One nice thing about a plain old side-of-the-stream stick, I find at
least, is that it can be a bit easier to plant on the bottom of the
riverbed. The expensive folding metal wading staff I have has a
tendency to "float" on me a little bit - I have to use a bit of extra
force to get it to planted firmly when I'm wading. I also feel that
it's lack of heft makes it a bit harder to get a really good grasp on
it. Whereas a nice water-logged or otherwise dense branch I find
easier to keep it properly wedged down, and offers a good solid
something to grip. (In fact I kept one particular stick for almost
all of last season. I was traumatized when it finally got swept away
one evening. Wish I'd thought of Riverman's nylon string trick.)

I also second the various complaints about the bungee cord folding
staff. It has a tendency to come apart at the split second you need
it most - if it's wedged between a couple of rocks and you suddenly
slip, say, the entire thing can come apart. Has happened about a
half-dozen times to me this season alone. (I often wade where I
shouldn't, wading staff or no.)

Tim