I’ve tested countless tent pegs over the years, and I’ve noticed that each style has its own sweet spot depending on the ground conditions. Looking at the photo, you’ll see five distinct options that I’ve come to rely on for different terrains.
Pegs for Setting-up a Camping Tent on Soft Ground
On the far left is the wide, perforated snow stake (1), great for loose sand or snow. Those holes save weight and also allow me to tie off the guy line in the middle, turn the stake horizontally and bury it in the snow or sand for extra holding power. Next, the yellow plastic stake (2) is my go-to for reasonably soft soil—it’s tough, lightweight, and holds well without bending.
Pegs for Setting-up a Camping Tent on Mixed Terrain
If you’re dealing with moderate, mixed terrain, the shepherd’s hook stake (3) is a solid all-rounder. It’s easy to carry, and I find it can handle a fair amount of force when hammered in carefully. The orange aluminum version that came with my front-country tent has chamfered edges to resist bending, while cheap thin steel versions can fold and become useless if too much force is applied. Do not step on your pegs when staking out your tent! You’ll be applying force in the wrong direction and you’ll likely end up with a twisted mess of metal.
Pro tip: you can straighten pegs out in the field to make them serviceable again. I put the bend between two slats on my picnic table and gently remove the bend.
Pegs for Setting-up a Camping Tent on Hard or Rocky Ground
The fourth option, an aluminum V stake (4) , really bites into harder ground without bending, and it’s still light enough to bring on backpacking trips. If I carry one type of pegs on a trip, it’s this one. Finally, that black steel nail (5) is what I turn to when I’m camping on exceptionally firm or stony terrain. It can handle a real beating and still keep my tent anchored.
By mixing and matching these peg types, I’m always prepared—no matter where I decide to pitch my tent. Ready to learn how to stake out a tent (even when you can use pegs)? Check out our article on setting-up a camping tent.
