Yep. Six footer with lashed strap long enough to go over one shoulder so I can let go of the staff and it remains within reach, including floating behind me while fishing. Excellent multi-tasker as noted by all above.

Just too usefull not too ..make it lose it Make another one.

I like to use a paracord wrapped staff; unless big mountain hiking where I'll use two trekking poles

Also, if you twist an ankle--or worse--while you are out there, it will make it a whole lot easier to get home.

I have a pair of REI collapsible hiking poles that live in the trunk of the car. I once hefted a very light wooden staff that was carved from spruce, and I remembered that spruce is the favorite material for wing spars in wooden aircraft for its strength-to-weight ratio.

Colin Fletcher said that a staff "turns me from an unsteady biped into a steady triped". He would cut something at the start of his trek.

Why? In case I find the need to speak softly...

6' section of Vine Maple. As Hanscom mentioned, it makes for a stable third leg -- and it's good for spider webs.

It's a fabulous day in the North, and my DW is baking a real cherry pie right now. When she is done, we are going to pick up our walking sticks and take a long hike into the woods. The anticipation is hard for me contain. Oh, and Im looking forward to the walk too.

It is good to hear that Winter is lifting its heavy hand from the North Woods. Are the bass biting yet? (That is probably not on your mind right now...)?

It's all a compromise, of course, but my thought is that we should somehow merge the walking stick with a staff and get a walking stiff.

Always! A 5 foot hickory stick with a rubber crutch tip, 30 feet of paracord woven as a hand grip and the button compass from Doug's kit recessed into the top end.

I carry it just walking through the park with the pooch since some owners don't always keep their dogs on leash.