When camping, we all need to feel secure and safe in the tents where we sleep.
Like any other structure we live in, a good foundation is a must when pitching a tent.
You need to have good tent stakes that can hold a tent firmly for you.
Tent stakes are an essential part of the structural integrity of tents.
You need to know how to choose tent stakes.
When choosing tent stakes, consider the material, the type of ground you drive into, the stakes’ length, the shape of their tips and tops, and their visibility.
In this post, you will get some comprehensive guidelines on how to choose tent stakes that can guarantee you good performance and safety.
Table of Contents
Factors to Consider When Choosing Tent Stakes
Type of Material
The type of material of the stakes determines their durability, strength, and weight.
In this case, you will have to make a compromise between strength and weight.
Stakes made from steel are usually strong but heavy.
On the other hand, stakes made from carbon are not very strong or durable, but they are incredibly light and affordable.
If you are on a budget, I recommend you go for aluminum or titanium stakes because they offer a medium range of qualities.
The Location and the Nature of Topography You Will be Using the Stakes In
Before making any choice about tent stakes, you need to know where you will be using them and the type of ground.
You will need lighter stakes if you are backpacking because you will not like anything that will weigh you down.
Go for heavy and strong stakes if you intend to cover a short distance before setting up camp.
If the camping ground is hard, heavy-duty stakes will be preferable.
For soft grounds, light-weight stakes are appropriate with a wider base for better grip.
The Length of the Stakes
When choosing tent stakes, you need to consider their design because they directly influence their performance and holding power.
Short stakes but with a larger surface area tend to perform better than longer and thinner Stakes.
But again, larger surface area and longer lengths of the stakes mean more weight though these are the kinds of stakes that perform better in windy conditions.
The Shape of the Tip
Tent stakes should not require too much effort to drive them to the ground.
Stakes with narrow tips require less pressure to drive them underground but watch out, too narrow tips can break easily.
The Shape of their Tops
When driving the stakes to the ground, you may need to apply some pressure.
A wider top ensures that you will use as little pressure as possible.
On tougher grounds, you will need to use a hammer to drive the stakes to the ground.
A flat-top will be convenient.
Visibility
The size of the tent stakes is another vital aspect to consider when choosing the stakes.
Tent stakes can easily get lost when packing.
I recommend you go for larger and more visible stakes because the chances of you leaving them behind after dismantling the tent are minimal.
Highly visible stakes also ensure that you will not trip over them when moving around the camp.
Types of Tent Stakes to Choose From
Tent stakes designs have evolved, from twigs used by shepherds to the modern metallic and non-metallic designs currently used.
Advancement in material science has provided consumers with various designs with excellent performance features for different ground conditions.
It is paramount that you know the difference if you desire great results. Some of the designs include:
T-Stakes
These stakes look like nails and consist of titanium or steel.
They are suitable for backpacking.
Pros
- Tapered tips ensure easy insertion to the ground
- Flat or T-shaped tops provide adequate surface area to apply pressure when driving them to the ground
- Usable different grounds.
- They are affordable.
Cons
- They have limited holding power.
Check out this example:
V-Stakes
Pros
- They are light and affordable.
- The V-shape adds to their rigidity; hence they do not bend easily.
Cons
- They are prone to rust and can break easily.
Check out this example:
Y-Stakes
Pros
- They have high holding power hence suitable for different types of terrains.
- They have a wide surface area; these can stay anchored during strong winds.
Snow Stakes
Pros
- These are broad and U-shaped, offering a large surface area for anchoring in the fluffy snow.
- They consist of steel or titanium; they are strong and durable.
Check out this example:
Utility Stakes
These stakes are usually Y-shaped and plastic.
Pros
- They are cheap
- Their Y-shape ensures that they don’t twist when in the ground.
- Their big surface area and long length provide decent holding power.
Cons
- They are not durable
- They are bulky hence unsuitable for backpacking
- Unsuitable for hard grounds.
Check out this example:
How To Choose Tent Stakes For Different Grounds
As I mentioned earlier, different grounds will require other tent stakes when pitching a tent.
Tent Stakes for Soft Grounds
I recommend going for tent stakes with a wider base to get more grip in the loose sand.
Check out our guide on how to stake a tent in sand.
Tent Stakes for Hard Grounds
For the hard surfaces that are not rocky, T-stakes are a great choice.
Just remember not to hammer them too hard when driving them to the ground because they may bend.
Check out the how to put tent stakes in hard ground.
Tent stakes for Rocky Grounds
A great effort for strong stakes is a must when it comes to rocky surfaces.
V-stakes and Y-stakes are appropriate for these kinds of surfaces because they can withstand some pounding when driving them to the ground.
Take a look at the best tent stakes for rocky ground.
Conclusion
If you carefully follow these guidelines on how to choose tent stakes, you will avoid many disappointments that arise when it comes to camping.