Are there mechanical advantages and disadvantages of various front derailleur styles? In general there are:


High clamp
Low clamp
Braze on
Top pull
Bottom pull  


And in particular, is any of those better choice regarding reliability and durability for touring bicycle.
Touring → fenders. So, you need enough space for the rear fender. That's why a bottom-pull design is preferred.
Most of the touring bikes designed to use this type of derailleurs.
About high clamp/low clamp/braze on — this is frame-specific.