What is the best tent and backpack for backpacking for someone who is new to the whole hiking/camping?

It depends on how long you want to hike for, and how many people you want to go with. I normally go with three other people, in which case you want a small, four man tent. I know this sounds crazy, but if you only have one tent for the four of you, then you can travel lighter and cover more ground during the day. Also, the bigger the tent, the more air can fit in the tent, so on a really cold night, having too big of a tent would make it much colder inside! For a bag, I would start with a 60 bag, even though I started with an 80. You want to buy one proportionate to your size, weight, and physical ability. I'm not trying to insult your weight, its just a starting bag. If you tell your friends you have a huge bag, then your friends might try to give you more gear, causing back pain and stiffness. Starting with a 60 bag, you can better even out the load between friends, and it isn't too much bigger then carrying around a rather large school bag. This will work well for 2-3 day trips. so my advice is to check your local outdoors store and look for items along those lines! good luck! and happy camping/hiking!

You've received some really good responses. It all comes down to weight vs. cost. You can spend BIG money getting outfitted but if you're new to backpacking I would highly suggest reducing cost without sacrificing too much functionality. Best way to do that is to buy your gear online at the discount sites. That means doing your research and seeing what other users say about the products. My favorite for gear reviews is www.trailspace.com. They also list where products are available and price points. But don't rely on them only for your price search. But I've found that you can typically trust consumer reviews about gear. "We" don't tend to give bad information because it can prove to be a big problem on the trail. The smartest thing you can do is go to an gear store, like REI, and check things out you're interested in. And remember, you often DO get what you pay for when it comes to gear. The areas where you don't want price to be the big motivation is in your boots and pack. There is some wiggle room with tents and bags. Good luck and have fun.

Many people use tarps instead of tents. I just got one of these and it is everything promised. http://stores.thepathfinderschoolllc.com/-strse-318/The-Pathfinder-Tarp--fdsh-/Detail.bok As a tarp it can be set up in many configurations. As a poncho you can use a rope or bungee cord as a belt to prevent poncho from billowing. Multi-purpose and very cool.

I prefer a GoLite pack, use a 35 liter Jam pack for trips of 7 days or less during the summer, longer trips I carry a 50 liter Quest pack. Haven't used a tent for a couple of years. Use a tarp instead with my trekking poles serving as tent poles, during mosquito season I carry screen doors to provide bug protection. I just got back yesterday from a 25 mile 3 day trip in wintertime conditions using the 35 liter Jam.

I second the respondent who urged to contact REI. Whether you are a member or not, the free outdoor advisers will help you choose clothing, gear, activities, and destinations that are right for you. Everything from REI has a lifetime guarantee, so you can't go wrong. I once used a backpacking tent for a full season before I decided it was a terrible tent. REI offered me a 100% refund! I used the refund to buy a different tent, but that wasn't a requirement. I could have just pocketed the money. If you are a member, expect to receive a yearly cash dividend worth about 10% of your non-sale purchases. This can be a nice bonus for beginners who will be buying a lot of gear. There is no yearly fee; you pay once and are a member for life.

Both Gregory and Mountainsmith make nice internal frame backpacks in 50 to 60 liter sizes for women that fit and carry comfortably. I have a Gregory and love it. If they are too costly for you, the High Sierra brand makes nice economical packs. For tents, my personal favorites are Marmot, but other companies like Sierra Designs, North Face and REI also make good models for reasonable prices. In sleeping bags, I like Marmot for down and Kelty and Big Agnes for synthetics. Some of the companies make women's models of sleeping bags toom which are lighter and fit our body shape better, To a large extent the "best" gear is what fits your purpose and body and what suits your budget. Check Campmor's website for deals on all these brands I mentioned and for good comparision charts on the various specs and details of the products. Get the lightest and best quality you can afford.