"The right equipment enables you to have the best possible experience," said Hart.

Shopping for gear can be as tiring as the hike itself. An important thing to remember is how serious you are about hiking. The romantic vision of being self-sufficient in the untamed wilderness could end up leaving you penniless.

Hart suggests a good way to get started is to do your homework. Find out what's out there and how it stands up to the competition. Word of mouth is an excellent way to find out what type of equipment passes or fails the test. After all, you don't want to be the one warning others not to buy the terrible tent that you purchased!

Let the Internet be your gear guide. It is a great resource for comparing brand names and prices.

Think about how serious you are. If backpacking is something that you really love, spending the extra bucks will pay off down the trail.