What are you looking at? I'm not an expert but enjoy looking at gear. I like my bigger bag but will probably pick up a new smaller daypack.
Tent: Six Moon Lunar Solo. Holy shit that's a lot of tent for how light it is. Too bad I can't order it for another month. Pack: I'm going to get fitted for one in the next couple of weeks and take it from there, but the obvious choices seem to be Osprey, Gregory, or Salomon. Somewhere on the order of 45L - 55L is what I'm looking for. Just bought another pair of running shoes (same pair I currently have, because I love them), and need a new pair of hiking boots. Or rather, will by mid-season less I want more knee problems.
24 oz for a tent! That's awesome! I have the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1, one of the lightest tents, and it's a full ten ounces heavier! That's significant. I have an Osprey Atmos 50AG, and it's awesome. I carried it up and over Algonquin, on to Iroquois and down to Lake Colden one day. I learned: set up camp somewhere lower and do day trips to summits. I also learned that even at the point of total exhaustion, this bag didn't hurt my shoulders or back. Like you said, Osprey is an obvious choice (I followed the crowds), but they're one of the obvious ones for good reasons. Do you do any trail running? I haven't but have been thinking about trying it this summer. I think it might be a good middle ground between street running and hiking. What are your thoughts on sleeping pads? I have one, and it's comfortable enough, but it seems really bulky.
I'm making a very poor decision and running the Soaring Eagle 10k in preparation for a half-marathon I am running. It will be the second trail race I've done, every Saturday I do a 5k that's half trail, half paved. A full on trail race is a bit different of a beast, especially out here where 500-600 ft of elevation gain is a "light" trail run. Sleeping pads I like! It's good to have a firm, even base to sleep on instead of having a sleeping bag conforming to whatever kind of ground you may be on, and it also acts as insulation between your sleeping bag and the ground, as AnSionnachRua mentioned. It's good for my mental and physical health on weekend trips.
This gear talk makes me really want to go on a long walk. On sleepy pads, don't you think they're essentially for blocking out the cold coming up from the ground?
Good point! They make up for the sleeping bag getting flattened under body weight. I think the comfort aspect is important, too, as good rest can make a hike more enjoyable and more productive.