I've read on a few backpacking sites that many also use rattan staffs - the kind used in marshall arts training (also called a "bo". They are as light, if not lighter than bamboo and will take much more punishment than bamboo (which is why rattan is used instead of bamboo).

I've borrowed my kid's rattan bo staff with a rubber foot added to one end for hiking and really liked it. Not fancy, but extremely lightweight, smooth (easy on the hands), very strong, and warmer than aluminum in the winter. I think the bo cost about $25 purchased from the Taikwando instructor. I need to buy one for myself.

My big question is: Which is better, a single staff ? or two hiking poles? I kind of like the idea of two hiking poles.