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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Best Men's Ski Bibs of 2025/26

Last Updated: October 16, 2025

It can be tough to sift through all the snow gear options, with new and improved products cropping up each season. The ski bib market is flush with variety—from streamlined and stretch-infused backcountry designs to burly and stylish resort models. So...

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Best Camping Stoves of 2025

Last Updated: April 16, 2025

If you think camping in the great outdoors means sacrificing a proper home-cooked meal, think again. Today's camping stoves can bring a whole new level of gourmet to your car camping and basecamping adventures. With a modern, quality design, you can...

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Trew Gear Cosmic Primo Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Trew Gear is a brand on the rise, and their longstanding, core men’s ski shell is the Cosmic. Balancing weather protection, mobility, and features for resort and backcountry days, it’s a versatile piece with wide appeal. And the latest Primo version...

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Best Trail Mountain Bikes Under $2,500

Last Updated: May 7, 2024

Mountain biking can be a very expensive sport: There are hundreds of excellent bikes available for $4,000 to $6,000, and those aren’t even at the highest end of the price spectrum. Fortunately, for those of us not ready to spend so much on something...