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.


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Trust Your Life To A ‘Survival Pipe’?

Watch: An Ode To Trail Dogs And Running

Ding! Tiny Bike Bell Goes Viral

First Look: ‘Smart’ Solar Panel Charges Phones, Gadgets Fast

Hiking Cat, Homemade Bow, Women’s Bike Clinics: GearJunkie Week In Review

Artificial Gills To Breathe Underwater: A Million Dollar Scam?

SRAM Kills Front Derailleur, Introduces 1X12 Drivetrain

Cheap Fire-Starting Kit To Make At Home

How To: Build Entirely Natural Bow & Arrow

Ancient Technique: Minnesotan Hand-Builds ‘Skin-On’ Kayaks

Watch: Running Papua New Guinea With Anna Frost

Skier Shreds Hard, Earns Turns … On One Leg

Vargo Titanium ‘Basically Indestructible’ Tent Stakes

800+ Miles Across Arizona, By Mountain Bike

So iLL Climbing Shoes Blow Up Kickstarter

Meet Tuxie, The Cat Who Loves To Hike

Theft-Resistant Plug ‘Locks’ Bike Bolts With Magnet

Fighter Jet Heads-Up Display For Cycling Eyewear

Women Teaching Women: MTB Clinics Expand Nationwide

Rooftop Tent, High Routes, ‘Nozipp’ Sleeping Bag: GearJunkie Week In Review

‘The Runner’ Seeks Contestants For $1Million Race

One-Wheel ‘Honey Badger’ Hauls Heavy Loads Outdoors

‘Nozipp’ Sleeping Bag Closes With Magnets

A Bivouac For Minimalist Motorcycle Tours

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Jamaican Fishermen’s ‘Delicious Solution’ To Lionfish Invasion

Hoka Clayton Review: Speedy, Protective & Light

Sending It, Cross-Country Style