The core is almost certainly some kind of PVC pipe, which means it's probably a lot sturdier than it feels. Between that and the caps, it's probably better for practicing forms than sparring or other heavy contact activities.

Very lightweight, well padded. I think the core is plastic pipe - ABS or similar. I wouldn't strike a bag hard for fear of breaking the bo. Great for practice - but it isn't a pool noodle! It will hurt if you get hit.

This practice bo is easy to handle because of it's size and how light it is compared to a wood bo. To be clear, it's not entirely made of foam or padding, it's a hard plastic bo with padding around it. You will feel it if you get hit hard enough with it, so if you're going to practice sparring with it DEFINITELY wear some sparring gear. The padding is smooth feeling. The only thing I didn't really like is that the ends are not also padded, but that only matters if you're practicing sparring.

It's nice to use while practicing forms and basics even though it is only 5 ft and shorter than my regular wood bo (I'm 5'4 and my regular bo is 5'7). The only basics that didn't work with it is the figure 8- the ends of the bo didn't want to drag downwards with gravity and it felt really weird and wonky. Other basics, combos, and the like felt just fine.

The "carry bag" is just an extremely thin cover you slip over the bo with an very small elastic band at the top that doesn't even close, unless maybe you knot the elastic band and then want to have to unknot it every time you want to use it. There is no carrying strap.

Donatello was always my favorite ninja turtle. When I was younger I would try to find a stick that I could use as my staff. That would work, but you couldn't exactly use it on someone. This StrikexForce staff is different, you can use on/against someone... but... you want to be careful since it still has enough bulk to be felt!

- lightweight and balanced

- Padded, but not so padded that it won't hurt if you wallop someone with it. You'll need to be careful if you hand it to a kid they may not realize that this thing will still do a bit of damage.

- decent carrying case. Nothing fancy, but it does allow you to throw it over your shoulder for transporting.

- I am in no way, a practitioner of martial arts, but I am tempted to get a second one so that my daughter and I can spar.

This is a well-made padded bo staff. I own a handful of similar staffs that are suitable for light/medium sparring or for beginner students to gain confidence to handle a real staff. Staff has solid core / end cap design (I've used other brands that have a cap that pops off easily, I don't see that flaw with these). Padding is typical for this kind of staff.

The "Carry bag" is more of a nylon cover with a drawstring. There is no handle or carry strap, which limits its usefulness.

For most adults, I would recommend a 6' staff, which is what most adults train with. This 5' staff is good for kids or small adults that have difficulty with a full-sized staff. For most adults I wouldn't recommend giving up the extra foot of reach in sparring