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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Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody Review

Last Updated: April 11, 2025

Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Straddling the softshell and fleece categories, the R1 TechFace Hoody takes their popular...

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Black Diamond Highline Stretch Shell Review

Last Updated: October 12, 2022

Building on the success of their popular StormLine Stretch rain jacket, Black Diamond upped the performance threshold with their more premium Highline Stretch Shell. For a reasonable $300, the 3-layer jacket boasts a hardshell-like build that offers...

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Review: La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX

Last Updated: October 20, 2017

With a serious alpine pedigree, La Sportiva has been manufacturing highly regarded climbing and skiing gear for almost 90 years. Therefore it’s no surprise that their Trango...

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Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 Quilt Review

Last Updated: April 1, 2025

While traditional mummy-style sleeping bags remain the most popular option for backpackers, those who sleep hot or count ounces are increasingly moving toward more streamlined quilts. Enlightened Equipment was one of the first to offer ultralight...