I have not been on any trails to date but that is in my future. I didn't realize branches were such an issue. This makes me consider tying them up so they are available "should" I (or the wife) ever decide to use them. My only trail experience to date is taking the Jeep on Parson's Branch Road off of Cades Cove in TN. We also took a guided Jeep trail in TN and the guide made a wrong turn and took us on a horse trail. Good times!I ride with the wife and kids pretty much always, took my net off day one but always put down the rears for the kids and wife uses hers pretty often too. We ride a lot of tight brush trails so they do come in handy. You can always strap'm up outta the way..........my 2 cents