Are you looking to replace your tent stakes with new ones? You may already have the pegs that came with your tent, but you are not sure if they are suitable for the camping terrain you are going to. Perhaps you have bent some of the stakes on hard ground, or you misplaced one or two pieces from your last camping trip.
Whatever the case, if you need to replace them, this article reviews five of the best tent stakes you can find in the market. I hope, in the end, it helps you buy the ones you need for your next camping adventure.
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What is the Best Tent Stakes?
To find the absolute best tent stakes we have searched through most of the available stakes for tents and read all the comments left by people who bought and used them. Then we compiled the list of the top 5 tent stakes based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users. Feel free to use the results of hours of our research now and thank us later in the comments.
Oh, and just so you know, there are also Buying Guide and FAQ sections below the top products that provide a handy overview of things you may need to know before and after you buy your new tent stake.
1. SE Heavy-Duty Metal Tent Pegs Stake Set
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.2 Pounds (0.1 kg) Size: 10.5 x Inches (26.7 x cm) Material: Steel Pack of: 20 |
See it in your local store:
SE heavy-duty is my top choice on this list. These heavy-duty stakes are 10.5 inches long and are similar in structure to the Eurmax stakes reviewed above. However, they come in a 20-pack compared to the 10-pack of the Eurmax stakes, and they are 0.5 inches longer. The pegs feature an 8mm carbon steel shaft with milled points for easy penetration on compact terrain and PVC stoppers with eyelets for rigging your tent guylines.
The rugged and thicker design of these stakes makes them heavy for backpacking. However, they may be ideal for car camping with large tents.
Pros
- 10.5 inches long for a firm holding,
- Durable galvanized steel material,
- Features PVC stoppers with eyelets,
- Heavy duty with milled points for hard soil
Cons
- Not easy to remove,
- Heavy for backpacking
2. MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0 Pounds (0 kg) Size: 7.5 x Inches (19.1 x cm) Material: Aluminum 7000 Series Pack of: 6 |
See it in your local store:
The MSR Groundhog tent stakes feature a 3-side Y-shape design to penetrate a wide range of soil surfaces. It has a lightweight aluminium construction with a 7.5-inch length ideal for a backpacking tent while giving you excellent holding power. The 7000-series aluminium is a rugged commercial-grade material that provides durability and strength for frequent use.
The stakes feature a reflective pull cord for easy removal from the ground and a notch at the neck area to secure your tent guy lines. The neck is the narrowest section of the shaft, and some users noted that their stakes broke at that section.
Pros
- Reflective paracord loops for easy removal,
- Excellent holding power in various terrain,
- Lightweight aluminum material,
- Ideal for backpacking and car camping
Cons
- Not ideal for rocky ground,
- May break at the neck
3. Eurmax galvanized tent pop-up canopy stakes
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 10 x Inches (25.4 x cm) Material: Galvanized steel Pack of: 10 |
See it in your local store:
The Eurmax galvanized tent stakes are ideal for various ground surfaces and are suitably long at 10 inches for better holding strength. They feature heavy-duty construction with galvanized steel with 8mm diameter heads for easy pegging to the ground. The stakes also feature brightly colored stoppers with eyelets for carabiner and eyelet stringing.
The pegs come with milled ends to make hammering into compact surfaces easy. Another feature I like is that, unlike most kits with four to eight stakes, this set comes as a 10-pack. It allows you to use small or large tents without having to buy an extra pack. However, they are heavier than aluminium stakes and therefore not suitable for backpacking.
Pros
- 10-inch length for any terrain,
- Heavy duty and corrosion resistant,
- Large 8mm heads for mallet driving,
- 10-pack for small and large tents,
- Brightly colored stoppers for visibility
Cons
- Not corrosion-resistant,
- Heavy and not ideal for backpacking,
- Will bend on rough terrains like rocky areas
4. Orange Screw. The ultimate ground Anchor
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.1 Pounds (0 kg) Size: 9.5 x Inches (24.1 x cm) Material: Recycled Polycarbonate Plastic Pack of: 4 |
See it in your local store:
Orange Screw stakes feature a cork-screw design in bright orange color for visibility. They are made in recycled Polycarbonate plastic and come with a top eyelet for the drive-in tool and for securing the guylines. Unlike other tent stakes that require a rubber mallet to peg into the ground, these stakes are screwed into the ground. That means that they are limited to soft terrain where not much effort is required to push them in and not break the plastic tip.
These screws have a lightweight construction for easy portability, and the screw threads provide extra holding power. However, they come in a 4-pack, and they are the premium choice on my list.
Pros
- Easily to peg,
- Durable polycarbonate construction,
- Lightweight for easy portability
Cons
- Limited to soft compact grounds,
- Expensive
5. Coleman ABS Tent Stakes
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.3 Pounds (0.1 kg) Size: 9 x Inches (22.9 x cm) Material: ABS Plastic Pack of: 6 |
See it in your local store:
The Coleman ABS tent stakes feature an ABS plastic construction that is high impact resistant and durable. The plastic material is also affordable which makes these stakes the budget option on my list.
They come in a 6-pack and feature slip hooks at the top to secure your guy lines. They are nine-inches long, which increases the surface area to support your tent. However, they are only ideal for soft surfaces to prevent them from breaking.
Pros
- Rugged ABS plastic construction,
- Affordably priced,
- Easy to peg and remove
Cons
- Less durable plastic construction
Verdict
We went through most of the tent stakes available today and considered what people who used them are saying about these stakes for tents. We also looked closely at their pricing and specs to find that SE Heavy-Duty Metal Tent Pegs Stake Set is the overall best tent stake out there.
However, MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit is a very good affordable alternative for those who want to get one of the budget stakes for tents.
For those who need the absolute best of the best, regardless of the price, Eurmax galvanized tent pop-up canopy stakes is the premium pick.
What You Should Know Before Buying Tent Stakes
Overview
Most tents come with the pegs included, but they may not necessarily be of good quality. Also, you may need to get specialized stakes for snow or sandy terrain or get varying lengths to give you more holding power. Before you buy your tent stakes, here are some of the product features you need to look out for first.
Tent Stakes Types
Different tent stakes work for various terrain and tent sizes. I have listed a few of these tent stakes below.
V-shaped Tent Stake
The V-stakes are ideal for rocky, packed, or sandy ground. The V shape gives the stakes a robust profile to penetrate stony terrain without bending. The V-stakes features a notch below the head where the guyline is hooked to tension your tent. While the typical V-stakes have a smooth shaft, some have holes to thread your guyline for more holding power.
Y-shaped Stake
These tent stakes feature Y-shaped fins that prevent them from bending when used in hard or rocky ground. Their construction gives them more holding power and is heavier than the other stakes. While the Y-shape profile also offers a better grip on most terrains, these tent pegs are also more expensive.
Shepherd’s Hook Tent Stakes
The stakes feature a hook on one end that resembles a shepherd’s staff. They are the classic stakes and mostly made of titanium material. They are also lightweight because the stakes typically have a smaller diameter that is ideal for compact soil.
Nail Pegs
Nail pegs resemble ordinary nails with a flat head with a pointy bottom. They are also longer and thicker than most stakes and are ideal for frozen or rocky grounds. Some nail pegs will feature a plastic stopper with eyelets to thread your guy line. They typically have a titanium or steel construction for hardness and pegged to the with a rubber hammer.
Snow/sand stakes
These curved stakes are ideal for snow and sandy ground. They feature holes along their shaft that enable the snow or sand to anchor the pole in a firm grip. The longer they are, the greater the holding power the stakes will have. Also, snow stakes are typically heavier and more pricey than other stakes.
Utility tent stakes
Utility tent stakes are made in plastic material and feature a Y-shaped shaft that gives them more holding power than the shepherd hook stakes. They also make great anchoring poles because they do not bend on the surface due to their profile. However, their plastic construction is only suitable for soft compacted and woody ground.
Tent Stakes Material
Metal Stakes
Metal stakes include aluminium, titanium, or steel. Aluminium is a lightweight material and is ideal for soft or woody soil. Aluminium stakes are also quite affordable and common. However, due to their lightweight nature, they are limited for use.
Steel is heavier than aluminium and is more suitable for rocky terrain. It is also commonly used, although it is more expensive than aluminium. It is used to make thinner stakes for recreational camping and heavy-duty tent pegs for hard frozen ground.
Titanium stakes offer the best of both aluminium and steel. These stakes are thinner than aluminium, making it easy for them to penetrate the ground and are robust for most terrains. Titanium is also more lightweight than steel and has excellent holding strength. However, it is also the most expensive.
Wooden Stakes
Wooden stakes are a simple alternative to metal because they can be improvised quickly on site. However, they are not as durable as metal stakes because they can splinter or break. These stakes are only suitable for medium-compact terrain.
Plastic Stakes
Most camping tents come with plastic stakes included in the package. These stakes are typically bulky, rugged, and cheap to buy. However, they are also brittle, and the tips will break easily. You can use these stakes on soft and medium soil.
Stake Length
Each stake should be long enough such that a significant part of it is in the ground to make it harder to bend or twist itself out. In general, the stake should be at least 5 -7.5 inches long to have enough holding power.
How To Make A Tent Stake Visible
Most stakes will have a visible color on the head or the entire stake. However, you may get aluminium and titanium stakes in their silver/grey form, which is a hard color to notice, especially in the snow. If you do get such, you can coat the stakes with visible paint at home.
To do this:
1. Purchase powdered paint in your favorite color. I recommend using the Pro-Tec powder paint. It is a durable coating that is easy to apply without a primer.
2. Wipe your stakes with a clean cloth dipped in alcohol to remove dirt and oil so that the paint can adhere.
3. Heat your stakes so that they may be hot enough to melt the powdered paint to ensure it adheres.
4. Shake the paint can to loosen up the paint granules so that you get a smooth coat.
5. Dip the stakes into the powdered paint one by one and remove immediately. You can tap it at the side of the can to remove excess paint granules.
6. Heat the stakes again to smoothen up the paint. A heating gun would be the most ideal because it takes a few seconds and heats evenly.
7. To harden the coating, place the stakes in a preheated oven, and bake them at 300 °F for 15 minutes and remove to cool.
Usage
For the tent stakes to be effective, you will need to find a firm camping ground to erect the tent. Try inserting the stakes first before pitching the tent to test the soil. If the stakes go in quickly, the ground may be too soft, and you will need a more compact surface.
To be safe, always carry pegs of different lengths to accommodate different soil structures. 7-inch aluminium pegs are suitable for most surfaces and are lightweight for backpacking. If you are on loose terrain, the 12-inch aluminium stakes are a better option. In comparison, steel pegs are heavy duty and are more suited for car camping.
After finding the ideal place, use a rubber mallet, flat stone, or thick branch to hammer your stake into the ground. Pegging the corners of your tent at an angle allows you to tension the guy lines for maximum internal headroom. However, inserting the rest of the stakes vertically will have better ground penetration and wind resistance.
Always make sure the hook faces away from the tent to give the most amount of tension to your guyline and prevent it from slipping. Accessories such as carabiners are useful for connecting the guyline to the hook on the stake.
Questions and Answers About Tent Stakes
How many tent stakes do I need?
You will need stakes depending on the size of your tent and the holding power you need. Tent pegs usually come in sets of 6-8 pieces. However, you may consider carrying more stakes than you would need to accommodate breakages or for more holding power in strong wind.
What can I use in place of tent stakes?
You can use long nails to secure your tent, and a 10-inch nail is an ideal and inexpensive choice for this. You could also use large rocks to hold your tent in place or improvise with small branches to create wooden stakes. Also, metal coat hangers and rebar rods are ideal, and you would have to bend one end to create a shepherd’s hook.
How do I maintain my tent stakes in good condition?
The best way to maintain your tent poles is by having the correct stakes for your camping ground. You may want to consider carrying tent pegs of varying sizes to accommodate different soil textures.
Most stakes get damaged by either forcing it into rocky ground or by using the wrong hammer. Always use a rubber hammer and avoid forceful hammering to prevent breaking the tips. Finally, always clean your poles after use to prevent corrosion.
