Best tent stakes

TheTentLab putting the super in superb since As a tent user, best tent stakes, I've bent, broken and trashed much more than my share of tent stakes and I've anchored tents of all sizes in every best tent stakes. As a designer I've measured and analyzed quite a few and I've even designed some ultimate stakes for military use.

The best backpacking tent stake may not be the same for every trip, and is one that meets our own individual approach in regards to durability, ease of use, effectiveness, weight, and price. Tent stakes can be made from a variety of materials from high grade aluminum like the popular MSR Groundhog stakes , to titanium, plastic, and carbon fiber…or a combination of these materials as you can find in the MSR Carbon Core offering. For backpacking purposes, tent stakes are a bit of a conundrum; they need to be both lightweight, and very strong. Most of us end up with something of a compromise between the two extremes, like the popular tubular aluminum design that has been found in the now antiquated Easton Nano and more currently in the aluminum MSR Core models. Stakes made of stiffer more brittle material can fail by breaking, sometimes in rather spectacular fashion by becoming a flying projectile along with a resounding ping sound, while other stakes will bend instead of, or prior to breaking. Tent stake design varies widely, and the best tent stake will vary depending on the conditions at hand. Other than specialized options like snow and sand stakes, design of the stake is mostly related to how well it will hold in the ground vs.

Best tent stakes

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. To help ensure your tent stays up no matter the conditions, I put nineteen of the best tent stakes through a series of tests to find out which had the holding power and durability to withstand the elements. The first step in testing was to check both weight and length against the manufacturer-provided specifications out of the box. Generally, these matched what the manufacturer provided, although minor discrepancies were noted in the above table. Tent stakes were then tested in tandem at four separate test sites. The first one was on what could be considered ideal ground for pitching a tent—firm enough that a tool in this case, the MSR Stake Hammer was useful for pushing the tent stake into the ground, but not so firm as to be arduous. During this first stage of testing, I also checked the holding power of each stake by securing a guyline to it and pulling it in several different directions. It should be noted that while I tried to find similarly firm ground for each stake I looked at, there are inevitable differences—rocks, roots, soil density—that can and do occur during testing. The next test was conducted on soft ground, where the top layer of forest floor debris makes it especially difficult to secure stakes. Here I checked the holding power of each stake and looked at how much dirt or other debris the stakes were holding onto and how difficult they were to clean off afterward. After that, I switched to the more notorious hard ground, most commonly seen in heavily used camping areas, including those where cars or RVs may have run over the exact spot you want to stake your tent in. During this stage, I looked at how easy each tent stake was to use, and how easy it was to take out again, checking for durability issues either dents, chips, or bends.

Other Considerations One at times overlooked aspect of a tent stake is color.

We researched 80 models and have hands-on experience with several dozen. We look at weight, packability, durability, and shape as well as price. From the crusty earth of high Sierra to the loamy soils of New England, this review of the best tent stakes has staying power. If you do just want to go full replacement mode, we of course have the latest and greatest in our reviews of the best backpacking tents and camping tents. For the cost conscious, we also have some budget tent favorites.

Every recommendation we make has been used, tested, and expertly selected by us. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. But not all tent stakes are created equal, and depending on where your next camping adventure takes you, the normal stakes that come with your tent might not be adequate. Packing the wrong tent stakes can leave you in quite the pickle if you are camping on non-traditional terrain! Our goal is to share our exceptional knowledge and provide the highest quality content possible that will help you thrive in all your outdoor endeavors while living a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle. We have ambitious goals to become the best resource on the internet for all things hiking, camping, climbing, and outdoor adventure, and we hope to inspire you to get outside and explore. Thank you for your support.

Best tent stakes

We researched 80 models and have hands-on experience with several dozen. We look at weight, packability, durability, and shape as well as price. From the crusty earth of high Sierra to the loamy soils of New England, this review of the best tent stakes has staying power. If you do just want to go full replacement mode, we of course have the latest and greatest in our reviews of the best backpacking tents and camping tents.

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The long steel pegs are the opposite of backcountry models that favor lightweight materials that aren't as durable. Need More Tent-Related Advice? Or have you experienced the frustration of hearing the flaps of your tent whistling in the wind or the annoyance of puddles pooling? They also held onto little dirt given their cylindrical design. Here I checked the holding power of each stake and looked at how much dirt or other debris the stakes were holding onto and how difficult they were to clean off afterward. Pros Strong and durable Great holding power for their size Effective in a variety of substrates from sand to rocky tundra Easy to drive in with a foot or rock Easy to pull by using tie-outs as leverage No sharp edges that can cut into tie-outs or surrounding packed items. One at times overlooked aspect of a tent stake is color. These particular colors stand out so you won't lose them. We use the 3mm on our MoonLight tent stakeout loops because it's large enough to hold in the adjuster buckles without slipping under high loads and because it provides the highest level of damage resistance rubbing against rocks. Critical Tent Stake Considerations. A few are slightly bent from side to side, but this hasn't affected their performance.

Make new memories with family, friends, and pets in one of these reliable tents.

Camping Cookware. This, coupled with the fact that stakes can create a comfortable sleeping space in order to get a good night's rest for tomorrow's adventures, these small pieces of gear become a worthy investment. If saving every last gram — and a little money — is most important to you, the Mini Ground Hogs are a great choice. Critical Tent Stake Considerations. And I was the designer and driver of the original tent super-cord: the Kelty Triptease Lightline. Doug May 08, at pm Use case matters and so does length. Sign up to get our curated emails with the best content from CleverHiker and around the backpacking world. Our strongest performers included the longer steel nail peg designs like the Coleman inch Steel and the Eurmax Galvanized , which were able to dig down deep, maximizing their surface area and traction. Thick, durable, and strong, these are our favorite stakes for camping near your parking spot. I still love my 6" Easton tent stakes.