Brian McCurdy

Brian McCurdy

Title: Photographer & Gear Tester

Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Biking, backcountry skiing, backpacking, hiking, bikepacking
  • Years of Writing: 8+
  • Years of Gear Testing: 8+
  • Previous Publications: Several photos in Trail Runner Magazine and Canadian Running Magazine


Why I Chose This Career

My wife Sasha and I love to spend time in the mountains, and I love to document our activities and the beauty of our surroundings. I also have a bit of a gear addiction, to testing new equipment and apparel is pretty ideal.


How I Began My Career

I started documenting our adventures locally and abroad before working as a trail running race photographer. I loved taking action photos that highlighted the personal effort as well as the amazing locations. This, combined with my aforementioned gear addiction, made the transition to testing and photographing outdoor gear an obvious path.

Recent Articles

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Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX Boot Review

Last Updated: January 21, 2022

Scarpa’s Zodiac Tech GTX takes their Zodiac Plus backpacking boot and adds a technical slant for light mountaineering objectives. I wore the boot while hiking around Canada and during a demanding 16...

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Nepal’s Three Passes Trek and Everest Basecamp

Last Updated: August 29, 2024

Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...

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Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack Review

Last Updated: April 2, 2021

I typically purchase gear with an eye toward fastpacking and previously thought of high-capacity packs as being useful only for slower thru-hikes or long trips into the backcountry. The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 backpack has changed my mind. Though...

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Arc’teryx Beta Insulated Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2023

Arc’teryx’s Beta collection is a longtime favorite, lauded for its reliable protection and top-notch build quality. A relatively recent addition to the line, the Beta Insulated Jacket retains a lot of what we love about the uninsulated models...