For backpacking - especially into areas that have a mix of stream and lake/pond fishing - I like the style with a reversible butt section to accommodate both a spinning reel and fly reel. I know there are much better quality ones out there but I'm still packing the Eagle Claw I first started using as a kid. It's really nice to be able to both flick a fly on a stream or pond as well as cast spinners in a lake.