As always it depends on exactly why you want sliders. Sounds like the main reasons are how they look and for the wife to use them as steps. If so, your choices are narrowed down to what look YOU like and what's the most functional step wise.
Sliders exist mostly to use off road to protect the truck. In that regard, bump outs are absolutely not gimmicky because they work exactly as designed.
I've got Budbuilt with bump outs and open only because of functionality. My kid was young when I got them and others commented that plates would be better for her to use as a step. Maybe so but it took her all of 3 seconds to learn where to put her small cute but smelly feet. I also use them as steps not only to get to the roof but also to get in. Many others would have worked better for that job but that's not why I got sliders.
So, what's the real criteria? Form or function? Aesthetics or performance? Only after that is honestly considered can answers follow.