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 Backpacking Backpacks of 2025

Last Updated: April 21, 2025

Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Trends in backpacks these days err towards minimalism...

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Best Ski Socks of 2025

Last Updated: October 28, 2024

A quality ski sock gets the basics right: a close but not restricting fit, soft-touch materials that don’t itch, and enough cushioning to keep you on the slopes all day. Every sock that made our “best of” list below for the 2024 season accomplishes...

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Best Backcountry (Touring) Skis of 2025

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is that material and construction technologies are...

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How to Choose a Down Jacket

Last Updated: December 17, 2024

For the best in cozy and lofty warmth, down jackets are in a class of their own. The category covers a wide range of options, from lightweight and packable designs for backcountry use to stylish and hardwearing models for your winter commutes. Below we...