Backpacking Tent Stakes / Tent Pegs, Which One?

So what makes tent stakes "the best"? This depends on the type of camping you're doing and the terrain you're calling home. Here's some information to get you started on your quest to finding the right tent stakes.
Plastic utility stakes can offer a little more quality than your run-of-the-mill hook stake because their Y-shaped shaft won't twist in the soil. These stakes are often longer than hook stakes, as well, so they offer a higher holding power. Because they are made of plastic, it can be more difficult to drive them into tough terrain.
Why buy a utility stake? Utility stakes are one of the least expensive stakes, but they're bulky. They are best used for car camping trips when weight and space isn't an issue.\
The V-stake's V-shape makes it more durable than a hook stake without increasing much in weight. V-stakes work well in hard, sandy ground or in ground with rocks hidden in the soil. Your guy line sits in the notch just below the head of the stake. Some V-stakes have holes throughout the shaft of the stake, which you can thread your line through for even more holding power.
Why buy a V-stake? V-stakes are more durable than hook stakes and more packable than utility stakes. They are perfect for hard or rocky ground.\
Usually made of titanium or steel, nail stakes are a durable tent stake option. These stakes get their name from their pointed bottom and flat head. Some nail stakes have added plastic at the head, making it a T-stake. The T-shape allows you to more easily attach your guy line to the stake. These tough stakes work well in a variety of terrain, but their holding power is meant for one- or two-person tents.
Why buy a nail stake? If you are willing to spend a little more for a tough, lightweight stake and use a one- or two-person tent as your shelter, a nail stake would work well for you.
Y-stakes are best for all-around terrain. The fins on the Y-shape of this stake make it very difficult to bend in hard or rocky ground. This unique shape also gives the stake more holding power. With all this power, Y-stakes tend to be on the heavier side when compared to hook, V and nail stakes. These stakes are also a little pricier, but they are worth the cost for having a secure shelter.
Why buy a Y-stake? Y-stakes are ideal all-around stakes. They have excellent holding power in hard, rocky ground and in more forgiving soil. If you can afford the extra weight and higher price point for a sturdy all-around tent stake, consider the Y-stake.
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[@lucyocean5854]

i leveled up watching this.

[@djbreakfast]

Now when I wanted to learn about tent stakes, I did NOT expect a whole in-depth guide!! Awesome video!

[@dougwachs]

This is as good a discussion on stakes I've ever heard! Awesome - thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@KrizAkoni]

You definitely love your stake! I used to have an MSR needle stake...lost it last time I was out...it was my favorite

[@IjukeYOUout]

very cool video, I use the titanium nails in combination with MSR full size groundhogs here in AZ, sometimes very hard ground, sometimes sandy but those are my go to's for backpacking, i luv em

[@m.r.3275]

great video!! super useful, thank you so much.

[@thriftyoutdoorsman7860]

Great video. I just got Kelty Nobendium 7" shepard hook, and Big Agnes Dirt Dagger 6". I got 6 of each I plan to try out soon.

[@charlotteking8123]

Thanks for this! I'm in central Florida and the temp's are going to below freezing tonight, looking for what to use to secure tarps over plants for warmth with SAND soil. Looks like the plastic ones will be best.

[@MarcMallary]

I have a 26 ounce tent, but could carry another 32 ounces of tent stakes, for every possibility.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

True, True. I feel like I am on a Holy Grail quest sometime, then my wife will do some cool trick with a rock and a log to hole the tent down and feel a little stupid.

[@oliveribasta5929]

Great Channel✌️

[@kayasper6081]

This is candy for adults, love it. But be aware that normal healthy people will consider us to be rather freaky, haha! On longer trips (usually with my sea kayak) I carry the gold-look V stakes (most of the times they do the job best), the yellow plastic ones (cheap but very useful in some situations) and the big sand/snow stakes (they are really great but also expensive and make a big package). I still miss two special models (long, 30+ cm, thin and with a hook) which I haven´t found on the market, so will make them myself. They will be just perfect to fix the both side walls when I put my Unna on the beach. So all together, that is some extra weight what carry, but pretty much needed to face all possibe local conditions.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Kayasper. All I have been thinking about is your custom peg design. I would love to get into sea kayaking. Or you could move up here. Look up Washington San Juan Islands sometime. I like to watch the long hikers like the PCT and AT this time of year and always find it a little amusing as they can't figure out why they can't get their $900 cuben tent to stop being blown over. This is a passive attempt to give advice.

[@irmasanchez5274]

Such a great video. Thank you! I am interested in the DAC v shaped stakes but for some reason I was only able to find them at one European website. How/where did you purchase them? Looking forward to you stake comparison tests.

[@OliverBerresford]

Thats a lot of stakes Bruce. Generally I like the Dac stakes Hille provide. Ground is generally quite firm where I go so I need to be able to bang it with a rock a bit. 👍

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

I love them too. It is fun for me to have it suddenly dawn on why Hilleberg does something like their stake choice. Like for some reason I know more about it then they do. Since a lot of HIllies the V-stake that is where I really saw what a neat design they are. I am a rock banger too. I see a few people doing the step process which I think is not a good way at all. Time for coffee pal, have a great day.

[@yogalandawellnessyolandati7654]

Thanks for all the info! I'm hoping you can help me with a question. How do you attach straight (not J shaped or hooked) stakes to your tent?? My tents have nylon loops and I bought some ultralight stakes but cannot figure out the trick to prevent the loops from just sliding off the top of the stake! I've scoured the internet and there's no tips, what am I missing here?

[@Detroit3Pistons]

How does the line not slip off the top of the MSR ground hog stakes?

[@richardsellers8556]

In loose soil or a thick layer of duff, you can also use knitting needles. Use the 16 inch ones.

[@Fellmandave1]

Excellent. Did you see my holding power in different grounds test?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

I have done a few tests and have definitely seen differences. Is there any you would like me to test?

[@Fellmandave1]

@@naturecallsoutdoors I have been recommend the swiss piranha but not tried them yet. Could be a good one. My testing is below . Tell me what you think!

[@Fellmandave1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWmQenSifp1rY7M

[@cundelll]

Did you ever remember when a company tried to bring out some sort of composite stake/ peg that was filled with a light gas in production to make it lighter?

[@Tipster49]

The video photo was our first hint. You have a stake fetish 😂

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Yes, sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder why I am not locked up.

[@NikosKatsikanis]

I prefer to use sharpened Branches

[@UserName-sj8fg]

If you don/t put hem inthe ground and pull on the rope to see how many pounds of pull it takes to pull it out, then you are useless.

[@sujiut]

If you're bending your Ti angle stakes, i suspect you're putting them in backwards. When it's in the ground, looking at the stake from the tent's point of view, the convex side should be towards you.