When we buy something, whether it is for the home, a vehicle, or for leisure and entertainment, it’s natural to assume everything you need to make the item work is included in the price and packaging. This is not always the case, but do tents come with stakes?
When it comes to buying a camping tent, most all of the brands will have stakes included with the product. That’s not to say that all manufacturers include stakes and pegs as standard, so it’s worthwhile to double check.
So that you aren’t left out in the cold with an unsecured tent, know whether the tent does or does not have stakes or pegs included prior to buying. It should be at the top of your list of things to research. Below are suggested methods that can help you find the information you need.
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How to Determine if Your Tent Comes with Stakes
There are four good ways to check if a tent comes with stakes. You may find what you want using one or more of the options.
Description of Product
When you are doing research on the internet, the website will usually have a clear description of the tent. Some sites will include in-depth product descriptions, while others use a short snippet covering the bare bones that does not include all the information. You may need to take a look at several websites before finding the tent stake information. This is usually found in a section labelled “including”, which highlights all the tent’s accessories.
Product Packaging Information
Up-close and personal is a sure way of determining if the tent has stakes included. Visit the sporting goods or outdoor living section at local retailers as well as visiting stores dedicated to selling hiking, camping, and backpacking products. Read the product packaging label for information about tent stakes or tent pegs. The label, usually found on the side or possibly the back of the package, has a detailed description of the package contents.
Also, whether you are looking at pictures of the tent online or checking display pictures in a store, you can’t always rely on what you’re seeing is what you get. The picture may not show all that’s included with the tent, and in some instances, the picture used may be a substitution and not that of the actual item. In this case, pictures do not say a thousand words.
Customer Reviews
You can always read the reviews or comments left by customers. These are usually available on most websites, such as Amazon, Walmart, TripAdvisor, Best Buy, to name just a few. Since customers like to share their buying experience and rate products, if a tent is being sold without stakes or pegs, you may find this information in a review. Using this option may provide you with information you haven’t been able to find elsewhere. It is also a good way to find out about the tent itself from first-hand campers.
Contacting the Manufacturer
Whether you purchased the tent from a retail store in person, purchased from a retailer online, or you bought the tent directly from the manufacturer’s online store, when you want to know for sure if the tent is equipped with stakes or pegs, contact the manufacturer directly.
Even though a retail store, whether brick and mortar or online, most likely has a customer service representative to answer questions, they still may not have all the information you need. When you contact the manufacturer, whether by phone, online chat, or by filling out and submitting a form. When in doubt if the information you’ve received elsewhere is accurate, or to avoid the other options and go straight to the source, call the manufacturer.
Tents and Stakes
Even if your tent does come with stakes, you may want to upgrade to a different tent stake for a variety of reasons, such as a different style/design, lighter weight, more versatility, and durability, and user-friendliness. Below is a list of some of the top tent pegs.
MSR Mini Groundhog – Made from 7075 aluminium, the stake is easy to use, lightweight, holds tightly to the ground, small for easy packing, and each stake is fitted with a paracord loop.
All One Tech – This pack of 12 performs well, is lightweight, allows multi-directional placement, and the product is budget friendly.
Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor – While these anchors are lightweight and easy to use, they have impressive durability and exceptionally strong holding power.
FANBX F Tent Pegs – At only 0.67 ounces each, the aluminium alloy pegs are made with a simple shepherd’s hook design. They are versatile and continue to work well even if the hook has been bent.
TOAKS Titanium V-shape – For camping on soft terrain, the TOAKS peg offers plenty of holding power. The pegs weigh 0.42 ounces each and the way they nest together when not in use makes these pegs the perfect companion for backpackers.
Coleman 10-inch Steel – This round peg gets high marks for being versatile and for its impressive holding power. The pegs hold very well, especially when camping in locations with sandy soil.
Coglan’s Tent Pegs – Made with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a thermoplastic polymer, these pegs are lightweight, durable, hold strongly to the ground, and inexpensive.
Advantage of Tent Stakes
With so many different terrains to traverse and landscapes to camp on, you want to be prepared with a tent to provide shelter. Setting up a tent is one of the first things you will do once you are ready to set up your campsite. Regardless of the time of year you go camping, a tent is your personal refuge, and you want it set up and ready to use as soon as possible.
When it’s time to set it up, one thing you’ll want to be sure of having is an ample number of sturdy stakes. Tent stakes are what stands between a tent securely tethered to the ground and high winds blowing it away.
A securely staked tent also holds it steadier than one not staked. When held firmly on the ground, moving around inside the tent is more stable, so there is less likelihood of tripping or falling.
While you do not always have to secure your tent on the ground, it is recommended that you do secure it as you never know when weather conditions may change, that would leave your tent vulnerable to high winds or gusty conditions.
Disadvantage of Not Having Tent Stakes
The disadvantage of not having tent stakes is the potential for your tent to be blown away during windy conditions. While the consensus is most tent manufacturers include stakes or pegs in their tent products, there may be some that do not. Or the stakes or pegs are adequate for basic camping excursions but may not be strong or durable enough should a severe windstorm occur unexpectedly.
Final Thoughts
Whenever your plans include pitching a tent, err on the side of safety and purchase a tent that includes stakes or pegs. If you purchase a tent that does not include these accessories, take a look at some of the suggested anchors and purchase a set that will work for the type of camping adventure you have in mind.