Best Outdoor Product Design & Development Podcasts (2025)

1
Outdoor Recreation Archive goes to Tokyo! | History of Gear 7:45

5d ago7:45

7:45

On this episode of the History of Gear, Chase Anderson gives a recap of the ORA's recent trip to Tokyo, their collaboration with Beams, and the future of the archive globally. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program …

1
Dropper posts: (Almost) everything you need to know 1:14:47

27d ago1:14:47

1:14:47

Jack Pittens is the co-founder 9point8, an Ontario-based bicycle component brand known for its dropper posts and other innovative products. How did 9point8 get its start? What is your background? For dropper posts, is there an advantage to using a sealed cartridge vs. one that's tunable, or another design? How do you make a dropper post lightweight…

1
At age 55, Lee McCormack is still getting faster, and helping other riders do the same 1:09:32

1M ago1:09:32

1:09:32

Lee McCormack is a mountain bike skills instructor and coach, and he's the author of nearly a dozen books, including the NICA Skills Training Manual. He's written extensively on bike fitting and fitness training, and just last year he launched his own bike brand, Mistress Cycles. How have mountain biking techniques changed over the years? What's th…

1
Mountain bike trail building and development are going platinum 52:04

2M ago52:04

52:04

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we're going to be discussing some of the latest news and trends from the world of mountain bike trail development. We discuss: A recent meta-analysis of mountain bike tourism by IMBA and the Trust for Public Land The use of private land for trail development Threats to existing trail systems What's happen…

1
Doug Hintze | OPDD Alum + Founder @ Landed Footwear | Highlander Podcast 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

Doug Hintze, OPDD alum, footwear designer, and founder of Landed Footwear, speaks to students about his time in the program as well as professional and entrepreneurial journey. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program…

1
Jess Arnold | Product Designer + Developer @ SPG | Highlander Podcast 44:04

2M ago44:04

44:04

Jess Arnold, a designer and developer at SPG talks to OPDD students about her role as a developer, the career path, and how the role interacts and differs from others on the product team. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Developm…

1
Joanna Black | Archives Spotlight - Sierra Club | Outdoor History Summit 2025 29:57

2M ago29:57

29:57

Joanna Black, Senior Archivist at the Sierra Club, shares about their work and the archive at the 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Joanna Black Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-m-b-a4880730/ Sierra Club Archives: https://www.sierraclub.org/library Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The High…

1
Patrick McColgan | Archives Spotlight - Abercrombie & Fitch | Outdoor History Summit 2025 30:42

2M ago30:42

30:42

Patrick McColgan, corporate archivist and historian for Abercrombie & Fitch, shares about his work and the corporate collection at the 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Patrick McColgan Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mccolgan-2389083a/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccpaddy/?hl=en Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Pod…

1
Rosie Mansfield + Category Management Panel Discussion | Highlander Podcast 1:02:50

3M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

A panel of category/product managers joins the OPDD program for a discussion about their roles, qualities of good product managers, and their pathways into the industry. Julie Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebrophyrogers/ Rosie Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosiemansfield/ Justin McGregor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcgre…

1
Nancy Zastudil | 2024 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow | Outdoor History Summit 2025 25:08

3M ago25:08

25:08

Nancy Zastudil, an independent curator, editor, and writer, and one of our 2024 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, presents her research and findings from her time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive at our 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Nancy Zastudil Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-zastudil-68933891/ Website: https://www.thenecessarian.c…

1
He had a hard time finding bikes that fit, so he designed one with 36-inch wheels 49:04

3M ago49:04

49:04

David Folch is the founder and CEO of Dirty Sixer, a boutique bike builder focused on fitting tall riders with big wheel bikes. The Dirty Sixer line currently features gravel, all-road, and electric bikes, and will soon include a mountain bike with 32" wheels. How did your brand Dirty Sixer get started? How tall do you have to be for a 32er to make…

1
Martin Hogue | 2024 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow | Outdoor History Summit 2025 29:34

3M ago29:34

29:34

Martin Hogue, Associate Professor at Cornell, author of Making Camp, and one of our 2024 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows presents his research and findings from his time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive at our 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Martin Hogue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-hogue-05986363/ Making Camp: https://martinhogue.net/Makin…

1
Erin Narloch | Senior Director @ History Factory | Outdoor History Summit 2025 57:02

3M ago57:02

57:02

Erin Narloch, Senior Director at History Factory, speaks as our Outdoor History Summit 2025 Keynote speaker on the importance of archives, how archives and heritage can be used by brands, and the Heritage Gap report. Heritage Gap Report: https://www.historyfactory.com/insights/report/the-heritage-gap-report/ Erin Narloch on Linkedin: https://www.li…

1
State of the ORA with Clint Pumphrey | Outdoor History Summit 2025 29:32

3M ago29:32

29:32

Clint Pumphrey provides a State of the Archives report at our 2025 Outdoor History Summit. Learn about how the archive grew in 2024 and other projects that we’ve been working on. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development progr…

1
Riders want more technical trails, and he's happy to build them 56:05

3M ago56:05

56:05

Thomas Schoen is the CEO of First Journey Trails, a trail building company based in British Columbia. He's also the Director for the Williams Lake Cycling Club, the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program and is the President of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium. How long have you been building mountain bike trails professionally? How did you get…

1
Bill Simon | Outdoor Industry Executive (The North Face, Converse, Marmot, Cole Haan and more!) | History of Gear 1:41:19

3M ago1:41:19

1:41:19

Bill Simon, former executive of The North Face, Converse, Cole Haas, Marmot, and more talks about his start in the outdoor industry making technical garments in Taiwan in the late 70s, the shift to a global outdoor supply chain over the course of his career. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The H…

1
24-hour racing nearly vanished. This six-time solo champ is leading a resurgence. 48:10

3M ago48:10

48:10

Cory Wallace is the reigning, six-time World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Champion and the Head Organizer for the Rockies 24 race in Canmore, Alberta. His mountain bike adventures have taken him all over the world, inspiring riders and raising funds for various humanitarian causes along the way. How did you get interested in endurance mountain bike r…

1
Matthieu Nicol | Author - Fashion Army | History of Gear 42:52

4M ago42:52

42:52

Matthieu Nicol, author of Fashion Army, talks about his work as a visual researcher, the influence of military clothing on fashion, and the value of archive and collecting.Learn more about the book: https://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Army-Matthieu-Nicol/dp/1915743575 Matthieu Nicol: https://www.instagram.com/matthieu_nicol/ Vintage Food Photography: ht…

1
His stealthy new MTB brand, Vampire, offers 3 bikes in 1 1:04:42

4M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

Chris Canfield's company, Suspension Formulas, develops and licenses mountain bike suspension designs used by brands including Revel and Canfield Bikes. Now he's launching his own bike brand, Vampire Bikes while also continuing to race DH at the Masters level. In 2019 you won the UCI Masters World Championship at Mont St. Anne when you were in your…

1
Henry Iddon + Max Leonard, Authors of Mountain Style | History of Gear 1:06:00

4M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Henry Iddon and Max Leonard, authors of Mountain Style: British Outdoor Clothing 1953-2000, join the History of Gear to talk about their book, the influence of UK-based outdoor brands, and what makes British outdoor clothing special. Learn more about the book: https://www.isolapress.com/shop/mountain-style Listen to these conversations on the Highl…

1
She's a DH World Champ. Now, she's giving her best at bikepacking and gravel too. 40:55

4M ago40:55

40:55

Miranda Miller is a downhill mountain bike World Champion and three time Canadian National downhill champion from Squamish, British Columbia. Her video series, Here, There, Everywhere regularly features inspiring riders and mountain bike destinations around the world as Miranda takes on new cycling challenges ranging from gravel biking to gravity r…

1
He competed in the first Rampage, and today his bike brand is beloved by riders 1:04:15

6M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Lance Canfield is a mechanical engineer and former professional mountain bike racer who drew his first mountain bike design in 1996. Today his bike brand, Canfield Bikes, sells mountain bikes and components designed and tested in Poncha Springs, Colorado. What were downhill bikes like when you began racing in 1994? What did you want to improve abou…

1
After dominating U23, Riley Amos is ready for the Elites. Here's how he's preparing. 48:42

7M ago48:42

48:42

Riley Amos won overall Under 23 World Cup titles in both short track and cross-country this year and finished seventh in the Paris Olympics, the highest an American has ever placed in the event. He is a member of the Trek Factory Racing Team and lives and trains in Durango, Colorado. Going into the 2024 season did you expect to win the overall U23 …

1
Bob Howe | Tent Designer | History of Gear 22:56

7M ago22:56

22:56

Bob Howe, the tent designer behind iconic tents from Early Winters, Sierra Designs, and The North Face, talks about his career in the outdoor industry. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University…

1
Halloween Special: Jack Gilbert and the Founding of Mountain Hardwear | History of Gear 55:47

7M ago55:47

55:47

As a special episode for Halloween, we are sharing a previous episode of the History of Gear. Jack Gilbert and others founded Mountain Hardwear on Halloween in 1993. Enjoy this conversation with Jack! Jack Gilbert, former Vice President at The North Face and President of Sierra Designs and founder of Mountain Hardwear, joins the podcast to talk the…

1
Lennard Zinn makes the case for chain waxing (and 36-inch wheels, too) 1:14:01

8M ago1:14:01

1:14:01

Lennard Zinn is a bike designer and frame builder based in Louisville, Colorado. His shop, Zinn Cycles, offers "a full line of semi-custom and off the shelf bikes for riders from very small to very tall and everyone in-between." He’s also the author of Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance, one of the world’s best-selling guides to mountain…

1
Craig Calfee designed his carbon mountain bike to be N minus 1 44:07

9M ago44:07

44:07

Craig Calfee is an innovative bike builder and the founder of Calfee Design. Calfee was an early adopter of carbon fiber for bike frames in 1987, and brand's Tetra road bike is said to have been in production longer than any other carbon bike. You might also recognize his work with Bamboo bike frames, which he began in 1995. How did you get your …

1
How hip packs and frame bags are made, with Bullmoose Softgoods 42:33

10M ago42:33

42:33

Wes Holland is the owner of Bullmoose Softgoods where he designs and produces one-of-a-kind bags for cycling and adventuring. Bullmoose is based in Summerville, Massachusetts and currently offers handlebar and frame bags plus hip packs and accessories. What came first for you: bikes or bags? What kind of riding do you like to do? What is the riding…

1
Todd Arenson | Founder @ Tsunami | History of Gear 56:36

10M ago56:36

56:36

Todd Arenson, founder of Tsunami, talks about the Utah outdoor products industry and the rise of fleece! https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-arenson-052609a/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State Univers…

1
MTB trail quality is "about to ramp up on the hockey stick" 1:03:56

11M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Greg Mazu is the self-described "Chief Dreamer" behind Backslope Tools, a company that designs and sells tools for trail building and forest maintenance. He's also the founder of Singletrack Trails, a trail building company that recently finished its last project after 20 years in the business. When did you build your first trail? How did you get i…

1
How do you set an FKT on Kokopelli's Trail? Stop trying to be perfect, says Hannah Otto. 55:14

11M ago55:14

55:14

Hannah Otto recently became the fastest known woman to ride the 137-mile-long Kokopelli's trail from Moab, Utah to Loma, Colorado, besting the previous fastest known time by over an hour. In addition to racing gravel and mountain bikes, she's also a certified athletic trainer. How do you feel now that you can finally talk about your accomplishment?…

1
Is carbon better than aluminum for MTB frames? It depends on how you use it! 1:01:14

11M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Chuck Teixeira is a Senior Advanced Concept Engineer at Specialized where he's been involved in countless projects from mountain to road, and from bikes to components. Prior to joining Specialized in 2011, Chuck spent 28 years at Easton-Bell where he was the director of R&D. How did you end up in the bike industry? How does the Smartweld tech used …

1
Keith Byrne | Senior Manager - Global Brand Education | The North Face 46:59

11M ago46:59

46:59

Keith Byrne, Senior Manager - Global Brand Education at The North Face talks to students about corporate culture as well as aligning personal and brand values. https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%98%87keith-byrne-7a85227/ Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the …

1
Nancy Grimes | Founder of Banana Equipment | History of Gear 40:41

12M ago40:41

40:41

Nancy Grimes, founder of Banana Equipment, talks about starting the company, being a woman in leadership in the outdoor industry, and introducing some of the first Gore-Tex products to the market. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design &…

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