Best Tent Stakes

BEST TENT STAKES – Any Moment Now We’ll Have You Pegged!

By ANNIE RITCHIE / July 11, 2022

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Camping on the Beach? Camping in the Snow? Your tent is only as strong as the stakes that hold it in place!

Tent stakes seem like an insignificant consideration until you find yourself camping in challenging terrain and the tent stakes that accompanied your tent are ineffective or just break one after another. We’ve all been there.

We made the mistake of assuming the tent stakes provided would be of similar quality to the tent. We were amazed at the variety available when we stopped to look. You don’t want to be caught unprepared – make sure to read this article on the best tent stakes before hitting the great outdoors!

How We Uncover The Best For You

Having had tent-pitching problems ourselves, we knew we needed to invest in better tent stakes. Reading review after review we realized how important having the right tent stakes were. We were also astounded by all the options.

There are a lot of different types of tent stakes and it can be hard to know which ones are right for you. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of the best tent stakes for camping, based on their size, weight, and durability.


Best Heavy Duty Tent Stake

Gray Bunny Heavy Duty Iron Tent Stakes – A Cracking Choice for Campers Who Want A Robust Tent Peg

We Chose This Because

Things We Love

Looking for a heavy-duty tent stake that can anchor even the largest of tents? Gray Bunny offers a set of heavy-duty iron stakes that are up for the challenge. Made of solid iron, although not the lightest tent stakes out there, these stakes are built to last and can handle even the most diverse terrain.

Whether you’re camping on grassy fields, on a rocky pitch, or simply car camping, these stakes will keep your tent secure.  These 12-inch long, heavy iron rods are tough enough to withstand high winds and heavy rains, and they’re also sturdy enough to maintain their shape when hammered into the ground.

Things To Know

The sharp tip easily penetrates the ground, while the rounded flat head facilitates hammering. The top hole and hook make removal a breeze, and the ribbed head provides a better grip. Plus, the rubber safety tips help to protect you and your gear from sharp edges when you are transporting them when they are not in use.

So whether you’re setting up camp in the middle of a hurricane or just trying to keep your tent from blowing away in a summer storm, these tent pegs will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your camping trip.


Best For Backpacking

MSR Carbon Core 6-Inch Tent Stake – A Cracking Choice For Backpackers

We Chose This Because

Things We Love

Weighing in at only 0.2 ounces, the MSR Carbon Core 6-Inch Tent Stake is one of the lightest and most compact tent stakes on the market. It’s a necessary consideration when you are not car camping. That’s because the designers have stripped away everything that doesn’t matter, so you’re left with ultralight tent stakes that are perfect for backpacking and mountaineering.

Things To Know

These ultralight tent stakes are made of durable carbon steel that can withstand a lot of wear and tear and are encased in aluminum for durability.

The strong carbon core provides excellent holding power in rocky or compact ground, while the sharp point easily penetrates hard-packed soil. So you can set up your tent quickly and easily without worrying about your tent stake bending.

Take care not to hammer the tent stake in too vigorously with a hard-headed hammer as it could shatter if struck with too much direct force. Some campers find it better to apply slow steady pressure to the tent peg rather than using a hammer.

Whether you’re setting up camp in the mountains or just trying to save weight on your next backpacking trip, these ultralight stakes are a perfect choice.


Best For Soft Ground

Orange Screw: The Ultimate Ground Anchor – A Cracking Choice For Camping On Sand Or Soft Surfaces

We Chose This Because

Things We Love

Sometimes, you just need a little extra support. That’s where Orange Screw comes in – the ultimate ground anchor for large shelters. With the easy-to-use design, the spiralled shafts of the plastic tent stakes are quite unlike other tent stakes.  The result is strong holding power giving that little extra security, so the tent screw is great for pitching on soft ground.

Perfect sand stakes, Orange Screw provides the peace of mind you need to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Things To Know

Made from 100% recycled materials, this product is a very attractive option for eco-conscious campers. In addition, they are very durable (they are described as ‘virtually indestructible’) and they will last a lifetime. The product is backed by the manufacturer’s lifetime guarantee.


Best For Snow

TRIWONDER 6X Snow and Sand Tent Stakes – A Cracking Choice For Camping In The Snow

We Chose This Because

Things We Love

Never having camped in the snow before this was the first time I had considered snow stakes. I looked at a few like the MSR Blizzard Tent Stake Kit which made my short-list, however, when it comes to holding power, I think TRIWONDER snow stakes are the way to go.

With their extra length and ever-widening design, ending in a “U” shape they are designed with a weak substrate in mind. They’ll hold your tent in place no matter how windy it gets, and they’re also great for beach camping. The wide “U” shape end provides added holding power and prevents the stake from being pulled out of the ground easily.

Made of high-strength aluminum alloy, these great little lightweight tent stakes offer amazing resistance to the elements.

Things To Know

These snow stakes are perfect for tents with belts at four corners and windproof ropes for fixing the tent tarp. They are not suitable for tents with needle loops at the corners. They are also not designed for use on rocky ground.

Made of aluminum, these lightweight stakes are however able to withstand any weather conditions. Due to their ergonomic design, these stakes have superior holding power.

They can also be used as deadman anchors if the need for fast pitching arises. Whether you’re camping in the sand or in the snow, these aluminum tent stakes will keep your tent secure. So go ahead and enjoy your adventure worry-free!


Best For Versatility

MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit- A Cracking Choice For Pitching Options

We Chose This Because

Things We Love

The MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit is perfect for anyone who wants to create a safe and secure campsite, whether car camping or backpacking. The three-sided Y-beam design offers superior soil penetration and holding power in a variety of soil types, making it perfect for use in any terrain.  

They come in both the 7-inch regular size and the MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes 6-inch mini version. We love that you can choose the size based on your storage and packing requirements and still benefit from the quality product whether in the regular or mini size.

Things To Know

The bright red color makes it easy to see, even in low light conditions, so you’ll never have to worry about losing your tent pegs in the grass or dirt again.

The notched top is great for securing guy lines, and the reflective pull loop makes removal a breeze.

If you’re looking for a versatile tent stake that can be used in any terrain, the MSR Groundhog Stake Kit is a perfect choice.

Whether you’re setting up camp in your backyard or you are out on a car camping adventure, MSR has the tent stake you need to keep your tent standing tall.


The Best Tent Stakes For You?

In this Buyers Guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know in order to choose the perfect tent stakes for your next camping adventure.

Which Tent Stakes Are Best?

There is a lot of debate among campers and hikers about which type of tent stake is best. Some people prefer metal stakes, while others prefer plastic or fiberglass.

There are also a variety of different design options, such as those with hooks or U-shaped or V-shaped tips, or even screws. Ultimately, it is up to the individual camper to decide what works best for them.

Use

First and foremost, you need to consider what type of terrain you’ll be pitching your tent on. If you’re planning on camping on soft ground, like grass or sand, then you’ll need to look for stakes that are specifically designed for those surfaces. Some of the best options are made from materials like aluminum or titanium, which are both lightweight and strong.

If you’re going to be camping on harder ground, like rock or concrete, then you’ll need to find a different type of stake. The best tent stakes for hard ground are usually made from steel or other similarly durable materials. These stakes will be slightly heavier than their counterparts, but they’ll be able to stand up to the rigors of pitching your tent on tougher terrain.

Ease of use: the stakes should be easy to put in the ground and remove, without requiring too much effort or muscle strength.

Strength and durability

The stakes need to be strong enough to hold up in wind and weather, and they should also be durable enough to withstand regular use.

The material the stake is made from will affect its durability and how well it holds in the ground. Metal stakes are generally more durable than plastic or fiberglass, but they can be more difficult to drive into the ground. Plastic and fiber glass stakes are usually lighter than metal ones, making them ideal for backpacking.

Heavier stakes are generally more stable than lightweight stakes, but they can also be more difficult to move around. Consider whether portability is important to you or not.

Size and Shape

Once you’ve decided on the right material, you need to think about the size of the stake. Tent stakes come in a variety of different sizes, so it’s important to choose one that will be the right fit for your tent.

If you’re not sure what size you need, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and choose a slightly larger stake. The shape of the stake can also affect its performance. Hooked or V-shaped stakes are often easier to drive into the ground and provide more holding power than straight stakes.

Features

Some tent stakes come with a reflective cord attached. This can be helpful if you need to mark your campsite in low light or darkness.


Best Camping Tent Stake – Your Questions Answered

I have to admit, reading through the reviews brought back fond memories of our own tent stake adventures. It looks like we weren’t the only ones finding ourselves struggling to pitch our tent at times. Most tent stakes are designed with a specific function in mind, and it’s worth thinking through your camping plans before purchasing.

We’ve put together a list for you, of other campers’ most frequently asked questions when going about choosing a tent stake for their camping trips.

Your Answers Are Just A Short Distance Away, Keep Reading!

Do I Need a Tent Stake Hammer?

 

Not necessarily. Some campers prefer to use a hammer when driving stakes into the ground, while others find it easier to use their hands or a rock. We even uncovered a camping axe or maul when we were reviewing axes that were designed to be multi-functional and the head could be used to hammer in tent stakes.

If you do decide to use a hammer, make sure it is properly sized for your tent. Be careful not to use a hard-headed hammer as it can damage the tent peg itself if it’s struck with too much force.

What Are The Best Tent Pegs For Soft Ground?

 

We really like tent stakes designed to screw into the ground. They are chunkier than the traditional thin shepherd-hook tent stakes and their unique design allows you to get a good grip on them when screwing them into the ground. The Orange Screw is a great option for soft ground.

How Do You Peg A Tent On Hard Ground?

 

Often the tent pegs that come with the tent are not up to the challenge when the ground is hard and rocky. Countless campers have shared stories of tent stakes bending or snapping. What do you do though, if you have no choice about where to erect your tent?

There are a few different ways you can peg a tent on hard ground. One is to use a stake plate, which you can hammer into the ground and then attach your tent stakes to.

Another is to use specially designed screw-in tent pegs, which will screw easily into the ground.

Finally, you can also use deadmen anchors (or the tent stakes themselves if they are sturdy enough). Deadman anchors are long metal posts that you bury in the ground and tie your tent guy lines to. In this case with the ground being hard, you can adapt that concept and have them above the ground and weighed down with what’s available on site. 

Whichever method you choose, make sure your tent is firmly anchored before heading inside for a good night’s sleep!

How Do You Peg Down A Tent?

 

Depending on the type of tent, you may be able to use stakes or poles to secure it to the ground. If it’s a pop-up tent, you can usually just unfold it and it will stay in place. Make sure to use guy lines or ropes to further stabilize the tent in windy conditions. Peg down a tent by inserting the stakes into the ground and then tying the guy lines to the stakes.

When staking your tent, make sure to angle the stakes away from the tent. This will give them more holding power.

Conversely, although you do want your tent secure, if you are expecting extreme weather it might be worth considering not having the peg be an immovable anchor. In the worst weather, it might be better to have to re-peg the tent than have the guy rope rip off loops of the tent itself. 

Make sure to space out the stakes evenly, and be careful not to damage any surrounding plants or structures.

What Are The Different Types Of Tent Pegs Used For?

 

Any seasoned camper will know that there is a lot more to pitching a tent than simply hammering in some nails. In fact, choosing the right type of tent stake is essential to ensuring that your shelter stays put, no matter what the weather conditions may be.

We all know about the classic tent stake – the shepherd’s hook tent stake. But there are a lot of other options out there worth considering.

Aluminum stakes are not always suitable for very hard-packed ground. You might even consider titanium tent stakes, although they are not exactly the best budget tent stakes.

And for staking a tent on the sand, a better option would be screw stakes, which offer a more secure grip thanks to their spiral design. These plastic tent stakes are ideal for use in soft soil.

For an even more reliable hold in the snow, you could opt for a wider longer snow stake as the increased surface area facilitates grip, or perhaps even use it as a deadman’s anchor.

Aluminum stakes and steel tent stakes come in a variety of shapes. Some are tapered so they are easier to drive into the ground, while other tent stakes have a shaped design to provide more holding power. Y-shaped stakes, V-shaped stakes and U-shaped stakes are all subtle variations on this theme.

Whichever type of tent stake you choose, make sure that you drive it in firmly to ensure that your tent stays put all night long.

We’ve looked through thousands of reviews to make sure we put together a well-researched list that helps you choose the best tent stakes for your next trip. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight stake that can easily be packed in your bag or something more heavy-duty that can be used on hard ground and will withstand windy conditions, we’ve found the tent pegs you need.

Our Choice Of Heavy Duty Tent Stake

Gray Bunny Heavy Duty Iron Tent Stakes

Our Choice For Backpacking

MSR Carbon Core 6-Inch Tent Stake, 4 Pack

Our Choice For Soft Ground

Orange Screw: The Ultimate Ground Anchor

Our Choice For Snow

TRIWONDER 6X Snow and Sand Tent Stakes

MSR Blizzard Tent Stake KIT

Our Choice For Versatility

MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit, 6-Pack (REGULAR)

MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit, 6-Pack (MINI)

We know there’s a lot at stake here so we hope you found our review useful: by making your choices clearer, we hope you will have more time for fun! So what are you waiting for? Time to start packing for your next outdoor adventure!

Keep asking questions and we will keep finding answers for you.