

Highlander Podcast
Outdoor Product Design & Development
A podcast about the past, present, and future of the outdoor industry.
Highlander is made possible by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University and Aggie Radio in beautiful Logan, Utah.
Highlander is made possible by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University and Aggie Radio in beautiful Logan, Utah.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 23, 2025 • 43min
Matthieu Nicol | Author - Fashion Army | History of Gear
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: https://www.instagram.com/vintage_food_photography/
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, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Jan 28, 2025 • 1h 6min
Henry Iddon + Max Leonard, Authors of Mountain Style | History of Gear
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 Highlander Podcast.
https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast
The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Nov 4, 2024 • 23min
Bob Howe | Tent Designer | History of Gear
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, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Oct 31, 2024 • 56min
Halloween Special: Jack Gilbert and the Founding of Mountain Hardwear | History of Gear
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 history of gear.
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, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://libguides.usu.edu/outdoorrecreationarchive
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Aug 5, 2024 • 57min
Todd Arenson | Founder @ Tsunami | History of Gear
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 University, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Jul 2, 2024 • 47min
Keith Byrne | Senior Manager - Global Brand Education | The North Face
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 Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Jun 24, 2024 • 41min
Nancy Grimes | Founder of Banana Equipment | History of Gear
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 & Development program at Utah State University, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Jun 17, 2024 • 1h 14min
Charles Ross | Lecturer @ Royal College of Art | Outdoor Product Design & Development
Charles Ross, a Lecturer at the Royal College of Art in London, dives into the critical interplay between sustainability and aesthetics in outdoor apparel. He discusses the rise of resale culture and its role in reducing textile waste, while critiquing the fashion industry's trend-driven mindset. Ross emphasizes the importance of quality over affordability, particularly for Gen Z buyers, and shares insights on the need for a circular economy to combat environmental impacts. His engaging perspective inspires a new generation of designers toward innovative and ethical practices.

Jun 7, 2024 • 1h 5min
Randy Merrell | Founder of Merrell | History of Gear
Randy Merrell, founder of Merrell and the Merrell Foot Lab, talks about his ties to Utah State University, custom boot making, and the founding of Merrell.
https://merrellfootlab.com/
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, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

May 17, 2024 • 44min
Ron Smith | Founder of American Outdoor Products - Backpacker's Pantry | History of Gear
Ron Smith, founder of American Outdoor Products, talks about the history of backpacking food, buying Dri-Lite and turning it into what is now Backpacker’s Pantry, and 75 years of outdoor food.
https://backpackerspantry.com/
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, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.
Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd
Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU’s website.
https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive
https://library.usu.edu/archives/ora
Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en
Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/


