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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Volkl Blaze 106 Ski Review

Last Updated: July 13, 2020

In a departure from their core all-mountain lineup, Volkl has taken aim at the freeride category with the new-for-2021 Blaze. We tested the unisex and women’s 106 models in Crested Butte...

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Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX Hiking Shoe Review

Last Updated: May 9, 2023

Adidas has come on strong in the world of hiking footwear, and its Terrex Swift series is a notable standout among the competition. The R3 GTX is a low-cut waterproof hiking shoe that’s reasonably...

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Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Review

Last Updated: May 23, 2022

Yakima has been a leader in the cargo roof box game for some time, and their core and arguably most versatile product is the SkyBox Carbonite. We’ve had the 16-cubic-foot model on the top of our vehicle for a few years now and have found it to be...

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Osprey Talon 22 Daypack Review

Last Updated: July 25, 2024

Osprey’s Talon is the daypack we see on the trails more than any other. And there’s good reason for its popularity: it’s light, has a nice fit, is made in a wide range of sizes and bright colorways, and hits a desirable price point. In testing the...