I think the overriding issue should be what shoes you like to wear. I do a lot of climbing, but since I usually go for hike after the climb I like to wear walking shoes. So flat pedals are my choice. The rest of my riding usually includes some kind of walking around, shopping or visiting. (I ride almost everywhere I go when I'm not walking.)
I used clipless for a decade or so late in the last century and early in this one. Messing around with another pair of shoes just wasn't worth the nominal gain of the clipless system. When my first pair of shoes with cleats wore out, I didn't want to replace them. I really couldn't notice a difference when I switched back to flats.
Certainly for XC touring, flats are excellent. Touring, at least my style, includes a lot of walking, visiting small-town museums etc.
If you like a little more stiffness in your walking shoes, you can add an insert like Superfeet.
Last edited by andrewclaus; 06-05-22 at 06:32 AM.