Weight matters and LESS IS better. However, for me the tour determines the how much I carry. I have two gear lists one is my ultralight (base weight = 14.38 lbs) and the other my full-on long tour list (base = 35.52 lbs). My ultralight is for tours of a few days with temps down to 50F. The long tour is for 1 month or longer and can handle down to 20F degrees. I tweek the list based on the particular circumstance.

Base Weight = All gear including panniers. IT EXCLUDES the one set of clothes I generally ride in (shorts/t-shirt/sandals/helmet) , food and water.