26 inch wheels are harsher than 700 wheels. Tires are a big difference, so I get that, but you can't really say "in any width"
Of the options you mentions an LHT 26 sounds the best. The Nashbar stuff is OK, and they make some cool things. But there is also, always something wacky. The people who design their touring bikes and cyclo cross bikes, seem not to have the full memo, and may come at it from too much of a cheap MTB perspective.