Here are some of the main items of backpacking gear we currently use.
Gossamer Gear specs (medium pack):-
The 40l capacity includes the large stretch mesh back pocket, side pockets and hip-belt pockets, giving the impression that the main body must be as small as a daypack, but it is illusory. All I can say is that some 40ls are bigger than others!. This very light pack seems cavernous and is ideal for all solo trips outside winter.
Provided the weight is kept down to around the 10kg to 11kg mark as recommended, the metal stay system works well and the close-fitting pack is highly stable and comfortable.
The Gorilla passes my two crucial pack tests: 1) Whilst walking I can stash and retrieve a water bottle very easily from the side pocket and 2) The hip-belt pockets are roomy enough to take my Sony RX100-Mk3 compact camera without pressure.
We also have the Gossamer Gear Silverback 55l that is used for joint trips, weight 1010g.
Big Agnes Specs for UL1 (2014 model) as supplied:-
The UL1 is my solo tent and the HV-UL2 is for joint trips. These superb tents are incredibly simple to pitch, the only aspect that bothered us was the extremely thin HH1200 20D groundsheets. Remembering some of our very rough pitches over the years, we replaced them with tougher HH5000 groundsheets that gave complete confidence but kept the weight low. The weights of the modded versions including tent bags but excluding pegs are:-
Lightwave Specs for Firelight 250 / 350 / 650
These bags are superb and ooze quality, packing a great deal of 900 fill-power warmth into a low weight. The lightweight zips run along the top edge of the bag and are very easy and smooth to open and close, the best we've ever seen.
Thermarest Specs for NeoAir 168cm XLite
Thermarest Specs for NeoAir Xtherm Regular
The following articles are very dated now but the general observations may be of value.