The Guide to Choosing the Right Tent Stakes
The majority of Tents come with a set of tent stakes to ensure your shelter and you are protected from the elements. The stakes that come with your tent may not be of the best quality. What makes tent stakes "the finest"? It all depends on what type of camping you do and where you live. These are some tips to help you get started in your search for the Best Tent Stakes.
Tent Stakes There are many types of stakes in camping and backpacking. Aluminum hook stakes are the most common type of tent stake. They are lightweight, have great holding power (the ability for your shelter to stay in place on the ground), and can be bent in hard or rocky terrain. We will be discussing the best uses of common stakes.
Utility Stakes Because their Y-shaped shaft will not twist in the soil, plastic utility stakes offer a bit more quality than regular hook stakes. They are also typically longer than hook stakes so they have greater holding power. They are plastic and can be difficult to drive into hard terrain because of this.
Why would you buy a utility stake? Although utility stakes are the cheapest stakes, they can be bulky. These stakes are ideal for car camping trips where space and weight are not an issue.
V-Stakes The V-stake The V-shape makes it stronger than a hook stake and lighter without adding much weight. V-stakes are great for hard ground, sandy soil, and ground with rocks in the soil. The stake's head is just below your guy line. For even greater holding power, some V-stakes feature holes through the shaft. You can thread your guy line through these holes.
Why purchase a V-stake? V-stakes are stronger than hook stakes and easier to pack than utility stakes. These stakes are ideal for use on hard and rocky terrain.
Nail Stakes Nail stakes, which are usually made from titanium or steel, are a strong option for tent stakes. This stake's name comes from its flat head and pointed bottom. Some nail stakes are now referred to as a T-stake. You can attach your guy line more easily to the stake with its T-shape shape. These stakes are strong enough to hold tents for one or two people.
Why would you want to buy a nail stake? A nail stake is a good option if you're willing to pay a bit more for a lightweight, sturdy stake. You can also use a tent for shelter.
Y-Stakes All-terrain Y-stakes work best. This stake's Y-shape makes it difficult to bend on the rocky or hard ground because of its fins. The stake's unique shape gives it more holding power. Due to their power, Y stakes are heavier than the hook, V, and nail stakes. Although these stakes can be a bit more expensive, they are well worth the investment in a shelter.
Why purchase a Y-stake? The Y-stakes make a great all-round stake. They are strong enough to hold in the both hard and rocky ground as well as more forgiving soil. Consider the Y-stake if you can afford the heavier weight and more expensive price tag for an all-around sturdy tent stake.
Snow Stakes Snow stakes are, naturally, meant to be used for camping on snow. These large, curved stakes have holes that freeze the stakes in place. This gives them maximum holding power in snow. Snow stakes are heavier than ground stakes and therefore more costly, but they are essential for winter camping in deep snow. Ground stakes won't work in this environment, and they are easy to slip in the snow. In loose sand, snow stakes work well.
Why would you want to buy a snow stake? To properly secure your shelter, use snow stakes if you plan on camping in deep snow and loose sand. Like all tents stakes the longer the stake the stronger it is. Particularly important for snow stakes is their length. Tent stakes come in a variety of lengths. While shorter stakes may be lighter, they have better holding power. V- and Y-shaped stakes are more stable than hook and nail stakes and can withstand wind and rain. Before you decide which type of tent stakes you need, think about the terrain and weather conditions you will be camping in.
