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Billy Brown

Title: Affiliate Managing Editor
Email: bbrown@allgeardigital.com
Location (City & State): Sacramento, Calif.
Pronouns: He/him

Expertise

Topics of Expertise: Trail Running, Fitness, CrossFit, Climbing, Hiking, Mountaineering, Gear, Gear…and More Gear
Years in This Expertise: 15
Number of Products & Number of Hours Expert Has Tested: Both are countless. Hundreds, if not thousands.

Experience

Billy Brown is an Affiliate Managing Editor for GearJunkie.com. In addition to editing for GearJunkie, he has been covering gear, fitness, and the outdoors for publications like WIRED, Men’s Journal, Outside, Backpacker, and Esquire, as well as serving as U.S. Cellular’s Resident Adventurer. Based in Sacramento, Calif., Brown is a competitive CrossFitter and powerlifter and an avid hiker and trail runner.

I started writing as a way to make my trail-running buddies laugh. My personal blog led to a newspaper stint, which led to web and print work, culminating in a short but chaotic television stint. I’m obsessed with all kinds of gear, from snowboards and hiking boots to laptops and LEGOs. So I found a way to get paid for my obsession.

Personal Interests: Fitness, snowboarding, running, rare books, antique typewriters, and world travel.

The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Despite its intense reputation, CrossFit is a sport that’s accessible for people of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels, and that goes for the footwear,…

Written by Paul Mandell and Billy Brown March 26, 2024

Electric All-Terrain Skateboard Review: Evolve Hadean Carbon Is My New Favorite Way to Commute

Evolve’s high-powered skateboards blur the line between toy and commuter vehicle. We tested the Evolve Hadean Electric skateboard to see just how great they are.

Written by Billy Brown January 25, 2022

Effortless Slip-On CrossFit Shoe: Nike Metcon 6 FlyEase Review

If you’ve spent any time in a CrossFit box (aka gym), you know Nike Metcons. Named after the common high-intensity metabolic conditioning workouts that make…

Written by Billy Brown January 26, 2021

The Best Workout Shoes for the Gym in 2020

Our expert advice and buyer’s guide will help you find the best shoes for hitting the gym. Whether you’re looking for a shoe for a…

Written by Billy Brown February 11, 2020

From Runner to Powerlifter: 5 Tips for Going From Gazelle to Gorilla

In January 2019, I made the switch from CrossFit to powerlifting. Nine months later, I broke three records in my first competition. This is how…

Written by Billy Brown January 29, 2020

MSR Guardian Purifier – Last One You’ll Ever Need

The MSR Guardian is one of the finest water filters made with a price to match. This review puts it to the test in British…

Written by Billy Brown August 28, 2015

Great White Sharks Surround SUP’ers on California Coast

File under “holy crap!” SUP boarders keep cool while filming great white sharks up close.

Written by Billy Brown July 27, 2015

A Harrowing Night In: 10 Great Survival Movies Online

Living through a survival situation generally sucks. Watching someone else do it? A great night of entertainment.

Written by Billy Brown July 24, 2015

Lululemon ‘Yoga Beer’ Is Now A Real Thing

Beer and yoga pants? Lululemon says “yes” with a partnership with Stanley Park Brewing.

Written by Billy Brown July 17, 2015

Recon Survival Tool: Combination Hatchet, Saw, Machete & Zombie-Killer

Dig a hole, cut wood, or fight off undead attackers.

Written by Billy Brown July 07, 2015

Ultralight, Ultra-Pretty Electric Bike

The Maxwell EPO takes on the aesthetically-challenged world of electric bikes with this classic-looking design.

Written by Billy Brown July 07, 2015

Avoid Accidental Nudity With Mobile Changing Room

Avoid accidental nudity, and the attached legal consequences, with a privacy screen that attaches to SUVs.

Written by Billy Brown July 01, 2015

The Watch That Could ‘Save Your Life’

Meet the watch that could save your life. But at $16,000, the world’s first satellite beacon watch may also be the most expensive PLB.

Written by Billy Brown June 26, 2015

Keen Women’s Durand Mid WP Hiking Boots

The Durands are a solid, lightweight, great all-around backpacking and hiking boot, assuming you can get the correct fit length and width-wise.

Written by Billy Brown June 17, 2015

Father’s Day Gift Guide: Made In America Edition

If your dad loves the outdoors as much as he loves this land, get him a gift made in the U.S.A.

Written by Billy Brown June 08, 2015

Drone Flies Itself, Follows Wherever You Go

Just throw the Lily in the air and it takes flight, recording your every move.

Written by Billy Brown May 12, 2015

Ambit3 ‘All-Outdoors’ Watch

This little watch is a powerful tool for all sorts of outdoors athletes.

Written by Billy Brown April 24, 2015

Must-Follow: Outdoor Gear Brands On Instagram

Follow these outdoor gear brands on Instagram, and enjoy a feed full of wicked cool photos.

Written by Billy Brown April 23, 2015

Dream Job: Photojournalist In Norway

Short but sweet, this photojournalist gig will take you to the best Norway has to offer.

Written by Billy Brown April 03, 2015

Dream Job: Woods Canada Explorer

Get paid $20,000 Canadian to hike the Trans Canada Trail this summer.

Written by Billy Brown April 02, 2015

‘How to Poop in the Woods’

In the forest, there is a right way, and a wrong way, to do number two.

Written by Billy Brown March 31, 2015

Ramp Up Miles: Ultra Runner Rob Krar’s ‘Spring Training’ Tips

Ramp up slowly and use this advice to avoid injury in early season running.

Written by Billy Brown March 27, 2015

Review: Volvo XC90 TW8 – The 60 MPG, 400-Horsepower SUV

Step aside Subaru, this hybrid AWD wagon hits 60 MPG with 400 horses under the hood.

Written by Billy Brown March 23, 2015

Avalanche: Snowboarder Captures First-Person Footage

A snowboarder captured harrowing first-person GoPro footage while caught in an avalanche.

Written by Billy Brown February 05, 2015

Underground Bike Park (Louisville Mega Cavern) Now Open

The world’s first underground bike park, complete with 12 miles of trails and a BMX park, opens up in Kentucky next week.

Written by Billy Brown February 04, 2015

Insects For Lunch: Protein Bar Made Of Crickets

Protein bar company, founded in dorm room, says crickets are the “gateway bug” for a more sustainable future.

Written by Billy Brown January 30, 2015

Spotify’s Top Workout Playlists

Spotify consulted fitness and music experts to come up with the best playlists for some of the top workout trends.

Written by Billy Brown January 26, 2015

Dream Job: National Parks Scout

Best summer job ever? Backpacker Magazine is sending a team of two out to explore our National Parks and report on their experiences all summer…

Written by Billy Brown January 19, 2015

Torture Test: ‘Rugged’ Dell Notebook Computer

How tough is Dell’s Latitude 12 Rugged Extreme laptop/tablet hybrid? We took it off-roading in the back of a pickup truck to find out.

Written by Billy Brown January 16, 2015

Dream Job: National Geographic Explorer

Ever wonder how people get paid to explore the world? National Geographic grants are one way to do it.

Written by Billy Brown January 14, 2015