Here is a list and links to the gear that we have purchased for touring:

The things I consider before purchasing anything listed by priority are:

Is this necessary?

Does this fullfill the need?

Which one is the best value for my money?

• We purchased our touring bikes from GNO Cyclery in New Orleans. We choseCannondale T2000's. We felt that if fully met our needs and was the best value for our money. It is the best bike that I have ever owned. It shifts like a dream and handles weight very well. I am a small person and sometimes the loaded weight throws me off balance when starting, but once started the weight is barely noticable. We added fenders, flashers, an extra bottle cage and a front rack. The back rack is very sturdy. Also I really like the way the Brooks saddle looks and feels.
  

• REI panniers (back, front and handle bar bags)
  

• Marmot Trestles 15 synthetic sleeping bags
  

• A small one burner Coleman stove I know this isn't a fancy feather weight stove, but I really liked it. I liked the sturdy feel of it. Since I do not intend to use it in any really extreme conditions I think it will suit me best. I share the weight with my husband so the extra weight isn't as big an issue.
  

• MSR Zoid 2 tent It really is a small tent and my husbands tossing, combined with my nervous alert nature, (I'm working on that) keeps me awake. My husband thought that the long tent we had already would hang over to much when strapped down. So we bought the Zoid. We also shaved off a considerable amount of weight with the new tent. I need to improve my campsite finding skills as well. Tips anyone?!

• Hard Anodized Extreme Non-Stick 5 piece cookset We really haven't used yet. We ate MREs on our last tour after Hurricane Katrina (thanks National Guard and Uncle Sam, They actually are pretty good). Byron did cook a pot of beans and rice in them that turned out wonderful.
  

• Brunton Solarport 4.4 (for charging cell phones etc.) We have not needed this yet, but plan to use it on our Natchez tour.
  

• MicroNet Brand Microfiber Outdoor & Travel Towels (the absolute softest I have found)
  

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