I know a lot of good touring bikes use bar-ends for some good reasons (more basic than integrated shifters, so less likely to malfunction and easier to repair if they do, even in Timbuktu).

However, the convenience of the STI shifters on my road bike makes me a safer rider than in my downtube days, now having shifting and braking *right there* to bail me out in dicey last-second situations.

I've never ridden bar-ends (yet).
How do experienced tourers feel about the safety and convenience of use, including braking (especially if no third-world touring is planned)?

TIA.