Tent stakes honestly aren’t the first thing that pops to mind upon mentioning the word camping. Remove the word stake however and everyone will be giving you assenting nods. This is a fatal mistake – tent stakes are essential for any tent, much akin to a house’s walls, a tent stake is what will hold your tent securely to any surface at all times.
This includes both rain and shine. From the heaviest of rain to the strongest of winds, if a tent stake is properly inserted into the ground you don’t even have to worry about your precious tent being blown away and carried off into the horizon with the wind. Don’t make the mistake of viewing the tent stake as an afterthought.
They are just as essential as your tent itself, your hiking shoes, and your backpack. Nowhere else do a few pieces of metal demarcate the boundary between safety and danger.
Now the hassle of picking a tent stake is much understandable. They all look the same and claim to do the same sorts of things, yet they come in a variety of colors, are made out of different materials, and are produced by different brands – where to even begin right? This is where we come in.
We’ve tested and reviewed some of the best stakes in the market right now that work across most surfaces so before you set off on your camping trip make sure to read our list and get a set of stakes to go!
Best Tent Stakes
IIT 71021 30-Piece Galvanized Steel Tent Pegs
Forged out of galvanized steel that promises some of the sturdiest stakes in the market, IIT’s tent pegs will not just withstand the force of wind but will also ward off the decay of rust over time, and especially crucial feature when you consider how moisture-laden the outdoors can be.
9-inches in length and 4mm in diameter, these stakes are ideal to anchor any tent, tarp, or even canopy firmly onto the ground.
Best of all not only is it hugely affordable but you’ll notice that it comes in bulk as a set of 30 stakes. You don’t have to worry about losing one or two accidentally during a trip with a set like this!
Eurmax Galvanized Non-Rust Camping Stakes
Coming as a set of 10 with a variety of colors to choose from including green, red, and orange, this set of heavy-duty stakes will keep any tent secure against the harshest of elements.
Made out of galvanized steel, the brunt force of a mallet’s impact and the corrosion of rust will not ever be an issue here. It also features milled points that enable it to embed itself onto the ground deeper than normal stakes and with its large head, hammering it in will be a non-issue even in dark environments.
At a length of 10-inches, if properly installed that’ll work well on any surface including sand, grass, and dirt.
Pinnacle Mercantile 30 Pack Tent Stakes
The Pinnacle Mercantile Stakes is known for one thing first and foremost: they come as a horde. Not only are they hugely affordable, but you’ll also find that they come as a set of as little as 10 all the way to sets of 120. Don’t worry though – quality isn’t forgone for the sake of quantity.
These are still galvanized steel spikes that span 9-inches and feature a 1-inch hook that’ll serve as an ideal stake for securing just about any tent, no matter how large. It also is totally rust-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about rain ruining your stakes.
It also features very sharp-angled at the ends which makes inserting the stakes into the ground an easy experience and before we forget, this is 100% American made so if you’re feeling up to supporting the domestic economy, you can’t go wrong with a set of stakes like this.
Wise Owl Outfitters Tent Stakes
Offering some of the best securing power among all stakes out there, Wise Owl’s Stakes through its 7.25-inch length and unique Y-beam design will fasten just about anything on any surface.
Forged out of the fire with the strongest 7075 aluminum, these things are designed to never bend or give away to any force of nature. You’ll also find it to be easily noticeable thanks to its red cords so when it’s time to pack up, pulling it out will be straightforward.
Yet they still are incredibly light at just 13 grams a stake so carrying the set of 16 around should be a near-effortless talk.
There really isn’t any excuse not to bring a set like this with you because of this – don’t go yapping about how the extra weight is too much for your back! We know you’re exaggerating.
ABCCANOPY Tent Stakes, Camping Tent Stakes
Promising to deliver a set of heavy-duty stakes that come in lengths of either 11-inches or 10-inches, the ABBCANOPY Stakes are an essential buy for anyone looking to secure their tent firmly onto the ground.
Like the best of stakes, you’ll find that it is composed out of galvanized steel that wards away rust and even features a milled point, allowing for easy insertion even on the loosest to the hardest of surfaces. A large peghead on its top will also be notified and will make hammering it into the ground with your trusty mallet a breeze.
It also comes with a neat bonus: 4 pieces of 10 ft. tent role along with 1 PVC top which will be fantastic if you’re looking to add some extra security to your tent.
Hikemax 10/30 Pack Plastic Tent Stakes
Bright and almost impossible to miss, the Hikemax Tent Stakes will appeal to the more casual camper looking for something light yet effective. Unlike the options above, there’s no metal here. Just plastic.
Though don’t let this deceive you, this isn’t cheap PP plastic – this is durable ABS plastic which is virtually unbreakable with brute strength alone. Of course, it goes without saying that stakes like this won’t ever rust and will fair extremely well in securing any tent or tarp or even netting.
It also comes with a useful fabric pouch to store the stakes in if you want to be a little organized. All this being said, we don’t suggest you opt for this option if you plan on scaling Everest but for the casual camper, it will more than suffice.
BareFour Tent Stakes
Probably sitting as one of the slightly more expensive products on our list, you’ll find the BareFour a premium product that does not disappoint on any end. Spanning a total of 12-inches you can be sure that any tent will be secured with something that goes as deep as this.
Build-wise, you’ll find high-grade S45C steel all around that’ll make any instances of snapping or bending a non-issue. And don’t worry about hammering in your stakes too deep – the little hook near the top will prevent anything from going too deep.
Best of all, it comes with 2 neat storage bags that’ll help you keep everything neat and organized.
Coleman 10-In. Steel Nail Tent Pegs
Simple yet effective, Coleman is a staple mainstay on any camping guide or list for good reason: their stuff is the real deal. Their Tent Pegs are no exception. Ideal for both stony and hardened surfaces, they’ll penetrate the earth like a hot knife to butter.
Threading is also easy thanks to its versatile top and with its polypropylene top, you don’t have to worry about using your mallet too hard. Just pound away! Plated steel will also be found on every inch of its 10-inch length which will fight against any rusting and will last for years to come.
Do note that it comes in a meager set of 4 so try not to lose sight of any.
Sahara Sailor Tent Stakes
The Sahara stakes weighing at just 0.35 ounce per piece may offer some of the most lightweight stakes in the entire industry yet somehow, manages to be sturdy enough to withstand any type of environment.
Stress tests reveal that it can withstand easily, up to 50 lbs. of brute force so you can be assured that sand or rock, this thing will do the trick. Better yet, it comes with an included hammer that can be used for a range of tasks such as hammering in the stakes. It is also quite decent, forged out of carbon steel that prevents rust and denting, this mallet could replace any other you may have right now.
It does also come with a neat 12 month quality warranty so if you come across any problems, don’t hesitate to contact the producers!
OBKJJ Tent Stakes
Coming in an assortment of colors from black to red to blue, these ultralight tent stakes are made out of the best aluminum alloy out there which will prevent the unneeded weight from being added to your backpack while delivering a secure foundation for your tent across its 7-inches.
With its three-sided design, it is built to penetrate easily and deeply into any type of soil. Because of this, pulling it out of the ground is also made effortless so you don’t have to worry about hurting your back or bending the stakes.
Finally, you’ll also see that each stake is attached with reflective rope which’ll make sure that even under the darkest of conditions, they’ll be easily noticeable.
A Buyer’s Guide to Tent Stakes
Material
Look for stakes that are made out of good materials. These include aluminum and steel and even carbon fiber. All of these are relatively light and offer a fair amount of strength under any situation.
Of course, among these, steel is the heaviest so if that matters, don’t forget to account for it. Plastic as well is becoming common though ensure you only opt for ABS plastic and nothing else!
Weight
Being burdened with extra weight isn’t fun especially when you add hill climbing and river wading into the list. Thankfully, most tent stakes aren’t really heavy. Regardless, before you buy anything do check on the weight of your desired product so that you can plan ahead. What’s light for one person may be heavy for another after all.
Quantity
Camping though fun, can devolve into a messy, confusing activity. With backpacks often crammed with countless things from food to books to clothes to even your tent, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that things often go missing on camping trips.
While this is all and well, one of the most common things that tend to vanish are tent stakes! Make sure you account for this before you purchase anything – look for a set that contains more than what you think you need. Unless you’re absolutely confident in your organizational skills of course.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How exactly do I use my tent stakes?
Though this is often simple, the margin for error is minimal so make sure you follow our steps carefully. Place your stake at a 45-degree angle facing away from your tent then with a mallet, strike the stake with a light amount of force.
Continue doing this until its length is 3/4ths buried in the ground. If your stake isn’t going deeper while striking it, try reangling it as you might have hit a hard piece of rock or some kind of debris.
How do I maintain my tent stakes?
There’s no magic formula to use. Once done, simply wash it with water and soap! Of course, don’t forget that stakes aren’t meant to last a lifetime. If you find it dulling, rusting, or even bent totally out of shape, don’t hesitate to throw it away. Stakes are highly affordable and are usually meant to be changed every now and then.
It’s better to spend a little extra on a fresh set than to risk your tent flying away with a set of old and overused stakes.
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