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 Ski Bibs of 2025/26

Last Updated: November 15, 2025

It's time to ditch your belts and powder skirts: Bibs offer confidence-inspiring protection against wayward snow, cold drafts, and sagging waistlines. They also provide a considerable bump in storage compared to standard ski pants, allowing you to...

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Best Handheld GPS of 2025

Last Updated: July 8, 2025

Whether deep in the backcountry or on open water, proper navigation is a must. And for route finding, recording tracks, or finding a geocache, there’s no more durable and long-lasting navigator than a handheld GPS. While it will never fully replace a...

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Best Ski Pants of 2025/26

Last Updated: October 23, 2025

Ski pants are a critical barrier between you and the elements, and there’s a pair to fit every type of skier and budget. Resort-goers typically opt for a classic hardshell design with some light insulation to stay warm on the lift rides up. Backcountry...

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Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P Tent Review

Last Updated: July 5, 2023

Nemo makes some of our favorite backpacking tents but has been a relatively small player in the car camping market for some time. That’s changed with the Aurora Highrise, which lands in the heart of the very competitive premium tent space. We tested...