All excellent answers. Consider: is touring going to be my 'thing?' The problem is you won't know 'til you do it. The LHT has good resale value. Safe bet just in case the touring bug doesn't stay with you long. Same goes for Ortlieb panniers. Yeah, you'll lose some money if sold, but you'll have 'rented' the best.

I started out cheap, couldn't cure the bug, and have since invested a lot. Wish I'd done it the other way. Live and learn.