What tarp stake is best

**Drybones** · 05-13-2015, 13:34

What tarp stake works best, meaning as light as possible but holds up in high wind?

**dakotaross** · 05-13-2015, 13:39

Regular MSR ground hogs IMO. The only places I've had a need were exposed sites where the ground tends to be very soft. My last time there I had gone to lighter needle stakes which did not hold. Fortunately, I brought a pair of the groundhogs as a backup and used them on my windbreak side.

**12trysomething** · 05-13-2015, 14:21

It depends greatly on the soil. I have each of these and find the titanium hook stake to be what I keep going back to due to rocky tough soil. The ascent is another favorite of mine in sandy, more loose soil.

http://youtu.be/npNlOdv9tk4

**humer91** · 05-13-2015, 14:27

I keep coming back to MSR groundhog stakes.

**Dochartaigh** · 05-13-2015, 14:28

MSR mini Groundhogs for me have the best mix of low weight and good holding power.

Recently switched over to MSR carbon core stakes to try to save an ounce or two, but I already suspect they don't hold quite as well as the mini groundhogs (but still better than the skewer-style stakes).

**somniferous** · 05-13-2015, 16:08

I've been using mini groundhogs and I've had them hold up to some strong winds. Not sure how they'd hold in sandy or rocky soil though as I haven't camped on that type of ground.

**aka.jobbe** · 05-13-2015, 16:23

I have a replica of the MSR.
Made to a Danish company.
Weight is the same / inch length.
But they are 2 inches longer.
That is great in the soft ground in the forest, here in scandinavia.

**cbsinnett** · 05-13-2015, 17:02

Originally Posted by Drybones

What tarp stake works best, meaning as light as possible but holds up in high wind?

the one that you can get your hands on and works best for you, sorry just being a SA.

I have walmart version of the ground hogs for loose soft soil. they are are 9" long and some where between .3 and .4 oz's in weight. plus only cost $0.79 each. have held up very well.

Then I have my favorite which are the Ti sheperd hooks that are 6" and and weigh in at .2 oz each. I got them off E-bay for $24 for 10 with free shipping. When I need extra holding with them I use 2 at each corner of my super Fly and have not had them pull out yet.
Ti stakes.jpg

**DrPhun** · 05-13-2015, 19:10

I take a mix, so if I need 4 or 6, I will take 2 of different types i.e. 2 hook ones, 2 of the ones with v or x cross section, 2 of sand stakes. That way if some of the ground is especially soft or hard I can deal with it.

**Drybones** · 05-13-2015, 19:36

I used 8" Y aluminum stakes in the back yard and had them turn loose in what I would not call exceptional winds, two of the stakes were bent. I bought some 8" round aluminum stakes and I believe they will hold but they are a little on the heavy side. The titanium stakes are rough on the hands to get in the ground if it's hard. The tarp I now have is too large which greatly contributes to the force on the stakes. I'll be getting a smaller tarp for the trail which should greatly reduce the pressure on the stakes, current tarp is 12 x 10.