Hi "mpm",
Forget about traditional backpacking gear. It's too heavy. Today's best gear is light. I've listed some below that I like and use.
Go to the "Backpacking Light" website and pay for a year's membership ($25. I think) so you can correspond with posters and read the full articles on gear. Look closely at the GEAR LISTS forum and ask questions but "filter" the answers with your BS detector. Some posters are "hammock only", "alcohol stove only" and "titanium mug/pot only" guys that are extremists and totally convinced they have THE answers.
When I moved to Nevada from Pennsylvania I had a 7.5 lb. Dana Designs Terraplane pack - a real heavy monster that I now use only for winter ski camping because of its large capacity for items like large winter sleeping bags, etc..
I'm on my 3rd and best UL pack, an Osprey EXOS 58. It's the most comfortable pack I've ever used but it's best at 30 lb. or less. You should aim for 25 lb. with 2 qt. H2O and 4 days of food. It's entirely possible to go lower. (Stay away from frameless packs, they are for loads of less than 15 lbs. and even then are uncomfortable.)
Look at Tarptent for tents. They have a lot of models. My favorite is my solo Moment DW with a ripstop/mesh inner and optional crossing pole for winter and/or high winds. The lightest solo tent that I think is good for most conditions is a Six Moon Designs Skyscape X, made of Cuben fiber material used in racing sails. Very expensive but very light and strong. If you want one get your order in NOW for early summer delivery. I recommend Tarptent for your 1st tent. Made in USA and have excellent quality and customer service.
Western Mountaineering has the very best light down bags. I have the 30 F. Megalite, overstuffed at the factory to go down to 20 F.. It's wide enough that I can wear my down puffy light jacket inside for extra warmth. But LL Bean has some real bargains in 3 season down bags and light down jackets. My -20 F. down winter bag is from LL Bean and it is a great bag, especially for the money. LL Bean has their top level down treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellant) called "Dry Down". Good stuff that keeps moisture off the down and lets it dry 50% faster than untreated down.
My Thermarest ProLite foam filled air mattress is good for 3 seasons but many like the newer Big Agnes tube air mattresses too.
Get a canister-top stove like an MSR Pocket Rocket. Get a folding 3 leg canister stand too. Look around for the best canister top stove. The Pocket Rocket is OK but others may suit you better.
Buy Katadyn chlorine dioxide water purification tablets. They kill even viruses but take 45 min. to work. Stay away from other non chlorine dioxide tablets like Aqua Pur or Halazone. Get a Steripen UV water sterilizer and stay away from water filters except for small coffee filters to keep out bugs and small children. ;o) Carry both a Steripen and the Katadyn tablets. Tablets for your hydration bladder and Steripen for refilling your bike bottle (that contains an electrolyte mix like CytoMax).
I like US made Princeton Tec LED headlamps. A small one will do for 3 season use.
I like Merrill Moab hiking shoes and GTX Moab mid boots. You may like other brands. Fit is extremely important. Always buy one width wider than your street shoe B/C your feet WILL widen after one day carrying a pack. Blisters between your toes are agonizing. (Don't ask...)
REI carries heat mouldable insoles. Put 'em in the oven at 200 F. for 10 min. then in your shoes, lace 'em up and stand still for 5 minutes so they form to your feet. Get the thinnest pair available. These insoles will prevent almost all blisters. They are amazing.
BTW, join REI. You get a 10% refund on all non-sale purchases at the end of the year.
Good luck and stay in touch here on LRH.
Eric B.
