I like the aesthetics of a wood staff of some sort but I think an adjustable aluminum trekking pole is infinitely more useful. Mine is something I got from REI years ago and has a ball head made from cork. It comes off to reveal a stud that will hold a camera.

I live in high desert country and at 59 stick to easier terrain than I once did. I like the feeling of security a trekking pole gives me and, with the lack of trees where I walk, I have an easy way to rig my tarp for a shelter if the need arose. I suppose it could be used as a thrusting weapon what with a carbide tip but I usually have a firearm with me in any event.

I really need to get a couple more as they should reside in any vehicle (we have 4) along with a basic kit of essentials in a small pack of some sort (each vehicle has one but I have to move the pole to whichever one I'm driving.