>>Which is better, a single staff ? or two hiking poles?<<

I don't believe there is a simple correct answer to that question, Ken. There is certainly a lot of personal opinion on the question and probably arguments to be made for every approach taken.

There are folks who intently and noisily stride along with two poles as if they are cross-country skiing some circuit. I have mixed emotions about that technique - mostly not favorable, but hey, that's just my opinion. Back country skiing is the only time I personally use two (ski) poles. I've done a couple of snowshoe trips where I tried two poles and 1) I don't need them 2) I don't like having both hands encumbered all the time.

Apart from skiing: I almost always use one staff - a long one that is a bit taller than me. Sometimes I use a short walking aid - a traditional ice axe - but only when I am mountaineering. And sometimes I use none - when I absolutely, positively, must have both hands free for quick use of a shoulder arm. (A shoulder arm is not the dictum for me - it is the potential need for quick action with it.)

Something this whole thread has me thinking about: To the best of my (limited) knowledge, aboriginal peoples around the world either use one long (tall) walking aid (for more than just aiding sure footing) or none (because they need hands free for weapons or burdens or there is no energy/safety benefit to an aid OR nothing suitable is available in their environment). I am not aware of any who use two short poles. Two short poles probably would be easier to fashion - deliberate or expedient - than one long pole. Does anyone know of aboriginal peoples who use / used two walking aids?

Put me in the "One long stave" camp for 98% of my walking. It has proven to be useful and versitle for me, and it suits me aesthetically. I don't like the <clack> <clack> <clack> of the mechanical walking sticks anyway - extremely annoying noise to my ears. Try your two bo technique and a single stave and use what you like best.

Regards,

Tom