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 Hiking Shorts of 2025

Last Updated: August 11, 2025

Most hikers know the value of a quality pair of hiking pants, but for midsummer conditions or particularly active days on the trail, we turn to hiking shorts. In addition to being more breathable and quicker to dry, most of our favorite modern hiking...

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Best Cheap Down Jacket: REI Co-op 650

Last Updated: June 27, 2024

Here at Switchback Travel, we’re passionate about our down jackets. We’ve tested a huge range of models over the years, from entry-level options from Outdoor Research and Columbia to premium alternatives from Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and Montbell. While...

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Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Review

Last Updated: October 13, 2023

The Atom from Arc’teryx is a legend. This popular synthetic piece crosses over between daily wear and backcountry use as well as anything on the market, thanks to its truly impressive balance of warmth, comfort, and styling. Arc’teryx gave the...

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How Much Should You Spend on a Mountain Bike?

Last Updated: June 28, 2024

The mountain bike market has drastically changed over the last couple decades, but there’s one fact that’s stayed steady: The sport is expensive. It's no exaggeration that carbon full-suspension builds can top the price of a nice used car. That said...