The best rings were the old-style Fujis with luminous inserts. I've got these on a 20-year-old rod and they still aren't showing any sign of wear. The luminous collar was incorporated into the ring to act as a shock absorber, to protect the linings from damage if you dropped the rod.
Single leg rings are far more prone to damage if you carry rods on slings or sling them in and out of the car all day when you change swims, venues etc.
I'm convinced it's best to fork out the extra for decent rings. You can really feel the distance, especially if you use braid.