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Best Tent Stakes of 2023
This post was last updated on December 06, 2023.
If you're a seasoned outdoors enthusiast or just a weekend camper, you'd probably agree that a small item can make or break your outdoor adventure - Tent Stakes. Yep, you heard that right, these small, often overlooked pieces are crucial to keep your temporary home firmly grounded. One tent stake has managed to stand above the rest in our widespread testing - the MSR Mini Groundhog. This little beast excels in most bet-the-farm criteria like penetration & soil compatibility, durability, weight balance, and not to forget - visibility.
But we wouldn't just leave you with one option - we've also put together some fantastic runners-up, including the best choices for specialty categories like Ultralight, Snow and Sand camping. Look, every camping scenario's different – you'd probably need different stakes for a week in the snowy mountains compared to a quick beach trip, right? Whatever your outdoor plans look like, we've done the homework to make the best tent stake choice simpler for you.
Want to delve deeper into the camping world? You're in the right place! Check out our definitive guides on the Best Backpacking Tents, the Best Camping Tents, and if you're all about shaving off extra weight, don't miss out on our Best Ultralight Tents. Stick around, we've got you covered with expert reviews and tips to help make your next outdoor adventure the best one yet.
Our Top Recommendations
Our Top Pick
MSR Mini Groundhog
Durability
Holding Power
Versatility
Weight
| Durability |
7
|
| Holding Power |
8
|
| Versatility |
9
|
| Weight |
9
|
The MSR Mini Groundhog stakes are our top pick because we felt they did the best job of any of the stakes we tested balancing weight and holding power. Nothing else we tested balanced those two important factors quite so well.
Runner Up #1
Vargo Titanium Nail Peg
Durability
Holding Power
Versatility
Weight
| Durability |
10
|
| Holding Power |
7
|
| Versatility |
7
|
| Weight |
7
|
The Vargo Titanium Nail Peg is a runner up because of it's fantastic durability and strength, light weight, and straight-forward design. The nail design, which helps give it that excellent strength and durability, does mean it loses some holding power in looser soils.
Runner Up #2
Easton Aluminum Nano Stakes
Durability
Holding Power
Versatility
Weight
| Durability |
6
|
| Holding Power |
8
|
| Versatility |
8
|
| Weight |
7
|
The Easton Aluminum Nano Stakes are a versatile, lightweight tent stake that are strongly worth considering. The only place where they really lose points for us is the two piece design, which makes the tent stake head somewhat susceptible to popping off with a lot of use. This seems to be more a manufacturing problem than a fundamental design problem though.
What you should look for
(and what we test for)
Price
While price shouldn't be your only deciding factor, keep your budget in mind and remember that higher price often equates to better quality, longevity, and overall performance in diverse conditions.
Design
The design of your tent stakes is key, U-shaped, Y-shaped, or V-shaped stakes are often the most secure and effective, but some grounds may require a spiral or needle design.
Weight
Take into consideration the weight of the tent stakes, as you'll be carrying them in your backpack - the lighter the better, but not at the expense of strength and durability.
Material
Always opt for tent stakes made of durable, light materials like titanium or aluminum, to withstand harsh weather conditions and rough terrain without bending or breaking.
MSR Mini Groundhog
$4.50The Best Tent Stakes
Based on our research and testing, we think the MSR Mini Groundhog are the best Tent Stakes on the market right now, for anyone looking to play hard outside.
| Durability |
7
|
| Holding Power |
8
|
| Versatility |
9
|
| Weight |
9
|
Reasons to Buy
- Great holding power
- Visible and easy to locate
- Lightweight
Reasons to Avoid
- Occasionally hard to pull out
The Important Specs
- Color: Red
- Design: Three-sided Y-beam
- Length: 6 Inches
- Material: Aluminum 7000 series
Weight
The MSR Mini Groundhog tent stakes stand out for their lightness. They're on the small side, which helps keep them light, but we didn't find that this compromised their holding strength. They anchor as firmly as a lot of bigger, burlier options.
Material
The MSR Mini Groundhog stakes are made of 7000 series aluminum, which is a common material for tent stakes. They're not as strong as some of the titanium stakes we tested, but they're also not as expensive.
Design
We really like the Y shaped design It definitely helps the MSR Mini Groundhog stay in the ground where a round design might not. However, it's important to note a design detail: the narrow point near the head, where a tent guyout point loops, can be a weak spot. If you're rough on them when putting them in the ground, banging on them with a large rock for instance, there is a chance they will break at this point. And removing these stakes from the ground is hassle-free, thanks to the built in pull cord. The three notches in the Y do a great job of holding your tent's guyout points or tent stake loops.
Price
The MSR Mini Groundhog stakes are a great value. They're one of the more expensive aluminum stakes we tested, but they're also one of the lightest, so we think that makes them a good value.
Overall
All in all, these are a great tent stake that just about anyone would be happy with. They're versatile, and will work in a wide variety of conditions.
Prices
Vargo Titanium Nail Peg
$7.00Runner Up
Based on our research and testing, we think the Vargo Titanium Nail Peg are a great choice if you're looking for tent stakes to go play hard outside with, if our top pick isn't quite what you're looking for.
| Durability |
10
|
| Holding Power |
7
|
| Versatility |
7
|
| Weight |
7
|
Reasons to Buy
- Ultra-durable titanium construction
- Nail design is excellent for soil penetration
- Great value for the price
Reasons to Avoid
- Not as much holding power as triangular pegs
The Important Specs
- Design: Nail-style
- Length: 6 inches
- Material: Titanium
- Additional Feature: Reflective cord
Weight
The Vargo Titanium Nail Peg is actually not an ultralight tent stake. Despite being made of tianium it's a relatively hefty nail, so in terms of weight it comes in around the middle of the pack. But for being such a strong, durable tent stake it is quite light.
Material
It's made of titanium, which is a more expensive material than the aluminum you typically see with tent stakes, but titanium is a much stronger material, so it's a natural choice for tent stakes, which always seem to be bending and breaking, no matter how gentle you are.
Design
The design is about as straight-forward as it gets with tent stake. This is a straight, round nail design. No beams or ridges or anything like that here. The nail design is great for penetrating harder ground. If you spend a lot of time backpacking in hard, rocky terrain, or are looking to drive a tent stake in to hard, partially frozen ground during Spring or Fall, a strong, durable nail design is a great choice. On the other hand, the nail design doesn't have as much holding power in looser soil. Those beams and ridges you see on a lot of other tent stakes really help to give tent stakes a lot of surface area to catch on.
Price
Titanium isn't cheap, and neither are these tent stakes. The upside is that these are far less likely to break or brend than other tent stakes, so you won't have to replace them much, if ever.
Overall
Overall, we really like the Vargo Titanium Nail Peg for the harder, rockier ground that we are typically backpacking in. We can pound on them with a rock to get them in to the ground without worrying about bending or breaking them. If that sounds like the kind of terrain you're typically backpacking in, these might be a great tent stake for you.
Prices
Easton Aluminum Nano Stakes
Runner Up
Based on our research and testing, we think the Easton Aluminum Nano Stakes are a great choice if you're looking for tent stakes to go play hard outside with, if our top pick isn't quite what you're looking for.
| Durability |
6
|
| Holding Power |
8
|
| Versatility |
8
|
| Weight |
7
|
Reasons to Buy
- Great holding power
- Lightweight
- Hollow design keeps the weight down
- Very versatile, useful in many different soil types
Reasons to Avoid
- Stake heads may pop off with too much use
The Important Specs
- Design: Hollow Nail
- Length: 9 inches
- Material: Aluminum
Weight and Material
The Easton Aluminum Nano Stakes are definitely on the lightweight side of tent stake market. They're made of aluminum, but save on weight by being a hollow nail.
Design
The hollow nail design gives the Easton Aluminum Nano Stakes a surface area that makes them a great choice for a wide variety of ground types. They have the strength and durability of a nail for harder ground, but are big enough that they won't pull out easily in softer ground. The one drawback of the design that we found in testing was the head. The head of the stake and the body are two separate pieces, and we found that with enough use, the head of the stake can actually pop off the body. This is probably due to repeatedly pulling on the head to get the stakes out of the ground, plus hammering on the heads to get them in to the ground. Generally we really like the design, but would love to see the body and head of the stake be one piece, to prevent this from happening. This has only happened to a couple of the 8 stakes we have, so it seems like maybe a manufacturing flaw more than a fundamental design flaw, but it's something to be aware of.
Price
They're not cheap tent stakes, but we feel like they're a good value. We found that these are less likely to snap or bend than some of the other aluminum stake options, but you may lose one or two stakes to the issue that we mentioned, of the head of the stake popping off. So solid value, but you may find yourself replacing them from time to time.
Overall
We really like the design of the Easton Aluminum Nano Stakes, apart from the body and head of the stake being two separate pieces. The hollow design means these are a bit bulkier than a lot of the other tent stake options we reviewed, but they hollow design also means they're a lot lighter than they look. We do like the MSR Mini Groundhogs better, but these are another solid option that are worth considering.
Prices
No prices found. Check back later!
Vargo Titanium Sheperds Hook Stake
$3.95Best Ultralight Tent Stakes
Based on our research and testing, we think the Vargo Titanium Sheperds Hook Stake are a solid choice for those looking for a lightweight tent stakes option to go play hard outside with.
Reasons to Buy
- Super strong titanium material
- Fantastic soil compatibility
- Highly visible design
- Great value for money
- Impressive holding power
Reasons to Avoid
- Could be hard to pull out from compact soil
- May be a little lightweight for heavier tents
The Important Specs
- Color: Silver
- Shape: Sheperds hook shape
- Length: 6 inches
- Material: Titanium
Review Roundup
For those backpackers who prioritize a lightweight pack without sacrificing functionality, the Vargo Titanium Sheperds Hook Stake hits the sweet spot. Made out of titanium, these stakes bring durability and strength in a feather-light package. Titanium is known to be stronger and lighter than your average aluminum or steel stake, making these a great addition to your backpacking kit.
The traditional shepherds hook design is straightforward to use. Just push it in the ground, and your tent is secure. People love this no-frills design because you do not have to be an experienced camper to figure out how to use this product.
Weighing in at just 6 grams a piece, these stakes will hardly make a dent in your pack's overall weight. This feature alone has gained significant praise from weight-conscious backpackers who found it to be the perfect companion on multi-day hikes and long treks. Some hikers also mentioned that the stakes are almost unnoticeable in their pack, contributing to their gear's overall comfort.
On the flipside, its lightweight nature also attracted some criticism, with some users concerned about its ability to withstand extreme wind conditions or rocky terrains. While there is some truth in their concerns, most found that proper placement and angle of insertion could largely mitigate these issues. Plus, the benefits of saving weight for long hikes can far outweigh this minor inconvenience.
Another common critique of the Vargo Titanium Sheperds Hook Stake revolves around its price point. Being made of titanium, these stakes come at a higher cost than their steel or aluminum counterparts. However, many purchasers noted that the durability and versatility of these stakes made the investment worthwhile.
Durability & Material
The Titanium used in these stakes is praised for its strength and durability. Most reviewers found that these stakes endure repeated use without deforming or breaking.
Holding Power
Despite their lightweight design, these stakes have a strong holding power. They are noted for their ability to stay firmly in place, even in windy conditions. However, some larger tent users commented that they would prefer it if the stakes were a little heavier.
Penetration & Soil Compatibility
Most buyers report that the Vargo Titanium Sheperds Hook Stake slips into a variety of soils with relative ease. Its slim profile and polished finish allow it to penetrate even quite compact terrain without much fuss. However, some campers have commented that it could be a bit challenging to extract the stake from highly compacted grounds.
Value
Customers were generally pleased with the price and considered it fair for the quality and durability they received. For those looking for an ultralight stake that performs well in various soils and weathers, the Vargo Titanium Shepherd Hook Stake is a solid investment.
Visibility & Design
Visibility is a standout feature for this product. The Vargo Titanium Sheperds Hook Stake comes in a vivid silver color, and the shepherds hook design makes it easily noticeable against any background. This makes it less likely that you'll trip over them or lose them in the grass.
Weight
Users love the ultralight attribute of these stakes. They are light enough to carry on long backpacking trips but still sturdy and robust enough to hold tents down in windy conditions.
Prices
MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes
$9.95Best Tent Stakes for Snow and Sand Camping
Based on our research and testing, we think the MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes are a solid choice if you want tent stakes that's really well suited to Snow and Sand Camping.
Reasons to Buy
- Works great in snow and sand
- Sturdy and durable material
- High visibility even in low light
- Superb holding power
Reasons to Avoid
- Bulky and heavy
The Important Specs
- Design: Concave design
- Length: 9.5 inches
- Material: 7000-series Aluminum
Review Roundup
Are you planning a snowy or sandy camping trip soon? If yes, the MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes are a serious gear to consider. Tailored specifically for loose, soft surfaces like snow and sand, this product has been a camper's favorite, with many people who bought it pleased about its performance.
These stakes, manufactured by Mountain Safety Research (MSR), a leading brand in the outdoor equipment market, stand out due to their spectacularly designed snow flukes. The wide profile and extra length provide a solid hold in less compacted conditions, a feature appreciated by users from across the globe.
Made of 7000-series aluminum, these stakes are just as sturdy as they come. Yet, the MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes aren't unnecessarily heavy. Weighing only 1.12 ounces each, campers were impressed at how easy they are to pack and carry. The stakes' lightweight property ensures that you won't be left panting and worn out before the camping adventure even begins.
Still, what has made them a hit among seasoned and newbie campers is their versatility. Even though they're designed for soft ground conditions, many users have attested that they also work great in hard terrain. This makes them a reliable choice regardless of where your adventurous spirit takes you.
Despite the praises, the product isn't without gripes from some users. Most common is the issue of durability. A few campers have mentioned that the MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes could be prone to bending when hammered into very hard ground. However, it's worth noting that these cases are isolated, and many others have found the stakes to hold up well even under harsh conditions.
Another point of contention is the price, as the MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes come with a slightly hefty price tag. While some campers think they're worth every penny, others suggest that cheaper alternatives can work just as fine. But that's subjective and entirely dependent on individual preferences and budgets.
Durability & Material
Built from the heavy-duty 7000-series aluminum, these stakes showcase exceptional durability. Customers aver that they've used these stakes for multiple expeditions without any notable wear or damage. However, a few users have commented that the design, while effective in loose terrain, can make the stakes a bit bulkier than regular ones, creating issues with portability.
Holding Power
The holding power of these stakes is frequently praised in the reviews. Customers speak highly of their superb grip in sandy and snowy conditions. The unique design is very effective in distributing the weight and tension evenly over a large surface.
Penetration & Soil Compatibility
The MSR Blizzard Tent stakes are specialized for snowy and sandy environments. Being specially crafted for such terrains, they penetrate the ground easily, offering a strong and sturdy hold. However, some buyers have mentioned that in rocky terrains, these stakes can be harder to drive in all the way.
Value
In terms of value, users express that these tent stakes are well worth the price. They point out its durable material, robust design, and effective functionality in challenging conditions as justifying its cost. While there is a small group of users who think these could be priced lower, the majority believe they get what they pay for with the MSR Blizzard Tent stakes.
Visibility & Design
With visibility being a key factor in choosing stakes, customers are satisfied with the MSR Blizzard. Its bright red color and reflective pull loop offer easy spotting, even in low light. The concave design, as reported by users, traps more snow or sand, offering a better hold.
Weight
In the world of backpacking, every gram counts. Buyers have noted that while these are not the lightest on the market, they're still in a reasonable weight class for their size and durability. They add that it's a worthy weight to tolerate for the overall performance in snow and sand conditions.
Prices
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