three tents pitched by the mountain view

The 8 Best Tent Stakes For Keeping Your Shelter In Place

Staking a tent may seem like a no-brainer, but if you find yourself camping on terrain that is less than optimal, it can be frustrating. Rocks, hard-packed earth, or even soft earth like sand can lead to bent stakes, loose lines, and stress. This kind of pressure does not pair well with getting close to nature. You need to have the best tent stakes on hand that are suitable for your camping situation.

Tent stakes are often an overlooked afterthought, but they shouldn’t be. There are a ton of varieties of tent stakes out there.

With different weights, materials, and gripping ability, the best tent stakes are just waiting for you.

​table of comparison

​What Is This Madness?

​Having the best tent stakes on had means your tent is always secure. The tent stake that is best for you comes down the ground to which you are securing your tent.

Furthermore, you must consider how you plan to camp. Destination camping has different considerations compared to backpacking.

If camping and tent stakes are new to you, that’s OK. We found a video that walks you through how to secure your tent with stakes. As you decide which stakes work for you, it helps to visualize them in action.

​But My Tent Came with Stakes

​Not all tent stakes are the same. The tent stakes you receive with your tent tend to be on the cheap side. They may bend easily, break, or become lost.

There are plenty of tent stake options on the market that will suit your camping style and the conditions in which you prefer to camp.

For a video that walks you through some of the considerations in play when contemplating which is the best tent stake, watch this video.

​How We Reviewed the Best Tent Stakes

​In our review section, we are going to check into options for the best tent stakes given the situation you plan to camp. Usefulness and value of all of these camping stake options were balanced out before presenting, as well.

We viewed the tent stakes’ features and reviewed reviews of verified customers. We understand the reviews of others with hands-on experience with the stakes you are considering are valuable.

Also, video reviews of tent stakes gave us a comprehensive overview of what best tent stakes are available.

​Introducing the Stake-Off

​One of these may be the best tent stake set for your camping adventure.

In no particular order, we highlight the length and surface area of the stakes. We also present information regarding the weight of the stakes and the soil conditions in which they work best.


Eurmax Galvanized Non-Rust Camping Family Tent Pop Up Canopy Stakes…

  • 10 – pack with Bonus 4 10ft Ropes & 1 Green Stopper
  • Heavy-duty set of peg stakes,Approx. ¼”, ( 8 mm )
  • Material: galvanized steel for corrosion resistance

Euromax tent stakes are heavy-duty and made of galvanized steel. The galvanization process ensures they will resist rust and will not easily corrode.

The pack comes with 10 stakes that are 10 inches in length and include a large head for effortless driving. The tabbed head means it is easy to remove as the claw end of the hammer can quickly lift the stake.

They include milled points making them easier to drive into the hard or rocky ground. Also, they feature eyelets at the top for ease of anchoring.

Reviewers noted how heavy duty they are and discussed the stakes’ success even in high winds.

Others observed these stakes work rather well but are very large. The combined weight of several stakes may make them heavy compared to other tent stakes. Campers who backpack will want the weight the pros and cons of this type of stake.


MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit, 6-Pack, Mini – 6-Inch

  • 6-pack of lightweight, durable, and versatile camping and backpacking tent stakes that stay put
  • Three-sided Y-beam design offers superior penetration and holding power in a variety of soil types
  • Notch at top for securing guy lines; attached reflective pull loop allows for easy removal

MSR tent stakes come in packs of 6. These rugged stakes are each 6 inches long and are 7000-series aluminum.

The stakes are a three-sided Y-beam design making them very light and strong. They feature a notch at the top for guy lines, and the loop at the top of the stake is reflective, which makes them easy to pull out.

Reviewers noted how strong they were and tended to be surprised by their durability and function, even in strong wind. Despite being lightweight, these stakes work well in a variety of soil conditions, making them some of the all-around best tent stakes.

The following video gives you a good overview of these stakes. The stakes in the video were used regularly for a couple of years, so you can see the condition of the stakes after some real-world wear and tear.


IUMÉ 10 Pack Black Heavy Duty High Strength Steel Camping Tent Stakes…

  • PACKAGE – 10 Pcs tent stakes.
  • SIZE and WEIGHT – 11.8 inches (30cm) in length and the diameter of the stake is 0.39 inch (10mm). 5.7oz/160g yet heavy…
  • FIT HARD OR ROCKY GROUND – High tensile steel construction makes these tent stakes easy to penetrate the roughest…

IUME stakes come in a pack of 10 and are almost twelve inches long. Their diameter is 10 millimeters, and they are said to be unbreakable. They are made from high tensile steel and are made to work well with rough terrain. Also, the stake is entirely steel. There are no plastic parts to worry about breaking.

The heads of these tent stakes are flat, making them easy to pound into the ground. The stakes also have tie-off spots at the top for easy use.

The weight of these stakes is nearly 6 ounces each. While not as lightweight as other tent stakes, these stakes impress reviewers with their holding power in a variety of soil situations. Bear in mind how much weight in tent stakes you are willing to carry when considering this option. 10 of these weigh almost 4 pounds. That doesn’t sound like much until you’re backpacking 30 miles up a mountain.

The Coleman steel spike stakes come in a pack of four. These stakes are 10 inches in length and include polypropylene tops that can handle the impact of being driven into the ground. These tops have a spot where the guy lines run, and a hook for the stakeout points.

These stakes work well in stony ground or similar terrain, and reviewers rave that they are reliable and substantial.

Reviewers do not recommend them for beach use, but they did very well in real-world situations of strong wind with no issues. Some reviewers discussed the tops do break and speculated that dry air and regular use makes them more brittle. Due to the value and sturdiness of these tent stakes, reviewers had no problem replacing them with the same brand.


All one tech Pack of 12, 7075 Aluminum Outdoors Tent Stakes Pegs

  • An ultra-light, three-sided, Hhigh-strength 7075 aluminum tent stakes metal that securely anchors your tent without…
  • 7 inches long camping stakes – Enough to make your tent firmly grasp the length of the ground
  • Our “Y” design aluminum tarp stakes penetrate and hold firmly in a wide range of soil conditions

All one tech’s tent stakes are seven inches long and are three-sided to create surface area for grip while in the ground.

They are lightweight aluminum, which is a consideration for backpacking campers. They come in packs of 12, as well.

Reviewers liked the looped top and commented on how reflective they are. The reflective surface saves you from having to add something bright to prevent tripping as they are easy to see and avoid. The loops at the top make retrieving them from the ground painless, as well.

Reviewers noted pounding them into the hard ground caused these stakes to break or bend but had great luck with other ground conditions. Others stated these stakes strike a nice balance between strength and weight.


Orange Screw: The Ultimate Ground Anchor | Small 4 Pack | Made in USA

  • Lifetime Breakage Guarantee – If you break it, we will replace it!
  • Manufactured in the USA from 100% recycled materials
  • Lightweight, easy to use and nearly indestructible

The Orange Screw tent stakes are manufactured in the United States and are nine and a half inches long. These stakes consist of recycled materials and come in packages of four.

This tent stake is very lightweight and durable. The company does have a lifetime warranty for breakage, so you can check these out without lasting disappointment if there is an issue. These screw into the ground, which makes them quite reliable even in the wind.

Reviewers note they work fantastic in the sand, but a couple struggled with hard ground and breakage when being used in this ground situation.


Lakesstory Strong Tent Stakes on Amazon-12 inch Galvanized Tent Pegs…

  • crafted of QUALITATIVE STEEL, these anchors tarp stakes won’t bend or broken, even when you hammer them;
  • The GALVANIZED FINISH prevents rust – ideal variant for an outdoor use;
  • A special design of these Lakesstory screw tent pegs tarp stakes provides a STRONGER HOLDING POWER;

Lakesstory’s tent galvanized stakes are qualitative steel. They are twelve inches long and come in a pack of twelve. Furthermore, the tips are sharp enough to make pounding into even frozen ground easy.

Their surface is anti-slip and is suitable to grip in mud and sand even in high winds. The stakes feature a unique form at the top as they have a bend that is not a closed-loop. You can tread rope easily. The hardened bend means you can hammer without worrying about breakage when using a hammer.

Reviewers noted these stakes are heavy duty and high quality. They may not be suitable for campers needing to carry their gear, though, given their weight. But if you’re driving and you need stakes that can withstand a lot of abuse, these might be the best tent stakes for you.

This video gives a fantastic overview not only of these stakes themselves but also an overview of the company.


Coleman 12-In. Steel Tent Stakes

  • Durable, heavy-duty plated steel construction
  • Perfect for camping on hard ground
  • Package includes 4 stakes

These Coleman tent stakes are a little different than the other Coleman stakes mentioned here. They are twelve inches long, and their design enables them to break through the tough ground.

Made of heavy-duty plated steel, they come in packages of four. These stakes have a one-year limited warranty directly from Coleman.

Reviewers note these stakes work well in hard soil and hold up nicely in high wind. Campers point out these stakes are not meant for trekkers, as they are heavy and large. Collectively they weigh a lot and take up some space.

​​What’s at Stake?

tent pitched by the mountain view

Not all tent stakes are created the same. While this is true, it does not mean different is lousy.

The weather and ground condition of your camping trip, coupled with your destination, should determine the best tent stakes for your needs.

After you factor in if you will be backpacking or driving up to your campsite, you can consider the weather and ground.

If you are doing cold-weather camping, you may end up pounding stakes into cold and hard ground.

If the weather forecasts wind, you will want to consider a longer and heavier stake.

But whatever your destination and means of getting there, we know something on our list will be perfect for you!

Which of these best tent stakes kept your tent secure? Let us know in the comments!

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