Outdoor Unfiltered

This episode of Outdoor Unfiltered dives deep into the shifting landscape of tariffs and retail strategy. Host Eoin Comerford breaks down why the White House pivoted on IEEPA tariffs, offering a guide for brands to claim their share of the potential $166 billion in refunds through the CBP’s CAPE portal. We also celebrate Lowa’s recor...

Join host Eoin Comerford on Outdoor Unfiltered for an inside look at the business of the outdoors. In this episode, we tackle the viral news of Allbirds pivoting toward AI infrastructure and GPU-as-a-service, and what that really means for the brand. We also dive into Backcountry.com’s launch of Backcountry Garage, a new outdoor brand incubator and fund that kicked off with the acquisition of Salt...

This episode of Outdoor Unfiltered dives deep into the shifting landscape of the outdoor industry. Host Eoin Comerford breaks down critical first-quarter sales data from Academy Sports + Outdoors and discusses the legal pressures facing Lululemon and Fabletics regarding consumer tariff refunds. We analyze the acquisition of Allbirds by&nb...

Is the classic outdoor gear shop model dead? In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, host Eoin Comerford explores why iconic retailers like Wilderness Exchange, Summit Hut, and Midwest Mountaineering are facing new challenges. We look at why expanding specialty chains like Gearhead Outfitters, Half-Moon Outfitters, and Mountain High Outfit...

Go beyond the PR spin with Eoin Comerford , former CEO and industry advisor, as he deconstructs the business mechanics of the outdoor world. In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered , we break down the high-stakes merger attempt between Rip Curl and Paul Naudé’s StokedHouse Unlimited , revealing why KMD Brands (owners of Kathmandu and Oboz ) ultimately passed on the deal. Eoin examines the cautionary...

In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, host and former CEO Eoin Comerford dissects the collapse of Eddie Bauer and the "vampire" licensing model that is hollowing out iconic brands. Eoin also takes a hard look at the slowdown of athleisure, exploring whether the category has reached peak saturation and what outdoor brands can learn from the rise of Vuori and Alo Yoga. Later in the show, Kent Ebers...

Today on Outdoor Unfiltered , Eoin Comerford breaks down the news that REI is cutting pay and benefits for employees as the co-op struggles to return to profitability. After four straight years of losses REI is facing some tough financial realities — and payroll is squarely in the spotlight. Eoin digs into what’s driving the decision, why payroll costs at REI are significantly higher than other re...

Move past the PR speak and into the boardroom. In this episode of  Outdoor Unfiltered , host Eoin Comerford breaks down the latest strategic shifts from the industry’s biggest players before sitting down with the "unofficial mayor of the outdoor industry," Lloyd Vogel. On the Business Desk: Amer Sports & Anta:  A deep dive into the $6.6B powerhouse. Why are they raising $750M despite...

Is the outdoor industry in trouble, or just in transition?   Host Eoin Comerford is joined by industry icon Kristin Hostetter (former Editor-in-Chief of SNEWS) to pull back the curtain on why sustainability is currently under fire and what the "Trump Tariffs" reversal actually means for your wallet. In this debut episode of  Outdoor Unfiltered , we move past the PR fluff to give you the...

Tired of the PR spin and LinkedIn platitudes? Outdoor Unfiltered is a new podcast hosted by industry veteran Eoin Comerford that digs into what’s actually driving the outdoor business. In this trailer, Eoin lays out the mission: honest conversations with insiders and experts about the forces shaping the industry — from innovation and branding to affordability, sustainability, and the real stories...