I put a couple thousand miles on a Shimano 11/42 this spring. Interesting cassette. Jumps are a bit large, but not killers.

IRD actually makes an 11 speed wide range cassette with smaller gaps for the smaller sprockets... at least adding the 12T back in.

https://store.interlocracing.com/bllica.html

I don't know if one really needs the 42T, but I've been experimenting with wide range and escape gearing for pulling cargo, and probably loaded touring.=

For unloaded riding, even climbing, I use a much more aggressive cassette, and prefer to stand a bit on hills.