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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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This week on The Rock Fight, the crew digs into a round of reactions to some of the latest headlines to emerge from the outdoor industry!

From Fleet Feet’s growing footprint, to the maturation of the hydration category and what it means for brands like Hydro Flask and YETI, the conversation spans retail scale, category fatigue, and where real opportunity still exists.

The episode also explores why more brands are opening their own stores, how DTC has evolved into an omnichannel strategy, and what that means for wholesale partners. Plus, the Lightning Round covers ski patrol strikes*, Everest trash, and why bikes still sit awkwardly outside the outdoor industry.

*This episode was recorded before the Telluride Patroller's strike ended.

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.

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Today on The Rock Fight Colin and Producer Dave help break down Eoin's ten predictions for the outdoor industry in 2026! From tariffs and retail shakeups to REI’s membership future, used gear going mainstream, peak trail running culture, and AI becoming your next gear buddy.

Then for The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin calls out Timberland’s latest boot, using it as a case study in what happens when legacy brands lose the plot on product quality, relevance, and execution. Watch the video that sparked the conversation by clicking here.

What do you think of our predictions? Weigh in with your opinion and make your own outdoor industry 2026 prediction by clicking here!

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.

In this special episode, Colin, Owen, Shawnté, and Producer Dave hand out the 2025 Rock Fight Awards, recognizing the outdoor industry’s biggest wins, painful missteps, strangest products, and standout brands and individuals of the year.

From trail running’s continued dominance to zombie brands, WTF products, creative breakthroughs, and a few well-earned shots across the bow, this is a no-filter temperature check on where the outdoor industry stands and where it might be headed next.

Award Categories:

🪨 THE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN BRAND COLLABORATION

🪨 THE CHIP WILSON SELF INFLICTED WOUND AWARD (AKA BIGGEST BRAND BONER)

🪨 THE OPEN CONTAINER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE OUTDOOR COMMUNITY

🪨 THE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN OUTDOOR INDUSTRY OVEREXPOSURE

🪨 THE CATEGORY OF THE YEAR

🪨 THE WTF PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

🪨 THE NEWCOMER OR EMERGING BRAND OF THE YEAR

🪨 THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE OUTDOOR ZOMBIE HORDE

🪨 THE BRIEF AWARD FOR BRAND CREATIVE EXCELLENCE

🪨 THE GEAR ABBY GOLDEN BIDET AWARD FOR CONSUMER EDUCATION

🪨 THE JUSTIN HOUSMAN MEMORIAL ROCK FIGHTER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

🪨 THE 2025 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN TRADE SHOWS

🪨 THE 2025 ROCK FIGHT LISTENER AWARD

🪨 2025 OUTDOOR INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

🪨 2025 BRAND OF THE YEAR

See you in 2026!

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.