After 15 years of touring, I've learned one thing: you always pack too much on your first trip and too little by your fifth. The sweet spot is somewhere in between.
The Essentials
Riding Gear: Your helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots are non-negotiable. Everything else is a luxury. I ride with a modular helmet (Shoei Neotec II) because I like talking to people at fuel stops without looking like a spaceman.
Layers: Three thin layers beat one thick layer every time. A merino base layer, a fleece mid-layer, and your riding jacket on top will handle anything from desert heat to highland rain.
Rain Gear: It will rain. Accept this now. A good set of over-trousers and a neck gaiter will save your tour.
The Tech
A phone mount, a USB charger, and a small power bank. That's it. Leave the laptop at home. You're here to ride, not to work.
The Mistake Everyone Makes
Packing "just in case" items. That extra pair of jeans, those dress shoes for a "nice dinner." You won't use them. Pack for the ride, not for the hotel.
My Rule
If it doesn't fit in two panniers and a tail bag, it doesn't come.
