As a mom of both a toddler and infant, versatility and durability are a top priority in products. This fits the bill perfectly! The gate has straight up and down poles so my toddler doesn't have footholds he can use to climb over it. It's really easy to set up for my varying needs. Sometimes I want a playpen around the baby, other times I want to block off the kitchen. I can quickly switch it's position without hassle. I wish I bought this years ago instead of wasting time and money on other products.