Been a quite a while but the 4 trays came in handy for sorting out the hatch from spinners to duns & nymphs which was great if only a few different hook sizes were needed for each pattern. Didn't seem to have to have any contortionist moves to avoid the boxes unless it was on a very tight overgrown creek. Not much difference between the metal or plastic outside of hemostats drumming from swinging other than a flashlight &/or floatant holder & some minor wet hook rusting stains .