A lot has changed since I started the AT in 2015 and didn't bother to bring a tent to Springer Mountain. With two trails under my belt, I have a pretty good idea of what I wanted my gear list to look like. It's all a personal balance between need/want, durability/weight and risk tolerance. I have hiked with many other people and none of them carried the exact same gear. With all of the various gear setups I have seen, I have learned a lot from other hikers and adapted my system to some novel ideas.
My base weight is 14 lbs. Its heavier than I want it to be, but it's all a balance. I could probably shave about 2 lbs off my base weight if I got a new backpack and tent and made a few other adjustments but I didn't want to spend any more money on gear I already had; and I know that the backpack and tent are both trail tested. There is other gear I carry that I know is an ounce heavier than another item on the market and that ounces lead to pounds and pounds lead to pain; but again I’m a cheap bastard and hate buying new gear that I already own… so until it breaks I’ll stick to what I got.
Someone once told me the lightest gear you carry is the gear you don't bring. This again all comes down to personal preference but I have learned that I don't need hot food on the trail so I don't bring a stove, I never found a true need for camp shoes. I keep a very small first aid and gear repair kit, because tape can basically fix all my gear and most anything I do to myself. My clothes are versatile and should work well in the desert and in the mountains. I am picking up an ice axe, spikes and waterproof socks for Colorado, but besides that I am planning on using the same gear for the entire hike.
I always throw out the disclaimer that the gear is not what allows you to succeed or fail on the trail (whatever success or failure means to you). I have seen people with heavy packs stroll by me and I have seen ultra-light backpackers get knocked off the trail. I certainly am not advocating carrying everything but the kitchen sink on your back and would really take a good look at my setup if my base weight got too much higher; as there is no need to put your body through that amount of additional stress which could ultimately injure you, but being obsessed with every gram isn't necessary to finish a long trail.