Lou, I have smashed the nose into the bottom 4 times and it has not even got a scratch...... my mates stock ski is a mess with the nose completely coming off, the foot holds are OK but kind of get in the way, it is your choice if you run them over the old rickters as i believe for the flat they are great, one thing i have to say is the pole is still going strong......and looks like it will hold up fine.....the padding on the side sergio is aware of this and is using a harder compound, i do not do hood tricks or stand on the rail so i have no real complaints, they do act as a good bumper when you leave your ski near outher ones. cheers