I suspect the people who say "skip the ANR" have never used one for any length of time. Most who have an ANR headset would never go back to passive only. For long trips I sometimes use ear plug with the ANR - and enter a world of quiet!
Flying is more than skills and training - its about image!!!!! Pansy looking magnesium cup Zulus might appeal to Gen X, but real pilots would only be seen wearing green ie David Clarke.
I know a bloke who swears by his DC X11's!
Rat