
John Ellings
Title: Editor-in-Chief (Former)
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Expertise & Background
- Topics of Expertise: Trail running, mountain biking, hiking and backpacking, resort and backcountry skiing
- Education: MBA, Seattle University
- Years of Writing: 9
- Years of Gear Testing: 9
- Club or Association Memberships: Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust
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
Best Camping Stoves of 2025
Last Updated: April 16, 2025
If you think camping in the great outdoors means sacrificing a proper home-cooked meal, think again. Today's camping stoves can bring a whole new level of gourmet to your car camping and basecamping adventures. With a modern, quality design, you can...
Best Hiking Boots of 2025
Last Updated: July 14, 2025
Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...
Blizzard Rustler 10 Ski (2024) Review
Last Updated: August 29, 2023
Blizzard’s original Rustler was consistently one of our favorite all-mountain skis thanks to its focus on fun over all-out power and speed. The design has gotten a big revamp for 2024, including changes to the construction (Titanal now runs the length...
Best Men's Baselayers of 2025
Last Updated: September 9, 2025
While jackets are certainly a flashier and more exciting layer to shop for, staying comfortable outdoors starts with a quality baselayer. These next-to-skin pieces play a fundamental role in temperature regulation by pulling moisture away from your...