In the end, I have three requirements for tent stakes: (1) effectiveness, (2) lightweight, and (3) visibility.
Backpackinglight.com had a great article a few years ago about Tent
Stake Holding Power. It was entirely
relevant to all backpackers, but I would argue more relevant to lightweight
backpackers because ounce counters scrutinize their gear far more
thoughtfully. Many equate “lightweight”
to mean “compromise”. I would argue that
compromising isn’t the goal at all, and in fact, completely the opposite. The goal of lightweight backpacking is to
simply carry lighter gear, and in some cases less gear, to have a trip less
inclined to back and knee troubles and more enabled to go further more comfortably. My point as it relates to tent stakes; simply
picking the lightest tent stake doesn’t make much sense if it doesn’t work.
The BPL study revealed what is likely already assumed – that longer
stakes with a “Y” or “V” design hold better than short or simple peg-style
stakes. So the next question is – what is
actually necessary to get the job done?
This decision should depend wholly on situational factors.
For me, my experience, and the areas for which I hike, I’ve found a hybrid
approach works best. I use two “V”
stakes for the main stress points (usually the entry points or main guylines)
and peg stakes (Sheppard-style hooks) for the remainder. This model has served me well for all tarp
and tents in my collection. My intent is
to ensure the attachment points with the most stress, whether weather or
material, receives the “V” stake as the holding power is significantly
better. Other attachment points
generally need merely to be staked snuggly to the ground. This method has not failed me yet, although
arguably conditions drive gear choices and I would likely switch to “V” stakes
if I were in severely windy or exposed conditions.
After deciding I wanted another kind of “V” stake recently, I headed
over to my local gear shop. The words “titanium”
and “tent stake” were unexpectedly met with laughter and smug chastisement. The response I got was “we don’t carry
titanium tent stakes as they don’t work – aluminum is better” and I was handed
an enormous scoop stake that I could probably use to shovel my driveway in
winter. It’s moments like this that I
wish cottage shops were more mainstream and that more mainstream gear shops
were actually hikers and backpackers instead of fashion designers.
After looking around a bit and again reflecting on my requirements (1)
effectiveness,
(2) lightweight, and (3) visibility), I decided to purchase a couple different
styles from Gossamer Gear who
offered a very competent selection for a small cottage shop.
The two options which jumped out at me were a peg and a “V” –style which
were offered in different lengths and also with the option for a wonderful hardened
yellow ceramic treatment which offered significant visibility. After some fondling and quick testing, these
easily became my favorite stakes. I also
liked the fact that there is an option for a 6.5” length instead of 6” or 7”. It’s a nice middle-ground.
The Titanium
Tite-Lite Tent V-Stakes in Hi-Viz yellow are 11g, 6.5” long and run $4
each.
The Titanium
Tite-Lite (Peg) Stakes short in Hi-Viz yellow are 6 g, 6.5” long, and run
$3.50 each.
If you’re in
the market for new stakes or simply want to try something different or more
effective, give these a shot.
