We went through a stage when clip locks were preferred to twist locks. A push-pull lever enabled quick and easy adjustments, especially compared with the large amount of circular rotation needed to operate twist clamps.
More recently, the pendulum seems to have swung the other way, to the extent that the Manfrotto 055 is the only tripod in this test group to feature clip locks. A major factor in the resurgence of twist locks is that, in most cases, only about a quarter-turn or half-turn is required for full release or clamping action. Couple that with the ease with which you can grasp all the twist locks of a tripod leg when the sections are at their minimum length, and you’re onto a real winner.