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
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak Daypack Review
Last Updated: August 24, 2022
Maine-based Hyperlite Mountain Gear is well known among ultralight enthusiasts for their premium packs and tents made with Dyneema—a naturally water-resistant material that’s incredibly strong for its weight. Their Daybreak Ultralight Daypack is case...
Hilleberg Allak Tent Review
Last Updated: October 28, 2019
Hilleberg has set the bar high, creating some of the most finely tuned and well-built tents on the market. Therefore we were extremely excited to test the Allak, a 2-person freestanding tent that falls into Hilleberg’s “Red Label” category. This means...
Flylow Gear Foxy Ski Bib Review
Last Updated: September 19, 2022
Colorado-based Flylow Gear is well known among backcountry skiers for their tough and stylish designs that nicely balance fashion and function. The women’s Foxy Bib is a shining example, combining great overall performance and versatility in a good...
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell Review
Last Updated: March 3, 2025
Black Diamond has assembled a solid lineup of quality rain jackets and hardshells over the last several years, and the Fineline (formerly called the StormLine) is yet another standout. By adding stretch into the jacket’s face fabric, BD created an...