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: December 15, 2016
Lightweight backpacking boots are a big ticket item these days, as hikers of all kinds appreciate the benefits of cutting a pound or two off their leaden feet. Scarpa’s entry into this category is the boldly...
Last Updated: July 1, 2022
MSR’s updated-for-2022 FreeLite tent shares many design similarities with one of our favorite backpacking models, the Hubba Hubba, but with significant weight savings. At 2 pounds 5 ounces...
Last Updated: April 6, 2021
In an ever-growing field of lightweight gear, the sub-2-pound Osprey Levity is a formidable contender in the UL backpacking pack market. Coming in 11 ounces lighter than their popular Exos, the design targets thru-hikers and minimalists. We took the...
Last Updated: March 18, 2025
As your main line of defense against snow and wind, a quality snowboard jacket is a key piece of your kit. Designs fall into three basic categories: versatile and light shells, insulated models for a boost in warmth, and 3-in-1 jackets that include a...
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