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 4-Quattro XT Ski Boot Review

Last Updated: October 23, 2023

Scarpa is an irrefutable leader in the backcountry ski boot market, and they recently made a push into the freeride space with the 4-Quattro XT. We put the boot through a mix of backcountry and resort riding last winter and came away largely impressed...

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Oakley Mod5 MIPS Helmet Review

Last Updated: August 2, 2023

Oakley is a relative newcomer to the ski helmet market, but their Mod collection has been a strong foray into the space. Sitting at the top of the lineup is the Mod5 MIPS, which boasts a clean, low-profile shape and plenty of premium touches. In...

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Norrøna Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light Jacket Review

Last Updated: March 22, 2022

Norrøna may not be as popular in the U.S. as brands like Arc’teryx or Patagonia, but serious backcountry-goers take note: They offer an extensive lineup of quality hardshells that are purpose-built for big mountain objectives ...

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Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket Review

Last Updated: March 16, 2021

Arc’teryx is no stranger to hardshell jackets and long has been a go-to option for protection in harsh mountain environments. At the very top of their lineup is the Alpha SV ("severe weather"), which is designed for use in the most serious of...