My first tours were with fifty plus pound loads. My last tour was was under 15 pounds. I would not be touring any more if I had to carry much more than 20 pounds.

Over many seasons of increasingly light weight camping, I got my load to fit easily in two light rear panniers on a light aluminum rack. No handlebar bag either.

My frame of reference changed when I learned to pack for a bike trip, not a camping trip, If it doesn't support the biking, it doesn't come along. If you like camping more than I do, disregard all this.