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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Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket Review

Last Updated: April 10, 2025

Cotopaxi is a brand on the rise. With their distinctive and vibrant colorways, sustainable business practices, and skillful collaborations with other brands, they’ve quickly established themselves as a serious player in the outdoor market. The Fuego...

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Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan Fleece Jacket Review

Last Updated: June 28, 2021

Arc’teryx has built their reputation around technical outerwear, which makes the casual Covert Cardigan a bit of an outlier. But this fleece has been a long-time favorite for a reason: its fit, build quality, and...

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Arc’teryx Beta Jacket Review

Last Updated: March 29, 2022

Arc’teryx’s new Beta Jacket slots into the brand’s expansive collection as a premium hiking shell. Offering more protection than a rain jacket but a step below a full-on winter hardshell, the light and packable Beta hits a sweet spot for three-season...

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Arc’teryx Aerios FL 2 Mid GTX Review

Last Updated: February 12, 2023

Still a relative newcomer in hiking footwear, Arc’teryx has stuck to what they know best: technical performance. We tested the second iteration of their fast-and-light Aerios shoe on a demanding...