Claim OwnershipThe Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary
Subscribed: 25Played: 2,333
Subscribe
© Copyright 2026 Rock Fight, LLC
Description
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.
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.
461 Episodes
Reverse
Patagonia just launched a new fleece featuring Polartec Alpha Direct. But ultralight backpackers and small cottage gear brands have been using the material for years. So who's really driving innovation in the outdoor industry?It's Friday, which means it's time for another Parting Shot on The Rock Fight! Colin welcomes back Gear Abby host Shawnté Salabert to take aim at the latest outdoor industry headlines.First, Colin has some complaints about a new generation of outdoor influencers who make sweeping claims about gear without understanding the products they're reviewing. Then he revisits his argument against commercial mountaineering after watching Tenzing, a film about the first ascent of Mount Everest.But the main event is Shawnté's take on Patagonia's new Retool Air pullover, made with a recycled version of Polartec Alpha Direct.Shawnté explores how cottage brands like Senchi Designs helped popularize Alpha Direct among ultralight backpackers long before Patagonia entered the picture. Plus, Colin shares some firsthand history from his days at Polartec, including the company's long pursuit of Patagonia as an Alpha customer.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Email us at [email protected] Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
What happens when the guy who's spent years criticizing outdoor brand campaigns has to defend one of his own?Today on The Rock Fight, it's another edition of The Brief, and Producer Dave is back! Only this time, he's trading his usual role as critic for the creative hot seat.Now leading brand and creative at Oboz, Dave joins Colin to break down the footwear brand's new “We Didn't Make It to Fashion Week” campaign, a tongue-in-cheek response to the outdoor industry's growing obsession with fashion.Colin and Dave dig into how the campaign came together, why the chose to celebrate its absence from New York Fashion Week, and how the brand brought the idea to life through social content, a red rock runway, and activations with specialty outdoor retailers.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your emails to [email protected] Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
What does it actually take for a new outdoor brand to earn a spot on the shelves of a specialty retailer?Today on The Rock Fight, Colin is recording from GOA Connect in Kansas City, where he welcomes back Sunlight Sports owner Wes Allen for a little experiment.After exploring the show's Discovery Marketplace, Colin selected five promising outdoor brands and decided to pitch them to Wes. The goal? Find out which brands have what it takes to succeed at specialty retail and which ones might have a tougher road ahead.Five brands. One retailer. Some surprising answers. Who makes the cut?Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your emails to [email protected] Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
It's Friday, which means it's time for The Rock Fight's Parting Shot! This week, Colin welcomes back Gear Abby host Shawnté Salabert for two very different takes on the outdoor industry.First, a severely jet-lagged Colin delivers his immediate reaction to the newly reinvented ISPO trade show in Amsterdam. Did ISPO deliver enough to make the outdoor industry believe in its comeback?Then Shawnté takes aim at a recent Backpacker essay suggesting that hiking is losing part of its soul as traditional boots give way to trail runners. While she appreciates the author's love of hiking boots, she questions why footwear preferences so often turn into rules about who belongs outdoors and how they should participate.All that plus, Colin's growing frustration with Halloween. It's Friday on The Rock Fight... time for the parting shot!Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your emails to [email protected] Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
Today on The Rock Fight, Colin welcomes Outdoor Retailer show director Matthew Mathiasen to make the case for why OR should once again become the outdoor industry's premier national event.With Outdoor Retailer and Switchback competing for the industry's attention (and exhibitor dollars), the future of the national outdoor trade show is anything but settled.Colin and Matthew dig into what brands actually want from these events, why the traditional focus on retail buyers might be outdated, and the challenge of convincing major outdoor brands to return. Plus, can Outdoor Retailer and Switchback coexist? And can OR embrace its legacy without getting trapped by it?Send your feedback to [email protected]:06 – Outdoor Retailer's New Ownership Under Forge06:38 – Does the Outdoor Industry Need a National Trade Show?12:54 – How Committed Is Forge to Outdoor Retailer's Future?15:34 – Sponsor Break19:25 – Can You Sell a Trade Show Based on Vibes?24:11 – Turning Influencer Content Into Business Results27:10 – Can Outdoor Retailer and Switchback Coexist?27:57 – Can Outdoor Retailer Escape Its Past?The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States