Support and stability are the two most important things when it comes to pitching up a tent.
Tent stakes may not seem like a big deal, but it plays a huge role in holding the shape of your tent. However, not every pack of tent stakes is good for the job.
Sure, cheap wooden stakes may be an easy pick-up and do the primary task of keeping a tent down.
But due to their flimsiness, they’ll pop right off with the slightest drift of wind. This is why the best tent stakes for sand boast the right material, shape, size, and weight to ensure optimum support.
Before you spend time surfing through online stores to find good stakes, check out the following list of the 8 most durable tent stakes to use for your next camping trip.
It took several days to finalize the list based on hands-on tests, verified customer reviews, and feedback.
After scouring through endless tests and consumer reviews, here’s what I’ve gathered.
8 Best Tent Stakes For Sand
The best wind-resistant tent may fail if you don’t have the right stake, so I’ve made sure to include picks that are suitable for any weather.
Besides, I’ve also ensured each product is of satisfactory quality and lives up to its purpose.
#1. Orange Screw: The Ultimate Ground Anchor
Specifications
- Material: Recycled Polycarbonate Plastic
- Weight: 1.8 ounces each
- Length: 9 ½”
- Quantity: 4 pcs
- Additional Item: T-Grip Tool
First up on my list is the screw-shaped tent stakes from Orange Screw.
Due to its shape, each stake is able to plunge deep into compacted sand, soil, or even snow to provide a sturdy hold.
These stakes are not only great for setting up tents in sandy terrain but also for a number of different purposes.
Whether it be setting up a canopy or tying down a small pet to the side, these stakes are multifaceted to bring about a wide range of different uses.
They include – installing a tarpaulin, setting up a beach shelter, building cold frames, pitching up RV awning, and holding down inflatable outdoor decorations.
The stakes are able to bring about these uses with their unique shape. Unlike the long bullet-shaped tent stakes, these screw stakes twist into the ground and cut through compact earth with their grooves.
As a result, this creates a strong grip on the earth which prevents the stakes from sliding out.
Orange Screw has ensured these stakes are best for camping environments. They are lightweight, carrying a mass of 1.8 ounces so they can be carried and secured into the ground.
Each stake is 9.5 inches in length with a 7-8 inch diameter to fully emerge into compacted soils and achieve a sturdy anchor.
For their screw shape, these stakes are best for firm soils, dense and packed snow, compacted sand, and grasslands.
Loose earth does not comply with any kind of tent stakes. But for firm ground, these stakes do an incredible job of holding down tents from unexpected turns of events.
However, I found it quite tough to pledge on solid ground. I recommend using water to soften the soil if needed.
Pros
- Durable recycled polycarbonate plastic material, nearly shatterproof
- Lightweight, can be carried around and secured in place with ease
- Screw shaped, so twists into compact soils and the grooves allow anchorage
- Multifaceted, can be used for tent set-up, cold frames, landscaping, and more
- 5 inches in length with a 7-8 inches diameter to fully emerge into firm soils
- Does not require a hammer, can be twisted into place with a T-Grip tool
- Can be used as snow stakes
Cons
- May bend out of shape
- Hard to pledge on hard ground
#2. Fstop Labs Outdoor Tent Stakes Ultimate Ground Anchor Pegs
Specifications
- Material: Plastic
- Weight: 1.4 ounces each
- Length: 10 ⅕”
- Quantity: 8 pcs
- Additional Item: Drive Tool
Here’s another set of screw tent stakes from Fstop. These stakes are thinner than our previous pick, which increases their driving power.
The sharp point of the stake can easily penetrate hard grounds with a swift jab and be driven in farther with its Allen wrench.
Measuring about 10 inches in length and 3-4 inches in diameter, these stakes are thin enough to break through layers of earth easily while also providing effective anchorage.
Because of its screw-styled design, each stake is able to twist into the ground with a wrench.
A hole is positioned at the center of the stake’s top so that ropes can be looped through and tied to it.
The non-slip hooks make it easier for the stakes to be removed without the need for extra tools. These small yet convenient features make these stakes perfect for camping or trekking.
At a 60 degree angle, each stake can be inserted into the soft ground with a quick jab.
On loose grounds such as packed sand, firm soils, or dense snow, these stakes will not even require a hammer for insertion.
To add to its easy installation, the pack comes with an Allen wrench to secure the stakes in their place.
Aside from being compatible with a range of surfaces such as firm soils, sand, grasslands, and snow, the Fstop stakes are also built for a number of different outdoor activities.
This includes tarpaulin tie-downs, camping, tying down pets, landscaping, and more.
Pros
- Heavy duty, can hold down large tents in strong winds
- Brightly colored for easy visibility in dark or dim light environments
- Non-slip hooks for removing manually, no extra tools required
- 10-inch screw with grooves for added holding power and anchorage
- Sharp point for penetrating packed earth easily, does not require a hammer
Cons
- May break under pressure
#3. Running Wapiti Beach Tent Stakes
Specifications
- Material: ABS Plastic
- Weight: 1.34 ounces each
- Length: 10″
- Quantity: 8 pcs
- Additional item: Not included
A close second to our previous pick is the screw-shaped stakes from Running Wapiti.
They may look like a basic set of tent stakes, but they are much more durable than they seem. Made with ABS plastic, these stakes are nearly indestructible and are of impeccable longevity.
Each stake has a sharp tip that enables it to drive through tough grounds without bending or breaking.
Without the need for a hammer or wrench, these stakes are thin enough to be penetrated through most surfaces by hand.
All you will have to do is jab the end into the ground and crank it so that it sinks into its spot.
Grooves are twisted along the shaft of the stake, which enhances anchorage.
After use, the non-slip hooks make the stakes easy to remove by just pulling them out using your hands. This way, you barely need to pack extra tools to help you set up your campsite.
Additionally, the stakes are lightweight, weighing close to 1.34 ounces each. This makes it much easier to carry each stake from point A to B without any hassle.
As a result, the installation process becomes a breeze. Most notably, these stakes can be used for a number of different purposes.
Aside from pitching tents, these stakes can also come in handy for canopies, gazebos, gardens, beaches, tarps, and groundsheets.
From grasslands to sand, these stakes are perfect for pegging down shelters or cords.
Pros
- Multifaceted, can be used for tents, canopies, gazebos, tarps, and more
- Lightweight, can be carried around easily, and cuts down time for installation
- Doesn’t require additional tools such as a hammer or wrench for insertion
- Non-slip hooks for easy removal after use without an extra tool
- Made with ABS plastic, nearly indestructible and good for long term use
- Can hold down shelters or cords in strong winds without added anchorage
Cons
- May slip out in loose soils
- Small hole needs to be dug before insertion
#4. Hikemax Spiral Plastic Tent Stakes
Specifications
- Material: ABS Plastic
- Weight: 1.3 ounces each
- Length: 10″
- Quantity: 15 pcs
- Additional Item: Not included
These stakes from Hikemax are essential for any activity outdoors. Made with high-quality ABS plastic, each stake is durable enough to withstand tough grounds and penetrate hard soils without shattering.
Weighing about 1.3 ounces each, these stakes are lightweight to help you move about the campsite without any trouble.
Their low mass also reduces installation time as the stakes cut through the ground with a single motion. Also, they are thin and long to ensure each stake moves through the dirt with ease.
The “spiral” design is brought out by the grooves lining the shaft of each stake.
These grooves help to enhance holding power by twisting the stake deeper into the soft ground and acting as barriers, so they don’t slip out easily.
Because of this, the stakes are able to hold down large tents or canopies in harsh winds.
As for the structure of the stakes, each is designed with a sharp point which is used to stick it into the ground before cranking it.
Non-slip hooks are positioned at either end of the top of the stake, which helps you to remove them after use.
Also, there’s a hole at the knob of each stake to loop ropes or cords into.
Not only are these stakes great for camping trips or beach getaways, but they are also handy for a number of different uses, including tarps, canopies, gazebos, groundsheets, tying down pets, and gardening.
This is because the stakes are designed to be compatible with packed soils, grasslands, dense snow, and sand.
Pros
- Brightly colored, can be visible in dimly lit areas or at night
- Lengthy shaft and a screw-thread for most secure anchorage
- Compatible with packed soils, grasslands, dense snow, and sand
- Stays well into the ground under high stress, withstands strong winds
- Hole on the head to easily tighten and secure the tent clips to the ground
Cons
- May need weights when used on loose or dry soils
#5. Azarxis Heavy-Duty Aluminum Tent Stakes
Specifications
- Material: 7001 Aviation Aluminum Alloy Material
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Dimension: 9.84″ x 0.59″
- Quantity: 10 pcs
Looking forward to going for a camping trip in the woods, or hiking in the countryside?
Or are you planning to spend your day at the beach? Okay, not any of that, maybe just for a run outside? Whatever it is, you can rely on Azarxis for all your sports and outdoor adventure needs.
Guys at Azarxis devoted themselves to the betterment of outdoor sports and adventure equipment to provide you the best experience and protection at these.
Due to the ‘Y’ shaped body with a spiral twist, these stakes are one of the best choices for holding your tent to the ground. The ‘Y’ shape provides more surface area between the stakes and soil, which increases friction.
Also, the spiral twist allows the stakes to bite down the ground firmly, providing a lot of holding power against wind and storm.
The stakes have saw tooth anchors with 3 different latch points, which lets you adjust the guy-lines if more tightness is needed.
The product comes in three different bright colors, blue, red, and black. And because of the eye-catching, bright coloring, chances of you losing them in grassy snow-covered fields are very slim.
Made of light aluminum alloy, these stakes are robust, lightweight, and easy to carry. Because of having sharp corner tips, they easily penetrate soils.
Although they are designed to work well with hard to medium-hard soil, they’re also really suitable to use in sandy grassland desert surfaces, snow-covered fields, sandy beaches, and to some extent, hard rocky surfaces.
Pros
- ‘Y’ shaped and spirally twisted body for great holding power
- Sawtooth anchors for adjustability of wind ropes’ tightening
- Eye-catching bright coloring
- Lightweight but robust
- Easy to use and carry around
- Great for sandy beaches, grassland deserts, and snow-covered fields
Cons
- Not sturdy enough for use in hard rocky surfaces
- Only suitable to use in compact or damp sand
- Difficult to wash due to its shape
#6. HUMSWARM Heavy-Duty Plastic Tent Stakes
Specifications
- Material: Plastic
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
- Length: 9″ x 1.2″
- Quantity: 24 pcs
- Additional Item: 1 Plastic Hammer
The product I’ll discuss now is a 24 pcs plastic tent stakes set along with a plastic hammer, and it is a HUMSWARM product.
Besides your sports and outdoor adventure needs, HUMSWARM can provide you with quality clothes, jewelry, skin-care products, and other accessories.
These are great choices for wet beach sand. That’s because these offer high durability and hold power against heavy wind and storms in sandy grassland deserts and beaches.
Also, conveniently use them for backyard sleepovers or in a hiking trip in the countryside, places where the surface isn’t too hard and rocky.
Having a sharp corner tip and long body, these stakes can go deep down in the surface, providing a firm grasp.
The set comes with 24 pcs of plastic tent stakes and a heavy hammer. Due to being plastic, the stakes are extremely lightweight and thus easier to carry but can withstand heavy force.
I strongly recommend you use the provided hammer for nailing these stakes, as other typical hammers can jeopardize their condition with extreme force.
The stakes come in bright yellow color, making them easily noticeable in long grasses and dry leaves.
Having a U-shaped anchor hook, these stakes maintain your wind rope knots consistently and allow you to have a safe camping experience no matter how windy or rainy it is outside.
Other than setting up the tent, you can use them to set up canopies, tarps, garden nettings, fences, etc. Use them as nails to tie your pet leash without a worry in the world.
This tent stakes set is specially designed for soft, sandy soil and is not suitable for hard rocky surfaces.
The product is a great value buy for its price.
Pros
- Long plastic body with great holding power and durability in sand
- Extremely lightweight and easy to carry
- Eye-catching bright yellow color
- Comes with a plastic hammer with adjusted force
- Versatile in its use
- ‘U’ shaped anchor for secured wind rope knot
Cons
- Not suitable for hard rocky surfaces at all
- Can’t withstand fire
- Not suitable for dry and loose sand
#7. Azarxis Aluminum Snow And Sand Tent Stakes
Specifications
- Material: High Strength Aluminum
- Dimension: 12.2″ x 1.42″
- Weight: 1.84 ounces
- Quantity: 6 pcs
Another great and innovative product from Azarxis makes our list. This product is a set of 6 pcs of robust aluminum tent stakes that come in various colors.
These tent stakes are specifically engineered for camping in soft soil types, sand, and snow. It consists of 6 holes – 5 large holes and 1 small hole along its length for versatile rigging options.
Having a flatter ‘U’ shaped body and extraordinary length provides more surface area between the stakes and soil, and more surface provides more friction.
Also, besides providing rigging options, the stake holes under the surface allow snow and sand to get into them.
This allows the metal tent stakes to have a firm grasp in the soft, loose soil, making this one of the best options of tent stakes for camping in sand and snow.
But for grassland hard soil type areas, these stakes are not appropriate at all.
The stakes are made of high-strength aluminum, so they are sturdy yet lightweight and easy to carry around. You can easily fit them in your camping bag without adding any extra weight.
Coming in 3 bright colors—blue, red, and orange—these stakes are easily noticeable even in long grassy areas.
You can tie your guy lines with the bent stake head or in any of the holes. Take note that these stakes can’t be used with tents having needle loops at the corners.
Also, don’t try to use them on hard rocky surfaces as they’ll get bent, rendering them out of service.
Pros
- Highly durable aluminum stakes specially designed for sand and snow
- Innovative design for great holding power
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
- Easily noticeable, bright coloring
- 6 holes along the body for versatile rigging options
- Suitable for use in dry, loose sand
Cons
- Not for use in grassy or hard rocky surfaces
- Can’t be used with tents having needle loops at four corners
- Little expensive
#8. Tzt Heavy-Duty Beach Tent Stakes
Specifications
- Material: High-grade ABS plastic
- Dimension: 10″ x 2.01″
- Weight: 1.3 ounces
- Quantity: 8 pcs
Our eighth product of discussion is a plastic-made tent stake set manufactured by Tzt. Tzt has various high-quality, cheap, and good value tent accessories which are worth checking out.
I included this product in my list of tent stakes choices for sand because of its high robustness and extreme holding power in soft soil types like snow and sand.
These stakes have a unique spiral screw-like body shape and a sharp corner tip which allow them to penetrate easily into dry dirt and sand.
The screw-like shape and extraordinary body length cause great friction and resistance to build a firm grasp even in loose dry sand.
Use them conveniently for other purposes, too, like setting up garden nettings, fences, tarps, etc.
These stakes are an exceptionally good choice as canopy anchors on sand beaches. Besides, you can find creative uses for these in your gardening and household chores.
Made out of high-grade ABS plastics, these stakes are very sturdy yet extremely lightweight.
Carry them around in your camping bag or luggage effortlessly, whether you’re hiking, trekking, or mountain climbing.
These stakes come in two different bright colors – orange and yellow. Bright coloring makes the products conspicuous even in long grassy areas, which abates your chances of losing them.
Having a bent ‘T’ shaped anchor at the top, these stakes can handle all sorts of knots of your tent’s wind ropes. Being made of plastic, they are cheap and good value products.
Though these stakes are sturdy, the screw-like shape makes it very hard to use them on hard rocky surfaces.
But use them without a worry in the world when it comes to soft, loose soil, sand, and snow.
Pros
- Crafted with high-quality plastic for great durability
- Spiral screw-like shape provides extreme holding power for sand and snow
- Extraordinary body length suitable for most uses
- Conspicuous bright coloring
- Extremely lightweight and easy to carry around
- Highly versatile in its use
Cons
- Not suitable for use in hard rocky surfaces
- Susceptible to fire damage
- Hard to wash due to its shape
Things To Consider When Buying Tent Stakes For Sand
Tent stakes are absolutely necessary for setting up tents, and I believe you know that already. I also believe you think you’ve got it all covered since your recently bought tent came with a good number of stakes.
And all you’ve got to do before your first ever camping trip to the beach is to learn how to set up your tent. But hold your horses because I’ve got bad news for you.
I know the scenario is a bit too specific, but so is my point. Typical tent stakes won’t cover when setting up your tent in the sand because they’re designed for typical soil.
Sand is dry and loose, so specific design elements must be present in tent stakes to work in that specific situation.
Also, there are some basic things to look out for when buying tent stakes.
Don’t worry, now! I’ll walk you through it.
Dimension
When buying stakes for sand, length and width are important parameters to look out for. Normal stakes are 7 inches long, and they are suitable for hard ground.
Unlike ground, sand is dry and loose, so you’ll need stakes that are at least 10-12 inches long.
Width is important as more width means more surface area available for friction, and friction will provide holding power.
But the stakes shouldn’t be too wide, or they won’t be convenient to use.
Design Specialty
Some tent stakes are specifically engineered with unique designs to work well in sand.
For example, long stakes that have a spiral screw-shaped structure are an exceptionally good choice for sand-like surfaces.
Their screw-shaped texture provides immense holding power, making your tent secure even against high wind and storm.
Some ‘U’ shaped tent stakes designed for sand and snow have holes along their body.
When nailed in a loose, dry sand-like surface, sand or dirt gets into these holes, providing a strong grasp.
The ‘U’ shape provides more surface for friction to work with, which results in immense holding power.
Look out for these kinds of design specialties for choosing suitable tent stakes for sand.
Durability
A beach is a calm and peaceful place, but it can also get pretty windy. For a tent stake to withstand any dire windy or stormy situation, it needs to be highly durable.
Look for stakes made of durable but lightweight materials like plastic or aluminum. But any material is susceptible to damage if the force is strong enough.
Make sure you’ve tied your wind rope accurately so that equal force is required for each stake to sustain the tent.
Convenient To Use
It is a basic necessity for any product you buy in general. Buy bright-colored stakes so that you can spot them easily when camping is over.
Buy lightweight and easy-to-carry stakes so that carrying them around with you when going camping or hiking doesn’t become a hassle.
Remember, it is better to use appropriate wooden sticks to set your tent up in sand rather than using normal tent stakes.
How To Set Up Tent Stakes?
Now that we’ve gone through all our picks for the best tent stakes, it’s time to figure out how to use them.
Tent stakes are more finicky than you imagine them to be. You have to keep in mind the angle at which they’re driven into the soil, exerted pressure, and swiftness of insertion.
But don’t let the technicalities worry you; the setup is simple once you have a clear idea of what to do.
So, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly set up tent stakes:
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Step 1 – Choose The Right Stakes
If your stakes are too flimsy, bend easily, don’t have grooves, or are too lightweight, they have a high chance of shattering.
This is why it’s crucial to choose the right stakes before installing them.
Fortunately, the stakes I’ve listed above are all of great quality, so you can pick from any of them, and they’ll be fit for this job.
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Step 2 – Choose The Spot
The last thing you want to happen is your tent drifting away like a tumbleweed in the middle of the night.
To avoid such mishaps, you need to be attentive to which area you set your campsite in beforehand.
Take your time while choosing the spot. Avoid rocky surfaces or areas with loose dirt or sand.
Since you’re going to spend the night there, also keep in mind there are no wet spots or rocks/twigs scattered about.
Once you’ve found a comfortable spot, move to the next step.
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Step 3 – Always Tie Guy Lines
To maximize the interior space of your tent, tying guy lines is necessary. Never leave them untied as it will cause your tent to collapse unexpectedly.
Once the guy lines are properly tied, you’ll notice the tent is upright and ventilated, making room for more people as well as bringing in fresh air.
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Step 4 – Position The Stake Properly
Rather than putting each stake into the ground at an angle, your tent stake should be perpendicular to it.
Your tent will have more holding strength if you drive the stake straight into the dirt. When digging in the stake, hammer it thoroughly into the soil to make it firm against the wind.
Use a rock if you don’t have a hammer around you. If you find the stakes slipping out, use sandbags or stones to create makeshift weights.
I know this short guide is not enough for you.
Don’t worry, I have a comprehensive guide on how to stake a tent. Give it a read!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stakes Designed For Sand Work In The Snow?
Sand stakes are mostly designed for loose, soft types of soil, and so most tent sand stakes work really well for snow too.
Like ‘U’ shaped sand stakes are a really good choice to use in snow as well.
But some tent sand stakes also don’t work for snow at all. Like screw-peg stakes are really good for use in sand or soft soil, but when it comes to the snow-covered ground, they’re not really a good idea anymore.
How Many Tent Stakes Will I Need To Set Up A Tent?
Depends on how many corners your tent has. You’ll need at least 1 stake per corner.
If you see that the situation can get dire, or it is really windy on a specific side, you can add 1-2 more for those corners.
It is recommended to always keep extra tent stakes with you when going out for an outdoor adventure.
Can I Use Anything Else Other Than Tent Stakes?
If tent stakes are unavailable, you can always use heavy rocks, sandbags, logs, or anything heavy enough to hold your tent down.
Appropriately shaped branches can do the trick as well in the right situation.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, the best tent stakes for sand are determined according to their durability and friction against the ground.
Qualities such as lightweight, grooves, lengthy shaft, strong material, and sharp point are all ways in which stakes become better suited for outdoor situations.
While compiling our list, we’ve made sure to keep these points in mind.
All the tent stakes we’ve detailed are perfect for any outdoor adventure; you only have to make your pick.
