KMD's Snarky Rejection of Paul Naudé, Solo Stove's Struggles & How Specialty Retail Wins in 2026!

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 tale of Solo Brands (Solo Stove, Chubbies, and Oru Kayak), analyzing how an "addiction" to D2C discounting and the fallout from their Snoop Dogg campaign impacted their valuation and wholesale relationships with giants like REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods. On the "Unfiltered Upside," we highlight the success of Youer, a Montana-based brand winning with a US-based supply chain. Finally, we sit down with Todd Buckley, owner of Town to Trail Outfitters, to discuss why a 1,900 sq. ft. specialty store with a full-service bar is the future of local retail.

[00:00] Introduction Eoin introduces the mission of the show: looking at the "why" behind outdoor industry headlines.

[00:46] The Rip Curl & StokedHouse Unlimited Merger

• Analysis of Paul Naudé’s bid to merge StokedHouse (Vissla, Sisstrevolution) with Rip Curl.
• Why KMD Brands Chairman David Kirk rejected the offer as "immaterial" and "misaligned."
• The history of Billabong’s debt and the lessons of private equity in surf.

[08:05] The Solo Brands D2C Trap

• How Solo Brands (Solo Stove) saw a 44% sales drop after retreating from aggressive D2C discounting.
• The impact of the Snoop Dogg "giving up smoke" campaign vs. real retail conversion.
• Why REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods pull back when brands undercut them on price.

[12:35] The Unfiltered Upside: Youer

• Celebrating Mallory Ottariano and her Missoula-based brand, Youer.
• The "drop-model" strategy that eliminates the need for 50% off coupons.

[15:15] Interview: Todd Buckley of Town to Trail Outfitters

• Why Todd opened a specialty store in Brighton, Michigan, in 2024.
• The importance of the "Milk of the Store": Why adding Lems and Danner footwear changed the business.
• Operating a full-service bar (serving Michigan beers) inside a 1,900 sq. ft. retail space.
• Collaborating with local peers like Running Lab.

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

• LinkedIn: Eoin Comerford
• Email: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.com