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Advantages of heavier weight sails.
   - stronger - good of higher winds
   - not as much stretch. - hold shape over longer time.

Disadvantages
   - do not have good shape in light winds - too stiff - weight pulls down (sag)
   - stiff when handling. my storm jib is like wrestling sheet metal.

Make sure your sail maker knows you are 100% cruising if that is the case. Looking for long life rather than top performance. Racers expect their sails to only last a few years until they are too stretched and sails blowing out are a normal thing.

I have 2  + 2 on my loose foot main. The top 2 battens are full length (leech to luff). The bottom 2 are traditional length. The top ones are not too long so you get the advantages to full battens without the handling problems that you would get with long battens like the lower ones if they were full length. But I am not sure of the complete story of the reasoning. I believe they are also now considered standard equipment. I am happy with mine.

He did not mention feet slipping but I have heard that is a problem. If the boat lurches and you are twisted to the side, then your outside foot could slide off. In any case you need a way to hold the core of your body close to the mast if it is moving. One problem with the folding steps is that on the outboard end there is only a small lip, not a full strap back up to the mast to hold your foot from slipping completely off like the triangle shaped straps do.  One option I have seen is having a few steps at the top of the mast only so you can stand comfortably once you get there by some other method. Or putting steps up to the spreaders only. This is usefull for half the jobs. Is a safer distance to fall. Adds weight down low only and allows you to quickly get up above the deck if you need to see around.

I have used climbing gear and you are right. It is a lot of work and uncomfortable. A friend has steps that fold away flush to the mast so they are not always sticking out waiting to catch things, but they are expensive and more weight aloft. Still need a safety line and climbers sliding line clip. I assume you are talking about solo climbing. A spinnaker halyard can always be used in place of a lost jib or main halyard until back in port. If you make it too easy to climb the mast you may go up more than absolutely necessary. A bad place to be.