John Ellings

John Ellings

Title: Editor-in-Chief (Former)

Location: Wenatchee, WA

Expertise & Background


Why I Chose This Career

I wouldn't say it was my plan all along, but the work connects a lot of things I love: creating and building something great, geeking out on outdoor gear, and adventuring in my Pacific Northwest backyard and around the world.


How I Began My Career

I met Switchback founder, David Wilkinson, while I was working at REI and part way through my MBA program in 2014. The opportunity to rethink outdoor gear testing, photography, and long-form content was too good to pass up!

Recent Articles

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Smith Level MIPS Helmet Review

Last Updated: November 14, 2023

Smith’s Level took the place of one of our all-time favorite helmets, the Variance, but retains most of the winning recipe. Slotting in below the premium and popular Vantage, it shares a lot of the design, including a hybrid in-mold construction...

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Best Fleece Jackets of 2025

Last Updated: April 29, 2025

With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece is still the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years, from campsites and ski resorts to the streets and restaurants of...

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Gregory Paragon 58 Backpack Review

Last Updated: April 2, 2021

Best known for their heavy-hauling Baltoro, the Paragon backpack from Gregory cuts weight to appeal to the core overnight and weekend crowd. We really liked the original, and they recently updated the design with a mesh-heavy suspension system and side...

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Best Coolers of 2025

Last Updated: October 14, 2024

Whether you’re headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, there's a good chance you'll want to keep your food and drinks cold. Thankfully, the market is packed with high-quality coolers that excel at...