Dylan Heyden

Title: Contributing Writer

Email: heyden.dylan@gmail.com

Location: Westminster, CA

Pronouns: He, his

Expertise

• Topics of Expertise: Surfing, Snowboarding, Climbing, Hiking, Camping, Road & Trail Running
• Years in This Expertise: 9+
• Number Of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: 300+ products, 3,000+ hours

Experience

Dylan’s guiding question for every major life decision has always been: “How far will I be from surf or snow?” And it’s never steered him wrong.

Growing up in Huntington Beach, CA, Dylan’s first love was skateboarding – but by college surfing and snowboarding took over. Mostly because water and powder tend to be more forgiving than concrete and coping during slams.

After graduating from the University of San Diego with degrees in International Relations and Spanish, Dylan interned at The Inertia for a spell before making the leap to attend grad school in New York, where he earned a master’s degree in International Relations. 

Tired of slushy headaches and 5/4/3 wetsuits in the winter, Dylan settled back in California in 2016 where he joined the ranks of The Inertia as Associate Editor until 2020. During his nearly four years on staff full-time, Dylan was able to live out some truly unforgettable experiences – from getting to split waves at the Surf Ranch with fellow pencil pushers to shacking up in an Airbnb on the North Shore with the rest of The Inertia crew trying to get work done between idyllic surfs. While at The Inertia, Dylan also developed a budding interest in splitboarding and continues to get out in the backcountry as often as he can.

Dylan currently serves as a contributing writer, testing the world’s best gear in the surf and snow whenever he’s not chasing around his two kids, Rylee and Jaxson.

Career Highlights

• Covering the push for equal prize money in women’s professional surfing
• Splitting waves at Surf Ranch
• Hopping around to and writing about Southern Utah and Ogden’s numerous and unique ski resorts
• First Half Marathon in 2023

Education & Certifications

• Education: M.A. International Relations, New York University (2016)
• B.A. International Relations & Spanish, University of San Diego (2013)
• Years of Writing: 10+
• Certifications: AIARE I (2022)

A Word From Dylan

As a freelance gear tester and reviewer for The Inertia, I love to plug new exciting products into my everyday rhythm of getting outside, recreating in the ocean or up in the mountains. I believe that good gear should at the very least go unnoticed (don’t get me started on a wet pair of socks on the ski hill) but at best enhance our ability to do what we already love to do. I enjoy trying to look out for the best gear for readers to pick up at their local shop not just because I’m a gear nerd but because I myself depend on gear that lasts and that won’t sour an adventure – especially as a dad where big ambitious trips take a bit more planning and consideration.