Best Tent Pegs – the Tastiest Camping Stakes You can Buy!
“In our opinion, the MSR Mini-Groundhogs are the best tent pegs on the market if you’re looking for a lightweight set for adventure camping. We love the toggles for pulling them out of the ground and the general strength and ease of use”
Recent storms in the UK have highlighted how important it is to use guy ropes and storm straps when deploying your tent. You need decent tent pegs which will slide into the earth easily and not bend out of shape in the presence of a gust of wind.
We’ve found that even when you’re spending hundreds of pounds on a new family tent, the tent pegs which are supplied are often manufactured from the lowest grade steel and will bend if you hit them at an angle with a mallet. Likewise, if you’re backpacking with an adventure tent, there is often not enough pegs supplied to fully secure all the guys – this is slightly crazy in our opinion, but means that buying new pegs has to be an option.
Your tent must be secured strongly enough to withstand the roughest conditions such as howling wind and driving rain. You may also be camping on a hard pitch with gravel or stones, and require the best tent pegs for the job of pegging out.
To help you find the perfect option for your tent, we’ve tested several tent peg brands, from rock peg specialists to lightweight options for wild camping. The following are our recommendations.
MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes
If you’re an intrepid backpacker or adventure camper then you’ll be concerned about weight, strength and performance when it comes to your tent pegs.
MSR are our go-to brand for that kind of outdoor exposure, and we really like their Mini Ground tent pegs. They’re expensive (and actually you can buy some very similar knockoffs which look identical), but actually only weigh 10g each – a miniscule amount of extra weight to carry in your backpack.
One thing to note is that in extreme wind they can slowly work loose from the ground because there is no ridge or ‘screw’ thread on the pegs. If you need more security then it’s worth looking at some of our other options below. However as pegs for a backpacking adventure tent, the MSR Groundhogs are a cut above the competion.
Oex Aluminium Ground Pegs - 18cm
The OEX aluminium Ground Pegs feature a bright red finish to enhance their visibility in the outdoors.
Constructed from aluminium, the OEX tent pegs deliver a lightweight and rugged performance. In fact, the pegs feature a 90% aluminium construction and 10% rope. The 10% rope integrated easy pull cords which make the pegs perfect for backpackers. Weighing a total of 180 grams (i.e. a miniscule 30g each), the 18mm aluminium pgs come in a pack of 6 pieces.
HI-Gear Screw Tent Pegs (Hexagonal Head) - 18.7cm
The bright orange colour of the Hi-Gear Screw Tent Pegs enhances their visibility in the outdoors. The tent stakes feature a hexagonal head design, allowing you to use them on gravel and tough ground. Typically, the stakes can be screwed into hard gravel or loose rock using a drill. Constructed from steel, the pegs weigh about 63 grams each and have a length of about 18.7 cm.
Regatta 8 Inch Rock Pegs
Integrating a super strong and durable 8-inch steel construction, the Regatta 8 inch Rock Pegs can dig through rocky and uneven ground and are durable enough to take a beating from a mallet.
Very similar to the Hi-Gear pegs, the Regattas come in a pack of 20 pieces in a protective case for easy storage and to prevent loss. The pegs are constructed from 70% steel and 30% plastic. The plastic material is fitted at the end of each peg for easier handling.
HI-Gear Hard Ground Tent Pegs- 20.4cm
If you are camping on hard ground, the Hi-GEAR Hard Ground Tent Pegs are a perfect option to hold your tent down. Made from steel material, the pegs can knock through rock without bedding. Plus, you can conveniently relocate and use the pegs over and over again without risking any damage.
The 20.4 cm pegs come in a pack of twenty pieces – each weighing 56 grams. So they’re not the lightest pegs in the world, but for using on hard ground we found that they did the job well.
Vango Alloy Peg - 18cm
The Vango Alloy Pegs offer a cost-effective tent stake option. Their aluminium alloy construction give them a high quality, high tensile and rugged construction.
Even with its heavy-duty finish, the aluminium alloy material remains impressively lightweight. Additionally, thanks to the aluminium alloy construction, the tent pegs are not susceptible to rust or corrosion. The 18cm alloy pegs come in a pack of 10 and are compatible with most tent makes and models.
Blue Mountain Tent Pegs - 20x18cm
Stashed in a bag of 20 pieces, the Blue Mountain Tent Pegs offer an affordable option for holding your tent securely. To prevent the loss, the tent pegs come in a fabric carry bag. Thanks to the steel construction, the tent pegs offer an extremely durable and break-free finish, however, the 18cm pegs may be a little heavy for some users.
Regatta 8 Inch Rock Pegs
Integrating a super strong and durable 8-inch steel construction, the Regatta 8 inch Rock Pegs can dig through rocky and uneven ground and are durable enough to take a beating from a mallet.
The tent pegs come in a pack of 20 pieces in a protective case for easy storage and to prevent loss. The pegs are constructed from 70% steel and 30% plastic. The plastic material is fitted at the end of each peg for easier handling.
Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best Tent Pegs
Knowing how to choose the best tent pegs for your needs is highly crucial. You want your tent pegs to offer adequate stability and hold on to your tent to ensure it performs the way it should.
In fact, the right tent stakes should be able to hold your tent through rough conditions including heavy rains or wind, if your tent is designed to do so. In the buying guide below, we’ve outlined some of the key features to look out for when choosing pegs from your camping tent.
Types
You will come across a wide selection of tent begs. Thus, you want to understand how effective each tent peg type is.
Wire Tent Peg
The wire tent peg is the most popular type. This is because it is included in most tents you buy as the standard peg. Typically, wire tent pegs are designed to cater to most types of grounds. However, since there are a myriad variety of tents in the market too, wire tent pegs aren’t always the best choice.
You can definitely find better tent pegs to optimize your tent structure and stability, especially in windy conditions. As a general rule of thumb, you can continue to use wire tent pegs that come with your tent. However, do so by pairing them with separately bought upgraded tent peg designs. Then, use wire tent pegs in less critical areas of the tent.
Plastic Tent Peg
Due to the rather delicate build, plastic pegs work best for soft ground such as grass or areas with minimal rocks. After all, shoving a plastic tent peg into the harsh ground can easily crack, bend, or break it. If used in soft ground, their durable build offers a secure hold on your tent. Plastic tent pegs are especially perfect for storm strap pegging.
V Tent Peg
Depending on the height, V tent pegs are a more versatile type. This is because they work great for all ground types. Typically, V tent pegs are ideal for the more crucial parts of the tent such as the main pegging points – four corners and main guyline. Due to their design, V tent pegs also deliver great strength to your tent.
Rock Tent Peg
As the name suggests, rock tent pegs are ideal for hard rocky ground. These tent peg types have a pointed tip which allows you to easily drive them through the rocky ground. They pair best with plastic pegs and V pegs. Simply use them in the hardest or trickiest part of the tent set-up points.
Pile Driver and Screw Tent Peg
These types of tent pegs resemble and almost work the same as rock tent pegs. However, their main difference is that the pile driver and screw pegs offer more grip. This is because these tent pegs have a screw-like thread that easily penetrates to the bottom. Furthermore, these pegs are constructed from metal which protects them against bending or breaking.
Materials
Apart from the plastic tent pegs, other types of pegs integrate different types of materials. You can find tent pegs made with anything ranging from steel, aluminium, titanium, and zinc or stainless steel pegs to those made from carbon fibre. Thus, when choosing the material, you want to figure out which one works best for you. For example, steel pegs are strong and more durable.
But, they tend to be heavy and susceptible to rust. aluminium pegs, on the other hand, are also rugged and strong but not as strong as steel. However, aluminium alloy is lighter and corrosion-resistant. Plastic pegs offer sufficient stability and support on soft ground. However, they can easily bend, crack, or break into hard ground.
Length and Surface Area
When choosing the best tent pegs, the surface area and length are important features to focus on. Typically, the holding power of the pegs is directly proportional to the length and surface area.
The surface area of your pegs determines how long they will last in the ground. A shorter peg built with a large surface area performs better than a long and thinner peg. However, longer pegs also bring a great advantage.
This is because longer pegs can dig deeper into the ground. This, in turn, means that your pegs will offer a more stable hold on your tents. Typically, screw-shaped tent pegs are known to have a large surface area. This makes them useful for surfaces such as sandy or snowy environments. Therefore, screw-shaped tent pegs are ideal for environments such as the beach, desert, or snow-filled winter outdoors. Yet, you have to remember that with a higher surface area and length, your tent pegs will be heavier.
You have to consider a balance between the weight and conditions. You don’t want tent pegs that are too heavy to weigh your camping packs down. At the same time, you don’t want tent pegs that are too light to prevent proper tent setup in windy conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Angle Should I Set My Tent Pegs to?
Generally, you should drive your tent pegs into the ground at a 45-degree angle inward towards the tent. Doing so helps to prevent the tent from pulling off the ground in high winds. Typically, tent pegs are driven into the ground at a 45-degree angle to increase the grip and strength your tent pegs offer. Before you pitch your tent, you first want to test the ground. This allows the pegging task to go smoothly and to ensure you are using the right pegs for the ground.
2. What Can I Use Instead of Camping Tent Pegs?
Generally, it is advised to use tent pegs for pitching your camping tent. But, if you have no tent pegs, you can always find alternatives. You can use wood or tapping screws as alternatives to tent pegs. The best part about using these alternatives is they are heavy. Thus, they do a better job at supporting and holding the tents in place. Plus, they tend to have a sharper point which allows them to easily penetrate any type of ground.
3. Will My Tent Come With Pegs?
Most camping tents will come with free metal pegs as a complete kit. V tent pegs made from metal are a standard in most tents because they are versatile. Their versatility allows them to work great on a variety of grounds and conditions. However, these types of tents don’t always work for all conditions. Thus, you may have to invest in additional tent pegs of different designs to supplement the free metal pegs.
4. What Are the Benefits of Tent Pegs?
Tent pegs come with a vast range of benefits. Amongst these benefits include;
- Tackle high winds – preventing your tent from blowing over in heavy winds or large storms
- Security – tent pegs offer security and stability to your tents in a wide range of weather conditions. In fact, the best tent pegs can even be used in hazardous conditions such as snow or frozen grounds.
- Lightweight – whilst tent pegs do great at stabilising even the biggest tents. They are still impassively lightweight and compact. You can easily fit your tent pegs in a backpack during your hiking or camping trip.
Conclusion
Investing in the best tent pegs is an excellent way to ensure you have an excellent experience in the outdoors. After all, with an unstable tent flapping around throughout the day, you are set up for a bad camping experience. Getting the right camping tent pegs doesn’t only keep your tent stable in normal conditions.
It helps to address rough conditions – whether it’s high winds, thick snow, or uneven grounds. The key is to ensure that you find the right tent pegs for the conditions you plan to camp in. Our recommended list of the best tent pegs above offers a versatile line-up and is an excellent place to begin your search.
