I also went with the n-fab after looking at other options, including aluminess. I liked the fact that the main tube tucked up closer to the body and only the steps bumped out/down slightly vs. the entire tube on the aluminess hangs lower with a sizable gap between the body and the tube, I wanted something with the lowest profile as I had whacked my previous hoop steps on rocks a few too many times. While I like the n-fabs, and I've never whacked them on rocks, they attach to the pinch weld, as do the aluminess I believe, and neither are rock sliders or designed to take bigger hits. If I were to do it over, and I might one day, I'd have Boulder Off Road build me a set of rails with low profile steps, they frame mount them and are designed to take a hit.