What are the strongest metal tent stakes that will never bend in rocky soil
There is a distinct, frustrating sound known to almost every camper: the dull twang of a lightweight aluminum tent stake bending in half beneath the strike of a camp mallet. Whether you are trying to anchor a shelter into the unyielding, sun-baked…
How to secure a large family tent in high winds on open camping ground
Few outdoor experiences match the joy of a family camping trip. Setting up a basecamp on an open prairie in Texas, along the rugged coastlines of Washington and California, or near the exposed bluffs of New York provides spectacular views and…
What should I do if my Y-Beam stake hits an unyielding rock shelf just two inches down?
It is the classic backcountry dilemma. You’ve logged 15 miles through the grueling elevation changes of California’s Sierra Nevada, or perhaps you are setting up camp on the wind-swept limestone plates of the Texas Hill Country. The sun is dropping fast,…
Differences between Y-beam and shepherd hook tent stakes for various camping terrain types
Whether you are mapping out a grueling leg of the Pacific Crest Trail through California’s rugged Sierra Nevada, navigating the dense, root-tangled floor of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, pitching a shelter in the notoriously damp loam of Washington’s…
How to choose the right tent stake shape for different types of soil conditions
Every experienced backpacker knows the feeling of relief when arriving at a campsite after an exhaustive, high-mileage day. Whether you are pitching your shelter along the rocky ridges of California’s Sierra Nevada, amid the dense root networks of New…
Are titanium tent stakes worth the extra money for long distance backpacking hiking trips
When you are planning a long-distance backpacking or thru-hiking trip—whether you are tackling the grueling elevation changes of California’s Pacific Crest Trail, navigating the dense roots and mud of New York’s Appalachian Trail, or enduring the wet,…
How to repair a bent aluminum tent stake while out on a camping trip
You’re miles into the backcountry, the sun is dipping below the horizon, and a sudden wind shear starts ripping through your campsite. You pull out your tent, grab your ultralight aluminum stakes, and start driving them into the ground. Thwack. Your…
Proper angle to drive tent stakes into the ground for maximum wind resistance
You’ve spent hours researching the perfect tent, you’ve picked a scenic spot in the high desert of West Texas or the windswept coastal bluffs of California, and you’re ready to hunker down. But all that preparation can be undone in seconds by a single,…
How to prevent your tent stakes from pulling out of the ground in wind
There is nothing quite as disruptive to a wilderness experience as the middle-of-the-night sound of a tent wall flapping violently against your sleeping bag because a stake has failed. Wind is the ultimate stress test for your shelter, and when the gusts…
Best lightweight tent stakes for ultralight backpacking in loose sand and soft soil
When you are miles into the backcountry—whether you are traversing the shifting dunes of California’s coastal beaches, setting up camp on the soft, mossy forest floors of Washington, or navigating the loamy, damp terrain of New York’s river valleys—your…