Stake help please

[Rusty Shackelford]

Like others, I also use a variety of stake types depending on the ground conditions (rocky, muddy, sandy, snowy, etc), but my favorites are not actually designed for use as stakes at all. They are 7" aluminum gutter nails that I got at Home Depot. These are strong and durable, lightweight, and very inexpensive (less than a buck each). I spliced UHMWPE braided fishing line into small CLs and attached one CL to each nail near the head using a simple lark's head to serve as a pull tab, but you can configure a simple pull tab with some creative application of duct tape (that's what I used in earlier incarnations). I've also used the CLs as an attachment points on occasion, but I prefer to simply wrap my guy line onto the nail using a modified MSH. The nails are "grooved" which provides a little bit of a bite in the ground and though they aren't as thin as Ti shepherd hooks, they are still often easier to slide into rocky ground than V- or Y-stakes. And you can pound them into the ground with a big flat rock if you need to. They are designed to be hammered into the fascia board and rafters of your house after all. I applied a bright-colored spray paint to the top half to make them easier to find. I've had a lot of success with these.

I kinda like your gutter spike idea, I may just have to steal that one

[1-Hung-Low]

Not for the gram weenies nor most backpackers, but I like these!

https://snowpeak.com/products/solid-stake-20-r-102

[MongooseDownUnder]

My favourite stake is a Easton nail stake.

Lightweight and hold very well in most ground, they also pound into hard ground quite well.


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[ravenblack]

Not for the gram weenies nor most backpackers, but I like these!

https://snowpeak.com/products/solid-stake-20-r-102

Have you looked at the Tito titanium stakes? 200mm Ti Stakes they should be quite a bit lighter - they are also available in 300mm.
I use a combination of the Tito 200m Ti stakes and MSR ground hogs which covers quite a wide range of ground conditions. I am planning on adding two Tito ti 350mm stakes for my diy tensa stand.

[hutzelbein]

The Groundhogs are absolutely worth the price. There are other Y stakes, but they are shorter with thinner walls, and they are simply not as tough. I broke or bent a few generic Y stakes, but my Groundhogs are still going strong after 10 years of abuse. And they have worked great in every type of ground I have encountered.

By the way, you don't need 9 stakes for the Superfly and the Eldorado. 5 should be sufficient, and the one for the Eldorado can be a smaller, weaker on. I use Mini Groundhogs for the XLC and haven't had a problem.

[hutzelbein]

Another thought: I frequently don't need stakes at all, because there are trees, bushes, branches etc. nearby, which provide a better anchor point. I have started to carry extension dog bones for that purpose.

[ibgary]

There is so little difference in weight between Ti and Aluminum, I won't spend twice as much on Ti. I also prefer short stakes over long. I've tried longer stakes, but often found they either hit a root or rock and left 2 or 3 inches exposed. I just get the cheapest MSR look alike I see. I bend or break a few each yr. I also find a few each yr., usually left by a campsite table.
Like the last post, I often tie to trees or bushes rather than staking out. More secure.

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[m00ch]

I prefer these.....

http://www.thetentlab.com/stakesncor...derstakes.html

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I like these also and they nest very well in a stake bag.

Lawson’s are a close second. I think they hold better in tricky soil but are a bit heavier and harder to clean off.


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[ObdewlaX]

Lawson’s are a close second.

Would love to add some of his stakes to my collection, but you can't get them... they've been out of stock for quite a while now.

[m00ch]

Would love to add some of his stakes to my collection, but you can't get them... they've been out of stock for quite a while now.

Check Garage Grown Gear. Sometimes they have them when he is out of them on his site.


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