Tents:  Many soloists struggle making the decision of their shelter.  Do you go ultra light, or opt for a heavier, more rugged model?  Do you go small or look for a roomier interior? It all boils down to personal preference, however there's a few key points to keep in mind.  Inclement weather is a fact of life.  If you're caught in a major storm and need to spend any measure of time tucked away in your shelter, you're going to want to be comfortable.  In this case, larger is better.  You'll be able to hang more clothes to dry and have more room to perform regular functions.  A vestibule large enough to cook a meal in is a big plus too.   In my experience a roomy 2-3 person, 3 pole, fully waterproofed tent with a closing vestibule is perfect.  It should weigh in between 6-10 pounds and setup and take-down quickly

 Tarps:  Some like to only carry a tarp or bring only their tent fly.  While this saves weight, you're won't be 100% waterproof and during the warm weather season that most of us paddle, you'll have to battle mosquitoes, black flies and other critters all night.

                                    Sleeping Pads:  The days of the old blue foam camping mat are gone.  Today's self-inflating models offer excellent warmth from the ground, are quite comfortable and pack down quite small.  If you're traveling only in the summer, look into a 3/4 length model.  These only cover the core and head area, leaving the legs exposed.  You'll save weight and space in your pack.  You should test a few models before you purchase.  There's many different thickness' on the market so find the one that offers you the best compromise of weight to comfort.