We tested some of the best tent stakes available today according to price, weight, holding power, and durability. Read on to see how they performed, which is best for you, and get some valuable buying advice.
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The best tent stakes are:
MODEL PRICE WEIGHT MATERIAL TYPE LENGTH SCORE 1. TOAKS Titanium V-Shaped Peg $3.50 0.4 oz Titanium Perforated V 6.5 in 9/10 2. MOUNTAIN LAUREL DESIGNS Easton Nano Stakes $3.75 0.4 oz Aluminium Peg 8 in 8/10 3. ZPACKS Ultralight Titanium Tent Stake $2.25 0.19 oz Titanium Shepherd's Hook 6 in 8/10 4. VARGO Titanium Nail Peg $4.50 0.6 oz Titanium Peg 6 in 8/10 5. KELTY Nobendium II Stake $1.99 0.5 oz Aluminium Shepherd's Hook 7 in 8/10 6. SNOW PEAK Steel Stakes $5.95 3 oz Steel Peg 8 in 8/10 7. MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes $4.95 0.5 oz Aluminium Y 7.5 in 8/10 8. SEA TO SUMMIT Ground Control Tent Peg $3.74 0.5 oz Aluminium Y 7 in 8/10 9. NEMO Airpin Ultralight Tent Stakes $4.98 0.4 oz Aluminum Peg 6 in 8/10 10. ORANGE SCREW Ultimate Ground Anchor $7.55 1.8 oz Recycled Polycarbonate Screw 9.5 in 7/10 11. REI Co-Op Snow Stake $6 1 oz Aluminum Peg 9.6 in 7/10The product comparison table below is sortable. Click the arrow in the heading cell to sort the models by preferred spec.
KEY SPECS
The Toaks Titanium V-Shaped Peg is our pick for the best overall tent stake. We love that the V-shaped design provides extra holding power. We found that its shorter 6.5-inch length held exceptionally well in most soil conditions.
These are some of the lightest tent stakes we tested at just 0.4 ounces each. And they run about a dollar less than similar options. We found the titanium to be strong, and it can take a decent beating. The V shape will bend, though, so don’t treat them as if they’re indestructible.
KEY SPECS
The Mountain Laurel Designs Nano Stakes are lightweight aluminum tent stakes that are 8 inches long. This gives them decent holding power despite the smooth peg-style design. We found them to be durable. They are strong enough to be hammered into the ground, great for hard-packed dirt.
We like these tent stakes as a versatile option. They score average or above in all our categories and work well in almost any condition. While we didn’t find any major flaws, they didn’t blow us away in any particular area. But this makes them a great all-around option.
KEY SPECS
The ZPacks Ultralight Titanium Tent Stakes are a shepherd's hook shape commonly found in ultralight backpacking kits. And for good reason. These are the lightest stakes on our list and, remarkably, the second most affordable. There is a price to pay for the low weight.
We found them to be fragile. Don’t even think about using a rock to hammer them into the ground; they will bend easily. The 6-inch length is the minimum length we’d recommend for a tent stake, and we found the holding power to be less than average. However, if you’re smart in how you pitch your shelter, you should be fine in most conditions.
KEY SPECS
Vargo’s Titanium Nail Pegs are 6-inch long tent spikes that can be pounded into the hardest soil. The flat head won’t complain, and the straight titanium shaft won’t bend. These are some of the strongest and most durable tent stakes we tested. You can pound these stakes in almost anywhere.
We didn’t try, but we’ve heard reports that they have been successfully hammered into ice. Because of the short 6-inch length in looser soils, you’ll need to put a rock on top of them, or they can be pulled out of the ground. Also, check out Vargo's original titanium Shepherd's Hook stake for an even lighter option.
KEY SPECS
The Kelty Nobendium are shepherds' hook tent stakes with a hexagonal shape to increase strength. But just because they’re designed to be stronger doesn’t mean you can hammer them into hard-packed dirt and expect not to bend them. Like any shepherd’s hook stake, we found the hook will fold if you pound on it too hard.
They run in the middle of the pack for weight and holding power. Our favorite thing about these tent stakes is the price. At $2 each, they are the most affordable on our list and our pick for the best budget tent stake.
KEY SPECS
The Snow Peak Steel Stakes are heavy-duty tent stakes. They are the most durable tent stakes on our list. At 8 inches long, they provide a ton of holding power. Being made of steel, these stakes could be the last tent stakes you’ll ever need to buy.
We recommend bringing a mallet to get these tent spikes into the ground. We liked the eyelet and hook at the top, making attaching guy lines and removing them from the ground easy. The biggest downside for us is the weight. These are the heaviest tent stakes we tested at 3 ounces each. Not ideal for backpacking, but if you’re car camping, we think these are a great choice.
KEY SPECS
The Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor is a tent stake that looks like a giant plastic screw. It’s designed to be twisted into the ground by placing the carrying tube through the top eyelet to twist this tent anchor in.
We love the holding power of these stakes, the best we tested. At 9.5 inches long, we found they work in most types of ground. At 1.7 ounces, they are the second heaviest tent stake we tested and are the most expensive on our list. The screw shape makes them bulky in your pack too. We like them best for car camping and if you need a stake that can hold a large tarp in windy areas or keep a large dog leash in place.
KEY SPECS
The REI Co-op Snow Stake is similar to the MSR Blizzard but slightly lighter and less expensive. We like the wide profile that holds onto snow or sand, and we found the holes in the stake further improve holding power. The holes can also be used as tie-off points, and the stake can be buried in powdery snow. They are heavier than standard tent stakes and cost $6, the second most on our list.
The biggest downside for us is that these stakes are only designed for sand, snow, and the softest of soils, so they aren’t very versatile. But they’re good at what they’re designed for and our top pick if you need a snow stake.
KEY SPECS
The MSR Groundhog Y Stakes are some of our favorites for holding up well in a wide range of conditions. This is thanks to the Y shape and the 7.5-inch length. They impressed us in windy conditions when we pitched our tent on loose soil. These are durable too. We like how strong they feel in our hands and when pounding them into the ground. At $5 each, they run a little more expensive than the average tent anchor we tested, and the longer length makes them a little less packable too.
Other noteworthy tent stakes by MSR:
KEY SPECS
The Sea to Summit Ground Control tent peg looks a lot like the MSR groundhog with one added feature. They have multi-height guy points to minimize leverage on the stake. This helps in situations where you cannot press it fully into the ground. We found this, along with the long Y stake design, makes them extremely versatile and will excel in most ground conditions.
We liked the rubberized coating on the pull loop to make removing them softer on your finger. These are good all-around stakes, although we’d probably choose the slightly cheaper and higher-performing Toaks Titanium V-Shaped Peg over this.
KEY SPECS
We like the Nemo Airpin’s unique 3-point locking system at the head of the tent stake. We found it eliminates the need for guyline tensioners or knots. At just 0.4 ounces each, these are some of the lightest tent stakes we tested.
They are a great option for tie-outs in places that don’t have built-in tensioners and where you don’t want to tie a knot every time. For us, their straight profile won’t hold the ground well in softer conditions. You’ll need to hold them in with a rock in that case. At $5 each, they run slightly more costly than average. These are unique in what they offer but only useful for very specific shelter setups.
Material and how much tent stake use will play a big part in the price. Specialty-designed stakes for sand snow that provide superior holding power will also cost more. We recommend nothing over $5 per stake unless you’re buying a specialty stake.
Tent stakes that provide the greatest value:
Most Affordable tent stakes:
Premium tent stakes (most expensive):
Titanium and aluminum tent stakes are the lightest materials, and we recommend them for backpacking purposes. Steer clear of steel. Longer stakes will add weight. Depending on your tent set up and the weather conditions, you’ll need 4 to 12 stakes so that weight can add up fast. General-purpose tent stakes should weigh about 0.5 ounces or less each. Specialized stakes for snow and sand will weigh more.
The Lightest tent stakes:
Holding power is how much tension a tent stake can take before it is pulled out of the ground. Holding power is very important, perhaps the most important consideration if using a non-freestanding tent (i.e., a tent that uses tension to hold its shape). Longer stakes have more holding power, and stakes with a V, Y, or screw shape are designed to provide additional grip on the ground. We recommend at least 6 inches in length.
Tent stakes with the best holding power:
You want your tent stakes to last many trips. The most durable tent pegs are made of strong materials, like titanium and steel, are thick, and have a straight shape that is harder to bend. Hook-shaped tent anchors are prone to bending, especially if you need to hammer them into the ground. Thin-ultralight stakes also can bend easily on hard ground.
The most durable tent stakes:
Tent stakes are easy to identify since they are usually named after what they look like. Below are 6 common types of tent stakes.
Different types of tent stakes.
A. Y STAKES
Y stakes are shaped like a Y when viewed from above. These three-sided stakes provide some of the best all-around holding power among the tent stake varieties. Their three-sided designs also make them very strong. They can handle being pounded into hard-packed dirt with a rock.
B. V STAKES
V stakes look like a V when viewed from above. V stakes have a similar holding power to Y stakes but tend to be slightly weaker since they lack that third side of a Y stake. They are lighter than Y stakes and often have perforations to reduce further weight and increase holding power.
C. SHEPHERD'S HOOK
Shepherd’s hook tent pegs are shaped like a shepherd’s crook. The hook is very convenient for holding a guyline and pulling it out of the ground. These stakes are common in many ultralight backpacking kits. However, their holding power in loose soil is minimal, and they are prone to bending on harder grounds, especially if you try to pound them with a rock.
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Titanium shepherd's hook tent stake (Vargo)
D. PERFORATED STAKES (SNOW/SAND)
Perforated stakes are larger to provide excellent holding power in snow, sand, or other soft ground. They have holes that fill with snow and allow the stakes to freeze in place once driven into the ground. The holes also help to keep weight down.
E. PEGS
These stakes are simple and often quite light. They look like nails and usually have a head to drive into the ground using a rock or mallet. For this reason, these stakes are very good for hard ground. They are some of the most durable, especially if made from steel or titanium. Note that some types of peg stakes have a carbon core and should not be hammered. You’ll have to push these in with your foot.
F. SCREWS
Screws are designed to twist as they are driven into the ground. These are heavy-duty tent stakes that are designed for use in sand, snow, or loosely packed soil. There are even some screw stakes that are designed to screw into ice.
Plastic screw tent stake (Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor).
The material your tent anchor is made from will affect many factors, including price, weight, and durability. The most common materials are listed below.
TITANIUM
Titanium tent stakes are high-performance stakes that are lightweight, strong, and durable. The exceptions are very thin tent stakes, like the ZPacks Ultralight Tent Stake, which can bend. Titanium is the most expensive material used for tent stakes.
ALUMINUM
Aluminum tent stakes are affordable and lightweight. They can bend more easily than titanium tent anchors if they are hammered in too hard. Look for Y-style aluminum stakes to add strength.
STEEL
Most heavy-duty tent stakes are made from steel. Steel is strong and is very hard to bend. It is also very affordable. The downside is they are heavy. We don’t recommend taking these into the backcountry.
PLASTIC
Plastic stakes are lightweight and cheap. They can crack and break if you hammer them into hard soil. We recommend using a plastic mallet instead of a metal hammer. Plastic screw stakes like the Orange Screw Ground Anchor have great holding power and are designed to work in the toughest conditions.
Ultralight aluminum tent peg (Easton Nano Stake)
The length of a tent stake will affect its holding power. Too short, and it’ll pull out in loose soil or under tension. We recommend tent stakes be at least 6 inches long. Over 8 inches, and you should have enough holding power in harsh conditions.
Thicker stakes are hard to bend, making them more durable. Solid nail-style tent spikes are hard to bend, especially if they are over 5 mm in thickness.
Tent stakes are fairly compact by design and should fit easily into your backpack. Long stakes, stakes with a hooked head, or screw-style stakes will take up the most space. Straight, short stakes are the easiest to pack.
The easiest-to-use tent stakes can be pounded into any type of soil without bending or much thought required to where you are pitching your tent. Simply hammer in with a hammer or rock, and you’re done. Ultralight tent stakes require care when using them to avoid bending. Often you cannot use a hammer with these stakes. This means you have to hunt for a spot with loose enough soil to push the stakes in. But not so loose that the stakes pull out under tension.
Screw-style stakes have ultimate hold power but can take time and elbow grease to screw into the ground. Other specialty stakes, like snow or sand stakes, will require more fussing to get just right.
© Kelly Hodgkins
When we think about tent stake versatility, two major things come to mind. The first is what types of soil. The most versatile tent pegs work in many soil types, like loose, hard, wet, dry, and sandy soils. Some stakes are designed for specific soil types or snow. Great for these conditions but not so much in other conditions. We recommend getting tent stakes that can be used in 90% of your camping conditions. Then you can buy (or borrow) additional specialty stakes for trips in other conditions.
Tent stakes can also be used for other uses - pitching a fly, tying your dog’s leash, or holding down a picnic blanket on a windy day. While not primary considerations, thinking of other uses you might need a stake for when making a purchasing decision is worthwhile.
The lightweight and user-friendly 6-pack MSR Mini Groundhog is our top recommendation for anyone heading into the backcountry for overnight trips. There is good reason why MSR has kept this stake around for decades, and why its design has been imitated many times over. The tri-beam (y-beam) stake, made of aircraft-grade aluminum, drives into most sediment types we tested well and simply stays put in the face of strong forces. The shape and notched guyline placement points allow the Mini Groundhog to be placed in any direction, adding convenience when setting up camp. Our lead tester noted, “I'm surprised that despite the shorter length of the Groundhogs, they still hold as well as many longer stakes we tested.” The shorter length makes for easier installation by hand and foot, allowing you to keep a stabilizing heel on the ground with a boot placement. The paracord loop on each stake helps to remove them from the ground, although some ultralighters will remove it to save weight.
While these stakes are great for backpacking, the MSR Mini Groundhog has some drawbacks. Like many tent stakes, these can be hard to remove by hand in firm, hard soil despite the help of the pull cord. If you're looking for a model that's easier to remove, check out the Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook. The aluminum construct that makes the MSR Mini Groundhog lightweight also makes them more prone to breaking or bending. The thin neck at the notch that helps keep guylines in place is an obvious weak point. We found it easier than others to install by stepping on it with our boots, but care is still necessary to get a decent placement and prevent unnecessary bending or breaking. That said, almost any tent stake we tested or personally used is pretty easy to bend, so we always recommend careful use. Everything considered, the MSR Mini Groundhog is a terrific option for beginner backpackers wanting to spruce up their tent-pitching accessories and experienced outdoors people alike.
Showing impressive stability in sand and scoring among the best for holding power and durability, the 10-pack of Eurmax Galvanized 10-inch round tent pegs proved to be an excellent option for front-country staking needs. With the help of a hammer or mallet, these stakes can be installed into hard and soft sediment easily. In our tests, they consistently and reliably hold up to the task at hand. The Eurmax pegs come with four ten-foot guylines and a polypropylene replacement top to ensure adequate preparedness for campground needs and repairs. The various guyline attachment points and straightforward installation make the Eurmax Galvanized pegs easy to use and reliable when installed fully into the ground. The long steel pegs are the opposite of backcountry models that favor lightweight materials that aren't as durable. “Any stake can get bent, but I found these are one of the least likely,” our lead reviewer said.
There are few differences between the Eurmax Galvanized pegs and the similar Coleman 10-inch Steel. The Eurmax is a bit heavier, but also intended for camping, so the minor weight difference isn't concerning. We should also mention we wouldn't take either set on backpacking trips. We think the Eurmax presents a better value overall, as they include replacement parts and extra guylines that the Coleman set lacks. Although built from galvanized steel, the metal is thin and still capable of bending. Like any stake, it's a good idea to carefully drive these stakes when working in firm and rocky sediment. Once the stake is bent, installation becomes more difficult. Also, we recommend getting a hammer to help drive long, thick stakes like these into the ground. Overall the Eurmax Galvanized pegs are still significantly stronger than most. It's a reliable heavy-duty option that performs admirably in campsites that aren't too far from your parking spot. But if you need a lightweight option for backpacking, the MSR Mini Groundhog is our first pick.
The best lightweight value in our review, the All One Tech 12 Pack tri-beam (y-beam) aluminum tent stakes receive top marks across all measured metrics. The All One Tech stake provides a great balance of length, design, and weight to achieve a powerful hold while still being a manageable size to take into the backcountry. Its tri-beam design and notched guyline placement points allow for multi-directional placements, and the included stuff sack provides an easy and convenient way to keep stakes together and packed away. While installing by foot can be tricky, even having the stake halfway in the ground proved durable and secure. And with 12 stakes at a low price, “You can afford to bend or break a few while still having plenty to hold down the fort,” our lead tester stated.
Dedicated backpackers will more likely prefer the lower weight and smaller packed size of the MSR Mini Groundhog or Vargo Ti. The All One Tech is bulkier and heavier. Installation with a hammer is straightforward in all types of ground, but installing the All One Tech stakes by hand and foot can be difficult. The taller nature makes it challenging to have a stabilizing heel on the ground when using your foot for installation. Instead of packing a hammer into the backcountry, a flat rock is a decent substitute. When the stake is fully set into firm and hard ground, removal can be difficult even with the assistance of the attached cord, demonstrating some serious holding power. The All One Tech stands out as an excellent value for weight-conscious backpackers and weekend warriors. But if you aren't stuck with a strict budget, the MSR Mini Groundhog and Vargo Ti are well worth a look.
The lowest-weight stake we tested, the Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook is a titanium stake made with the ultralight backpacker in mind. This six-pack of stakes is surprisingly flexible, allowing it to adapt to the ground it's driven into. This natural flex also allows the stake to bend with the direction of pull and almost completely rebound back to its original shape when removed. The hook design allows for easy removal even in the toughest ground, and its narrow profile allows it to settle in and around rocky ground quite well. Our lead tester said, “I like how the slender design packs up small, taking up very little space in a pack.” It also proved more durable than the aluminum stakes we tested while being lighter in weight and more packable. This model balances a backpacker's needs very well.
The natural flexibility and durability are mostly advantageous, but there is one drawback to the bendy nature of the Vargo Ti Shepherd's Hook. Installing this stake by hand and foot can be a little squirrely underfoot before breaking into hard ground. As is standard for lightweight stakes, one needs to be delicate not to stomp too hard on these to get them placed well. The small size is excellent, but some testers wished they came with a stuff sack to keep them together. On the other hand, many ultralight backpackers will leave such a stuff sack at home anyhow to shave off weight. We also didn't find the smooth cylindrical shaft to have as much holding power as the tri-beam models. Still, if well placed, it would take some impressive gusts to pull them out. Overall, the Vargo Ti Shepherd's Hook is a great choice and our recommendation for those shopping for the lowest-weight stakes that still function well. Another lightweight option to consider is the MSR Mini Groundhog, which we found easier to use.
If you often set up camp with a canopy tent on the beach or other areas with soft sediment, the Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor is the stake for you. Its screw design, flexible plastic material, and length are the perfect recipe for a lightweight, durable, robust holding power machine in loose sediment where other stake designs struggle. One tester said, “I like that these screws don't require a hammer or an awkward balancing act to install them by foot.” Instead, they use a plastic tube that threads through the top of the anchor for extra leverage to screw in by hand. Even if the anchor can only be installed 50% into the ground, the natural flexibility of the plastic and effective traction of the screw in the ground still provides an awesome hold.
Where the Orange Screw doesn't shine is in hard, rocky ground. The main challenge in tough rocky earth is gaining initial traction with the anchor. As rocks shift and get dislodged as the anchor tries to dig in, it loosens up the ground, reducing any traction the anchor might have had initially. This limitation to soft sediment already largely disqualifies these stakes from backcountry use, while the bulky size of these screws makes them an unrealistic option for backpacking as well. Overall, the Orange Screw is a durable option for staking applications requiring a strong hold in both horizontal and vertical directions of pull in soft to firm conditions. While you likely won't see these miles away from the trailhead, there are plenty of uses like backyard canopies, camping, and festivals where these stakes can shine, plus the fact that it is made of recycled materials is an added bonus. If you need tent stakes for the backcountry that work well with firm and rocky ground, we like the lightweight Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook.
We extensively researched the various types of tent stakes available on the market today, ranging from tri-beam, shepherd's hook, nail peg, screws, and v-shape designs, and compiled a list of dozens of the most popular models today. Keeping overall performance and cost in mind, we narrowed our focus further to the top contenders for meeting a wide array of end-user needs. We hammered, pushed, and pulled each stake in and out of an array of different ground densities repeatedly to gauge durability, holding power, overall versatility, and ease of use to suss out the best of the best. With 80 uses applied per stake, we installed and pulled on stakes over 800 times. We carefully weighed and measured each stake to gauge overall packability while considering the inclusion of a stuff sack or not. We kept detailed notes along the way, capturing surprise or unexpected performances, and logged ideal uses in order to provide you with all of the information you need in choosing your next set of tent stakes.
As an avid outdoor recreationalist and industry professional, Hayley Walker has been adventuring and working in the outdoors since graduating from college in . Whether it is backpacking, canyoneering, climbing, mountain biking, trail running, pack rafting, or all of the above wrapped up into a multi-sport adventure, she has spent countless nights out under the stars pitching tents and shelters. Her several years of experience as a rental gear manager for an outdoor guide and outfitting service has given her a depth of knowledge and experience when it comes to assessing camping equipment. She is no stranger to the ins and outs of tent stakes and their unending ability to bend or break at the most inopportune times. With a keen eye for detail and vast experience testing equipment for quality, Hayley put her knowledge to the test with this tent stake review, sussing out the top performers to help others rest easy on their camping adventures.
The criteria for comparison considers the important role tent stakes play in securing a protective and reliable shelter while out in the elements. Keep in mind your own staking needs and preferences as you consider the metrics and comparisons made between tent stakes below.
Not all low-priced options are created equally. Some products present a better value than others, and though we don't score the products we test on their price, we like to make note of products that provide a great price-to-performance ratio. We love the All One Tech Stakes, which come in a set of 12 and are lightweight, packable, and easy to use. This set is great for backpackers looking to shave weight and save money on gear. For campers who are less focused on weight but just need a solid, affordable stake to hold their tent down, check out the Coleman 10-Inch Steel stakes, a 4-pack of heavy-duty steel stakes. If you need a few more than 4, we recommend the Eurmax Galvanized, which are very similar but come in a 10-pack for a few bucks more.
Durability is one of the most important metrics we used to rank each model. While material and design play an important role in predicting potential overall durability, we wanted to know how well each tent stake could weather being repeatedly used in a variety of ground types including sand, soft soil, firm ground, and hard, rocky conditions in order to arrive at a real durability score. We installed 1 of each stake into all 4 ground types 20 times per ground type for an overall total of 80 installations per stake. Of those 20 installations per ground type, we used a hammer for 10 of them and our hands and feet for the other 10. Stakes were then scored across 3 metrics associated with durability; bend factor, guyline attachment points, and stake tip.
The recycled polycarbonate plastic Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor surprised us with the highest durability score, showing very little wear and tear even after repeated uses. As expected, the steel Coleman 10-inch and Eurmax Galvanized stakes scored the next highest, especially under their ideal circumstances for use, with a hammer in soft to hard ground.
The Vargo Ti Shepherd's Hook received a high score considering its minuscule weight, displaying promising integrity with its titanium material and natural flexing capabilities. The aluminum models struggled to keep up with the sturdiest models in regards to durability, but with careful use, they can enjoy a long life, too.
Packability is another key area of performance, especially when considering a backpacking or backcountry setting. Campers can largely ignore this metric, while backpackers are advised to tune in more carefully. We carefully measured and weighed each tent stake using a kitchen scale and measuring tape. Each stake within its set was measured and the average weight was scored relative to the other contenders. We measured one stake from each set to log and score the length and width. The smaller and lighter the stake, the higher the score. We also considered whether or not a set of stakes came with a stuff sack or not.
The most packable stakes were the Vargo Ti Shepherd's Hook, the MSR Mini Groundhog, and the TOAKS Titanium V-Shaped, all of which were indeed lightweight and quite small in size. The Vargo Ti and the MSR Mini scored well for being the lightest of the bunch, while the TOAKS Titanium scored well for its ability to pack down into a neat, compact size by nesting into itself and for coming with a high-visibility, ultralight stuff sack.
This test metric measures how strong of a hold each stake provides across soft soil, firm ground, and hard rocky conditions. Upon installing each tent stake into the ground during our durability testing, we then attached a guyline to each stake and pulled at a near-horizontal angle to the ground. Across 20 pulls, we judged how easy or difficult it was to pull out of the ground. Scores were tallied either as an easy single-hand pull, a difficult single-hand pull, or a hard two-hand pull. Difficult two-hand pulls were then tallied for each stake across the soft soil, firm ground, and hard rocky ground types to give an average holding power score. We intentionally left out sandy conditions to give a more accurate representation of holding power under the most common circumstances. If a stake held strongly in one ground type but performed poorly in another, its overall holding power score was lower despite excelling under some circumstances.
Our strongest performers included the longer steel nail peg designs like the Coleman 10-inch Steel and the Eurmax Galvanized, which were able to dig down deep, maximizing their surface area and traction. The other top contender, especially in softer to firm ground types, was the Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor with its wide screw design and length reaching and gripping effectively into the ground.
The other above-average performers included the TOAKS Titanium V-Shaped utilizing maximum surface area with its v-shape design and the aluminum tri-beam models like the MSR Mini Groundhog and the All One Tech stakes. Some of the shepherd hooks impressed us with more holding power than expected but still landed lower than the models mentioned above in this metric.
Versatility determines overall stake performance and is based on scoring answers to a few basic questions. First, we consider how many guyline attachment points the stake presented. The more available options for attaching guylines increased the overall usability of a single stake. Second, we consider whether or not a stake requires a directional placement in the ground or if it can be placed in multiple directions. A directional placement requirement can be limiting, reducing its overall usability. Third, we consider the stakes' utility across varying sediment densities, from loose sand to packed and dry dirt. Lastly, we consider whether or not it is still feasible to use a stake after it was bent or damaged through prior testing.
Our top performers for versatility included the All One Tech and MSR Mini Groundhog stakes for their overall solid performance in holding power, non-directional placement capabilities as tri-beam designs, and their ability to be used over and over again with minimal bending or damage. They are also lightweight enough for backpacking trips yet also work fine for camping.
The Coleman 10-Inch Steel and Eurmax Galvanized received higher scores for their ability to hold in sand where most others failed. Only the Orange Screw also performed well on the beach, although this screw is mostly limited to the beach or quite soft or moist sediment. The FANBX F Tent Pegs, while not the most versatile overall, did have a noteworthy performance in their continued usability despite getting bent out of shape early on in testing.
Ease of Use is how user-friendly or not the tent stakes are. We used four criteria: ease of installation by hand and foot, ease of installation by hammer, the inclusion of a pull cord or equivalent, and the ease of removal from the ground. It should be noted that we did not use a hammer or foot to install the Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor but rather, due to its design that utilizes its own mechanism for installation, based its ease of installation scores off of its intended installation method.
The top performers had pull cords and a tri-beam design in common, two factors contributing to easy removal and easier installation by foot. The winner here was the MSR Mini Groundhog, which was easier to install by foot than most others, hammered in quickly, and was a breeze to remove with the help of its pull cord. The notches are also very useful for keeping guylines in place.
The All One Tech came in as a close second. This model was equally easy to remove. However, its length made it a touch harder to install by foot. The Vargo Ti Shepherd's Hook was another close contender. The slim profile made it easier to install in and around rocks. It was also easy to remove by hand with its hook design.
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