Sasha Brown
Title: Writer & Gear Tester
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Expertise & Background
- Topics of Expertise: Trail running, backpacking, bikepacking, hiking, mountain biking
- Years of Writing: 12+
- Years of Gear Testing: 12+
Why I Chose This Career
I've spent my life playing in the mountains, and my husband Brian and I have chose to spend our lives exploring as much as possible. Our adventures require gear, and we are often in harsh—though beautiful—locations, so gear testing felt like a natural fit.
How I Began My Career
In 2012, I was selected as a Trail Ambassador for The North Face in Canada. In that role, I tested TNF trail running gear and wrote about it for Canadian Trail Running. My relationship with Switchback Travel started a few years later, after I discovered their great beta on trails on Norway’s Lofoten Islands. My husband and I started testing gear for Switchback shortly after that, and the rest is history.
Recent Articles
Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 WP Hiking Boot Review
Last Updated: October 24, 2022
Trail running-inspired hiking boots have exploded in popularity of late, combining the all-day comfort and flexibility of running shoes with the ankle support and protection of traditional hiking designs. Topo...
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad Review
Last Updated: February 4, 2025
Therm-a-Rest is well known in the backpacking space for their lightweight sleeping pads, and perhaps no design is more ubiquitous than the NeoAir XLite NXT. Built with ultralight backpackers in mind, this pad is popular for its impressive warmth-to...
Osprey Renn 65 Backpack Review
Last Updated: September 3, 2024
Osprey is one of the most well-known pack manufacturers with an extensive lineup to match, from ultralight models for weight-conscious minimalists to feature-rich heavy haulers that make few concessions. The women’s-specific Renn (and men’s Rook) slots...
Arc’teryx Alpha SL Anorak Review
Last Updated: April 30, 2021
Arc’teryx’s Alpha series is designed for demanding climbing and alpine use, and their latest Alpha SL Anorak is yet another well-made technical piece. Short for “superlight,” the Alpha SL slots in as the brand’s lightest climbing hardshell, combining a...