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Outdoor Unfiltered: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Rock Fight, LLC
Want to know what's REALLY going on in the outdoor industry? Move past the PR speak and platitudes. Get the "why" behind the headlines with the unvarnished truth about the outdoor industry's biggest drivers. Host Eoin Comerford -- former CEO, marketer, and consultant -- brings two decades of industry scars and successes to the table. He’s calling out the missteps, celebrating the innovators, and dissecting the "playbook" used by the world’s leading outdoor brands and retailers. Alongside guest experts, Eoin dives into the topics that actually move the needle: - Market Drivers: Affordability, sustainability, and the "authenticity" gap. - Retail Reality: What’s actually happening on the floor vs. the boardroom. - Future-Proofing: Connecting you to the insiders shaping where the industry goes next. Stop skimming the surface. It’s way more interesting down here.
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- Today40 min
Outdoor Media Summit: What Worked, What Didn't, and Why It Matters
Recorded live from the Outdoor Media Summit in Asheville, North Carolina, Eoin Comerford is joined by Colin True and Shawnté Salabert to break down everything that happened at OMS.From an unexpected black bear sighting and zip-liners passing by at the Crowne Plaza Resort to deep dives into the brand speed dating format, the trio covers what makes OMS different from other outdoor industry get togethers.They discuss notable brands including HEST, Zenbivy, Bedrock's new mountain shoes, Packfire, Airstream, Nemo, Eno, Grand Trunk, Hollow Socks, Patagonia, Teva, Smartwool, Altra, Nomadix, HydroFlask, Grivel, and Yeti.Eoin recounts his bushcraft excursion with Victorinox that turned into an Army Ranger-style survival challenge, Shawnte shares her fly fishing experience with Mayfly Outdoors and Mountain Fly Anglers, and the team digs into the hunt-fish segment's growing relevance with Hollow Socks.The conversation also covers keynotes from Matt Tucker of Circana and Earl Hunter of The Unity Folks, the value of brand excursions, category expansion trends in the outdoor industry, and why the next OMS heading to South Dakota might be worth your calendar.Show Notes[0:00] Intro and Aarn Packs sponsorship[2:13] Welcome from OMS Asheville, featuring a live bear sighting and zip-liners at the Crowne Plaza Resort[4:51] What the Outdoor Media Summit is, who attends, and how it has evolved over ten years[6:42] The OMS business model: how destinations, brands, and media folks fund the event[8:00] Day Zero at AutoCamp with activations from Victorinox, Packfire, Gozney, and Airstream[9:46] Day One brand speed dating with 30-plus brands and the 12-minute rotation format[11:41] How OMS compares to the Outdoor Market Alliance media event in Denver[15:30] Notable brands from the speed dating floor: HEST, Zenbivy, and the camp chair obsession[16:57] Bedrock's new mountain shoes: bold design move or risky bet beyond the Cairn 3D Pro[19:23] Category expansion and the chair trend: Eno, Grand Trunk, Nemo, Nomadix, and the Circana data behind it[22:30] The hunt-fish segment and how Hollow Socks built a dedicated hunt sock from consumer feedback[24:12] Excursions overview: fly fishing with Mayfly Outdoors, bushcraft with Victorinox, cold plunge with Nomadix and HydroPak, a run with Smartwool and Altra, and a hike sponsored by Teva[25:02] Eoin's bushcraft survival challenge with Victorinox: Army Rangers, cargo netting, tug-of-war, and a fire-starting finish[32:51] Sessions, panels, and the format debate: what works, what does not, and how OMS could improve[35:50] Keynotes from Matt Tucker of Circana and Earl Hunter of Unity on diversity in the outdoors[37:18] Closing thoughts: will we be back, the value of the hang, and next year's OMS in South Dakota[39:57] Asheville love, Sierra Nevada Brewing, and why this location was a standout[40:17] Outro, follow request, and contact infoOur SponsorsISPO -- Unites the sporting and outdoor goods industry - inspiring global movement, protecting the places we play and providing a single, streamlined platform for the brands, athletes, buyers and innovators who shape the future of sport. ISPO Amsterdam relaunches November 3-5. www.ispo.comCrux Retail -- Creating bold retail displays for bold outdoor-active brands. www.crux-retail.com/outdoorAarn Packs -- Aarn Packs give you a more comfortable backpacking experience by using Balance Pockets that help you spread your pack weight around your center of gravity and allow you to keep your posture natural. https://www.aarnpacks.com/Connect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind.LinkedIn: Eoin ComerfordEmail: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.comOutdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rockvite LLC.
- 1 weeks ago55 min
Backcountry's Latest Acquisition & Retail's AI Future with Anne Mezzenga
This week on Outdoor Unfiltered, Eoin Comerford breaks down Backcountry's acquisition of Velofix and what it means for online bike sales, mobile bike service, and parent company CSC Generation's value-driven playbook. Then, a footwear industry roundup covering the haves and have-nots: On's plan to hit $7 billion by 2029 with category expansions into football, golf, and premium sportswear; Salomon's target of $5 billion within five years and plans to quadruple North American brand stores; Under Armour's new hybrid store concept; JD Sports' 20% profit decline amid North American softness; and Academy Sports adding Hoka alongside Nike and Jordan. In the Unfiltered Upside, a look at GearTrade's explosive 47% year-to-date growth in the used gear market under Aaron Provine. Then, Eoin is joined by Anne Mezzenga, retail technology expert, former OmniTalk Retail co-host, and founder of Retail Field Report, to discuss her store "staging" series working retail shifts through the Reflex gig work app, the real and unsexy applications of AI in retail, like AI agents negotiating wholesale prices, the rise of agentic commerce, and practical AI advice for independent outdoor specialty retailers. SHOW NOTES[0:00] Welcome to Outdoor Unfiltered -- Eoin Comerford previews Backcountry's Velofix acquisition, a footwear industry roundup, and a deep dive into retail tech and AI with Anne Mezzenga.[0:39] Backcountry acquires Velofix -- what the deal means for online bike sales, mobile bike service, CSC Generation's playbook, and how it follows Backcountry's earlier Beeline Bikes investment.[4:35] Sponsor: Crux Retail -- bold retail displays for bold outdoor-active brands, featuring work with Wahoo.[5:30] Footwear roundup: On targets $7 billion by 2029 -- category expansion into football with Mbappe, golf, and premium sportswear as the running brand leans into "premiumization."[8:19] Salomon plans to reach $5 billion within five years -- quadrupling North American brand stores from 8 to 40 and what that means for independent specialty retail.[10:15] Under Armour launches hybrid store concept -- premium storytelling in the front, broader price points in the back, or as Eoin puts it, brand business in the front, clearance party in the back.[11:28] JD Sports reports 20% profit decline -- margin pressures, 2.8% same-store sales drop, and US as the worst-performing region across Hibbett, DTLR, and Finish Line.[13:05] Academy Sports adds Hoka -- following expanded Nike and Jordan assortments, and what it signals about distribution strategy for both Hoka and Nike.[14:05] Sponsor: Aarn Packs -- balance pockets, the U-Flow harness, and the science behind a more comfortable backpacking experience.[15:40] Unfiltered Upside: GearTrade -- 47% year-to-date growth in the used gear market, doubling in two years, and why every specialty retailer should consider a used gear section.[17:48] Sponsor: ISPO Amsterdam -- relaunching November 3-5 under new owner Raccoon Media Group with brands including Rab, DB, Hestra, and Fabletics.[18:52] Guest: Anne Mezzenga -- from OmniTalk Retail to Moosejaw memories to her new venture Retail Field Report, and the retail execs who shaped her thinking including Mary Beth Lawton at REI and John Furner at Walmart.[24:33] Launching Retail Field Report -- why Anne left podcasting to get back inside stores and understand AI adoption from the frontline.[26:16] Inside the store staging series -- working retail shifts through the Reflex gig work app across the country, from luxury brands like Ralph Lauren and Farm Rio to everyday retail.[30:17] Could gig work work for outdoor specialty retail -- how flex employees can support peak traffic, greet customers, and complement expert staff during busy seasons.[36:30] AI in retail: the unsexy applications that matter -- consolidating feedback for store manager meetings, personalization with Genesis X, and AI agents negotiating wholesale prices between manufacturers and retailers.[43:34] The concern with AI -- backward-looking data, the sea of sameness in retail assortments, and why AI can't sleep in a sleeping bag on a mountain.[46:41] Agentic commerce -- when AI does your shopping for you, from grocery list optimization today to full autonomous purchasing tomorrow.[49:53] Practical AI advice for independent outdoor retailers[54:11] Wrap-up -- where to find Anne Mezzenga at retailfieldr
- 2 weeks ago44 min
The Importance of Emerging Brands, Yeti's 2030 Plan, and the Future of Watersports
Today on the show Eoin Comerford breaks down why new brand discovery is the lifeblood of specialty retail, drawing on examples like Hoka, CamelBak, Jetboil, and Gnara's GoFly zipper to illustrate how emerging brands drive innovation in the outdoor industry. He answers a listener question from Kelly Strong, head buyer at Clearwater Outdoor in southeast Wisconsin, about how to manage open-to-buy allocation for new brands without spreading too thin. Then he digs into Yeti's investor day presentation and their plan to add one billion in revenue by 2030, covering international expansion into EMEA, the bags and soft coolers platform, cookware moves into Le Creuset territory, and the wildcard of technical performance apparel. Finally, Eoin sits down with Jimmy Blakeney, President of the Watersports Division at Solo Brands, to discuss the state of paddlesports, the OIA participation report showing 34 million Americans on the water, commoditization pressure from Amazon, Q2 growth of 59%, the Tommy Bahama partnership at Costco, and pricing discipline and MAP policy. They discuss the Solo Brands D2C thesis and what went wrong, combining Isle and Oru Kayak under one division, product innovation, and what a successful paddlesports company looks like in five years.Show Notes0:00 -- Intro and overview of the episode covering specialty retail, Yeti's growth plan, and guest Jimmy Blakeney.0:27 -- Why new brand discovery is the lifeblood of specialty retail, with examples from Hoka, CamelBak, Jetboil, and Narrows GoFly zipper.8:25 -- Listener question from Kelly Strong at Clearwater Outdoor about allocating open-to-buy to emerging brands without going too wide and thin.10:53 -- Sponsored break: Crux Retail on building bold displays for outdoor brands, including their work with Yakima at REI.11:49 -- Yeti's billion-dollar math: international expansion into EMEA, bags and soft coolers as the next billion-dollar platform, drinkware competition with Stanley and Owala, cookware moves toward Le Creuset territory, and the wildcard of technical performance apparel.16:55 -- Sponsored break: ISPO relaunches in Amsterdam November 3-5 with brands like Rab, DB, Hestra, and Fabletics.18:00 -- Jimmy Blakeney, President of Waterports at Solo Brands, joins to discuss Isle and Oru Kayak.18:43 -- The state of paddlesports: OIA reports 34 million Americans participated in 2025, up 10 million since 2019, but recreational kayak unit sales were down 13% in Q2.20:32 -- Commoditization pressure from Amazon, the patented Isle Link System, and how Isle differentiates at the $600-plus price point.21:31 -- Q2 growth of 59%, the Tommy Bahama licensed partnership at Costco, and channel strategy to protect the Isle premium brand.23:17 -- Pricing discipline, MAP policy, moving away from promotions, and rebuilding trust with specialty retail partners.24:39 -- The original Solo Brands D2C thesis, the DTC ticker, what went wrong with shared infrastructure across Solo Stove, Chubbies, Isle, and Oru Kayak.26:40 -- Combining Isle and Oru Kayak under a single water sports division and the synergies between the two brands.28:02 -- Converting casual paddlers to enthusiasts: the OIA report shows 85% of paddlers only go out four to five times a year.30:11 -- Why standup paddleboarding continues to be the fastest-growing segment and why it skews more female than other outdoor activities.33:37 -- Product innovation under Jimmy Blakeney: the Flywater micro skiff kayak, GearJunkie's Best of Show at ICAST, the Isle Link System ecosystem, Infinity Fiber technology and the Popular Science Innovation of the Year win, and Oru Kayak's Red Dot design award and plans for 2027.38:03 -- Specialty retail partnerships, the reset on MAP policy, in-season reorder growth, and double-digit pre-book growth for next year.41:35 -- What a successful paddlesports company looks like in five years and why margin and profitability must come first.Connect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind.Eoin Comerford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/Email: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.comOur SponsorsISPO -- Unites the sportin
- 3 weeks ago52 min
Is Athletic Footwear Imploding or Exploding? Plus: Youer's Turnaround Playbook
On this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, host Eoin Comerford breaks down Circana's latest outdoor industry sales data, showing flat dollar sales but a 4% drop in units, and puts it side by side with Grassroots Outdoor Alliance's much stronger mid-year numbers. Eoin unpacks why athletic footwear headlines from JD Sports, Nike, Adidas, Foot Locker, and Academy sound alarming while ASICS, Merrell, Saucony, On, HOKA, and Birkenstock are all posting strong running and performance growth, and explains the lifestyle-versus-performance and D2C-versus-wholesale splits driving the divide. He also covers two unfiltered upsides: S&P raising VF Corp's outlook from stable to positive, and Locally's new partnership with DoorDash that lets independent specialty retailers offer same-day delivery. Later, Eoin sits down with Mallory Ottaviano, founder and CEO of Youer, to talk about the brand's rocky path through manufacturing failures, a self-built factory in Missoula, Montana, tariff headaches on Polartec and Chinese fabrics, and the pivot to paid media on Meta, authentic email marketing, and a drop model that has the brand tripling revenue this year. This episode is sponsored by ISPO and Crux Retail.Show NotesTimestamps0:00 – Circana's latest outdoor industry sales data from OR Minneapolis and what it means for the category.0:51 – Comparing Circana's flat/down data to Grassroots Outdoor Alliance's stronger mid-year comps and what explains the gap.4:55 – A word from sponsor ISPO on its relaunch in Amsterdam.6:02 – Is athletic footwear imploding or exploding: sorting out the conflicting headlines from JD Sports, Nike, Adidas, Foot Locker, Academy, and UBS.12:39 – A word from sponsor Crux Retail.15:03 – Unfiltered upside: S&P raises VF Corp's outlook from stable to positive.16:39 – Unfiltered upside: Locally partners with DoorDash to bring same-day delivery to independent specialty retailers.19:38 – Introducing guest Mallory Ottaviano, founder and CEO of Youer, and the origin of the brand.22:18 – Why Youer built its own manufacturing facility in Missoula, Montana, and what went wrong along the way.27:03 – The real impact of tariffs on domestic manufacturing and imported fabric costs.29:34 – What actually turned Youer's business around over the last two years.32:19 – Behind Youer's raw, unpolished creative process and why it works on Meta.38:56 – How Mallory thinks about MER, cost per purchase, and attribution in paid media.40:33 – Why Youer runs a drop model instead of traditional seasonal collections.44:10 – A closer look at Youer's hero products: the Earned It Short, Commit Crop Top, and Treasure Dress.46:06 – Why Youer walked away from wholesale entirely.48:32 – Youer's growth numbers and what running a lean, eight-figure team actually looks like.Connect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind. Reach out to Eoin Comerford on LinkedIn or email outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.com.Our SponsorsISPO unites the sporting and outdoor goods industry, inspiring global movement, protecting the places we play, and providing a single, streamlined platform for the brands, athletes, buyers, and innovators who shape the future of sport. Visit www.ispo.com.Crux Retail creates bold retail displays for bold brands. Visit www.crux-retail.com.Outdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rockfight LLC.
- 4 weeks ago40 min
The 2026 Outdoor Brand Report Card! Plus: 118 Years of Paragon Sports
Today on Outdoor Unfiltered Eoin Comerford breaks down the results of his ongoing Brand-Retailer Partnership Score, grading 32 leading outdoor brands including Black Diamond, HOK On, The North Face, Patagonia, and more on how well they support their dealer networks versus pushing D2C discounts. Then Eoin sits down with Zach Blank, fourth-generation CEO of Paragon Sports, the iconic Manhattan sports and outdoor store founded in 1908. Zach talks through Paragon's history, leading the business through COVID, the chaos of a Knicks playoff run and the World Cup hitting New York, and what the store looks for in brand partners including Nike, Arc'teryx, Mitchell & Ness, Yonex, and emerging women's trail brands like Hikerkind, Scenic, and Half Days. This episode is brought to you by ISPO and Crux Retail.Show Notes0:00 — Episode preview: retailer partnership scores and this week's guest, Zach Blank of Paragon Sports.0:21 — Show intro and host background.0:50 — How the Retailer Partnership Score is calculated.2:03 — The April score spike and a season with zero homepage sale messages.2:58 — Sale messaging creeps back in ahead of Labor Day.3:45 — Year-over-year score trends across all 32 brands.4:44 — Product page dealer promotion sees the biggest gains.5:32 — Discount orientation stays flat despite dealer-support gains.6:47 — More brands drop prominent sale navigation from their top nav.7:51 — Biggest score gainers: Black Diamond, HOKA, Keen, Big Agnes, Marmot, and Sea to Summit.9:15 — Biggest score decliners: On, The North Face, Oboz, and Exped.10:30 — Consistent leaders Brooks, Nemo, Rab, and Salomon, plus laggards Prana and Columbia.12:00 — Sponsor message: Crux Retail.12:50 — Introducing Zach Blank, fourth-generation CEO of Paragon Sports.14:43 — Paragon's origin story, from an 1908 pushcart to Union Square.15:29 — Paragon's footprint: 100,000 square feet across four buildings.17:02 — Evolving the store's look and the running department, including Nike's Elliot Hill visiting.18:08 — Zach's path from outside jobs to Paragon's CEO seat.19:52 — Surviving COVID closures, looted windows, and rebuilding the team.21:52 — A summer of Knicks playoff mania, the World Cup, and switching to Shopify.24:06 — Sponsor message: ISPO Amsterdam.25:15 — REI's SoHo closure and Paragon doubling down on camping gear.26:56 — Competing in Manhattan alongside Arc'teryx, Filson, and HOKA.29:07 — How Paragon's buying team discovers new brands.30:40 — Trending brands and categories: padel, HYROX, Yonex, and women's trail brands Higherkind, Scenic, and Half Days.34:57 — What Paragon looks for when bringing on new brand partners.36:58 — Zach's lessons on culture, partnership, and staying uncomfortable.40:07 — Closing thoughts and how to reach the show.Connect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/Email: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.comSponsorsISPO — Unites the sporting and outdoor goods industry, inspiring global movement, protecting the places we play, and providing a single, streamlined platform for the brands, athletes, buyers, and innovators who shape the future of sport. www.ispo.comCrux Retail — Creating bold retail displays for bold brands. www.crux-retail.comOutdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
- Aug 31, 202655 min
Dick's Sporting Goods, Foot Locker & the Cost of a Bad Forecast
Dick's Sporting Goods just posted a quarter where the core business grew almost 5% and the stock still dropped 30.7%. Today on the show Eoin Comerford breaks down what actually broke: the Foot Locker acquisition, CEO Ed Stack's warning about promotional pricing bleeding across the market, CFO Navdeep Gupta's more cautious guidance, and what analyst Peter McGoldrick and Stifel's back-to-school survey revealed about a market with no newness. Eoin also draws on his own experience running Moosejaw through the Dick's and Public Lands integration, and unpacks why Nike's concentration at Foot Locker cuts both ways.Then Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear, flips the mic and interviews Eoin on the state of the outdoor industry - covering winners like Amer Sports (Arc'teryx, Salomon), On, and Birkenstock, specialty retailers from Gear Head Outfitters to Half Moon Outfitters, GOA's read on independent retail health, and the case for used gear as a discovery tool. Eoin and Lloyd also dig into why marketing, not funding, is what actually breaks emerging brands, the mismatched expectations behind private equity roll-ups, what Eoin would do with $500,000 and a new brand idea today, the affordability problem behind sustainability claims, and why he thinks inclusion and diversity is the single biggest lever the outdoor industry isn't pulling.Show Notes0:00 Episode preview: Dick's Sporting Goods results, Foot Locker's drag on the business, and a role-reversal interview with Lloyd Vogel of Garage Grown Gear.0:41 Dick's Sporting Goods grew its core business almost 5% but the stock fell 30.7%, and Eoin explains why the forecast, not the P&L, is what broke.4:41 Ed Stack's comments on promotional pricing bleeding across the market, and what Stifel's back-to-school survey found in 110 stores.5:54 Why this matters beyond sneakers: promotional spillover, brand-retailer leverage, and where outdoor still sits on the healthy side of the ledger.7:04 Was the Foot Locker acquisition a mistake? Eoin walks through the four strategic rationales behind the deal and where each one is being tested.10:01 What Eoin is watching next: the Q3 print and whether promotional spillover jumps beyond lifestyle footwear.10:56 A message from sponsor ISPO on its relaunch in Amsterdam this November.12:14 Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear, seizes the podcast to interview Eoin live from Outdoor Retailer.13:28 A vibe check on the outdoor industry: surprisingly resilient despite tariffs, oversupply, and a K-shaped economy.19:10 What a healthy specialty retailer looks like, and why leaning into hyperlocal is the way to compete with the big box players.21:32 The affordability challenge, over-engineered products, and why used gear and the circular economy are an underused discovery tool.26:29 A message from sponsor Crux Retail on building custom retail fixtures for outdoor and active brands.28:01 The real problem facing emerging brands: marketing, not funding, and why most founders never assign anyone to own it.34:26 Why brands should stop thinking of wholesale as giving up margin and start thinking of it as sharing margin in a partnership.38:01 What has gone well and gone wrong with private equity-backed consolidation in the outdoor industry.41:38 What Eoin would do differently with $500,000 and a new brand idea today.46:16 The most important thing happening in the outdoor industry that nobody is talking about: the affordability of sustainability.49:58 If Eoin could fix one thing in the industry overnight, it would be inclusion and diversity, and why he sees it as a business imperative.55:21 Closing thoughts and how to reach the show.Connect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind.DM Eoin Comerford on LinkedInEmail: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.comSponsorsISPO - Unites the sporting and outdoor goods industry, inspiring global movement, protecting the places we play, and providing a single, streamlined platform for the brands, athletes, buyers, and innovators who shape the future of sport. www.ispo.comCrux Retail - Creating bold retail displays for bold brands. www.crux-retail.comOutdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rockfight LLC.
- Aug 24, 202657 min
Outdoor Retailer 2026: Did the Reboot Deliver?
Eoin Comerford breaks down whether Outdoor Retailer 2026 delivered after its move from Salt Lake City to Minneapolis and its shift to an August date. He shares his own read on the show floor, then sits down with OR show director Matthew Mathiason to talk buyer registration numbers, the Wild Reach creator partnership with Popfly, and what's next for the show. Eoin also catches up with three brands from the Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator: Georgia Grace Edwards of Gnara on the GoFly zipper and collaborations with LIVSN and Burton; Scott Jensen of Near Zero on his lightweight backpacking bundles; and Kara Hardman of Thicket Adventure on plus-size outdoor apparel and the Brecken pant. This episode is sponsored by ISPO, relaunching in Amsterdam November 3-5, and Crux Retail, which builds custom retail fixtures for brands like Yakima, Dometic, Wahoo, and Clif Bar.Show Notes0:00 - Eoin previews the episode's coverage of Outdoor Retailer 2026, Matthew Mathiason, Gnara, Near Zero, and Thicket Adventure.0:48 - A look back at OR 2025's struggles in Salt Lake City and the rise of Switchback.1:48 - Emerald's new leadership team announces the move to Minneapolis and an August date.2:42 - How OR 2026 actually turned out on the show floor with buyers and brands.4:25 - A recap of the pre-show education day sessions.5:05 - Eoin's macro assessment of the timing change, location, and overall buzz.6:18 - A word from sponsor ISPO on its Amsterdam relaunch.7:27 - Eoin sits down with OR show director Matthew Mathiason.11:05 - Matthew and Eoin dig into buyer registration numbers and onsite verification.19:30 - Matthew explains the Wild Reach partnership with Popfly and creator ROI.23:01 - Matthew makes the case for education as a "fourth leg" of the trade show stool.26:13 - Matthew and Eoin talk about Minneapolis as a host city and OR's future there.29:08 - A word from sponsor Crux Retail on custom retail fixtures.30:51 - Eoin catches up with Georgia Grace Edwards of Gnara about the GoFly zipper.41:12 - Eoin talks with Scott Jensen of Near Zero about lightweight backpacking bundles.49:53 - Eoin speaks with Kara Hardman of Thicket Adventure about plus-size outdoor apparel.55:55 - Eoin closes the show with how to leave a review and how to connect.Guest LinksGnara: www.gnara.com, Instagram @gnara_apparelNear Zero: www.nearzero.co, info@nearzero.co, or scott@nearzero.coThicket Adventure: www.thicketadventure.com, or DM on Instagram/Facebook @ThicketAdventureSponsorsISPO - Unites the sporting and outdoor goods industry, inspiring global movement, protecting the places we play, and providing a single, streamlined platform for the brands, athletes, buyers, and innovators who shape the future of sport. www.ispo.comCrux Retail - Creating bold retail displays for bold brands. www.crux-retail.comConnect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind.Email: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.comLinkedIn: Eoin Comerford (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/)Outdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rockfight LLC.
- Aug 17, 202650 min
Earnings Season Reality Check & Troy Sicotte on Mountain Hardwear's Turnaround
This week I break down Q2 earnings across the outdoor and active industry, including Yeti, On, Wolverine Worldwide (Merrell, Saucony), VF Corp (The North Face, Timberland, Vans), Birkenstock, Clarus Group (Black Diamond), and Decker's Hoka, plus a preview of Amer Sports' upcoming report on Arc'teryx and Salomon. I also cover Outdoor Retailer's new partnership with REI Co-op's Path Ahead Ventures ahead of Outdoor Retailer 2026. Lastly I sit down with Troy Sicotte, President of Mountain Hardwear, to talk through the brand's history from its 1993 founding, its sale to Columbia Sportswear Company, its decline through the 2010s, and the turnaround led by Joe Vernaccio and Troy himself, including the "Seek Wilder Paths" brand relaunch, its retail partnerships with dealers like Wes Allen, and where the brand is headed under Columbia through 2030.Show Notes0:00 – Episode preview: earnings roundup, Outdoor Retailer news, and interview with Troy Sicotte of Mountain Hardwear. 0:43 – Methodology note on constant currency and tariff refund distortions in Q2 gross margins. 2:08 – Yeti's Q2 results: net sales up 9%, SG&A growth outpacing sales, and slowing drinkware growth. 5:10 – On's Q2 results: sales up 22%, stock down 20%, and the strategy behind throttling wholesale. 7:14 – Wolverine Worldwide's Q2 results: Merrell and Saucony growth, inventory discipline, and a 10% stock jump. 8:57 – VF Corp's Q2 results: The North Face growth, continued Vans declines, and debt reduction. 10:51 – Birkenstock's Q2 results and a 33.7% adjusted EBITDA margin. 12:11 – Clarus Group and Black Diamond's Q2 results and Neil Fiske's apparel turnaround. 14:32 – Decker's Hoka results and crossing the billion-dollar revenue mark. 15:11 – What the Q2 earnings season says about the outdoor industry overall. 15:58 – Preview of Amer Sports' upcoming earnings and Arc'teryx and Salomon's growth trajectory. 16:24 – Sponsor message: ISPO's relaunch in Amsterdam this November. 17:13 – Outdoor Retailer 2026 preview: REI Co-op's Path Ahead Ventures partnership and buyer attendance. 19:21 – Sponsor message: Crux Retail's custom retail fixtures for outdoor brands. 20:13 – Introducing guest Troy Sicotte, President of Mountain Hardwear. 21:35 – The history of Mountain Hardwear from its 1993 founding through its sale to Columbia. 25:37 – The leadership changes and product missteps behind Mountain Hardwear's decline in the 2010s. 32:18 – The 2022 brand strategy work that led to "Seek Wilder Paths" and the 30th anniversary relaunch. 35:14 – How Mountain Hardwear builds branded retail environments with partners like Wes Allen. 39:27 – Troy's career path from Birkenstock tech rep to The North Face to Mountain Hardwear president. 43:44 – What it's like operating Mountain Hardwear inside Columbia Sportswear Company under Tim Boyle. 45:24 – Troy's outlook for Mountain Hardwear's growth through 2030 and industry overproduction concerns. 49:52 – Closing thoughts and how to contact the show.SponsorsISPO unites the sporting and outdoor goods industry, inspiring global movement, protecting the places we play, and providing a single, streamlined platform for the brands, athletes, buyers, and innovators who shape the future of sport. www.ispo.comCrux Retail creates bold retail displays for bold brands. www.crux-retail.comConnect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries, or whatever's on your mind. DM me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/ or email outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.com.
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About Outdoor Unfiltered
Want to know what's REALLY going on in the outdoor industry? Move past the PR speak and platitudes. Get the "why" behind the headlines with the unvarnished truth about the outdoor industry's biggest drivers. Host Eoin Comerford -- former CEO, marketer, and consultant -- brings two decades of industry scars and successes to the table. He’s calling out the missteps, celebrating the innovators, and dissecting the "playbook" used by the world’s leading outdoor brands and retailers. Alongside guest experts, Eoin dives into the topics that actually move the needle: - Market Drivers: Affordability, sustainability, and the "authenticity" gap. - Retail Reality: What’s actually happening on the floor vs. the boardroom. - Future-Proofing: Connecting you to the insiders shaping where the industry goes next. Stop skimming the surface. It’s way more interesting down here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Outdoor Unfiltered daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Outdoor Unfiltered as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Outdoor Unfiltered podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Outdoor Unfiltered product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Rock Fight, LLC.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Outdoor Unfiltered release new episodes?
Outdoor Unfiltered publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Outdoor Unfiltered cover?
Outdoor Unfiltered covers topics including News, Sports, Business, Management, Wilderness. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.