Before we start, my usual disclaimers:
Just because it worked (or didn't work) for me doesn't mean it will (or will not) work for you. Only you can decide what will work for you. This goes, not only for this web page but for everything you read about backpacking. To paraphrase Collin Fletcher, "Try everything, keep what works, throw out the rest"
After my A.T. Hike I did buy some new equipment for future hikes: