For my genre, Punk, I always thought I needed heavy sticks, and for some years I played using 5B sticks (Japanese Oak).
Just by accident I tried out these much lighter sticks.
To my surprise I got more, not less, volume from my snare and toms.
The difference was significant.
I'm not sure why.
My technique is not the best (I'm playing drums for about six years now).
About the material: the tips last long, the stick seems very durable to me.
I'm very positive about these sticks!