The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

Cooking complex meals in camp is ridiculous. Just cook a hot dog over the damn fire and be done with it.

Agree? Disagree? Want to pick a fight with us? Email your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Watch Justin's review that inspired this episode: https://youtu.be/u4yb1Qi_W-Q

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Last week on THE ROCK FIGHT we dug into the bullshit embedded into a lot of the marketing consumers get from outdoor brands.

And in an example of absolutely impeccable timing, this week, Vasque Footwear launched Log Outside. A new call to action that isn't tied to a specific product or with built in ROI metrics but is more of a mindset to value putting down the device and building some outdoor time into our busy lives.

So is this the direction we all need right now? Will we look back on this as a pivot point in how outdoor brands engage with consumers?

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT, Vasque Director of Marketing, Joe Peters comes into the arena to talk about the role of outdoor brands in the greater outdoor world, the idea behind Log Outside and how Vasque will define success for this new initiative.

Want to return fire? We want to hear from you. Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

For more information about Vasque and Log Outside head to their website (www.vasque.com) or follow them on Instagram (@vasquefootwear).

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Are you a clog person? Historically that has not been a go to style for the host of THE ROCK FIGHT.

But when Bedrock Sandals released their new shoe, the Mountain Clog, it was a sign that just like Rocky Balboa told us in Rocky IV, 'everybody can change'.

Justin Housman from Adventure Journal (aka Bedrock's biggest fan aka Beddie the Baddie aka Lay Me Down on a Bed of Rocks) is back to offer a gear review about Bedrock's new offering where (unlike a lot of other outdoor media) you'll leave with either a recommendation to buy the Mountain Clog or a warning to stay far, far away.

Check out the Bedrock Mountain Clog: https://bedrocksandals.com/collections/bedrock-mountain-clogs

Listen to Colin's Bedrock Cairn 3D Pro II Review on LAYERS: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6703f006-a985-4f67-af6b-e06c462b6a93

Go subscribe to Adventure Journal for more Housman in your life: www.adventure-journal.com

Want to return fire? Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC

Today we run down some of the top stories happening in the outdoors for the week ending March 17, 2023 (Happy St. Patricks Day!).

Want to have a news story featured in a future episode? Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Get ready...the vacation is over!

Let's head to Montana (or was it Idaho?) as we take a rafting trip with the best actress of all time as our guide, do our best to survive Evil Kevin Bacon and head down THE RIVER WILD!

Do the outdoorsy elements make the movie better? Is this even a good movie? Listen to find out if THE RIVER WILD gets THE ROCK FIGHT stamp of approval, or if it will be erased from all human consciousness.

Do you have a movie you'd like to see featured on a future episode? Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Dan Cortese.

We need you.

We need you more than ever.

Because MTV Sports has to come back.

Agree? Disagree? Do you know Dan Cortese? Please make an introduction so we can have him on the podcast! Send your Dan Cortese introduction, comments, suggestions and introductions to the legend himself to myrockfight@gmail.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

The office used to be a super vanilla topic. In 2023? It's a discourse mainstay.

Work from home. Return to Office. That Zoom should have been an email. There's a lot to unpack.

For outdoor brands a cool office space has been integral to being a cool place to work. But we now know there are different ways to do things and a lot to evaluate and change.

Today's guest is Lisa Slagle who is the founder/owner of WHEELIE a creative agency out of Crested Butte and she has seen it all. She has taken the office space path and has also gone remote. Those experiences have given her a unique purview into modern workplace culture. And that purview has shaped some very specific opinions on that topic...FIVE BIG ONES in fact!

What are your thoughts on the modern workplace culture in the outdoor industry? Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Follow WHEELIE on Instagram @wheeliecollective or check out their work on their website www.wheeliecreative.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

When the outdoor brand Rab launched their new adventure cycling lineup Cinder a few weeks ago, they did what most outdoor brands do: promoted the new line by touting the technical abilities of the materials the line contains.

The problem with that is all of those abilities have existed in some form for a very long time.

Outdoor apparel brands need to move on from technical proficiency as the primary way they market their products, but that's hard to do because the backbone of the outdoor industry has been built on product innovation and it's a 50 year old playbook.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT, Adventure Journal's Justin Housman makes his Monday morning stop on the show to dig into a complicated topic and to try and break the circle of bullshit that continues to plague the way outdoor brands bring new products to market.

If you're in product, marketing or a leader at Rab or any other outdoor apparel brand we want to hear from you! Reach out by dropping a note to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Cotton Kills: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c58ba55f-9be1-421b-9a39-7699bf56589d

Subscribe to Adventure Journal and get more Housman in your life: www.adventure-journal.com

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT...

It's time to celebrate the 95th annual Academy Awards by handing out Oscars for the most outdoorsy part of each of the 10 Best Picture Nominees and then choosing the best outdoorsy movie of the year.

Be sure to stick around to the end of the episode (c'mon, this show is like 13 minutes long, do you really have something better to do?) to hear Colin's prediction for who will win Best Picture for real on Sunday night.

Want to make fun of Colin when his prediction is proven to be horribly wrong? Of course you do! Send your comments and suggestions (or even your own Oscars predictions) to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Please follow or subscribe and leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Any good fight has multiple rounds and lots of rocks thrown. And today, Adam Jaber from the OUT OF COLLECTIVE is here to return fire on the third hot take ever posited on THE ROCK FIGHT, the notion that Mountain Bike Suspension is largely pointless.

Adam thinks that there's a real reason that mountain bike suspension exists. So we're allowing him a rebuttal.

Who's the ultimate winner here? You! Because you get to listen to these two chuckleheads chuck rocks at each other.

Have your own opinion or want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

See all that Adam has going on by heading over to www.outofpodcast.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

You know what's an awesome place to lay your head at night? Your own bed.

Agree? Disagree? Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Email your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Trade Shows. If you work in Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Operations...it doesn't really matter, you've likely been to a trade show.

For the Outdoor Industry, historically the biggest trade show has been OUTDOOR RETAILER. But after years of dominance things for this twice annual nexus event is changing drastically. And with the emergence of events like THE BIG GEAR SHOW and calls to integrate consumers, the landscape of trade events itself is changing.

To get an idea of what is going on and what to expect, Kenji Haroutunian joins THE ROCK FIGHT to help sort through it. Kenji is the former show runner of Outdoor Retailer and current show runner of The Big Gear Show so he knows a thing or two about this topic.

Want to share your industry trade show thoughts or impressions? Send your feedback to myrockfight@gmail.com.

To learn more about what Kenji is up to head over to www.thebiggearshow.com

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

When Eddie Bauer announced it was ending Guide Built, the legacy program of it's 2009 First Ascent program, it got the wheels turning: What value do outdoor athletes and ambassadors truly bring to the products that these brands make? Is the outdoor athlete team an antiquated notion?

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT Colin welcomes back Adventure Journal's Justin Housman to dig into the ins and outs of how athletes and ambassadors are deployed and if at the end of the day their presence really matters to the consumers of outdoor brands.

Are you a current or former outdoor athlete or ambassador? We want to hear from you on this topic! Reach out to the show at myrockfight@gmail.com.

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your comments and suggestions also, to myrockfight@gmail.com

Want more Housman in your life? Head over to www.adventure-journal.com and subscribe today!

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

THE ROCK FIGHT is back again with another OUTDOOR MOVIE REVIEW!

Today we are watching the 1997 survival classic THE EDGE starring Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. Did the outdoorsy elements of the movie work? Was Bob realistic as an aspiring cuckolding murderer? Listen to find out!

If you've never seen THE EDGE be careful, this is spoilery territory you're in. THE EDGE can be streamed on YouTube, Apple TV or Amazon.

Have a favorite outdoor movie you'd like to see featured in a future episode of THE ROCK FIGHT? Email your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Justin Housman from Adventure Journal offers his hot take on the most overrated piece of gear in an outdoorsy persons kit: the multi-tool.

Agree? Disagree? Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

Get more from Justin Housman by heading over to www.adventure-journal.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

The outdoor industry is often defined by the brands who create the gear and apparel that help enable our adventures.

But every year the output of goods continues to increase and despite greener components like recycled fabrics and less harmful chemicals, the process to create the stuff we love is damaging.

Plus even if something is built to last a long time, almost everything that gets made still has a one way ticket to a landfill. So what do we do?

We pick a fight..with Ken Pucker on our side.

Ken is the former COO of Timberland and he serves on the board of MIGHTY EARTH, a global advocacy organization 'working to defend a living planet'. This combination of working at the intersection of capitalism and the environment gives Ken unique insight into the biggest issue our industry faces.

Today Ken joins in THE ROCK FIGHT to talk about how we got here, how much the outdoor industry is leading on this topic and the options we have to achieve a greener future.

Learn more about Ken by following him on LinkedIn or check out MIGHTY EARTH here: https://www.mightyearth.org/

Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

It's an all time classic debate.

Right up there with 'tastes great/less filling' and 'is a hot dog a sandwich?' sits: TRAIL RUNNING SHOES vs HIKING BOOTS when it comes to what you like to hike in.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT, the man who wrote the article (literally, see the link below), Justin Housman of ADVENTURE JOURNAL, comes on to talk about his journey from boots to runners and back again.

What do you think? Hiking boots? Trail running shoes? Sport sandals? Something else? Email your feedback to myrockfight@gmail.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Read the original article: https://www.adventure-journal.com/2022/01/im-giving-trail-runners-hiking-boots/

Follow Justin on twitter @justinhousman

Adventure Journal on Instagram: @adventurejournal

Subscribe to Adventure Journal: https://shop.adventure-journal.com/

It's time for an OUTDOOR MOVIE REVIEW! Today we look at the 1993 action classic CLIFFHANGER and determine if the outdoorsy elements work and if the film is worthy of THE ROCK FIGHT stamp of approval.

Spoilers abound in this conversation so be sure to check out CLIFFHANGER which is currently streaming on Paramount+. The movie is also 30 years old, so you know, maybe just go for it.

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening and please like, subscribe, follow and leave us a 5 star rating.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Dawn Patrol can be magical. But you know what is even more magical? My goddam morning routine.

Today Colin lists his top 3 reasons why Dawn Patrol, while always worth the effort, isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Agree? Disagree? Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT?! Send your comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Running...it's so hot right now.

Lowa Boots debuted their new trail running lineup, ATR, this past fall and while cracking into a new category (even an adjacent one) is difficult, this may be the right time to go for it.

Today we are joined by PETER VERRY from FOOTWEAR NEWS to talk all things running, why Lowa has a great shot at success and to get Peter's top 4 running brands to watch in 2023 (21:45).

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Email us your comments and suggestion to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Checkout Peter's work at www.footwearnews.com.

Follow Footwear News on Instagram and Twitter @footwearnews.

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Mike Rogge is back on the show and today he and Colin are running down their desert island all time favorite top 5 outdoor magazines, alive or dead, from any era!

Did your favorite magazine get mentioned? Was there a big one that we missed? Send your favorite magazines, comments and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com!

Please subscribe, follow and rate THE ROCK FIGHT wherever you get your podcasts.

THE ROCK FIGHT on Instagram: @therockfightpod

THE ROCK FIGHT on Twitter: @rockfightllc

Support MOUNTAIN GAZETTE: https://mountaingazette.com/products/mountain-gazette-annual-subscription

Mountain Gazette on Instagram: @mountaingazette

Mountain Gazette on Facebook: facebook.com/mountaingazette

Mike Rogge on Twitter & Instagram: @skiingrogge

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

No show notes necessary. This episode stands on it's own.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out.

Want to battle Colin or suggest your own rock fight? Email us at myrockfight@gmail.com.

In the digital age outdoor magazines have largely declined in quantity and quality.

But there has been a recent resurgence of titles both old and new focused on print and long form storytelling

One of these titles is MOUNTAIN GAZETTE; owned by veteran outdoor journalist (and skiing aficionado), MIKE ROGGE.

Today, Colin is joined by Mike to discuss the state of outdoor magazines, the impact they’ve had on their lives and what we can expect from them in the coming years.

Subscribe to MOUNTAIN GAZETTE today: https://mountaingazette.com/products/mountain-gazette-annual-subscription

Follow Mike on Twitter: @skiingrogge

Follow MOUNTAIN GAZETTE on Instagram: @mountaingazette

Follow MOUNTAIN GAZETTE on Facebook: facebook.com/mountaingazette

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your comments, feedback and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC

It's a sad day because today's fight is with running. Sweet, sweet running. Who I learned to love after promising our lord and savior Chris Knight that I would never run for fitness.

Running, it's not you, it's me but we have to break up...at least for now. And this is a fight I'm going to win.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out.

Want to battle Colin or suggest your own rock fight? Email us at myrockfight@gmail.com.

It's part 4! The final episode of our exploration of the definition of adventure!

Last time, Fitz Cahall laid some knowledge on us that demonstrated how adventure can be a teacher. Today Brendan Leonard gives us the perspective we need on this whole endeavor!

Thanks for listening to THE ROCK FIGHT! We are the (self-proclaimed) most exciting new podcast in the outdoor space and we want to pick a fight with us. Email your comments or suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

Check out Brendan's work at www.semi-rad.com or on Instagram @semi_rad

Today, Colin picks a fight with the trend du jour in the sunglasses space...the one that is making us all look like a dumbass.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out.

Want to battle Colin or suggest your own rock fight? Email us at myrockfight@gmail.com.

Part 3! The Penultimate Episode of our four series defining adventure!

Last time Paddy O'Connell told us that it's about quality over quantity. In today's episode guest Fitz Cahall, The Podfather of the Outdoor Industry, shows us that ultimately adventure is a teacher.

Thanks for listening to THE ROCK FIGHT! We are the (self-proclaimed) most exciting new podcast in the outdoor space and we want to pick a fight with us. Email your comments or suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

Find THE DIRTBAG DIARIES wherever you get your podcasts or visit their website www.dirtbagdiaries.com. Find the show on Instagram @dirtbag_diaries.

To learn more head to www.ducttapethenbeer.com.

In the 90's, those of us who liked going outside...we all wanted... a Jeep. Either a Wrangler or a Cherokee with of course stick shift. Because nothing says poseur like manual transmission.

And then, Jeep pissed it all away.

Because of that, we're dragging them and a sackful of rocks into the arena and picking a big ole rock fight!

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out.

Want to battle Colin or suggest your own rock fight? Email us at myrockfight@gmail.com.

It's part 2 of our four part series attempting to define adventure.

Last time we learned from Steve Casimiro that adventure is personal. In today's episode, guest Paddy O'Connell surmises that it's the quality, not the quantity that matters.

Thanks for listening to THE ROCK FIGHT! We are the (self-proclaimed) most exciting new podcast in the outdoor space and we want to pick a fight with us. Email your comments or suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

For more from Paddy O'Connell check out his website www.paddyroc.com or follow him on Instagram @paddyroc.

Did you know that 'Cotton Kills' is still a thing? Like people are still telling the next generation of active folks that if they wear cotton outside...THEY...COULD...DIE!

Fear not dear listener, Cotton Colin is here to ensure you that indeed you can wear your Iron Maiden concert t-shirt while hiking on a nice sunny day. Heads up 'Cotton Kills'...there are rocks inbound!

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out.

Want to battle Colin or suggest your own rock fight? Email us at myrockfight@gmail.com.

What is adventure? Is it a thing? A feeling?

The Rock Fight presents a limited four part series where Colin talks to four notable voices from the outdoor media community to dig into how we define what we do outside.

For part 1, Adventure Journal's Steve Casimiro tells us that adventure...is personal.

Thanks for listening to THE ROCK FIGHT! We are the (self-proclaimed) most exciting new podcast in the outdoor space and we want to pick a fight with us. Email your comments or suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com

Check out all that Adventure Journal has to offer (and be sure to subscribe) at: www.adventure-journal.com.

Also be sure to checkout AJ on: Instagram (@adventurejournal) and YouTube (@adventure-journal)

All the videos on YouTube are wrong...Gravel Bikes are not the one bike quiver we've been promised. But does that mean they're useless? Listen to find out!

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out.

Want to battle Colin or suggest your own rock fight? Email us at myrockfight@gmail.com.

The plaid button down shirt is the default uniform for outdoorsy men everywhere. But why have these 'mountain polos' started showing up on the trail?! Yup, time for another rock fight.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out. Then send in your rebuttal or ideas for your own rock fight at myrockfight@gmail.com.

Why? Why do waterproof running shoes continue to get made? Today, Colin tells you why an entire category just needs to go away.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out. Then send in your rebuttal or ideas for your own rock fight at myrockfight@gmail.com.

The latest outdoor trinket you saw in the Outside Magazine holiday buyers guide is not what you want this holiday season. Today, Colin tells you about the hot item for outdoorsy folks everywhere.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out. Then send in your rebuttal or ideas for your own rock fight at myrockfight@gmail.com.

We've all known it, Colin is just finally saying it: 1991's POINT BREAK is the greatest surf movie of all time. The other combatants in this rock fight have all left the arena (and need stitches).

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out. Then send in your rebuttal or ideas for your own rock fight at myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Colin is picking a fight with MOUNTAIN BIKE SUSPENSION; because (as he puts it)...

It is pointless.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out. Then send in your rebuttal or ideas for your own rock fight at myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today, Colin lays out the occasions when it's acceptable for men to be active without a shirt on...and picks a fight with the one way it's not.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out. Then send in your rebuttal or ideas for your own rock fight at myrockfight@gmail.com.

Are ski resorts OUTDOOR or just an activity that is done in the outdoors? Colin is loaded up with an armful of stones as he wages a rock fight that will surely touch a few nerves.

Agree? Disagree? Either way click play to hear how this fight plays out. Then send in your rebuttal or ideas for your own rock fight at myrockfight@gmail.com.