I'm shopping for a hiking staff, and I thought I'd appeal to the gear fanatics here for some help. After searching on the internet, I didn't find that many options. Below are my criteria:

• The staff needs to be around 48"-55".
• The surface should be relatively smooth. No molded rubber grip with bumps and a hand guard, a basket at the ground end, or that sort of stuff.
• The staff needs to break down into sections that can fit in a suitcase for the plane.
• The staff needs to be sturdy enough that if I need to use it to hit something hard, it won't fall apart. I know this seems like asking for the impossible, because "breaking down" means inherent weaknesses.

Right now the best candidate seems to be Brazos Traveler's Walking Stick.

Taking all suggestions! Thanks, everyone!

You mention plane travel, which suggests you will be flying to your destination. Honestly, I would simply walk into a local hardware store and purchase a shovel replacement handle or similar, modifying it to your taste with the saw on your multitool.

There are loads of other options. I am a fan of walking sticks such as you describe, and I have fashioned them from a) branches retrieved from trailside piles, broken mop handles, and one I found on a beach.

They will all be as sturdy or sturdier as the screw together sections of the product you feature - and much cheaper

Do you mean a sideways strike or straight thrust? The only way a takedown staff could withstand the force of a strike on the side is by a long, heavy ferrule reinforcing each joint. This is all hardware store stuff if you want to make your own.

But a solid one-piece hardwood staff will still be still tougher and lighter. I agree with hikermor: If at all possible, I would experiment now so I know what works, and source the item at the destination.

That's cool Bingley 😎 While my suggestion is not exactly what you are asking for, it might be worth considering a camera monopod. At the price point you are looking at a heavy duty collapsible aluminum pro grade monopod might be worthwhile.

The brand I personally own is a Monfrotto, it's heavy duty and does make a decent walking stick. The downside is that it also makes you look like you have a expensive camera in your backpack.

If was going to DIY one, would look for a martial arts bo staff. Pretty inexpensive.

Bingley: The SIRUI P-306 camera monopod is the answer to all your requirements. it is a collapsible, with twist lock sections, black , HD aluminum monopod / staff. Can be collapsed to ~16”. Extensible to ~60”. Weighs 18oz. Camera mount on top. Unique tip is a rubber foot which can be screwed down to extend a short ( about 1/2”) steel semi-pointed tip for gripping in icy or muddy conditions. Integral soft hand grip at top of shaft , wrist strap, compass & small biner. Around $60 on the internet. Check it out.

Here's one at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/SE-WS634-55P-3-Section-Natural-Walking/dp/B0051C0WOQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=SE+Survivor+Series+3-Piece+Detachable+55%22+Hiking+Stick+-+WS634-55P&qid=1619658751&sr=8-1

That URL above is kind of long, if it doesn't work, just go to Amazon and paste the following into their search box:

"SE Survivor Series 3-Piece Detachable 55" Hiking Stick - WS634-55P"

Right now I'm liking hikermor's suggestion the best. There is something to be said for a simple, cheap stick.



I mean a sideways strike. Do you know how to design such a stick? Would love to hear more!

Well, there is an endless array of take-down walking sticks available retail and online.

Respectfully, though, I'm not convinced anything posted yet meets "Requirement #4" for adequate strength for denfensive actions. It's a tough standard to meet.

CAUTION: I have had such sticks declined by TSA because of the pointed tip. They would not allow it in carry-on ("someone could use it as a spear")

I've got some collapsible tent poles that look like they would take a lot to break.
Qjs

Its easy,
run a chain/cable down the middle of metal pipe segments

If it gets a bit loose in battle, its still a flail / nunchuck, and you can re-tension later

Hey, guys, I ended up just finding a branch with the right shape and modifying it with a saw. It saved my butt a number of times. Highly cost effective!

When the trip was done, I recycled it in nature.

Nice! Nothing wrong with using what nature provides!