Tent Stake Holding Power: Comparative Evaluation of Various Designs and Lengths

Thanks for doing the work on this Will. It just goes to show ya that, like using a scale to weigh your equipment, you can't make the best decision by just looking at the material and configuration alone. This is a great example of the methodical and detailed work that BPL puts into their articles, which I really appreciate.

> Y- Stakes! Interesting! Who woulda thought?

That is what you get from BPL: real technical data based on carefully-made measurements. We are committed to this approach.

cheers
PS: great article, Will.

Great article, another reason I keep my subscription up to date. Thanks!

Y-Stake, Aluminum 5" that weight the reported .34 oz, — where on the net to get such? Thanks! ps — I'd like to get the brand you got as I wonder if two different brands might use different guage/strength of aluminum (but same design/length)?

Roleigh

Hi Ashley

The guy rope load is at right angles to the stake, so the barbs would be ineffectual – and irrelevant.

Cheers

i already had a stake to pull out.
this summer we hiked in Iceland, our titanium light nail stakes were perfect for the Landmmanalaugar – Skogar hike, in rocky/firm ground.
but when we hiked in hornstrandir, we had a few times, earth mixed with sand ground at the imposed campsites, with no shelter from the sea wind.
it was a good test of the twin sisters, but we had to find big stones to set our shelter because even at 45° the stake wouldnt hold with the wind we got.

one issue that's not mentioned but I think it's relevant (and hope it doesn't only happen to me) is the stakes turning on themselves as a consequence of the pull. This is common to thin, cylindrical section stakes and becomes an issue with shepherd hook style ones because they may release the line they're holding when the hook is facing the wrong direction. It happens both with a loop or a clove hitch at the end of the line.

You can mostly prevent this from happening by inserting the stake all the way down so the end of the hook is also into the ground but this is not always easy. It's actually quite common that you can insert the stake enough for good holding power but eventually find this underground obstacle that prevents from getting it all the way in and the thin shepherd hooks are not good for pounding.

As usual, I take a few stakes of each (Y, nail, shepherd hook) to maximise versatiliy, particularly for the long trips, but I've been taking less thin shepherd hooks lately because of this problem. I appreciate the lighter weight but I keep them just for secondary lines.

I guess some side flaps or protruberance (like some snow stakes have) would help prevent them from turning for little weight penalty but I haven't seen this feature in any lightweight stake. A thinner Ti nail stake might be interesting too because stake turning wouldn't be an issue with these, I guess.

My Y stakes (Groundhogs) and Ti nails (Vargo) are around twice the weight of the lightest shepherd hooks I have (those sold on this site) but I find them so much easier to use and worry free I've been using more of those in recent times.

Hi all, there seems to be a lot of interest in tent stakes. Here are some responses to questions asked:

Jay, you asked for photos of the proper technique for Y-stakes. I'm not sure what you mean, but one advantage is they can be pounded in with a rock without damaging them (much). They can also damage your hand when pulling them out, so a good technique is to use one stake to pull out the others. While Y-stakes hold best, they hold dirt and require cleaning when you pull them out.

Roleigh, the 5-inch Y-stakes are available from Big Sky International. They're called Y-Not stakes.

Ashley, putting barbs on stakes (like a fish hook) would resist pulling them straight up, but would make no difference when pulling at an angle.

Petras, the main reason we are concerned about holding power is WIND. Sorry I didn't mention that in the article. It would be interesting to measure the actual pull on a tent stake from a strong wind gust. The bottom line is no one wants tent stakes to pull out in a severe storm, and we are looking for the lightest stakes that will do the job.

Tad, I would not advise cutting down your longer Y-stakes. Why not get some shorter stakes for general use and keep the longer ones for times you need them, like in sand. I didn't test holding power in sand, but generally longer is better. Snow is a more complex story, with lots of different options and techniques.

Inaki, as you mentioned, a definite issue with Shepherd Hook stakes is the top turning and releasing a tent guyline. Its best to push them entirely into the ground to anchor the hook part. They are definitely a compromise, and I have had plenty of occasions when one or more stakes pulled out. That's why I like to put a rock on them.

Thanks for all your great questions (and compliments)!
Best,
Will

Will, i paint my Ti wire stakes too. I use the yellow spray-paint that is used for road-marking etc. There was some at my place of work, so i 'borrowed' a can for 10 minutes. I don't know the brand. It seems to 'hold' pretty well.

FWIW, I carry two Y-stakes (MSR) for my main ridge line and a number of Ti stakes for the sides and "additional" tie-outs.

Golite carries Y-Stakes 7 inch at 0.4 oz
Thanks Will!!

Will, how about just a small bit of brightly colored tape wrapped on the head of your stakes, just enought to mark them? I don't think that would add much weight to it. If it's good and sticky, it shouldn't come off.

I recently found a set of 4 Ti stakes the other weekend in my campsite. I'm guessing that person fell into the 'where are they?' mode.

Would nail polish work???

Jay, Campmor sells the Go lites as well, but the weight states .6 oz per stake. Seems heavier than the ones tested.

My stakes are lighter. : )