Most wooden stakes after time usually either break or warp. Cannot ever rule out the "splinters" in your hand either. These coated stakes solve all these problems. One problem with them is you cannot pound the stakes in the ground with much force. They will bend and tear if this is done. I solve this problem by pushing them in the ground when the ground is soft, or if hard ground I start them by drilling a starter hole first. If one does not use force from the top to put them in the ground they should last for many years to come. I personally am quite thrilled I found them.
I bought two packs of these last year. I like the lightness and size, which makes them easy to move from storage to garden. Would like to see some kind of contraption to fit over the top to pull them into the ground. Right now I use a tall man with a block of wood and a hammer - sometimes he hits too hard and they will bend. Sometimes my ties will slip down the pole, though not usually. All in all I like them over wood or PVC for durability. Also like the size choices.
Have used these for years; they are a good value. They last a long time, and are durable.
Last year I bought several packs of the long stakes to use as supports for my tomato plants. They are attractive in the garden, but several of them bent under the weight of the tomato plants.