Sasha Brown
Title: Writer & Gear Tester
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
I've spent my life playing in the mountains, and my husband Brian and I have chose to spend our lives exploring as much as possible. Our adventures require gear, and we are often in harsh—though beautiful—locations, so gear testing felt like a natural fit.
In 2012, I was selected as a Trail Ambassador for The North Face in Canada. In that role, I tested TNF trail running gear and wrote about it for Canadian Trail Running. My relationship with Switchback Travel started a few years later, after I discovered their great beta on trails on Norway’s Lofoten Islands. My husband and I started testing gear for Switchback shortly after that, and the rest is history.
Last Updated: April 3, 2025
Nemo is a consistent leader in the backpacking and ultralight tent spaces, with their Hornet Elite Osmo 2P slotting in as an excellent choice for fastpackers and other weight-conscious minimalists. For just over 2 pounds, the Hornet Elite provides...
Last Updated: April 27, 2023
Osprey makes some of our favorite packs on the market, and the Ariel (the women’s counterpart to the Aether) is their dedicated heavy hauler that’s backed by years of proven performance. We recently brought the latest model to Patagonia for testing...
Last Updated: November 14, 2023
Smith is a leader in the ski helmet market, and their Vantage MIPS is a favorite among serious downhill and alpine touring riders. This lid seemingly has it all: comfort, performance, safety, and good looks to boot. Given its impressive résumé, we were...
Last Updated: September 3, 2024
Osprey is one of the most well-known pack manufacturers with an extensive lineup to match, from ultralight models for weight-conscious minimalists to feature-rich heavy haulers that make few concessions. The women’s-specific Renn (and men’s Rook) slots...
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