Writer and editor Sean McCoy
2679 articles

Sean McCoy

Editorial Director

Editorial Director Sean McCoy is a lifelong outdoorsman who grew up hunting and fishing central Wisconsin forests and lakes. He joined GearJunkie after a 10-year stint as a newspaperman in the Caribbean, where he learned sailing and wooden-boat repair.

Based in GearJunkie's Denver office, McCoy is an avid trail runner, camper, hunter, angler, mountain biker, skier, and beer tester.

Title: Editorial Director
Email: sean@gearjunkie.com
Location: Denver, Colo.
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mccoy-4ba26043/https://twitter.com/seanmccoy18

Expertise

  • Topics of Expertise: Hunting, Fishing, Skiing, Sailing, Trail running, Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Gear
  • Years in This Expertise: 20+
  • Number of Products & Number of Hours Expert Has Tested: 2,000+ products, 10,000+ hours

Education & Certifications

Experience

Prior to his promotion to Editorial Director at AllGear, McCoy was editor-in-chief of GearJunkie.com, where he worked with Stephen Regenold (a former college roommate) to build the premier outdoors gear website on the internet. But that just tells part of the story.

McCoy’s experience as a genuine GearJunkie goes back to the ’80s. He grew up in Wisconsin, and was an avid angler and bike racer as a child. In college, he worked at the iconic Minneapolis outdoor store Midwest Mountaineering at the climbing counter. He sold rock climbing gear and taught basic climbing skills in the shop.

After college, he moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands to work at the Virgin Islands Daily News. There, he honed his skills as a sports reporter, photographer, and news reporter. He also avidly learned sailing, diving, and surfing skills, which he practiced at every opportunity.

Upon returning to the mainland, McCoy rekindled his love of the mountains. He moved to Colorado, where he lives to this day.

As Editorial Director, McCoy oversees the creative direction for content initiatives at AllGear sites including GearJunkie, BikeRumor, ExplorersWeb, iRunFar, and The Inertia. He strongly believes in fairness and transparency in journalism, particularly in gear reviewing, and applies many lessons learned in newspaper reporting to his leadership style at AllGear.

Career Highlights

  • Completing the Trans-Rockies Run, including a third-place finish
  • Completing the Leadville 100 Trail Run
  • Completing the Grand Canyon 100 Trail Run
  • Skiing in Niseko, Japan
  • Participating in 19 Outdoor Retailer conventions as a reporter
  • Placing third in the Patagonian International Marathon
  • Running multiple remote offices from high mountain locations

A Word From Sean McCoy

As a writer and editor for GearJunkie and AllGear Digital Media, I employ two of my greatest passions — the outdoors and journalism. I started a rock climbing magazine called Vertical Jones with GearJunkie founder Stephen Regenold in 1995 or ’96. The rest is history.  My personal interests include trail running, camping, mountain biking, skiing, dogs, and music.

And while I genuinely enjoy the work I do as a writer and editor, I am most proud of the teams that I have helped build at AllGear. Our company represents the best reporters, editors, and gear experts in the business. They represent diverse communities and activities that span the outdoors. And while we are still a small, growing company, we work every day to tell the most important stories in outdoor recreation, exploration, and conservation.


Colorado Hunter Fights Off Bear

REI To #OptOutside Again On Black Friday

Klymit Two-Person Pad: Camp, Snuggle (And Bounce)

Wingjump: Achieve Maximum Send!

‘Shacket’ Season Is Upon Us

America’s First Surf Park Opens Friday In Texas

The Most Badass Hydrogen-Powered Pickup Yet

Bass Pro Acquires Cabela’s For $5.5 Billion

First Look: KEEN APhlex Thrashed, Still Thrives

The OX Is ‘Packable’ Off-Road Vehicle

Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

First Look: Primus Tupike For The Campground Gourmet

After ‘Year In The Wilderness’ Freemans Come Home

Lift Ticket Hacks: 30 Ways To Save Money At The Mountain

Behind The Scenes: 36 Hours On Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula

Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

New & Niche: Cool New Climbing Gear For 2017

Did An Unknown Hiker Just Break Every A.T. Record?

YETI ‘Brick’ Is One Burly Bottle Opener

World Record! Woman Rides Bike 147 MPH

First Look: Sierra Designs ‘High Route’ Modular Shelter

Airstream Basecamp: The Airstream You Can Pull Behind A Subaru

Dispersed Camping, Mobile Office, Directors Of Toughness: GearJunkie Week In Review

Ditch The Cubicle: Create Your Own ‘Outdoor Office’

Outrider: Bike Adventure For Differently-Abled

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How To Land A Ski Resort Job

EnerPlex Wins GearJunkie Readers’ Choice Award

Review: Arc’teryx Trail-Running Shoe, A Real Scrambler

Winter Snow Forecast 2016: 100% Chance Of Hyperbole