When I first started buying gear I bought what was on sale instead of doing my proper research. Before you know it your gear is either poor quality, over weight or just not suited for your needs.
So off the top of my head; REI synthetic sleeping bag and an MSR tent.
Since you are buying all new gear, I would definitely try to go as ultra lite as possible. The benifit of some ultra light gear is that they tend to be more waterproof due the materials they use (dyneema or xpac)
Here are a few brands you should check out.
-Kifaru - Great modular packs and...
I believe Hill People Gear is made in the USA. I'm not sure about all of the components and buckles though.
I do know that their customer service is top notch.
Trekking poles are amazing and in my opinion it's a piece of gear you should always carry. They really help balance out the weight and spread the fatigue your body feels.
Another great thing about trekking poles is that they can be part of your sleep system if include a tarp and guide lines.
I have read many reviews that claim that the 66i has a lot of bugs and that the UI is not very intuitive. Can any owners of the 66i chime in and give me their thoughts?