Tent Stakes - More Than You Ever Wanted To Know

Somehow, I managed to nerd out on tent stakes for almost 10 minutes. Brace yourself for the excitement! Seriously, if you are new to camping or backpacking, what you don't know about this topic CAN ruin your trip. I cover how to tell bad stakes from good ones, and give you some suggestions for possible upgrades if your existing stakes don't measure up. If you can make it through all 10 minutes, you will know what most people are forced to learn through trial and error (mostly error).

[@davidcooper5790]

Thanks for taking the time to do this video, it's been really helpful :)

[@datamonkey2450]

Great advice for the novice. From over 50 years experience of doing this stuff, for backpacking upto the permanent snow line go with the MSR ‘Groundhogs’ every time....or use big rocks!

[@wilven]

Very informative! I wish I'd seen this before my tent got blown off the beach at Assateague last month.

[@dogsbyfire]

Nicely done. Thank you!

[@mauriciohzamora4105]

Excellent review, mate. Kudos. Actually, I am struggling with tent setup on the beach. Even desert is a bit more simple. So I have just ordered MSR stakes (groundhog, carbon core, cyclone and blizzard). The only stakes I did not order are the huge ones called ToughStake. Why all those? Because Chilean desert and surrounding beach sand are very special, and you even get dunes in between, all together. So, I'll be going the trial and error route :)

[@opinionatedcheapskate-outd2462]

A couple of quick additions: (1) I carry my stakes in a plastic bag, because when they come out of the ground, they are often dirty, and I don't want that dirt all over my tent when I put my stakes back in the tent bag. When I get back, I always take the tent out and let it air out to make sure it is fully dry, and I typically rinse the dirt off the stakes and let them dry before they go back in my tent bag. This keeps my stakes from getting corroded or rusty, and the process of cleaning them ensures that if I crack or damage a stake, I will notice the damage and can replace the stake before my next trip. (2) NEVER step on your stakes to try and drive them in. If your stake is hitting a rock below the surface you will either damage your stake, or punch a hole in your shoe and possibly even your foot. Instead, use a rock or a heavy stick to drive your stakes in if the soil is very hard and you are having trouble getting them in. (3) If you can't get your stakes to go in because the ground is just too rocky, improvise by tying some rope around a rock, and then tying the rock to your guy line.

[@robbabcock_]

I use a canvas bag to store my tent stakes for the same reason. However, canvas is sturdy enough to prevent the stakes from poking a hole through the side.

[@NightWatcher123]

Thanks!

[@troytaylor1913]

I bought a Tooca 4-person cabin tent at a very cheap price at Walmart online for 50 bucks. It came with Y aluminum pegs I mean steaks. After watching a few videos like this one It seems like the best upgrade is Y Titanium. The soil is very hard and dry where I live. My dad used steel spikes but those are heavy.

[@troytaylor1913]

The Tooca cabin tent is very well made for 50 bucks. It came with a full rainfly that covered the whole tent not just the top like most cabin tents, Thick aluminum instant frame, and Y steaks. It even fits easily back into the original bag LOL. I'm impressed at what you can get for 45 bucks I just had to find it online instead of walking into Walmart. It went down in price. I'm thinking it must be a factory rejection of a more expensive brand and they change the brand screen print and sell it for less.

[@troytaylor1913]

After shopping online I found Titanium Y pegs for only twice the price of aluminum instead of 4 times the price. I bought 24. My teepee takes a few more.

[@acornultraantiques5330]

Nice video thanks

[@Kemrer]

Thank you

[@modygonzales8255]

very informative subject,especially for a beginner like me that just purchase a one person wenzel starlight tent.with the ordinary steel stakes?I plan to buy the 2nd one with a more surface area!Tnx from the PHILIPPINES.

[@RichardFoleher]

I camp on the beach and recently bought a new tent which came with Y stakes, found your video to see if they were any good but now it looks like I'm swapping them out for the sand stakes in your video. Are they truly as good as you say?

[@LKDesign]

I assume that if you want to hold down a tarp at the grommets, to get it as close to the ground as possible, you still need to make use of those angled hooks.

[@gobalik]

the thing is, most casual campers dont camp in high winds, or in rocky ground. They camp in established campsites in mild weather - so regular tent stakes are almost always good enough for them. Its like having an electric car and worrying you cant roadtrip across america with it when 99% of the time you're driving to the supermarket a block away

[@user-oj8ss4zq3x]

I used a basic Shepherd hook and had all sorts of issues with it spinning.…. Granted it was a bit wet but nothing crazy. I had three same mindset you did and I definitely learned my lesson.

[@brianhoward7277]

I love a nice sirloin stake

[@terrabyteonetb1628]

Like a update saw screw typbpegs in sand /water, n other new designs

[@chatryna]

How deep do you have to bury the dead man at the beach?

[@davepowell1661]

Delta's.

[@earthman4222]

So you are saying the mini groundhogs are best for backpacking? Ah, yes.

[@UuddlerLeRoyBaStart]

If you drive that 'cheap' tent stake all the way down. That's not going to bend

[@seeEricaRun]

Yeah, but I've bent quite a few while putting them in.