The Skilled trait, introduced into the game by Old World Blues, works much differently than the original classic trio of 1, 2, and Tactics. It increases all skills by five points while reducing experience gained by 10%. But due to all the experience you can get, the downside is practically nothing. Many players call it the best trait.

The game had a bug that allowed you to take the trait again after leaving Goodsprings and again in the Sink after getting a psychiatric evaluation. And even if you have the trait removed later, you get to keep the points.

The YUP patch fixes this glitch, meaning that you can no longer get points for re-taking the trait. I'm currently using the YUP patch to fixes the majority of the bugs and glitches for a better gameplay experience.

I tend to take this trait together with Good Natured at the beginning of the game for the skill point increases before having it removed at the Sink later on, taking my chosen traits for my build.

Should I keep the trait on throughout the whole game? Or can I pick something better? What is your experience with the trait?

The best traits in terms of having the least drawbacks are Skilled, Small Frame, Good Natured, and Built to Destroy. Fast Shot is potentially good too, but not one to start the game with. Logan's Loophole is a great melee trait, and Wild Wasteland mostly doesn't matter unless you want a specific energy weapon. All the rest are really bad.

As you say, the experience penalty is nothing. If you want to remove it later, add any of the ones listed above, depending on your build.

Skilled and Built to Destroy are my most typical starting picks.