I have spent a fair amount of time in my 2f's and i think they're pretty multifunctional if you have the anti-balling thingie on it.  i even used them all winter on WI in Banff and didn't have any issues.  they go anywhere. and as for them coming apart as was addressed earlier, i kind of like that if i want to stash them in my pack like that.  takes up less space. 
I also have a pair of Light Machines that i use in the winter and they've served me well too.  love the clearance.  add the Liberty Leashes and it's a sweet system, in my opinion.   
  
I'm picking up an air tech racing axe this weekend because of it's light weight... 
that's my $.01