic and welcomes Eoin to answer one question: Is Outdoor Retailer back?

Fresh from OR 2026 in Minneapolis, Eoin reports on surprisingly strong crowds, actual buyer activity, new brands, influencers, and some genuine buzz around the longtime outdoor industry trade show.

The Rock Fight may be gone... but apparently we still have some rocks to throw (seriously, not a comeback).

Head to www.rockfightllc.com to listen to and follow Outdoor Unfiltered with Eoin Comerford and Gear Abby with Shawnté Salabert.

The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Bonus Episode! The Rock Fight Heads To Oboz - Outdoor Unfiltered Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

On this special bonus episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, Eoin welcomes the founders of The Rock Fight -- Colin True and Producer Dave Karstad.

Colin and Dave share why they decided to go out on top with the Rock Fight at its peak, what drew them to their new roles at Oboz, and what lies ahead for them and the brand.

Profitability vs. People: REI Cuts Pay & Benefits - Outdoor Unfiltered Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Today on Outdoor Unfiltered, Eoin Comerford breaks down the news that REI is cutting pay and benefits for employees as the co-op struggles to return to profitability.

After four straight years of losses REI is facing some tough financial realities — and payroll is squarely in the spotlight.

Eoin digs into what’s driving the decision, why payroll costs at REI are significantly higher than other retailers, and why a healthy REI still matters to the broader outdoor industry.

Also in this episode:

Vail Resorts’ historically bad winter season
Why ski resorts are still making money despite poor snow
Eoin is then joined by Rock Founder and Outdoor Industry veteran, Colin True, to discuss the outdoor recreation economy’s “$1.3 trillion” headline number (and why it’s misleading) as well as the new brand campaigns from The North Face and Merrell.

Outdoor Unfiltered looks past the PR spin to explore what’s really happening in the outdoor industry and why it matters.

Connect with Eoin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/

Email the show: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.com

Welcome to Outdoor Unfiltered! - Outdoor Unfiltered Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Tired of the PR spin and LinkedIn platitudes? Outdoor Unfiltered is a new podcast hosted by industry veteran Eoin Comerford that digs into what’s actually driving the outdoor business.

In this trailer, Eoin lays out the mission: honest conversations with insiders and experts about the forces shaping the industry — from innovation and branding to affordability, sustainability, and the real stories behind the headlines.

If you want to understand where the outdoor industry is headed — and why — Outdoor Unfiltered delivers the straight talk.

Follow now and get ready for the first episode dropping March 2.

Outdoor Unfiltered is part of the Rock Fight podcast network.

The Rock Fight Signs Off With a Final Look at the Outdoor Industry Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

This is it; the final episode of The Rock Fight.

In one last, wide-ranging conversation, Colin True, Eoin Comerford, and Producer Dave take a final look at the outdoor industry they’ve spent three years questioning, criticizing, and celebrating.

From the state of outdoor media and the resilience of specialty retail to brand sameness, authenticity, and the growing influence of algorithms and AI, this episode serves as a candid closing argument for why curiosity and critical thinking still matter.

No headlines. No hot takes. Just one last honest conversation before the final stone is thrown.

All Rock Fights Must Come To An End Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

In the penultimate episode of the podcast, Colin True explains why it’s time to bring The Rock Fight to a close and why ending things at their peak feels like the right call.

Drawing parallels to sports dynasties, iconic artists, and cultural moments that knew when to walk away, Colin reflects on the three year run of the show, what it became for the outdoor industry, and the realities of podcasting, media, money, and burnout in the outdoor space.

Come back on Monday January 23 for our final episode.

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

Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

What Does Stoke Footwear Mean For The Outdoor Industry? Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Rock Fight Colin, Eoin Comerford and Producer Dave talk about some recent headlines to come out of the outdoor industry including recent comments made by some of the industry's more notable CEO's.

For the Lightning Round they do quick hits on J Crew, JD Sports, and OR's new athlete team.

Then they unpack the launch of Stoke Footwear, a running-inspired shoe brand built for “real American men” that’s already landed in hundreds of retail doors. Is this smart retail validation, or another case of active heritage being repackaged for a different audience?

Lastly for The Parting Shot, Colin takes aim at the promotion of Alex Honnold's next big thing.

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 myrockfight@gmail.com.

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