Useful Links for Backpacking and Lightweight Backpacking
Personally I recommend the following companies and websites for your Backpacking needs.
Backpacks
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=25
Mountain Laurel Designs are an excellent choice if you can keep your weight down to 25lbs or less.
http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/dyneema.shtml
ZPacks are custom made to your desires by Joe. These are superb Ultra Lightweight Packs, but again may become uncomfortable with weights of over 25lbs.
http://gossamergear.com/packs.html
Gossamer Gear are very friendly and aim to be as helpful as possible. Slightly higher carry-weight of up to 30lbs or even 35lb on the Gorilla.
http://www.ula-equipment.com/packoverview.asp
ULA Equipment are a great choice for people who are still going to carry some extra weight and like the comforts that just won't fit nicely into other bags. Weights up to 40lbs.
https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs.html
Six Moons have some great middle-line packs that cater for Lightweight or those transitioning down from normal Backpacking.
Sleeping Bags
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=products&page=Sleeping-Bags
Western Mountaineering are the only sleeping bags that consistently get great ratings from people who actually spend a lot of real time in their bags, as opposed to the occasional outing.
Clothing
http://www.bambooclothing.co.uk/
Bambo clothing is amazing. It stays cool in heat, warm in cold and is extremely comfortable, but most importantly, it takes moisture away from your body while also keeping the clothes smelling fresh. Since I'd heard such bold claims about bamboo clothing I tested them out myself. I wore one of their t-shirts everyday for 10 days in the summer and not once did it smell bad. I only felt compelled to wash it because I'd gotten it rather gruby! Perfect for smelly backpacks.
http://www.rab.uk.com/
Rab make some of the best insulating layers and coats. Their ability to move the moisture away from your body, through the layer and out is second to none. There's even a guy who lives in the North Pole who has three of Rab's coats. When it gets colder he just puts another on and another, and still the coats take the sweat away, through all three coats!
http://www.theomm.com
OMM products, specifically the Kamleika clothing, are waterproof to a whole new level.
http://www.gore-tex.com/
The classic suppliers of all types of outdoor clothing. Expensive, but worth every penny!
General Info
http://www.ultralightbackpackingonline.info/index.htm
This site gives you a huge comprehensive list of many items you may or will need if you're going backpacking or intend to try Lightweight Backpacking. With reviews on Backpacks, how to pack, what food take and how much. It is an essential look-through guide.
http://www.backpacking.net/27-pound.html
This site will also help with similar issues of food, pack list and weight options.
http://www.adventurealan.com/index.html
Adventure Alan's site is great for those trying to switch from regular backpacking to Lightweight or even Ultra Lightweight. He went from a starting weight of 55lbs to just 15lbs nowadays.
http://www.rayjardine.com/
Ray Jardine is a highly experienced backpacker. If you want to know what people who really spend their time doing this stuff, these are the sites to look at.
http://newzealandtikitour.blogspot.com/
This is blogspot for a couple who have already walked the Te Araroa.
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Cook%20Gear/Stoves/
This is a review site for camping stoves.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/frameless_pack_review_summary.html
A reasonable framless backpack summary
http://www.geartalkwithjasonklass.com/
Jason Klass is a highly experienced backpacker with a wealth of knowledge regarding equipment. He's a very friendly guy who welcomes questions!
http://www.freewebs.com/jasonklass/ Also Jason Klass.