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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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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REI Co-op Flash 55 Backpack Review

Last Updated: January 8, 2024

REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...

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REI Co-op Wonderland Tent Review

Last Updated: December 15, 2025

The Wonderland series at REI was designed to provide tent-camping comfort in a small range of products, including tents, cots, and chairs. We’ve had a chance to test both...

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Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack Review

Last Updated: July 1, 2022

One of the few downsides of the industry-wide transition to internal-frame packs is ventilation. Enter the Atmos line from Osprey, and more recently, the Atmos AG pack. This bag was designed from the...