Wondering about the right stakes to secure your overnight refuge in the wilderness, your beloved tent? You might have one that came attached with your cozy camping tent, but does it serve the purpose on your chosen terrain? Or maybe you’ve just returned from an adventurous trip, only to find your pegs have nosedived into an unusable shape or have been donated to the wild unknowingly. Regardless of the circumstances, a solid solution is required. As a relentless adventurer with years of wisdom at my disposal, I am here to navigate you through the maze of choice to discover the best tent stakes in the marketplace.
What is the Best Tent Stakes?
We have compiled for you the top 5 Best Tent Stakes in 2023. In this article we go through the products that we have used ourselves, checked what other users thought about them and we ranked them accordingly.
With years of experience with stakes for tents and having used several tent stakes you can trust our review.
Moreover, you can scroll to the end of this review to see our mini buying guide as well as the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about tent stakes.
1. Eurmax galvanized tent pop-up canopy stakes
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 10 x NaNNaN inches (25.4 x NaNNaN cm) Material: Galvanized steel Pack of: 10 |
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 aluminum 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
2. Orange Screw. The ultimate ground Anchor
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 9.5 x NaNNaN inches (24.1 x NaNNaN cm) Material: Recycled Polycarbonate Plastic Pack of: 4 |
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
3. Coleman ABS Tent Stakes
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 9 x NaNNaN inches (22.9 x NaNNaN cm) Material: ABS Plastic Pack of: 6 |
Crafted for the budget-conscious adventurer, the Coleman ABS Tent Stakes balances economy and quality. These stakes offer a heavy-duty ABS plastic build, renowned for its resilience against high-impact situations. While some may assume plastic to be less durable, ABS plastic provides a unique blend of toughness and affordability that sets it apart from its competitors.
A significant specification of these tent stakes is their size. With an impressive length of nine inches, they offer a wider surface area, enhancing your tent’s stability and support. Their convenience is boosted further by the inclusion of slip hooks at the top, ensuring effortless securing of your guy lines.
However, like all products, these stakes have certain limitations. They’re predominantly intended for use on softer grounds. Attempting to force them into harder surfaces might lead to breakages, thereby limiting their versatility.
Pros
- High-impact ABS plastic build,
- Notably economical, Large surface area for superior stability,
- Slip hook inclusion for guy lines
Cons
- Designed for softer terrains only
- Durability inferior to metal stakes
4. SE Heavy-Duty Metal Tent Pegs Stake Set
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 10.5 x NaNNaN inches (26.7 x NaNNaN cm) Material: Steel Pack of: 20 |
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
5. MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 7.5 x NaNNaN inches (19.1 x NaNNaN cm) Material: Aluminum 7000 Series Pack of: 6 |
The MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit brings sturdiness and practicality to your outdoor adventures. Sporting a unique, Y-shaped design, these stakes effortlessly pierce through diverse soil surfaces to remain steadfast. The 3-sided design not only ensures stability but also delivers significant holding power, making them efficacious in various terrains.
Crafted with premium 7000-series aluminum, these stakes offer a balance of lightness and durability. At just 7.5-inch, they’re perfect for backpacking adventures, yet potent enough for regular use. So, you enjoy both portability and power in one compact form, making your camping experiences a breeze.
These stakes go a notch up in functionality with their inclusion of reflective pull cords for easy extraction. Also, they feature a notch at the neck that securely locks your tent guy lines in place. However, despite these stakes’ exceptional performance, they might struggle with rocky ground, and some users have reported breakage at the neck.
Pros
- High holding power in diverse terrains,
- Lightweight and robust aluminum body,
- Ideal for backpacking and car camping,
- Equipped with reflective paracord loops for easy extraction
Cons
- May not perform well on rocky ground,
- Potential brittleness at the stick’s neck
Verdict
To summarize, we have gone through dozens of tent stakes and decided that 5 are worth your consideration. Out of these, the absolute Best Tent Stakes is Eurmax galvanized tent pop-up canopy stakes which we highly recommend as our overall best.
If money is not an issue, you can consider Orange Screw. The ultimate ground Anchor as this is our Premium Pick.
Otherwise, there’s no shame in spending prudently, Coleman ABS Tent Stakes is the Budget Option.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying tent stakes
Overview
Let’s set the scene: You’ve secured the perfect spot for camping and you’re all geared up with your tent. Unraveling it, you eye the pegs that are included – fine for general use, but when you’re facing specific terrains like snow or sand, they might not hold their ground – literally! This underscores the importance of equipping yourself with high-grade, specialized tent stakes that provide enhanced holding power. The length of the stake significantly influences your anchoring capabilities as well. So, before you embark on your adventure and purchase that pack of tent stakes, it pays to research the unique features that distinguish a great stake from a good one.
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 aluminum, titanium, or steel. Aluminum is a lightweight material and is ideal for soft or woody soil. Aluminum stakes are also quite affordable and common. However, due to their lightweight nature, they are limited for use. Steel is heavier than aluminum and is more suitable for rocky terrain. It is also commonly used, although it is more expensive than aluminum. 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 aluminum and steel. These stakes are thinner than aluminum, 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
For camping enthusiasts, knowing how to enhance the visibility of tent stakes can be invaluable, especially when dealing with hard-to-spot titanium or aluminum stakes. One way to tackle this issue head-on is by painting these stakes.
First, choose a powdered paint in your preferred high-visibility color. In my experience, [Pro-Tec powder paint](https://www.amazon.com/Component-Pro-Powder-Paint-Flame/dp/B01M1913Q2/?tag=etramping-20) is an excellent option thanks to its durability and effortless application sans primer.
Clean the stakes thoroughly using a cloth dipped in alcohol to remove any oil and dirt that could obstruct the paint’s bonding process. Next, heat your stakes just enough to enable the powdered paint to melt for secure adhesion.
Once prepared, shake the can of paint to disperse the granules evenly, then dip the hot stakes one after the other into the can. Ensure you tap away any excess paint on the side of the can.
Use a heat gun to reapply heat to the newly painted stakes. This process helps to smooth the paint. To ensure the paint hardens effectively, bake the stakes in an oven set to 300°F for around 15 minutes. Allow them to cool down afterward, and voila, you’ll have your brightly hued, easy-to-spot stakes!
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 aluminum pegs are suitable for most surfaces and are lightweight for backpacking. If you are on loose terrain, the 12-inch aluminum 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?
To keep your tent stakes in top condition, select the right stakes for the specific camping terrain. Various stake sizes can adapt to different soil types. Damage to stakes usually occurs from hammering them into rocky soil with the wrong tool. Using a rubber mallet, not to force but gently tap them in, can preserve the stake’s integrity. Finally, always clean your stakes post-adventure to prevent rust or other types of corrosion.
