Episodes

  • ISPO Rebooted: The New Amsterdam Show & How European Brands Can Crack the U.S.

    ISPO Rebooted: The New Amsterdam Show & How European Brands Can Crack the U.S.
    Nov 9 2026

    Eoin Comerford reports from the reinvented ISPO in Amsterdam, now under Raccoon Media Group ownership after relocating from Munich.

    With 25,000 registered attendees, the outdoor section featured the Scandinavian village plus a new British section with Rab, Berghaus, and more. Notable absences included The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, and Patagonia, though US buyers from REI and Backcountry were active on the floor.

    The snow sports section featured a Snowfest Village rail jam, though many snow brands have migrated to Pro Winter in Bolzano. The co-located run event lacked the major footwear players that dominate The Running Event in the U.S.

    Then, recorded live from the ISPO podcast studio, Eoin sits down with Drew Eakins of Reima, the Finnish kids' outerwear brand founded in 1944, and Charlie Pym of Berghaus, the British brand founded in 1966 and now part of Pentland Brands. They dig into the European brand playbook for cracking the US market: channel strategy, product curation, D2C vs. wholesale, fulfillment strategies, brick-and-mortar strategy, and more. Brought to you by Royal Robbins, and Aarn Packs.

    SHOW NOTES

    2:38 -- ISPO Amsterdam first impressions and 25,000 attendees

    7:30 -- ISPO after party and overall verdict on the show

    10:27 -- Live from ISPO: Drew Eakins (Reima) and Charlie Pim (Berghaus)

    13:36 -- Berghaus previous US market entry and withdrawal

    14:38 -- Reima's 20 percent US business at 30-40 percent growth

    16:12 -- Why European brands target the US market

    18:09 -- Channel split surprises and the D2C-first reality

    46:45 -- Amazon strategy: Reima pulls back, Berghaus bides time

    50:17 -- Final advice: have a plan and hold it loosely

    CONNECT WITH US

    We would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind

    LinkedIn: Eoin Comerford -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/

    Email: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.com

    Outdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rockfight LLC.

    OUR SPONSORS

    ISPO -- 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.com

    Royal Robbins -- We're building on a legacy and belief that nature and adventure can feed the soul. In the world of digital screens and AI, that idea is more relevant now than ever. And we're seeing it resonate with a new generation of outdoor consumers who are looking for experiences, connection, and versatile products that support the way they want to live. https://www.royalrobbins.com/

    Aarn 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/
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    56 mins
  • What We Learned from Earnings Season and a New Model for Outdoor Brand Ownership

    What We Learned from Earnings Season and a New Model for Outdoor Brand Ownership
    Nov 2 2026

    In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, host Eoin Comerford breaks down the latest quarterly earnings from Columbia Sportswear, VF Corp, Brooks Running, Garmin, and Shimano, unpacking what the results reveal about the state of the outdoor industry.

    Eoin connects the dots across all five reports, highlighting the divergence between technical performance brands and apparel-driven stalwarts, the role of tariffs in suppressing US consumer demand, and elevated inventory levels at Columbia, VF Corp, and Garmin heading into a potentially promotional holiday season.

    He also shares his ISPO week schedule, including a panel on the future of active outdoor storytelling and a live podcast recording on European brands entering the US market with executives from Reima and Berghaus.

    In the second half of the show, Eoin is joined by the founders of the Outdoor Rec Collective -- Gary Montes de Oca, Steven Barnes, and Bryan Wachs -- who are launching an ESOP holding company model to reimagine investing in the outdoor industry.

    They discuss the problem of extractive capital destroying iconic brands like Montrail, Cloudveil, Eastern Mountain Sports, Moonstone, and Marmot, the structural advantages of an ESOP holdco with tax-free cash flow and portfolio diversification, their target investment criteria across hard goods, soft goods, and services, and their vision for creating wealth for the workers who underpin the authenticity of outdoor brands.

    Time Stamps

    3:15 -- Columbia Sportswear earnings: Sorel, Prana, Mountain Hardwear

    6:56 -- VF Corp earnings: North Face, Timberland, Vans, Ultra

    11:00 -- Sponsored by Aarn Packs

    12:27 -- Brooks Running: 13th consecutive quarter of growth

    15:40 -- Garmin: outdoor segment up 20% on Fenix 9

    18:29 -- Shimano: bike components signal industry recovery

    21:01 -- Connecting the dots: what earnings mean for outdoor

    24:19 -- Sponsored by Royal Robbins at GOA Connect

    27:26 -- The problem with extractive capital in outdoor

    33:58 -- The ESOP holdco model explained

    Connect With Us

    We 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.com
    • All contact and sponsor info is listed in the show notes.

    Outdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rockfight LLC.

    Our Sponsors

    ISPO -- Unites the sporting and outdoor goods industry, inspiring a 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.com

    Royal Robbins -- Building on a legacy and belief that nature and adventure can feed the soul. In the world of digital screens and AI, that idea is more relevant now than ever. And we're seeing it resonate with a new generation of outdoor consumers who are looking for experiences, connection, and versatile products that support the way they want to live. https://www.royalrobbins.com/

    Aarn 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/
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    54 mins
  • Top 20 Marketing Mistakes & How to Spark Outdoor Innovation

    Top 20 Marketing Mistakes & How to Spark Outdoor Innovation
    Oct 26 2026

    Today on Outdoor Unfiltered, host Eoin Comerford (former CEO, advisor to outdoor brands, and founder of Outsize Consulting) breaks down the top 20 sales and marketing mistakes he sees emerging outdoor brands make.

    Then, trend forecaster and brand strategist Jeanine Pesce of Range joins the show to unpack the state of innovation in the outdoor industry.

    Plus a look back at Jeanine's landmark "The Modern Outdoors Woman" presentation at Outdoor Retailer and the shift from gender to DEI in the industry.

    SHOW NOTES

    1:54 -- Eoin Comerford introduces the top 20 sales and marketing mistakes for emerging outdoor brands, drawing on his work at Outsize Consulting with over 20 brands since leaving Moosejaw.

    25:13 -- Interview begins with Jeanine Pesce, trend forecaster and brand strategist, on her 20-year career, Range agency, Range Magazine, and work with Outdoor Retailer's Venture Out section.

    26:52 -- Whether the outdoor industry is truly in a "sea of sameness" or if smaller brands are quietly out-innovating the big players.

    35:53 -- How Benchmark pivoted from sandals to clogs using the same DNA and why it became an identity piece for the outdoor consumer.

    37:50 -- The role of collaborations in outdoor, from early Supreme x The North Face to today's oversaturated landscape and the need for internal criteria.

    40:00 -- The analog comeback: why print, running, foraging, and slow movement through the woods are reshaping product and storytelling.

    45:28 -- Whether the outdoor industry's 18-to-24-month development cycle can or should compete with fast fashion's two-month turnaround.

    47:44 -- The push toward circularity and deproduction.

    CONNECT WITH US

    We 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.com

    OUR SPONSORS

    ISPO -- 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.com

    Crux Retail -- Creating bold retail displays for bold outdoor-active brands. www.crux-retail.com/outdoor

    Aarn 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/

    Outdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
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    55 mins
  • Has Drinkware Peaked? The Arc'teryx Climbing Store Debate & What AI Actually Means for Outdoor Brands

    Has Drinkware Peaked? The Arc'teryx Climbing Store Debate & What AI Actually Means for Outdoor Brands
    Oct 19 2026

    In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, Eoin Comerford asks whether the drinkware category has officially peaked, examining the latest earnings data from Hydro Flask parent Helen of Troy, Yeti, Newell Brands' Contigo and Bubba, Stanley, and Owala, benchmarked against Circana retail data.

    Then he responds to the LinkedIn backlash over his take on the Arc'teryx climbing store on Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA.

    Finally, Jordan Williams, principal of Loop Trails and former executive at REI, Vail Resorts, and Smartwool, joins to separate AI hype from reality for outdoor brands and retailers of all sizes -- covering real-world use cases, the limits of ChatGPT and Claude, agentic commerce, Meta's Muse, the 20/60/20 rule, and concrete first steps for small retailers with no IT staff.

    Show Notes

    1:54 -- Has the drinkware category peaked?

    8:32 -- Responding to the Arc'teryx backlash.

    15:04 -- Jordan Williams of Loop Trails on AI for outdoor brands: his career at Red Bull, REI, Vail Resorts, and Smartwool, why AI rewards companies with strong fundamentals, and why it will punish those without them.

    19:20 -- Real-world AI use cases: an automated email classification tool for a truck-camper brand that replaced a $50K HubSpot enterprise license, and a creative workflow automation for a small accessories brand connecting Google Sheets, Slack, Shopify, and Meta.

    25:14 -- AI limitations and the 20/60/20 rule: why LLMs produce a "sea of sameness," the importance of keeping humans in the loop, and how AI is simultaneously brilliant and dumb as a rock.

    33:40 -- Founder pitfalls with AI: over-reliance on AI for deal structuring and conversion analysis, the patent application problem, Shopify CEO on "slop grenades," and Charlie Munger's incentive rule.

    51:00 -- Agentic commerce: why it may be a product-market fit problem for the outdoor industry, Meta's Muse vs. Apple's Siri vs. ChatGPT, and the AEO/GEO imperative for brands.

    59:46 -- Practical AI steps for small retailers.

    66:44 -- Contact info, guest details, and wrap.

    Connect With Us

    We would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind.

    Eoin Comerford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoincomerford/ Email: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.com

    Jordan Williams (Guest) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordancwilliams Website: looptrails.ai Email: jordan@looptrails.ai

    Our Sponsors

    ISPO -- 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.com

    Crux Retail -- Creating bold retail displays for bold outdoor-active brands. www.crux-retail.com/outdoor

    Aarn 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/

    Outdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rockfight LLC.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • El Nino's Threat to Outdoor Retail, Arc'teryx's Climbing Store Myth & the End of Coalition Snow

    El Nino's Threat to Outdoor Retail, Arc'teryx's Climbing Store Myth & the End of Coalition Snow
    Oct 12 2026
    Today on Outdoor Unfiltered, Eoin Comerford breaks down how a historic super El Nino could devastate cold-weather apparel and outerwear sales this fall and winter, drawing on lessons from the 2015-2016 season that battered retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, Paragon Sports, and EMS.He shares hard-earned advice from his Moosejaw days on how retailers in the Northeast and Midwest should prepare for what NOAA and Weather Trends data predict could be the strongest El Nino on record.Then, Eoin calls BS on Arc'teryx's new climbing-dedicated retail concept in Venice, California, questioning whether the comically thin product assortment is really about climbers or just another way to sell $600 shells.Later, Jen Gurecki, founder of Coalition Snow, joins for a candid conversation about her decision to shut down the trailblazing women's ski brand after 12 years, how a cancer diagnosis forced clarity, the brutal economics of seasonal hard goods manufacturing, the outdoor industry's retreat from DEI commitments, and her new venture Far Out.Time Stamps0:00 -- ISPO Amsterdam Preview Eoin runs through what to expect at ISPO November 3-6 in Amsterdam, from the Peak Reality climbing wall and The Loop sustainability section to the Snowfest Village, Waterlab testing pond, padel court, and running expo with brands across outdoor, snow, water, fitness, and running.1:50 -- Super El Nino and the Threat to Outdoor Retail A deep dive into how historically high Pacific water temperatures and a forecasted record-strength El Nino could crush cold-weather apparel demand, with data from NOAA, Weather Trends, and the 2015-2016 playbook that hit Dick's Sporting Goods, EMS, Paragon Sports, and brands like Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and Canada Goose.11:45 -- Calling BS on Arc'teryx's Venice Climbing StoreEoin questions whether Arc'teryx's new climbing-dedicated retail concept in Venice, California, with its Grasshopper climbing wall and comically thin carabiner assortment, is really about climbers or just another way to sell expensive shells, despite the brand's legitimate climbing heritage dating back to 1989 as Rock Solid in Vancouver.15:07 -- Jen Gurecki on Closing Coalition SnowCoalition Snow founder Jen Gurecki on her decision to shut down the women's ski and snowboard brand after 12 years, how a cancer diagnosis brought clarity, and the weight of being a female founder representing an entire community.18:00 -- The Unique Burden on Female Founders Jen and Eoin discuss the heavier responsibility women founders feel toward their investors, communities, and the broader representation of women in a male-dominated outdoor industry.20:46 -- Is It Actually Tougher to Build a Brand Now? A conversation about how COVID fallout, tariffs, the AI-driven attention economy, and the Meta and Google tax have made it harder than ever for small, undercapitalized brands, particularly women-owned businesses, to survive.25:16 -- Why Seasonal Hard Goods Are the Worst Business You Could Start Jen breaks down the brutal economics of manufacturing skis and snowboards once a year, the cash flow gap between paying your manufacturer in February and getting paid by retailers 60 to 90 days after delivery, and why model-year stamping makes it all worse.29:00 -- Advice for the Next Women's Ski Brand Founder Jen recalls her conversation with Anna Daly, who is starting her own women's ski brand, and the pointed observation that Anna admired Coalition but never actually bought a pair of their skis.32:43 -- The Real Size of Coalition SnowJen reveals Coalition was always a tiny business, never more than three full-time employees, never broke a million dollars in annual sales, and why she chose grassroots guerrilla marketing over paid Meta and Google advertising.35:39 -- Sexism in the Ski IndustryJen shares specific stories from SIA trade shows, including a male rep getting aggressive about her product, buyers flexing her skis between their legs and refusing to believe she was the owner, and a shop that tried to avoid paying her until she walked in and took her product off the wall.39:21 -- Being a Political Brand and Whether It Helped or Hurt Jen on running Coalition Snow as an unapologetically feminist and provocative brand, whether it cost sales, and why she believes not rocking the boat just upholds the status quo.42:34 -- The Industry's Retreat from DEI Eoin and Jen on how brands quietly backed away from diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments after 2020, whether it was hypocrisy or pragmatism, and the missed business opportunity for someone to step up and differentiate.48:14 -- Far Out: What Comes Next Jen introduces her new venture Far Out, co-founded with creative director Andrea Slusarski, focused on the intersection of creativity and the outdoors, featuring original artwork, group adventures to Kenya and Japan, and small-batch handmade goods, all created without AI.52:43 -- Did She Succeed in Shredding the Patriarchy?Jen reflects on whether 12 years of ...
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    57 mins
  • Outdoor Media Summit: What Worked, What Didn't, and Why It Matters

    Outdoor Media Summit: What Worked, What Didn't, and Why It Matters
    Oct 5 2026
    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.
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    41 mins
  • Backcountry's Latest Acquisition & Retail's AI Future with Anne Mezzenga

    Backcountry's Latest Acquisition & Retail's AI Future with Anne Mezzenga
    Sep 28 2026
    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 retailfieldreport.com, how to follow and review the pod, and how to reach out.CONNECT 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 LLCOUR 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...
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    56 mins
  • The Importance of Emerging Brands, Yeti's 2030 Plan, and the Future of Watersports

    The Importance of Emerging Brands, Yeti's 2030 Plan, and the Future of Watersports
    Sep 21 2026
    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 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 relaunches in Amsterdam November 3-5, 2025. www.ispo.comCrux Retail -- Creating bold retail displays for bold outdoor-active brands. www.crux-retail.com/outdoorOutdoor Unfiltered is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.
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    45 mins