It comes down to taste. I mostly commute and this year I bought a Charge Plug from Performance Bicycles. It was a special package for Performance and kinda slots between the Plug 3 and plug 4. I call it a semi-tourer because it's a longer wheelbase than my roadbike, but not quite as long as an LHT or Vaya. It's also a little lighter than a typical steel touring bike, but still steel. My wish was for a steel frame with a longer wheelbase and relaxed geometry for more self-steering, more stability, and less twitchyness than my road bike or my MTB-based commuter. Mission accomplished! However, I still like to occasionally ride on the roadbike when its dry because it's nimble. And the MTB-based commuter is more solid and is more adept at curbs, potholes and unpaved loose stuff, but still quicker to maneuver due to its quick steering. You can almost always add racks and fenders to bikes not designed for them, so it comes down to taste. A traditional touring bike will be more comfortable and less twitchy than a road bike while a cross or gravel bike may be just as sturdy as a tourer, but lighter, more responsive and most likely more sporty.