Boulder Gear Lab

The Philosophy

The gear reviews and the data projects run on the same fuel: long exposure, honest measurement, and the willingness to publish what you actually found.

My approach to testing gear and analyzing data comes down to the same thing: putting in the actual miles. Whether I’m grinding up Colorado peaks, commuting through Front Range winters, or digging into a complex data problem, I don’t care about hype. I focus on spending time with the problem, measuring what matters, and delivering honest, evidence-based feedback.

John Tribbia

Data Scientist. Trail Runner. Cyclist. Outdoor Enthusiast.

I'm a Data Scientist and independent gear reviewer based in Boulder, Colorado. I'm a former sponsored athlete who never stopped logging miles or chasing hard problems.

Having spent years representing brands like La Sportiva, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon, I value being able to review gear without any industry strings attached. My data work runs on that same independence. I don't have a preferred outcome to protect, I just let the analysis speak for itself.

Two Worlds, One Lab

The “Lab” in Boulder Gear Lab is a mindset, not a room full of sensors. Both sides of this site run on the same discipline: spend real time with the subject, measure what matters, and report what you found.

The Data Science Side

I’m a Data Scientist with over 14 years of experience and 10+ years as a team lead. I hold a PhD in Sociology from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a focus on quantitative methods and research design. My Professional Resume provides a detailed overview of my past accomplishments as a data scientist.

The Data Projects section is where that work surfaces publicly. The articles cover original frameworks for evaluating AI agent behavior, statistical approaches to measuring model quality, and how AI adoption and infrastructure are distributed across the economy.

The Gear Testing Side

Over 100,000 miles logged across trails and roads, twenty years of competitive athletics, and sponsored stints with La Sportiva, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Those partnerships ended, and the independence that followed is not something I’d trade.

I’ve contributed to Runner’s World, Running Times, Triathlete Magazine, and Competitor Sports Magazine, and I’m a regular contributor to Road Trail Run, one of the most respected platforms in the industry. See my RTR reviews →

Outdoor Experience

Running & Cycling: 20+ years of competitive athletic experience, highlighted by a transition from junior mountain bike racing to sponsored trail running with multiple podium finishes on the global stage.

Bike and Outdoor Industry: 15+ years of direct outdoor industry experience, combining a decade of analytical consulting for brands like Backcountry with six years at University Bikes staying at the forefront of cycling technology.

Outdoor Foundation: Eagle Scout, NOLS graduate, Born + Raised + Living in Boulder, Colorado.

Let’s Connect

Interested in collaboration, have questions about a review, or want to discuss analytics? Reach out:

AI Usage

Ideas, analysis, and opinions are my own. Generative AI was used as an editor after the writing and analysis were complete — sentence restructuring and light copy-editing. The author reviewed all suggested changes.