Recent posts
Why Eddie Bauer Failed & The OIA Rendezvous Recap Plus: Has Athleisure Finally Peaked?
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 Ebersole, President of the Outdoor Industry Association,...
Mar 24, 2026
How to Handle Climbing Gym Creeps & Are These $300 Trail Shoes Worth It?
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! In the latest episode of Gear Abby , host Shawnté Salabert and producer Colin True cover a surprisingly wide stretch of the outdoor experience: from Sierra bear history to the absolute nightmare of unsolicited climbing-gym commentary to the very modern question of whether a nearly $300 pair of trail shoes is actually worth it. Question 1: Do You Really Need a Bear Canister on the JMT? A listener called The Otter —a New Yorker heading to the...
Mar 19, 2026
Profitability vs. People: REI Cuts Pay & Benefits
Click to listen on your favorite podcast app! 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 retailers, and why a healthy REI still matters to...
Mar 16, 2026