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: July 14, 2025
Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...
Last Updated: August 29, 2023
Blizzard’s original Rustler was consistently one of our favorite all-mountain skis thanks to its focus on fun over all-out power and speed. The design has gotten a big revamp for 2024, including changes to the construction (Titanal now runs the length...
Last Updated: September 9, 2025
While jackets are certainly a flashier and more exciting layer to shop for, staying comfortable outdoors starts with a quality baselayer. These next-to-skin pieces play a fundamental role in temperature regulation by pulling moisture away from your...
Last Updated: October 17, 2024
No matter your ability level, a comfortable boot is an absolute necessity. Nothing ruins a good groomer or powder day faster than cold or painful feet, and poor-fitting boots also run the risk of not properly transferring energy to your skis and...
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