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The 9 Greatest Tent Stakes for Tenting and Backpacking on Robust Floor


In a rush? We discovered that the most effective all-around tent stakes are the MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes

Everybody can agree that commonplace tent stakes will not be that prime high quality.

After a number of makes use of, most are hardly good in any respect. That’s why many individuals go forward and put money into a set of after-market tent stakes.

In the present day, we’ll overview the most effective tent stakes for any terrain.

For those who want new tenting stakes, otherwise you wish to keep away from utilizing the stakes that include your tent utterly, learn on.

Greatest Tent Stakes for Tenting:

Greatest Tent Stakes for Backpacking:

Greatest Tent Stakes for Distinctive Floor:

Greatest Tent Stakes: Our High 10 Suggestions

MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes

msr ground hog stakesmsr ground hog stakes
Materials: Aluminum Easton | Dimensions: 7.5 in | Weight (ounces): 0.5 oz

These MSR Groundhog tent stakes are nice for quite a lot of functions.

From holding down tents and tarps, to even holding up hammocks, the Y-shaped design makes these stakes good and durable on any terrain.

This Groundhog stake package comes with six light-weight aluminum stakes. This package is ideal for these backpacking with their tent tools.

Additionally, the reflective wire makes this set helpful for anybody organising their campsite in low mild.

Execs:

  • The intense and reflective wire makes it straightforward to search out these stakes within the floor, even when the bottom is roofed in leaves
  • These aluminum stakes are light-weight, so that they gained’t weigh you down
  • Their Y-shaped design permits these stakes to take maintain on numerous varieties of terrain and keep sturdy
  • Their wonderful sturdiness helps hold your tent safe even in very windy situations
  • The notch on the high means that you can connect man strains stress-free

Cons:

  • These tent stakes might need points on powerful, frozen floor

Greatest for: campers on the lookout for a stable set of stakes that can maintain nicely on many various sorts of terrain.

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MSR Cyclone Tent Stakes

msr cyclone tent stakesmsr cyclone tent stakes

Materials: Aluminum | Dimensions: 9.5 in | Weight (ounces): 1.2 oz

For those who’re tenting on sand, then traditional tent stakes that include the tent gained’t do. The soil is just too unfastened and if there’s even a slight breeze, your tent may find yourself flying.

However these Cyclone stakes from MSR are specifically designed for these conditions. They’ve a spiral form, which makes them ultimate for anchoring in sand.

To position these stakes, merely twist them into the bottom.

The size of those stakes is 10 inches, which is 4 inches longer than commonplace stakes. This makes them secure even throughout windy situations.

Nonetheless, this additionally means they’re a bit heavier than common stakes. This isn’t a giant deal should you’re. automobile tenting, however it is perhaps a problem for long-distance backpackers. 

These stakes may look skinny, however they’re manufactured from 7000 grade aluminum alloy. This is likely one of the strongest aluminum alloys on the market, used for making planes and vehicles. This implies you don’t have to fret about unintentionally snapping these stakes in half.

Execs:

  • Due to the spiral design, these stakes present nice maintain in unfastened soil like sand
  • Reflective pull loops show you how to find the stakes at nighttime
  • These stakes are 4 inches longer than commonplace stakes, which provides them a fair higher maintain
  • They’re manufactured from 7000 grade aluminum alloy, which is often used for airplane components
  • No must hammer them into the bottom – as a substitute, you’ll be able to place them by twisting them into the soil

Cons:

  • Considerably heavier than most different tent stakes

Greatest for: tenting on seashores and sand dunes.

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REI Co-op Aluminum Hook Tent Stake

rei co-op aluminum hook stakerei co-op aluminum hook stake

Materials: Aluminum 7075-T6 | Dimensions: 7.25 in | Weight (ounces): 0.5 oz

For those who’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced but sturdy shepherd’s hook stake, then these REI aluminum stakes is perhaps simply what you want.

These tent stakes are manufactured from 7075 aluminum alloy, which has a wonderful strength-to-weight ratio.

However that’s not all. They’re heat-treated, which additional improves the power and corrosion resistance of the fabric.

With slightly below 1/4 inch in diameter, these stakes might sound slim, however they gained’t bend irrespective of how arduous you hammer them down.

They’re 7.25 inches lengthy, which is appropriate for various kinds of terrains.

These stakes will certainly maintain your tent in place, irrespective of how arduous the wind blows. The one wrestle you may expertise is getting them out of the bottom.

Execs:

  • These stakes are so sturdy, they’re nearly unbendable
  • They’re longer than commonplace stakes by 1.25 inches, which makes them appropriate for each arduous and tender floor
  • Since they’re bought individually, you may get exactly as many as you want
  • For the value they’re bought at, these stakes are fairly a discount

Cons:

Greatest for: campers on the lookout for reasonably priced however sturdy traditional stakes.

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MSR Carbon Core Tent Stakes

msr carbon core stakesmsr carbon core stakes

Materials: Carbon fiber core, aluminum coating | Dimensions: 6 in | Weight (ounces): 0.2 oz

These ultralight tent stakes are so mild, you’ll barely really feel them in your hand. However simply because they’re featherweight doesn’t imply they’re weak.

They’ve a carbon fiber core, however their exterior is manufactured from aluminum. That’s what retains them mild however sturdy.

The stake heads are broad sufficient so that you can apply extra stress to drive them deep into the bottom. They characteristic holes the place you’ll be able to pull strings by way of. And because the heads are painted crimson, you’ll be able to simply find them when wanted.

These stakes are 6 inches, which is a typical tent stake size.

They’ll serve you nice should you’re tenting on very arduous soil, however don’t anticipate them to work on sand. What’s extra, hammering them into a really rocky terrain may trigger them to bend.

Execs:

  • Every stake weighs solely 0.19 ounces, which makes them an amazing alternative for long-distance backpacking
  • Stake heads are painted crimson, which helps you discover them always
  • They’re manufactured from aluminum and carbon, which makes them sturdy sufficient for arduous soil
  • Stake heads characteristic holes the place you’ll be able to pull the string by way of
  • The producer supplies a 3-year restricted guarantee

Cons:

  • Hammering them into rocky soil could trigger them to bend

Greatest for: long-distance backpackers on the lookout for ultralight stakes to tackle the path.

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Nemo Gear Inc. Airpin Stakes

nemo airpin stakesnemo airpin stakes

Materials: Aluminum | Dimensions: 6 in | Weight (ounces): 1.4 oz

Are you a kind of people who find themselves simply plain unhealthy at tying knots? You wrestle to make one, and then you definately wrestle much more to untie the mess you made. If this is applicable to you, then these stakes are price trying out.

These tent stakes characteristic a 3-point locking system that help you pitch your tent in a matter of seconds.

The self-locking notch has tiny dots that information you into wrapping the wire round it. The directions are fairly clear, even a toddler can do it.

The stakes are manufactured from the very best grade aluminum, so there’s no fear they’ll snap in half should you hammer them too arduous.

They’re of ordinary size and weight solely 0.35 ounces.

Sharp ideas help you push them into arduous and rocky soil.

Execs:

  • A 3-point locking system means that you can tie your tent with out utilizing any knots
  • Tiny dots can function a information on how one can wrap the man strains across the locking system
  • Since these stakes are manufactured from the very best grade aluminum, they’re nice for various kinds of soil
  • Sharp ideas help you maintain the angle you set them in at
  • Fluorescent inexperienced colour makes them extremely seen

Cons:

Greatest for: campers who hate tying knots.

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MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes

msr blizzard stakesmsr blizzard stakes

Materials: Aluminum 7075 | Dimensions: 9.5 in | Weight (ounces): 0.7 oz

The MSR Blizzard tent stake set is nice not just for snow however sand too.

Due to their concave design with a number of holes alongside their size, these stakes create sturdy anchors in even the softest of soils.

In case of agency snow, hammer the stakes vertically. However, they need to be positioned horizontally in tender snow in an effort to maintain nicely.

The rationale why this design holds so nicely in such situations is as a result of the snow goes in and across the holes and retains them in place.

They’re manufactured from aluminum and weigh 0.74 ounces. They’re a few inches longer than commonplace stakes, however that’s essential for higher maintain in tender floor.

Execs:

  • Concave form and holes alongside the stakes’ size hold them nonetheless within the floor
  • Since they’re heavier and longer than common stakes, they may maintain nicely even in tender snow and sand
  • Pink colour helps you find them simpler within the floor
  • You’ll be able to stack them one into one other, which makes them take up much less space for storing
  • Like different MSR merchandise, these stakes have a 3-year restricted guarantee

Cons:

  • Solely meant for tender soil like sand or snow

Greatest for: tenting on tender snow.

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Vargo Titanium Tent Stakes

Vargo Titanium Tent StakesVargo Titanium Tent Stakes

Materials: Titanium | Dimensions: 6.8 in | Weight (ounces): 0.26 oz

These titanium tent stakes from Vargo are shepherd’s hook stakes that poke into the bottom with ease. These are nice stakes to have readily available since they’re straightforward to drive into actually any terrain.

They’ll additionally face up to quite a lot of climate situations – together with high-speed winds.

This six-pack of stakes is made with a lightweight, but sturdy titanium that gained’t break. The titanium metallic can be extraordinarily light-weight, which makes it excellent for backpacking.

Execs:

  • The fluorescent orange coated heads make it straightforward to identify these stakes within the floor, even at nighttime
  • Made with titanium, these stakes are tremendous skinny and tremendous mild and won’t weigh your tenting gear down
  • The shepherd’s hook design permits these stakes to drive simply into the bottom and reliably maintain your tent or tarp in place
  • These stakes are very tall and skinny, which makes it straightforward to drive them down into any form of soil – even dense, rocky soil

Cons:

  • The fluorescent orange coating on the highest of the stake may rub off over time

Greatest for: conventional tenting, or those that wish to lower down on pack weight.

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The Orange Screw

The Orange ScrewThe Orange Screw
Materials: Recycled Polycarbonate | Dimensions: 9.1 in | Weight (ounces): 1.8 oz

The Orange Screw makes for a novel tent stake for quite a lot of causes. The screw design of those massive stakes makes them straightforward to make use of and really sturdy.

Moreover, the massive screw heads are nice for getting these previous few turns when twisting them into any form of terrain.

Additionally they include a elimination device that helps you drive them into the bottom as a lot as doable, and get them again out once more afterwards with none hassles.

Created from 100% recycled supplies, these stakes are very light-weight, however reasonably massive.

Execs:

  • Created from 100% recycled supplies, these stakes are very eco-friendly
  • The pinnacle of the screw capabilities as a built-in deal with so that they’re simpler to show and drive down into the soil
  • The screw design permits these stakes to simply pierce any sort of soil and lock into place
  • These stakes include a elimination device to help in eradicating them from arduous, dense soil
  • They’re very light-weight, making them tremendous straightforward to hold round

Cons:

  • They may not have the most effective efficiency in iced-over land
  • They’re bigger than most tent stakes – backpackers beware: they’ll take up barely extra room in your pack than most stakes

Greatest for: environmentally aware campers who need a distinctive stake that holds nicely in every kind of terrain.

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Eurmax Galvanized Non-Rust Heavy Responsibility Tent Stakes

SE’s Heavy-Duty Metal Tent PegsSE’s Heavy-Duty Metal Tent Pegs
Materials: Galvanized Metal | Dimensions: 10 in | Weight (ounces): 3.84 oz

These heavy-duty galvanized metal tent pegs from Eurmax will maintain your tent down sturdily on any terrain. Every tent stake glides simply by way of any form of dust with milled factors main the way in which.

Their massive PVC heads function an support when pulling them again out, in addition to a spot the place you’ll be able to simply connect man strains.

They’re additionally lengthy at 10 inches, which helps them keep within the floor higher and extra securely throughout all varieties of climate situations.

On high of that, the galvanized metal makes them immune to corrosion.

Execs:

  • The milled factors are nice for simply driving these stakes into arduous floor
  • Made out of galvanized metal, these stakes are sturdy and sturdy even in chaotic winds
  • The galvanized metal materials makes them immune to corrosion and rust
  • The big PVC heads make it straightforward to connect man strains
  • They’re straightforward to drive into tender soil with out a device and simply as straightforward to take away in any sort of soil
  • These stakes are lengthy, so that they create a safer maintain when pushed into the bottom

Cons:

  • With repeated use, the PVC head may put on down over time

Greatest for: campers who need a traditional, metal stake that’ll work on any land.

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Varieties of Tent Stakes

Types Of Tent StakesTypes Of Tent Stakes

Tent stakes are available quite a lot of sizes and shapes, every of them designed for a selected event.

To know which type is appropriate on your wants, right here’s a fast breakdown of each sort of tent stake and what they’re designed for.

Shepherd’s Hook Stakes

rei co-op aluminum hook stakerei co-op aluminum hook stake

These are traditional tent stakes.

They often come included once you purchase a tent, principally as a result of they’re the most cost effective to make.

They’re throughout respectable and may work with various kinds of soil. With that being stated, different tent stakes will do the job higher.

V-Formed Stakes

v-shaped tent stakev-shaped tent stake

These stakes are sturdy and gained’t bend when in use.

They’re nice for arduous soil or floor with rocks.

And because of their V-shape, you’ll be able to stack them to take up much less space for storing.

Y-Formed Stakes

 

Y-Shaped Tent StakeY-Shaped Tent Stake

Y-shaped stakes are even stronger than V-shaped stakes, and you’ll make certain they gained’t bend when in use.

These stakes are perfect for arduous, rocky floor.

Since they’re like an improve from V-shaped stakes, they’re a bit heavier and pricier. However should you plan on tenting on a heavy terrain, they’re a worthy funding.

Nail Stakes

Nail Shaped Tent StakeNail Shaped Tent Stake

These seem like lengthy nails, which might be why they’re referred to as nail stakes They’re often manufactured from titanium or metal, which makes them a sturdy possibility.

They’re nice for arduous soil or rocky terrain.

Most of them have a plastic head, which lets you connect man strains to them.

For those who’re on the lookout for light-weight stakes for a 1 or 2-person tent, nail stakes are an amazing possibility. Nonetheless, for bigger tents it is best to go for Y-shaped stakes.

Screw Stakes

The Orange ScrewThe Orange Screw

These stakes remind me of huge corkscrews. They’re ultimate for tender, unfastened soils, like sand.

They’re a bit heavier than different varieties of stakes, however that’s a should for seashores and deserts. They’ll additionally work in snowy situations.

Snow Stakes

msr blizzard stakesmsr blizzard stakes

Snow stakes have a large U-shape and often characteristic a number of holes across the center. This design is meant to maintain the stakes in place in tender soil, like sand or snow.

They’re often manufactured from aluminum, which makes them heavier than different stakes.

And because of their size, they’ve superior holding power, which is a should for tenting in snow.

What To Look For In Tent Stakes

Carbon Steel Tent StakesCarbon Steel Tent Stakes
Galvanizes Metal Tent Stakes (Eurmax Heavy-Responsibility Galvanizes Metal Tent Pegs)

Tent stakes appear fairly simple till you attempt to purchase a set. There are a selection of tent stakes in the marketplace, all in utterly totally different designs, shapes, sizes, and colours. So, how are you aware which set of tent stakes to get?

The form of tent stake you need will depend on a number of components, however what’s most vital is when and the place you’re tenting. Terrain and climate can have an effect on your tent stakes greater than you understand.

So, to be sure to purchase the best tent stakes, right here’s what to search for and what makes every set of tent stakes totally different:

  • Materials: Completely different supplies are higher for various kinds of terrain. In case you have a selected sort of terrain that you simply do most of your tenting on, you’ll wish to know what sort of materials holds finest. Stakes might be made out of metal, metallic alloy, aluminum, titanium, plastic, and carbon.
  • Design: The design of a tent stake often determines the way it drives and stays within the floor. Not solely that, however it may additionally affect how straightforward the stake is to make use of. Relying in your terrain, chances are you’ll wish to search for a selected design.
  • Dimension: Not all stakes are the identical dimension and the dimensions you need will depend on whether or not you’re packing mild or packing for every kind of climate. Massive tent stakes aren’t nice for backpacking. Nonetheless, lengthy stakes anchor additional into the bottom making them ultimate for tough climate. They do make lengthy, skinny tent stakes, however they’re additionally simpler to bend or break.
  • Weight: The burden of a stake isn’t crucial until you’re a backpacker. Because you’ll wish to pack as flippantly as doable, light-weight tent stakes are the way in which to go. And whereas some individuals suppose {that a} heavier stake is extra sturdy, this isn’t at all times the case. Light-weight stakes might be very safe.
  • Visibility: That is one thing that doesn’t usually cross individuals’s minds till they’re having hassle seeing or discovering their tent stakes. Or, even worse, till they stub their massive toe on a tent stake whereas answering the decision of nature late at evening. A vivid and/or reflective set will resolve all of those points.

The way to Select the Greatest Tent Stakes for Your Wants

Now that you understand what sort of tent stakes exist and the totally different traits they could have, it’s time to choose the most effective ones for you. So, how do you try this?

Effectively, as we already established, that relies upon lots on when and the place you’re tenting. To search out the best ones, you’ll wish to concentrate on the stake’s holding power.

The holding energy of a stake will depend on a number of components, like form and width. You see, how sturdy a stake is in direct relation to the floor space it’s involved with when staked into the bottom.

The broader the stake, the extra holding energy it has, just because there’s extra stake floor touching the soil.

However take into account that the way in which you drive the stake into the bottom additionally impacts the holding power. For those who had been to position a stake solely midway, it will have much less space involved with the soil. Plus, the protruding space of the stake would enhance the torque, which moreover reduces the holding power.

That’s a reasonably massive concern with nail and Shepherd’s hook stakes, as they have a tendency to spin within the floor. Each V and Y-shaped stakes are a significantly better possibility once you’re tenting in rocky terrain the place generally you’ll be able to’t drive the stake all the way in which into the bottom.

How To Insert A Tent Stake (Correctly)

How To Stake Out A Tent Properly

You’ll be able to have the most effective tent stakes round, however it gained’t do you any good until you understand how one can correctly insert a tent stake.

To get essentially the most use out of your tent stakes, right here is how it is best to correctly drive them into the bottom:

  1. Drive the stake straight into the bottom at a 90-degree angle. Whereas many campers will declare {that a} 45-degree angle, dealing with away from the tent, is finest – in actuality, driving your stakes straight down has confirmed to be a significantly better possibility.
  2. Use a mallet to slowly drive the stake down at this angle. Keep away from utilizing your foot, as that is extra more likely to bend and harm the stake.
  3. If you’re unable to drive it down instantly, making an attempt shifting the placement of the stake over by a number of inches.

FAQs

What are the strongest tent pegs?

The Y-shaped tent stakes are the strongest. The distinctive design prevents them from bending, in addition to spinning within the floor.

So far as materials goes, titanium stakes are the strongest, adopted by metal and aluminum.

Are titanium tent stakes price it?

Titanium tent stakes are inclined to price a bit greater than aluminum, however the worth is nicely price it.

For those who’re tenting in rocky terrain and/or windy climate, titanium stakes are your finest device for preserving your tent taut.

Are plastic or metallic tent pegs higher?

By way of each power and sturdiness, metallic tent pegs are your finest wager.

Nonetheless, plastic pegs might be greater than sufficient when tenting in good, non-windy climate and on clay terrain.

Which tent stake is the most effective?

That will depend on the kind of tenting journey and the situations on the campsite. Each sort of tent stake is designated for particular terrain, so it’s at all times finest to go together with those best suited for the situations you’ll expertise whereas tenting.

Our Verdict

When you find yourself on the lookout for the most effective tent stakes for any terrain, look no additional than the MSR Groundhog tent stakes. This set of stakes is constructed from light-weight aluminum and has a novel Y-shaped design that retains them locked into place.

To not point out, the intense, reflective wire makes them straightforward to see in practically any situation. These stakes are nice for anybody who’s backpacking in any form of terrain.

Tent stakes are a vital piece of apparatus in your tenting arsenal of instruments. They assist hold you and your belongings safe and guarantee that you’re not caught off guard by any surprises.