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.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
I Pitched 5 Outdoor Brands to a Retailer. Here's What Happened.
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
Nov 10 42 min
The Soul of Hiking Isn't in Your Boots & ISPO Instant Reaction
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 o
Nov 6 16 min
The Outdoor Trade Show Wars: OR Makes Its Case
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 premi
Nov 5 31 min
AI Influencers, Fake Gear Reviews & the Future of Outdoor Media
What if the outdoor influencer recommending your next backpack wasn't actually a real person?
Today on The Rock Fight, Colin welcomes back independent outdoor journalist
Nov 3 32 min
Patagonia Just Put Used Gear Next to New. Why Isn't Everyone Else?
Today Colin is joined by Patagonia's Aileen Ottenweller, Senior Director of Impact Marketing, Policy and Communications, to discuss the company's decision to integrate it
Oct 30 37 min
The 2026 Outdoor Activity Draft!
What's the greatest outdoor activity of all time? And if you could assemble the ultimate team of outdoor pursuits, what would make your roster?
Today on The Rock Fight,
Oct 28 1 h 06 min
The Reinvention of ISPO: Can The Show Find Its Mojo Again?
Can one of the outdoor industry's most iconic trade shows reinvent itself? And what does its comeback mean for the future of industry gatherings?
Today on The Rock Fight
Oct 27 34 min
Does the World Really Need YETI Jackets?
YETI makes jackets now. And apparently, everyone else wants in on the apparel business, too.
On this week's Parting Shot, Colin welcomes Gear Abby host Shawnté Salabert
Oct 23 18 min
The $50 Million Outdoor Brand You've Never Heard Of
What if one of the outdoor industry's fastest-growing brands was already generating more than $50 million in annual revenue and most traditional outdoor retailers barely
Oct 22 36 min
The Outdoor Industry Stock Market: What Are We Buying & Selling?
The outdoor industry stock market is open for business! So which brands and trends are worth buying, and which ones are headed for a crash?
Today on The Rock Fight, Coli
Should we put an end to commercial high-altitude mountaineering? And why is the fly fishing community losing its mind over an OnlyFans creator?
It's time for The Parting
Oct 16 19 min
The 5 Best Ways to Die in the Outdoors
Everybody dies. But if you could choose how you go, wouldn't you rather have a great story?
Longtime Rock Fight co-host Justin Housman returns to join Colin to debate th
Oct 15 43 min
The Outdoor Industry's D2C Revolution Isn't Over Plus: What's Next for Backcountry?
What's next for Backcountry? And are direct-to-consumer outdoor brands making a comeback?
Today on The Rock Fight, Colin welcomes back Outdoor Unfiltered host and Rock F
Oct 13 36 min
The Return of the Light Hiker (The Parting Shot!)
The light hiker is coming back. At least that's Colin's prediction.
On this week's Parting Shot, Colin welcomes Gear Abby host Shawnté Salabert to debate his latest outd
Oct 9 16 min
The Outdoor Industry Needs to Get Loud About Public Lands
The outdoor industry depends on public lands. So why does it sometimes seem reluctant to fight for them?
Chris Keyes, founder and executive director of public lands news
Oct 8 27 min
A New Zombie Brand? Plus: Power Ranking Big Box Outdoor Retailers
Big box retailers drive a massive amount of outdoor industry revenue. So which ones matter most and which are best positioned for the future?
Today Colin is joined by Ou
Oct 6 43 min
Punk Rock Running, Mammut Streetwear & the Death of “Print Ain’t Dead”
Friday is for The Parting Shot!
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
Oct 2 30 min
Can DoorDash Change the Game for Outdoor Retail?
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
Sep 30 30 min
Trail Running Has Peaked & Who Really Has the Power in the Outdoor Industry?
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 out
Sep 28 48 min
The Rock Fight Is Back!
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 dea
Sep 20 1 min
Chart trend
Position in the Wilderness chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#98#195AugSepOctNov
#1
all-time peak
40
days in the top 3 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 12, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
As a wholesale rep, this has become my go-to listen more than once a week. The shows offer such a great intersection of insights about what’s going on in the industry generally, brand and product trends, retail analysis alongside so much more. And, all delivered in a fun and inquisitive manner.
Super grateful to you guys for what you are doing…..and maybe at some point event contribute a couple of show ideas??
Amiee97 · Jul 2025
I have been an outdoor enthusiast my entire life and more specifically - an outdoor industry retail sales associate for the better part of 14 years. Finding people outside of my immediate work environment and experience to “talk shop” with, can feel very insular and limiting in perspective. Finding the Rock Fight podcast, however, has been a breath of fresh air. Colin and his merry band of outdoor industry misfits 😁 are a delight to listen to: informative, insightful, and entertaining. They give me a broader perspective of the outdoor industry community I am proud to be a part of, but they also make me feel at home - like sitting around a campfire with a cold beer at the end of a long trail day, just shooting the breeze with your buds. 🍻
JessieTYCG · Jul 2025
New listener, but I love what Rock Fight has to offer. A nice blend of knowledgeable and entertaining, which can be hard to pull off, especially when talking about niche industries. Keep on keeping on!
RobUllman · Dec 2024
We are a newer small town independent Outdoor Specialty shop in MI and have listened to nearly every episode. Having binged the library initially, we now look forward to the new episodes to get the latest news & info for the outdoor industry. This podcast has been an important part of the launch of our company and is now our continuing education. And Colin, Justin, & Dave seemed to have a blast, which is good for the listener. Keep up the good work!
TTTO Todd · Oct 2024
Have worked in the industry for 10+ years and I struggle with every episode, but keep pushing through hoping it gets better. Plus, nobody else is stepping up to speak about these topics. The hosts don’t have a solid background in the industry to speak to topics with the authority they try to. Half the time they pronounce brand names incorrectly and don’t know product offerings. Was excited for an industry podcast to finally take shape but not sure this is it.
While I love love that there is a female voice incorporated as a host, they have to get someone other than Shawnté. She does not understand the industry, comes from the music world (???), and she just doesn’t have the experience in many key categories outside of just hike. She speaks with a tone as though she knows best, but it’s clear she has no knowledge of trends or the industry as a whole. Just because you thru hike does not make you an expert. I’m so disappointed they can’t find a woman with a better pulse on the industry, because they do exist.
Outside of picking any woman off the street to say they have a female co-host, the male hosts have not kicked the traditional male-centric attitude that many older industry folks have, which is another disappointment.
Cannot stand the ad songs at the beginning.
klasak31 · May 2025
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About The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary on Reason.fm
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
