One suggestion is to get Outside Magazine's gear review edition. I seem to
remember that it comes out in the spring. It gives you a common language to
speak with the guy or gal at the outdoor store and gives you a real
education on key things to look for in whatever apparatus you're buying
(tent, stove, mattress, sleeping bag, water filter, etc..). Also, the issue
has a review of many of the mid-upper end camping/hiking products and could
help you refine your search by comparing size, cost, weight, and other key
variables that impact your choice.
Your local library probably carries Outside, so you should be able to find
the most recent gear guide in the archives.

Kyle, don't you mean BACKPACKER magazine?
I thought OUTSIDE changed it's format several years ago to more of a
travelog, fluff piece, yuppie monthly?

The link below is a good source for unbiased, real world use by ordinary
campers with a variety of experience.

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/