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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Adidas Terrex AX4 Hiking Shoe Review

Last Updated: February 28, 2023

At $100 for the non-waterproof shoe, the Adidas AX4 offers a surprisingly grippy outsole, sufficient cushioning and support for long trail days, a secure lacing system, and clean-looking design.

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Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2025

Last Updated: July 17, 2025

No matter where your travels take you, from national parks to backwoods to back porches, a camping sleeping bag can be a trusty companion. Since space and weight are not at a premium when you can drive to your destination, the comfort dial can get...

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Gregory Baltoro 75 Backpack Review

Last Updated: March 22, 2022

Gregory’s flagship men’s Baltoro and women’s Deva packs are long-time favorites for those carrying serious weight, and the latest versions carry the torch. We recently took the 75-liter Baltoro to Patagonia...

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Arc’teryx Atom SL Hoody Review

Last Updated: May 12, 2021

Within Arc’teryx’s popular Atom synthetic jacket series, the “SL” slots in as the lightest and most focused of the bunch. It isn’t very warm with insulation only in the torso and a minimalist...