John Ellings
Title: Editor-in-Chief (Former)
Location: Wenatchee, WA
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.
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!
Last Updated: January 8, 2024
REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...
Last Updated: June 24, 2021
Along with Patagonia’s ubiquitous Synchilla, the Better Sweater is one of the brand’s foundational fleece designs. Offered in a range of styles, we tested their core full-zip jacket for this review...
Last Updated: November 26, 2024
It’s hard not to admire the utility of the humble ski pole. A pair of ski poles serves a number of purposes, from helping you set a rhythm for turns, to propelling you along flat sections of trail, to having a crutch to lean on in long lift lines. For...
Last Updated: April 21, 2022
Nearly every major hiking boot brand has its signature model, and for Lowa, it’s the Renegade GTX. We took the popular mid-height boot out backpacking and day hiking...
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