Every ounce counts when you’re carrying your home on your back. The right ultralight tent stakes are a critical piece of gear, providing security for your shelter without weighing you down. Choosing stakes that are too heavy can add unnecessary bulk, while the wrong design might fail in soft sand or hard ground, leaving you exposed to the elements.
This roundup is designed to help you find the perfect balance of weight, strength, and holding power for your next adventure. We’ve compiled a list of the top performers, from budget-friendly plastic options to ultra-premium titanium models, ensuring there’s a reliable anchor for every type of terrain and backpacking style.
The Best Ultralight Tent Stakes for Your Next Trip
- Coghlan’s 6-inch Tent Pegs 6 Pack
- MSR Blizzard Stake Kit
- Vargo Titanium Shepherds Hook Stake
- Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchors
- TOAKS Titanium Tent Stakes (V-Shaped)
- MSR Carbon Core 6-Inch Tent Stake
- MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit
- Vargo Titanium Nail Peg with Reflective Cord
- NEMO Equipment Airpin Tent Stakes
- Lawson Equipment Titanium Shepherd Hook Stakes
Coghlan’s 6-inch Tent Pegs 6 Pack
For backpackers on a budget or those who prioritize simplicity, the Coghlan’s 6-inch Tent Pegs offer a reliable and lightweight solution. Constructed from durable ABS plastic, these stakes are known for their strength and ability to hold in a variety of ground types. Their sharp points allow for easy insertion, making your tent setup quick and straightforward.
The non-slip hook design is a key feature, ensuring that your guy lines stay securely in place even in breezy conditions. As a set of six, they provide excellent value and are perfect for the minimalist hiker who needs dependable performance without a high cost.
MSR Blizzard Stake Kit
When your adventures take you into sand, snow, or other soft, challenging conditions, the MSR Blizzard Stake Kit is the tool for the job. Its broad, robust profile is specifically engineered to provide incredible holding power where standard stakes would fail. Made from tough 7000-series aluminum, it achieves this superior performance without a significant weight penalty.
These stakes are so strong and large that they can even be used effectively as a deadman anchor, a technique for securing gear in the most demanding environments. For winter camping or beach excursions, the Blizzard Stake offers peace of mind and unmatched stability.
Vargo Titanium Shepherds Hook Stake
The Vargo Titanium Shepherds Hook Stake is a favorite among ultralight purists. It takes the classic, effective shepherd’s hook design and constructs it from premium titanium, resulting in an astonishingly low weight of just 0.3 ounces per stake. This makes them an easy choice for anyone looking to shave every possible gram from their pack.
Beyond their minimal weight, these stakes are highly durable and resistant to corrosion. The fluorescent orange powder-coated head is a thoughtful addition, making the stakes much easier to spot in low light or dense vegetation, so you are less likely to leave one behind.
Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchors
For a truly unique and heavy-duty anchoring solution, the Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchors stand apart. These screw-in stakes provide an exceptional hold in high-wind situations and are particularly effective in sand. Their unique design distributes force over a large area underground, creating a remarkably secure connection to the earth.
Installation is simple with the included T-grip tool, which stores conveniently on the screw when not in use. Weighing 1.8 ounces each, they offer a level of security that is often worth the extra weight for car campers or those setting up a base camp in exposed, windy locations.
TOAKS Titanium Tent Stakes (V-Shaped)
TOAKS is renowned for its high-quality titanium gear, and their V-Shaped tent stakes are no exception. The V-shaped design offers an excellent balance of low weight and high holding power, providing more surface area to grip the soil compared to a standard shepherd’s hook. This makes them a versatile choice for most soil conditions encountered on the trail.
Constructed from a durable titanium alloy, these stakes will not rust and are built to last for countless trips. For backpackers who want the benefits of titanium with a potentially more secure hold, the TOAKS V-stakes are a superb option.
MSR Carbon Core 6-Inch Tent Stake
The MSR Carbon Core stakes represent a technological advancement in ultralight stake design. By utilizing a carbon fiber core, MSR achieves exceptional strength and rigidity, which prevents the stakes from bending under stress. This core is then covered with a protective aluminum shell for added durability and abrasion resistance.
The result is a stake that is incredibly light for its strength, making it a top-tier choice for weight-conscious backpackers who frequently camp in firm soils. If you need a stake that can be driven into hard ground without fear of deformation, the Carbon Core is worth considering.
MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit
Widely considered the gold standard for three-season backpacking, the MSR Groundhog stakes are a workhorse you can count on. Their unique Y-beam design offers superior penetration and outstanding holding power across a wide range of soil types, from soft loam to moderately hard ground. This versatility is why they are often included with high-quality tents.
The design includes a convenient notch for securing guy lines and an attached reflective pull loop, which makes removal easy and helps you locate your tent at night. For a reliable, all-around performer, the Groundhog is an excellent choice.
Vargo Titanium Nail Peg with Reflective Cord
When you’re facing rocky or very hard ground, you need a stake that can take a beating. The Vargo Titanium Nail Peg is built for this exact scenario. Its straight shaft and flat head are designed to be pounded into tough soil with a rock or hammer without bending, a common failure point for thinner stakes.
Weighing only 0.6 ounces, it provides immense strength for its weight. The integrated reflective cord is a brilliant feature, offering high visibility for safety and making the stake much easier to find and remove from the ground.
NEMO Equipment Airpin Tent Stakes
NEMO Equipment brings innovative design to the tent stake with the Airpin. These stakes feature a smart three-point locking system that securely holds your guyline without the need for knots, cord locks, or additional tensioners. This simplifies and speeds up the pitching process.
Manufactured from premium 7075 aluminum, the Airpin offers superior strength with minimal weight. The tapered geometry and easy striking point make it simple to drive into the ground, providing a reliable and clever anchoring solution for modern tents.
Lawson Equipment Titanium Shepherd Hook Stakes
Lawson Equipment is another highly respected name in the world of ultralight titanium gear. Their Titanium Shepherd Hook Stakes continue the tradition of offering a minimalist, ultra-lightweight option for backpackers. Like other titanium hooks, they provide an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and are impervious to rust.
These stakes are ideal for those who travel fast and light and typically camp in reasonably good soil conditions where the holding power of a shepherd’s hook is sufficient. For the long-distance hiker counting every gram, Lawson’s stakes are a trusted piece of kit.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Your Ultralight Tent Stakes
When I’m trying to cut pack weight, my shelter system is one of the first places I look. Swapping out heavy tent stakes for a set of ultralight ones is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to shed ounces. But not all stakes are created equal, and picking the wrong ones can leave you with a floppy shelter in the middle of the night. Here’s what I consider when I’m choosing the best ultralight tent stakes for my backpacking trips.
The first and most obvious factor is weight. We’re talking about ultralight gear, after all. I weigh each stake in grams and multiply that by the number I carry (usually 6-8). A few grams per stake adds up quickly. The lightest options are often thin carbon fiber or titanium, but they can come with trade-offs in durability. I always ask myself: is saving half an ounce worth a stake that might bend or snap?
Next up is the soil type I expect to encounter. This is huge. For loose, sandy soil I need a stake with a lot of surface area, like a sand stake or a wide V-shape, to get a good hold. For hard, rocky ground, I want a tough, narrow stake I can drive in with a rock, like a robust titanium nail stake. Most of my trips are in forested areas with decent soil, so a versatile Y-beam or V-shaped stake is my usual go-to.
Durability is a constant balancing act with weight. Thin, lightweight stakes can bend, especially if I have to hammer them into tough ground. I look for materials like 7075 aluminum or heat-treated titanium that offer a good strength-to-weight ratio. I also check the thickness of the stake; a slightly thicker gauge can mean the difference between a stake that survives the trip and one that doesn’t.
I also think about usability. Does the stake have a reflective cord or a bright color so I can find it in the dark? Is the head easy to grip and loop my guylines around? Some ultralight stakes have tiny heads that are a pain to work with when my fingers are cold. A simple, functional design is often better than an overly complicated one that saves a negligible amount of weight.
Finally, I consider the value. Titanium stakes are fantastic, but they’re expensive. For many situations, a high-quality aluminum stake does the job just as well for a fraction of the price. I decide where that price-to-performance sweet spot is for my budget and my typical backpacking conditions. Getting the right set of ultralight tent stakes makes a real difference in my camp setup and my overall pack weight.
FAQ
How many ultralight tent stakes should I carry?
I always carry the number my tent or shelter requires, which is usually six or eight. But I also pack one or two extra. It’s cheap and light insurance. If one bends beyond repair or gets lost, I have a spare to ensure my shelter stays secure. For a non-freestanding tent that relies heavily on stakes, I might even carry an extra two.
Are carbon fiber stakes worth it for backpacking?
Carbon fiber stakes are incredibly light and strong for their weight, but they can be brittle. I use them in softer soils where I know I won’t be hammering them into rocks or hard roots. For general, all-around use, I often prefer titanium because it has a bit more flex and is less likely to snap under sudden, sideways pressure.
What is the best all-around ultralight tent stake?
In my experience, a titanium V-shaped or Y-beam stake offers the best balance for most conditions. They’re light, strong, and have enough surface area to hold well in a variety of soils from forest duff to moderately firm ground. Brands like MSR and Zpacks make popular versions that are a great starting point for anyone building their set of the best ultralight tent stakes for backpacking.
How do I prevent my tent stakes from pulling out of soft ground?
If I’m camping in sand or very soft soil, I use a “deadman” technique. I dig a small, deep trench perpendicular to the guyline, bury the stake horizontally, and then pack the soil back on top of it. The tension of the line against the large amount of buried soil creates a super secure anchor. It takes a bit more time, but it’s far more reliable than just staking vertically.
Can I repair a bent tent stake in the field?
Sometimes. If it’s a minor bend in an aluminum stake, I can often straighten it by carefully pressing it against a rock or a log. For a severe bend or a kink, it’s usually a lost cause. Titanium is harder to bend, but also harder to straighten. This is a big reason why I carry a spare—field repairs are often temporary at best.
What’s the lightest type of tent stake available?
The absolute lightest stakes I’ve used are thin carbon fiber or titanium shepherd’s hooks and mini groundhogs. Some of these can weigh as little as 3-5 grams each. However, their holding power is limited to ideal, soft conditions. For most backpackers, a slightly heavier stake around 8-12 grams offers a much better mix of low weight and reliable performance.