Perhaps the most important camping accessory is the one you hardly see: the tent stake. Without a sturdy set of reliable tent stakes, your tent can collapse or even blow away, and that's a bummer start to your camping vacation. Tent stake designs might not seem like rocket science, but in some ways, they are: stakes are created for different environments, such as sand, snow, mud, and rocky soil. This means that the stakes that were included with your tent may not be the right ones for your next camping trip. But don't stress. We love a good backpacking trip ourselves, so we've done the research to help you find the best tent stakes. Eurmax Pop-Up Canopy Stakes High stakesTouting a galvanized steel construction with die-cast plastic heads, these tent stakes are rugged and dependable.Best OverallFind on Amazon Sometimes, simple is better. Eurmax provides a 10-pack of galvanized steel tent stakes that are made to resist rust, corrosion, and a strong smack with a hammer. Measuring 1/4″ wide and 10″ long, the stakes have milled points that easily burrow into the ground. The strong plastic tops serve as both a flat surface for your mallet and a double-pronged spike to keep your tent ropes secure. Eurmax’s all-purpose stakes are designed to hold up in heavy winds and stay secure in wet soil, sand, and frozen ground. Pros: Comes with four 10′ ropes Available in 2 colors Holds ropes securely Cons: Does not come with a carrying bag Heavier than some stakes, so they’re not good for backpacking SE Heavy-Duty Metal Tent Pegs Stake your tent on itWith an added half-inch in length, these tent stakes could be the difference between sleeping through the night and re-pitching your tent at 2 AM.Best LengthFind on Amazon SE borrowed the modern design for galvanized steel and plastic-tipped tent stakes for these heavy-duty tent pegs. They have the same rust-proof finish and durable, 1/4″ thickness that prevents bending, even after repeated use. The big difference here — though it may seem small — is the added half-inch of length. In sandy conditions, or when it rains the and ground becomes muddy, that extra half-inch can make all the difference in the world. If you’ve ever had to put your tent back up in the rain, you know what we’re talking about. Pros: PVC stoppers feature both hook and rope-stringing eyelet Extra-sharp points easily penetrate hard soil Available in packs of 10 and 20 Cons: Hard to extract from frozen ground Plastic stoppers can break after prolonged use FANBX F Tent Pegs Get hookedSay goodbye to shattered plastic stoppers and hello to aluminum-alloy security with hook-shaped tent stakes.Best Hook StakesFind on Amazon The last place you want the plastic stopper on your tent stake to snap off is in the middle of a backpacking trip in the High Sierras. FANBX’s tent stakes eliminate this worry with their all-aluminum, single-piece, hook-top design. Containing twelve 7″ tent stakes per pack, each piece is hexagonal, so it is designed to slide more efficiently in a variety of ground conditions. Like their galvanized-steel counterparts, these tent stakes are also corrosion-resistant, ensuring a long life. Pros: Handy carrying bag included Extremely lightweight Available in black, red, and silver Cons: Shorter than average at 7″ Difficult to extract if you bury the hook end Hikemax Plastic Tent Stakes Ecstatic for plasticLightweight and impossible to bend, these plastic tent stakes are a backpacker's best friend.Best PlasticFind on Amazon If you’re camping or hiking in rocky areas, you will inevitably strike a boulder as you nail in a tent stake, and that stake may bend. This is when plastic tent stakes are your saving grace, and Hikemax’s 10-pack is perfect for the occasion. Made from durable and lightweight ABS plastic, each stake weighs less than 1 ounce but is literally unbreakable. They won’t rust or deteriorate, and they’re super lightweight to carry. We especially like the stake heads with their easy-to-strike design that holds your tent’s tie-ropes firmly in place. Pros: Available in packs of 10 or 30 9″ long Comes in a durable carrying bag Cons: Not as sharp as steel or aluminum stakes Not optimal for hard soils Ogrmar Aluminum Tent Stakes Surf and turfWith their wide, U-shaped design, these tent stakes are specially made for use in snow or sand.Best For Snow And SandFind on Amazon Pitching a tent in the snow or the sand poses its own set of challenges. Sand and snow are much softer than the hard soil of mountains and forests, so it’s easier for conventional tent stakes to pop out of place. Ogrmar eliminates this problem with their U-shaped tent stakes. The wide design creates a greater surface area to push against the sand, making these stakes resistant to unwanted pop-ups. In addition, the 6 holes down the front give you a greater variety of tie-off options. Pros: Extremely lightweight Easy to hammer You can use the tent ropes to extract the stakes Cons: Do not use in hard soil — they could easily bend Only 6 stakes to a pack Frequently Asked Questions The ground froze overnight and now my stakes are stuck. Any suggestions? Typically, when it freezes overnight, it’s only the first few inches of soil that are frozen. Find a hefty rock and smash the ground around the tent stake to break up the frozen ground, then yank out the stake. If this doesn’t work, leverage is the key. Find a rock and a thick branch you can use to create a lever. Wedge the tip of the branch under the stake and push the other side to pull up the stake. Are steel tent stakes stronger than aluminum? The tradeoff with aluminum and steel is weight versus strength. Yes, steel is more susceptible to rust, which can degrade its strength, but even with the possibility of corrosion, steel is less likely to warp, deform or bend under pressure. However, steel is much heavier and denser than aluminum. Even the difference in a few ounces can make a big difference to backpackers. Related posts: The Best Dog Tents The Best Outdoor Dog Fences 2024 The Best Dog Fences For The Yard