There are a variety of digging implements for every taste. Here is a photo of just some of the trowels in my personal collection. They range in weight from 0.3 oz. to 3.0 oz.
Trowel collection.jpeg
The photo is a little deceiving. The orange trowel looks most used, but I haven't used one in ages, except in demonstrations. Some of the "trowels" are new (partly because I like to collect them), and I sometimes give my trowels away.
My old standby is the SMC perforated Snow Tent Stake, available at REI and elsewhere. But sometimes I'll carry a combo--my little luxury. I'll pair the Snow Stake with either the 0.3 or 0.6 QiWiz or the Deuce of Spades, depending on how anal I'm feeling about my pack weight on a particular trip. The snow stake can be inefficient in certain soil types that have a high sand content or are very wet, and one of the wider trowels is much better in those situations. I'm fairly lightweight (often under 20 lbs. w/4 days of food and 2 liters of water, halving the weight of shared items with my husband) but this is one area where I splurge.
On my thru-hike (before Leave No Trace became a thing), I used my bootheel or sticks. The holes I dug were wide and shallow. I didn't know there was any other way. Once I learned there was a better (more effective) way to dig a desirable cathole, I started carrying digging devices. In recent years, a variety of lovely implements have been manufactured just for this very thing. I can't imagine going back.
Some hikers who genuinely seem environmentally minded and considerate of their fellow hikers say they can dig a 6-8" x 3-4" cathole with a trekking pole. I want to believe them, and I'm in awe if they can. As for me, I'm all about reducing weight, but I'll happily carry 1.3 oz. or so of two lightweight digging devices to save time and energy while still digging a good cathole that does its job.