I like the idea that form follows function.

Short hikes out and back in less than a day: I am wearing my EDC augmented with a larger PFAK and PSK. I am carrying a small dayback holding a could litres of water, snacks, lunch, folding knife, cord, fire-starter and artifical tinder, and if weather threatens, lightweight rainsuit. I almost always use a hiking staff. I guess this load is more than 5 but less than 10 pounds.

1 - 2 overnights of just hiking and sightseeing: I am wearing my EDC augmented with a larger PFAK and PSK. I am carrying my BOB, plus hiking staff. Probably 25 pounds plus another 8 pounds [1 gallon] of water.

More than 2 overnights: I am wearing my EDC augmented with a larger PFAK and PSK. I am carrying my BOB, including one gallon of water, more food, one more change of clothes, laundry supplies, some sports and comfort gear. Up to 40 pounds on day one, diminishing as food and water are consumed.

Too much? Not so far for my purposes. Every test of my BOB helps my morale, preparedness, physical readiness, and confidence. I tend to hike to "base camps" and then both dayhike from camp and spend "idle" days enjoying the immediate area of "base camp." I do not through-hike just to cover the territory and sightsee, because I am fishing, tracking animals, identifying / foraging useful and edible plants / fungi, or doingother outdoor foraging type stuff.