I like different hiking sticks for different uses and occasions. Fixed poles are simpler, more reliable, but can be bulky and cumbersome when packing into boats, planes, and even some autos. When my wife and I were backpacking our child, the rule was that whoever was carrying the baby also had a strong, long, metal hiking staff that was super dependable - no locks to fail in that situation!

Collapsible sticks are versatile, especially usable as the poles for the evening's shelter, and they can be packed away easily. The pair I have is shock absorbing, but I believe that is an unnecessary feature that merely adds required weight (your bent elbow absorbs all the "shock"). I do wrap duct tape around the shaft, just below the handle. I have toyed with adding other components to the hiking staff, but a staff is not really "on body" gear, and one can be lost or misplaced all too easily.

My favorite, used for straightforward day hikes, is a stick with a nice ergonomic bend at the handle -light, simple, and rustic.