The field testers, brewers, and storytellers behind every Ridgebrew article and product.
Every product we sell is field-tested. Every recipe is barista-vetted. Every photograph is shot on the trail. Below are the three editors who lead the work — backed by collectively over 50 years of outdoor and specialty coffee experience. We name them because we believe in the journalistic standard that gear advice should come from real people with track records you can verify.
Marcus Wren
Senior Editor & Field Tester
AT (Appalachian Trail) thru-hiker 2018 · 12,000+ trail miles · former REI gear specialist (2014-2019)
Marcus Wren spent five seasons as a REI gear specialist before completing his AT thru-hike in 2018, then logged another 8,000 miles across the PCT and CDT segments. His writing for Ridgebrew focuses on field-tested gear assessment, ultralight setup philosophy, and trip planning math. Marcus reviews every new product Ridgebrew launches against a 4-week real-trail standard. He grinds his beans at every camp — never pre-ground.
Areas of expertise: Backpacking gear, Ultralight philosophy, Thru-hiking nutrition, Pour-over technique
Naomi Kaur
Coffee Specialist & Brewing Educator
Q Arabica Grader (CQI certified) · 8 years specialty café operations · former Verve Coffee head trainer
Naomi Kaur earned her Q Arabica Grader certification through CQI in 2019 after seven years rising through specialty café operations, including three years as head trainer at Verve Coffee. She owns and maintains a vintage 1972 Faema espresso machine at home. At Ridgebrew, Naomi designs the brewing recipes, ratio calculators, and roast-to-method matching guidance you'll find across our journal. She believes camp coffee should be as deliberate as café coffee — just simpler.
Areas of expertise: SCA brewing standards, Roast-to-method pairing, Origin character, Cold brew chemistry
Elias Tornes started shooting on a borrowed film camera during his first PCT section in 2014 and never stopped. His work has appeared in Backpacker, Outside, and Patagonia's catalog. With 50+ alpine ascents under his belt — including Denali, Aconcagua, and the full Sierra High Route — Elias brings authentic outdoor visual storytelling to every Ridgebrew piece. He carries a percolator and a 35mm prime lens on every trip, and considers them equally essential.
Areas of expertise: Editorial outdoor photography, Alpine documentation, Brand visual identity, Vintage outdoor aesthetic
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