There are a number of REI stores in the Atlanta area. You can find them at www.rei.com . There will be a lot of great gear in the stores. Go to the biggest store, it will have more variety. A lot of the employees are knowledgable, ask them many have hiked the AT. But, the really important part is to get your pack fitted, put some weight in the pack and walk around, see how it feels. It's nice to be able to put your hands on the gear, weigh it, see how it works, etc.