Live Like You Want It

inspiring active outdoor lifestyles

 

Discover the optimal frequency for hiking breaks! Learn hiking tips on pacing, trail snacks, and listening to your body to prevent fatigue on long hikes.

  •  10/08/2025 06:00 AM

Prevent back and knee pain on long hikes! Learn hiking tips for trekking poles, proper backpack fit, and stretching to keep you pain-free on the trail.

  •  10/04/2025 06:00 AM

Pack your backpack like a pro hiker! Get essential packing tips and master the Ten Essentials for a lighter, safer, and more enjoyable hiking or backpacking trip.

  •  09/30/2025 06:00 AM

Stop feeling exhausted on the trail! Get essential hiking tips on pacing, hydration, and nutrition to prevent hiking fatigue and enjoy your long hikes and outdoor adventures.

  •  09/26/2025 06:00 AM

Maximize your backpacking experience as an older hiker! Get expert hiking tips on lightweight gear, smart pacing, and proper nutrition for safe and comfortable outdoor adventures as you age.

  •  09/22/2025 06:00 AM

Learn essential hiking hygiene and gear care tips for backpackers and campers. Master how to stay clean on the trail and properly clean hiking equipment after your outdoor adventures.

  •  09/18/2025 06:00 AM

Discover the best camping food for older hikers! Get healthy hiking meal ideas, from backpacking meals to easy camp cooking recipes, to fuel your outdoor adventures and boost recovery.

  •  09/14/2025 06:00 AM

Gear Discounts

Time Limited

Backcountry  flash sale - up to 70% off - ends 8 Oct

Business Connect (savings on water filters and purification solutions) deals on Amazon - up to 30% off ends 8 Oct

AMAZON  Prime days  7-8 Oct

Darn Tough - free shipping on all orders - 2 days only - 7-8 Oct

Flextail - up to 15% off with this code: ULElectricGear15 and this link!  until 15 Oct

Outdoor Research FREE shipping on all orders with this code: FREESHIPOCT until 31 Oct

Backcountry - save up to 40% off fall styles until 1 Nov

Perpetual

Impetro Gear - 10% off your order - use coupon code: David10

Hilltop Packs - get 10% off your order with this link and special coupon code: SAVEWITHDOE

MHPowos - Get 10% off on portable solar panels with this link and use Coupon Code: DavidA10!

FitVille Hiking Shoes - Get 28% off using discount code: DavidA28 for all items on these region-specific links: US Customers, UK Customers, and EU Customers. They also offer a 25% discount on first time orders for new customers. Shop here - or on Amazon (website discounts don't apply on Amazon). 

RecPak first orders get 20% off. Free shipping for orders over $50! Start here for great tasting, ultralight, nutrition-packed meal replacements for the adventurer!

TrustFire's has a full lineup of lighting products for home and adventurers. To automatically get a 10% discount on your order, start here. Or you can enter discount code: DavidOnEarth during checkout to get 10% off your entire order.

Silverlight has amazing silver threaded socks and other fine outdoor clothing. They will give you 10% off your total order by using this link or by entering davidonearth10 during checkout.

HoverAir X1 self-flying camera - $15 off using this code: 15HOVERAIR and this link

Black Diamond has free shipping on order $99+

Nemo orders over $100 ship free!

Outdoor Research has free shipping on orders $99+ (and easy returns)

Sea to Summit save 10% off your first purchase with code: FIRSTSUMMIT

Vargo Outdoors - 15% off your first order after email list signup

Vargo Outdoors free shipping on orders over $49

Darn Tough Vermont free shipping on orders $50+

Software Discounts

Dehancer is a leading film emulation software created by enthusiasts and scientists to provide a truly cinematic look to digital videos and photos. With over 60 realistic photographic and movie film profiles and nearly unlimited settings, anyone with even an elementary level experience can up your game to do amazing production work that was previously unavailable at this price point. Do yourself a favor and check this out. Use my promotion code (DavidonEarth) at checkout to get 10% off your purchase (not applicable for the IOS app subscription).

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, David on Earth will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Your participation is a great way to support our continued content.

CNOC Vesica Collapsible Water Bottle

CNOC Vesica Collapsible Water Bottle

CNOC Vesica's eco-friendly, collapsible water bottle has pros and cons. Learn if this alternative to disposable plastic is right for your next hike.

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Adotec Ultralight Food Locker Review

Adotec Ultralight Food Locker Review

Looking for a certified bear resistant food storage bag? Maybe Adotek has what you've been looking for.

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SUNNYBAG Portable Solar Panels - Tested and Reviewed

SUNNYBAG Portable Solar Panels - Tested and Reviewed

Hikers and backpackers require durable and reliable gear and enough power to keep our devices charged; it's a matter of safety. Let's see if these solar panels will do the job.

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MHPowows 40W Solar Panel Review

MHPowows 40W Solar Panel Review

This review takes you through the specs and testing of MHPowos 40W solar panel, providing you specific test results and insights into the practical use of potentially endless power while on trail.

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Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Down Topquilt

Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Down Topquilt

Looking for a quality down topquilt. Here's one I've used for several years now.

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Does Fire Maple Have the Perfect Ultralight Stove Kit?

Does Fire Maple Have the Perfect Ultralight Stove Kit?

Looking for the perfect ultralight stove kit? Weight, fuel efficiency, features - it may be that Fire Maple has hit the target. Check out this review.

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Darn Tough or Silverlight Hiking Socks? Who wins?

Darn Tough or Silverlight Hiking Socks? Who wins?

Darn Tough socks have been a thru-hiker standard for some time, but a new competitor is challenging that standing. Find out what Silverlight has to offer.

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RecPak Meal Replacement Review

RecPak Meal Replacement Review

Our bodies crave proper nutrition, especially on those long hard days on trail. Could RecPak be the answer to battle things like hiker hunger? Take a look at this review.

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Durston Kakwa 40 Backpack Review

Durston Kakwa 40 Backpack Review

Durston gear has been very successful. But does the Kakwa 40 measure up to the standard? Here's my review after a couple years of use.

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Nemo Fillo Pillow Review

Nemo Fillo Pillow Review

In this review we look at the Nemo Fillo Pillow, providing valuable insights into the comfort, design, and practicality of the Nemo Fillo Pillow, outlining its key features and user experiences.

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Kahtoola Instagaiters Ultra-Light Ankle Gaiter

Kahtoola Instagaiters Ultra-Light Ankle Gaiter

The Kahtoola Instagaiters Ultra-Light Ankle Gaiter is a lightweight and durable accessory designed to protect your ankles and shoes from debris, water, and mud during outdoor activities. Made with high-quality materials, this gaiter ensures comfort and performance for hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts.

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Membrane Solutions Straw Water Filters

Membrane Solutions Straw Water Filters

Find out the benefits of using membrane solutions straw water filters for outdoor activities.

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About image
The good life starts with being present and living with purpose.
We should all follow the path that makes our life meaningful and affirms our 'why' in body, mind, and spirit.

Hi, I'm David Ashley. I've adopted the name "David on Earth" as a trail name, the less formal identity that accompanies me on every adventure out in the wilds of nature.

A little about me: I've been happily married for all my adult life to the same wonderful woman.
She gave me two beautiful girls who blessed me with four grandchildren, who again blessed me with two great-grandsons.

I live in Colorado, but I've lived throughout the midwestern United States and traveled the world for 20 years when I was in the United States Air Force, and then some afterwards. I am now fully retired from the 9-5 life, spending a good amount of my time encouraging active outdoor lifestyles. 

I've logged thousands of trail miles over the years. In 2018 I hiked the 500-mile Colorado Trail. I've hiked nearly 400 miles of the Arizona Trail. I hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail in California and Nevada. I've also hiked trails in Texas, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Michigan. God willing, as long as I can move, I intend on adding to this list of places.

On this website I am attempting to be helpful to those who want more of the good life. The blog with insight and tips, gear reviews of my favorite gear, an updated list of gear discounts and deals, my affiliate partner list, and my gear list is all packed in here. It's all leaning a bit toward my generation, but younger folks will also find what I do here to be helpful.

I hope you enjoy this website and my YouTube channel. You can also find me on Instagram. I'd love to hear from you by commenting in the blog on this site or via YouTube or Instagram.

You Can Help
How can this work? Creating content and maintaining a website is more than a casual hobby; it takes an incredible amount of time and effort. Now, I'm happy to do this; I enjoy it. BUT it is not free - it's actually a bit costly. Camera gear, software, travel expenses, hiking gear, etc. etc. I couldn't do this without help. This is where you come in. You can help keep this going by using the links provided on our Affiliate Partners page, banners in the blog articles, and links on my Gear List pages. Every time you click on those links and buy great gear from these companies, I get a tiny little kick back (at no cost to you). It all adds up and helps close the financial gap, allowing all this to continue. I'd like to do this for a long time and I believe you would like to continue getting increased value from what I'm able to create for you - so, I'll say please and thank you in advance for your generous support!

You can also support this work by becoming a patron at my Patreon page. (or you can join for free) This is where I post content that cannot be found anywhere else. Like my Thoughts-of-the-Week video podcast, planning spreadsheet templates, detailed trip reports, a copy of my Colorado Trail e-book, and early access to all YouTube videos (ad free!).  Again, I'll thank you in advance of your incredible support!

Now, stop reading this and go live like you want it! I'll see you on the trail!




Disclosure: Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, David on Earth will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Your participation is a great way to support our continued content.