As far as ATRAC outperforming lockers, absolutely not. I can't tell you how many times we've had to drag ATRAC equipped trucks because the front wasn't locked. Either that or they have to use momentum to make it over stuff I walked up.
Overall...absolutely agree. You HAVE to have triple locks to do the crazy stuff. There is no substitute.
At the same time you have to admit (if one has seen/experienced it) that THERE ARE places and conditions where ATRAC bests lockers.
On one trip with 5 rigs in AZ, we went up an insane grade...off camber with a HUGE rut on the inside side...uneven ledges. The first two 80's went up and struggled. Sliding...hopping. BIG drop off on one side. I was not of driving age and was freaking out and decided to walk up. The 100 did the same and began to slide toward the huge rut. My Dad unlocked instead and used TRAC to get up. It was NOT easy but he made it. And he made it with far more control than the first two 80's. No being pulled into the rut. No sliding. Lots of hopping though.
The last two 80's both wound up in the rut. It took an 80 stapped to my Dad's 100 strapped to the stuck 80 and to the next stuck 80. At one time the 100’s front left tire end was way in the air from being tippy. In the end we all made it up…one 80 blew a U-joint.