We study the problem of greedy, single path data propaga- tion in wireless sensor networks, aiming mainly to minimize the energy dissipation. In particular, we rst mathemat- ically analyze and experimentally evaluate the energy e- ciency and latency of three characteristic protocols, each one selecting the next hop node with respect to a dierent cri- terion (minimum projection, minimum angle and minimum distance to the destination). Our analytic and simulation ndings suggest that any single criterion does not simulta- neously satisfy both energy eciency and low latency. To- wards parameterized energy-latency trade-os we provide as well hybrid combinations of the two criteria (direction and proximity to the sink). Our hybrid protocols achieve sig- nicant perfomance gains and allow ne-tuning of desired performance. Also, they have nice energy balance proper- ties, and can prolong the network lifetime.