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 al...
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Cancel Commercial Climbing & OnlyFans Goes Fly Fishing
<p>Should we put an end to commercial high-altitude mountaineering? And why is the fly fishing community losing its mind over an OnlyFans creator?</p><p>It's time for The Parting Shot!</p><p>Colin welcomes Gear Abby host Shawnté Salabert for two outdoor hot takes. </p><p>First, after watching the new K2 documentary The Last First: Winter K2, Colin argues that commercial mountaineering has gone too far. When inexperienced climbers can buy their way onto some of the world's most dangerous mountains, who's responsible when things go wrong? </p><p>Then Shawnté takes aim at the fly fishing co...
The 5 Best Ways to Die in the Outdoors
<p>Everybody dies. But if you could choose how you go, wouldn't you rather have a great story?</p><p>Longtime Rock Fight co-host Justin Housman returns to join Colin to debate the five best ways to die in the outdoors.</p><p>From big wave wipeouts and wild animal attacks to falling rocks, volcanoes, and lightning strikes, Colin and Justin rank the outdoor demises they'd choose if dying peacefully in their sleep were somehow off the table.</p><p>What do you think the best way to die in the outdoors would be? Send your vote to myrockfight@gmail...
The Outdoor Industry's D2C Revolution Isn't Over Plus: What's Next for Backcountry?
<p>What's next for Backcountry? And are direct-to-consumer outdoor brands making a comeback?</p><p>Today on The Rock Fight, Colin welcomes back Outdoor Unfiltered host and Rock Fight consigliere Eoin Comerford to check in on the changing landscape of outdoor retail.</p><p>First, they examine Backcountry's efforts to reinvent itself through acquisitions, new brand partnerships and an enormous online assortment. Can the longtime e-commerce player regain its former momentum, or has the increasingly competitive digital marketplace put a ceiling on its growth?</p><p>Then Colin and Eoin dig into the surprising success of D2C outdoor brands...
The Return of the Light Hiker (The Parting Shot!)
<p>The light hiker is coming back. At least that's Colin's prediction.</p><p>On this week's Parting Shot, Colin welcomes Gear Abby host Shawnté Salabert to debate his latest outdoor industry prediction: 2027 will be the year of the light hiker.</p><p>He makes his case by looking at footwear's fashion cycles, an increasingly saturated running category, emerging retail trends, and why shoes like the Merrell Moab might be poised for a comeback.</p><p>Will running shoes finally lose their grip on casual footwear or is Colin just trying to make dad shoes cool again? Send your feedback t...
The Outdoor Industry Needs to Get Loud About Public Lands
<p>The outdoor industry depends on public lands. So why does it sometimes seem reluctant to fight for them?</p><p>Chris Keyes, founder and executive director of public lands newsroom RE:PUBLIC, returns to The Rock Fight to talk with Colin about the industry's response to the growing number of threats facing America's public lands.</p><p>Chris and Colin discuss what brands can do beyond posting another carefully workshopped statement on social media, why encouraging people to vote might be the industry's most effective move, and how RE:PUBLIC's first year is demonstrating that good old-fashioned outdoor journalism...
A New Zombie Brand? Plus: Power Ranking Big Box Outdoor Retailers
<p>Big box retailers drive a massive amount of outdoor industry revenue. So which ones matter most and which are best positioned for the future?</p><p>Today Colin is joined by Outdoor Unfiltered host and Rock Fight consigliere Eoin Comerford to power rank the biggest players in outdoor retail.</p><p>And, as you might expect, Colin and Eoin don't exactly agree on the rankings.</p><p>Plus, Colin answers a listener question about whether outdoor brands can differentiate on vibes alone, nominates another once iconic outdoor company for zombie-brand status, and explains what the Outdoor Media Summit gets...
Punk Rock Running, Mammut Streetwear & the Death of “Print Ain’t Dead”
<p>Friday is for The Parting Shot!</p><p>To close out The Rock Fight's big return week, Colin welcomes back two Rock Fight Hall of Famers, Producer Dave and Shawnté Salabert, to chuck four rocks aimed squarely at the outdoor world.</p><p>First, Colin defends the Satisfy x Adidas Circle Pit and wonders why runners get so worked up whenever a brand tries something different. Producer Dave then weighs in on Mammut's latest streetwear-heavy campaign and the strange pivot from the brand that spent the past two years reminding everyone that it definitely wasn't a streetwear brand.</p><p...
Can DoorDash Change the Game for Outdoor Retail?
<p>What happens when you can DoorDash a pair of trail runners as easily as an order of pad thai?</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Topics / Chapters<...
Trail Running Has Peaked & Who Really Has the Power in the Outdoor Industry?
<p>It's the day you've been waiting for because The Rock Fight, the best outdoor culture podcast, is back!</p><p>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.</p><p>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 aski...
The Rock Fight Is Back!
<p>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?</p><p>Here’s the deal: On Monday September 28th, The Rock Fight returns! </p><p>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.</p><p>We’ll be returning with hot takes, actual interesting conversations, top 5’s, outdoor drafts...
