Best Tent Stakes of 2026

We’ve researched over 80 tent stakes and tested dozens of designs from the crusty earth of the High Sierra to the loamy soils of New England. For this gear guide, we reviewed and ranked 12 top contenders for their weight, packability, durability, holding power, and ease of use.

Editor’s Note: We updated this article on August 7, 2026, to to ensure the accuracy of product pricing and technical specifications. We also expanded our section on How to Choose Tent Stakes.

How We Test Tent Stakes

Our team of gear experts has logged more than 3,000 nights in the backcountry testing tents and all the accessories that go with them – stakes included. For this guide, gear analyst Brett Kretzer tested and reviewed 12 tent stakes from leading brands like MSR, Nemo, REI, Zpacks, and more. He compared them side by side in the field, closely evaluating their weight, packability, durability, holding power, and ease of use to paint an accurate picture of all-around performance.

And for more info, check out some of our other popular gear guides:

#1. Best Tent Stakes Overall

The MSR Groundhog earned our top billing for its hard-to-beat balance of weight, durability, and holding power. We’ve relied on these stakes on countless backpacking trips and have yet to experience any issues with structural integrity – even during gnarly storms.

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Quick Picks for Tent Stakes

Check out this quick list of our favorite tent stakes if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

Editor’s Note: All prices listed below are per stake, rounded to the next whole dollar.

1. Best Tent Stakes Overall: MSR Groundhog ($7) / Mini-Groundhog ($6)

2. Most Innovative Tent Stakes: NEMO Sweepstake ($5)

3. Best for Quick Adjustments: NEMO Airpin ($5)

4. Best Bang for Your Buck: All One Tech Aluminum ($1)

5. Best for Anchoring Large Shelters: Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor ($7)

6. Best Ultralight Tent Stakes: MSR Carbon-Core ($13)

7. Best Balance of Weight & Holding Power: TOAKS Titanium V-Shaped Peg ($4)

8. Best in Snow & Sand: REI Snow Stake ($8)

9. Most Durable Tent Stakes: REI Steel Stake ($3)

10. Best Hook Tent Stakes: REI Aluminum Hook Stake ($3)

11. Most Packable Tent Stakes: Zpacks 6″ Ultralight Titanium Stake ($3)

12. Best Ultralight Stakes for Rocky Ground: Vargo Titanium Stake ($4)

Analysis & Results

Which Tent Stakes are the Best Value?

We interpret value as the average of all testing metrics compared with price to find the absolute best bang for your buck.

Without question, the All One Tech Aluminum Stakes deliver the most value. They are the cheapest option on our list and boast solid all-around performance. They have decent holding power in various soil types, check in at a reasonable weight, are easy to use, and last a long time.

A similar stake to the All One Techs – but with a touch more practical functionality – is the MSR Groundhog. It’s more expensive but notably more durable and stable in various substrates, likely due to its extra half-inch of length.

A few other stakes worth mentioning are the REI Steel Stake, REI Aluminum Hook, and TOAKS Titanium V-Shaped Peg. All three designs outperform their price tags, in our experience. They are not without downsides, of course, but we consider them high-quality options for camping (the REI Steel Stake) and backpacking (the REI Aluminum Hook and TOAKS Titanium).

Which Tent Stakes are the Most Durable?

As with most ultralight gear, durability is almost directly correlated to weight. More durable gear is usually made from thicker and heavier materials, thus the trade-off.

It doesn’t get more durable than the solid steel of the REI Steel Stakes. Although their blunt tips hinder them from easily penetrating the earth, they make up for it by being able to handle severe abuse from a heavy mallet.

The most durable of the lightweight tent stakes on our list in the NEMO Sweepstake. The Y-shaped design is incredibly rigid. It won’t show much wear beyond some scratches from normal use, and we couldn’t even get it to bend significantly after hammering it into rocky soil.

The MSR Groundhog also impressed us with its balance of weight and durability. As a similarly Y-shaped stake, it’s slightly less durable than the Sweepstake but a little lighter.

Which Tent Stakes are the Lightest & Most Packable?

The lightest tent stakes are typically made of titanium or carbon fiber, but the most common is lightweight aluminum. Heavier metals like steel are usually reserved for applications where weight is less important, such as car camping.

The lightest stakes on our list are the Nemo Airpins (0.18 ounces per stake), followed closely by the Zpacks 6″ Ultralight Titanium (0.19 ounces each). On our scale, the Airpins weighed a little more at 0.3 ounces each, while the Zpacks were very close to their listed weight at 0.2 ounces. Both designs are 6 inches long, although the Zpacks are a little less bulky – which can add up if you’ve got several of them in your kit.

The MSR Carbon Core stakes are of similar weight (0.2 ounces each) but don’t pack down quite as small due to their thicker construction and wide top. Still, they are a great option for ultralight backpackers who don’t mind making some sacrifices in the name of weight savings.

The Vargo Titanium stakes are also competitively lightweight. However, they are half an inch longer than the options mentioned above and carry a little extra weight from their painted top. They still pack down very neatly.

Which Tent Stakes Have the Best Holding Power?

When planning a backpacking trip, it’s important to take into consideration the type of soil (and weather) you’ll be encountering, so you can choose the proper stake to secure your gear. 

It’s not surprising that the corkscrew shape of the Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor has the best holding power to anchor the heaviest shelters in the harshest storms. They prefer moderately compact soil, but once seated properly, they are all but bombproof. 

The REI Snow Stakes have the second-best overall holding power with their 9.6-inch length and U shape. They are specifically designed for snow and sand but will hold fast in any type of soil you can get them into. 

Among the unspecialized tent stakes, the MSR Groundhog performed the best all around. Their Y-shaped construction provides enough holding power for most backpacking purposes, and they go in pretty easily, too.

Which Tent Stakes are the Easiest to Use?

The NEMO Sweepstake is one of the most unique and practical tent stake designs we’ve ever seen. Its Y-shaped profile with a pointed tip makes it easier to get into firm, stubborn ground. The shape also naturally creates a wide, flat top for pushing on with a rock or shoe. However, the most unique element of the Sweepstake is its dedicated, glow-in-the-dark stake cleaner. It not only helps you find your stakes in the dark but cleans the mud off the stake in a fraction of a second. 

Though many stakes may have you trying a slew of methods to get them to penetrate the earth – stomping with your shoe, pushing with a rock, taking your frustrations out on it with a hammer – the Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchors are built with a corkscrew design that requires nothing more than a turn of the wrist. They even include a little handle for better leverage.

Our favorite shape for hassle-free tent stakes is the Y shape. They hold strong in most soil types, are easy to hit with a rock, and are durable. The All One Tech Aluminum Stake and MSR Groundhog are both designed with this shape and even come with a pre-attached, high-visibility pull cord. 

Last but not least, the NEMO Airpin utilizes a unique head shape that eliminates the need for knots or automatic tensioners. It takes a little getting used to, but with some practice, it offers lightning-fast adjustability.

How to Choose Tent Stakes

Which Material is Best for a Tent Stake?

The answer to this question will largely depend on your intended use(s) and preferences on weight versus durability and cost.

Plastic stakes are typically the most affordable, but they’re also some of the least durable and versatile. Plastic can snap and break easily, which can be problematic when you’re deep in the backcountry. They may get the job done for car camping, but we would recommend having some backups in your kit.

Steel stakes are another affordable option for frontcountry camping. They are super durable, so you can pound them in with a mallet without worrying about bending or breaking. However, most steel stakes are heavier than we prefer for backpacking.

Aluminum stakes are a great value because they balance low weight, durability, and versatility. Aluminum stakes are typically a good choice for backpackers who aren’t concerned with saving every gram of pack weight.

Ultralight tent stakes made from titanium and carbon fiber often weigh just fractions of an ounce but can get pretty spendy. Durability can be a concern, too. Titanium bends relatively easily, while carbon fiber is prone to snapping. Once you press too hard in the wrong direction, there’s no going back.

Which Shape Tent Stake Should You Choose?

Generally, the longer the tent stake and the more surface area it has, the better the holding power. Y-shaped stakes provide excellent security in all types of terrain. They’re more durable and harder to bend than other stake shapes, but they can be tougher to get around rocks buried in the ground.

V stakes are well suited for loose terrain. Sand and snow settle into the holes in the shaft, giving them excellent holding power in soft ground. However, V stakes made from aluminum or titanium may bend easily if driven too hard into compact ground or rocks.

Shepherd’s hook stakes are typically very lightweight. They’re thinner than Y and V stakes, so they’re easier to slip in between roots and rocks. That said, the thin diameter reduces their holding power and makes them more susceptible to bending.

Nail stakes are typically very lightweight, but they usually have a less prominent notch for securing a guyline. Nail stakes with thicker diameters will have decent holding power, but they will generally need to be reinforced with a rock.

Screw stakes have a specialized shape that will provide excellent hold in any type of ground you’re able to drive them into. We often turn to screw stakes for car camping or securing sun shades in sand.

How Much Should Tent Stakes Weigh?

The short answer is that it depends on your use case. Starting at the ultralight end of the spectrum, stakes around 0.2 ounces each (or less) will appeal to weight-conscious backpackers who count every gram. They often make sacrifices in areas like durability and holding power but take up minimal space and aren’t a burden to carry over long distances.

For general backpacking, stakes in the 0.3- to 0.5-ounce range are perfectly acceptable. The added weight and bulk won’t be noticeable for most, and you can expect added benefits in the form of increased longevity and improved security.

For car camping, weight and bulk are less of a concern, so you can get away with much heavier stakes. There really is no weight limit here, but some of our favorites for car camping check in at well over an ounce each. Some steel stakes are closer to 2 or 3 ounces. If you plan to do a lot of camping in sand, snow, or windy weather, you can expect to be looking in this range, as longer stakes generally weigh more (see the next section for more info on length).

What’s the Best Length for Tent Stakes?

There’s no one-size-fits-all length for tent stakes – the ideal length will depend on factors like terrain type, conditions, what what type of structure you are trying to secure. For most backpacking purposes, 6- to 7-inch stakes are standard. They can be hammered deep enough into the earth to provide adequate holding power in most terrain.

If you will be camping on sand, snow, or other very soft surfaces, a longer stake (7.5 to 9.5 inches) will offer increased holding power. This can be helpful in extremely windy environments, too. The added material often translates to increased weight and bulk, but the boost in security can be invaluable whether you’re camping on the beach or hunkering down in a snow storm.

Why Trust CleverHiker

Gear analyst Brett Kretzer has spent years backpacking through diverse landscapes, from the rocky terrain of the Spanish Pyrenees to the mossy, rooted boreal forests of New England. He’s completed thru-hikes like the Long Trail, Colorado Trail, and the GR11, along with sections of the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails. Brett also has spent over half a decade testing and scrutinizing backpacking gear.

Testing Methodology

How Do We Measure Durability?

Most people have experienced the frustration of using a tent stake that is severely bent from excessive use. To determine a stake’s durability, we noted whether or not we could simply bend it by hand and then took our frustrations out on it with the heaviest mallet we had. We paid attention to scratches, deformation, and other indicators of wear throughout testing.

Though durability might hold little to no importance for ultralight backpackers tenting in mostly soft to moderately compact soil, it’s paramount in other situations, such as car camping with large shelters on tough ground – where you have to muscle your stakes in with a heavy-duty mallet.

How Do We Assess Weight & Packability?

When you’re hoofing it through the mountains for 10 to 20 miles day after day, each and every ounce makes a difference. Our score for this metric is a combination of the stake’s measured weight and how small it packs down. We compared our measurements to the manufacturers’ stated specifications, noting any sizable discrepancies. Some stake sets even come with a handy stuff sack, which we factored in.

How Do We Evaluate Holding Power?

To gauge holding power, we considered each stake’s shape and overall design and evaluated its performance in varied terrain. Each style has its strong suits and weaknesses (e.g., Y-shaped stakes hold really well in packed soil but can be a pain to get into rocky terrain), which we factored into our rankings. We staked down backpacking tents, camping tents, and sun shades. If a stake performed well across the board, it received bonus points for versatility.

How Do We Gauge Ease of Use?

Most tent stakes are pretty straightforward to use, but some are designed to make your life just a little bit easier. They may have integrated pull cords, a wide and flat top for hitting with a mallet, high-visibility elements, or even a dedicated stake cleaner to sweep off the mud. We consider this the lowest-priority metric, but a practical design gains a few bonus points.