Reddit mentions: The best tent stakes

> wondering if Bonnaroo has any sort of plan in place for extreme weather like severe thunderstorms or tornadoes

Not really, other than stopping shows and asking people to evacuate enclosed areas like the cinema tent and smaller fenced off areas like pits by the front of stage.

> What are your recommendations for being weather ready at Bonnaroo?

• We bring cheap but large rain boots with us every year. Something like these. Maybe go to Wal Mart or something and see if you can find cheaper. Because when the rain really comes down and makes everything a mud pit...crap like a pair of Crocs or flip flops just isn't going to cut it. I want to stomp around and not worry about it.
  
  
• Bring more than enough socks to last you the weekend. I usually bring like 8 pairs. Just in case. Honestly, once you get past your feet, rain isn't going to do much to you other than maybe make you a little chilly. But it will fuck your feet up (NSFL pic of what happens to wet feet in wet shoes over a long weekend). So just make sure to keep your feet as dry and clean as possible when the weather is nasty.
  
  
• Make sure you have things to secure your tent/canopy. Nothing like having your canopy fly away in the middle of a thunderstorm. Buy a cheap kit like this. And then maybe some extra stakes. And then secure the shit out of your campsite.
  
  
• Depending on the size of your tent, get a cheap military style cot. If your tent fills up with mud and water, this will keep you very happy. We started bringing cots a few years ago and they are freaking fantastic. No sleeping in dirt or mud.
  
  
• Buy a semi-decent lightweight poncho and bring it with you. Stash it in your backpack. It will likely be the same price as those cheap plastic ones they will sell inside the venue. But will last you more than one use.
  
  edit: a couple more pictures to show you what a wet bonnaroo looks like. 1. 2. 3. 4.
  

Is bug-protection a big issue? If not, you could go with a tarp. Tarps are really awesome. For $100 you could get a cheap, heavy tent or a stupid-light sil-nylon tarp shelter

http://www.basegear.com/equinox-ultralight-tarp.html?gclid=CPaY0KrM-r0CFeMF7AodIWUASw


$55 for the tarp.

Then you'll need some guylines (spectra cord is what you want to use for sure, but you can make do with paracord, as long as it doesn't rain too hard. But spend the $13 over at z-packs to get the spectra cord. It doesn't stretch and it won's slip when it rains.

Then you'll need some stakes. Old-fashioned "cane" stakes will work, but, again, why not shell out the $15 bucks for high-quality Y-stakes that won't slip and will get the job done right.

http://www.amazon.com/Pack-Aluminum-Stakes-Design-Cords/dp/B0087HSPL4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398393314&sr=8-1&keywords=y+stakes

Then you'll need a ground cloth. Most anything will do, but tyvek is IMO, the best value for weight, durability and functionality. That should cost about $15 to $20 bucks.

So 55 for the tarp, 13 for the cord, 15 for the stakes and 20 for the ground cloth=$103 dollars. The whole rig should weigh about 2 pounds. It will be an absolute palace for one, and plenty big for 2 (and you can fit 3 in a pinch).

The Solitarire is heavier, and only offers 20 square feet of space (small!) the tarp easily offers 40+ square feet of space. And you can set it up in endless ways, depending on the weather and your mood. A-frame, lean-to, diamond, pyramid, wind shed...whatever you want, really.

I’ve had really good luck with these, they are wonderful and are super easy to set up.

TNH Outdoors 10X Aluminum Tri-Beam Tent Stakes and Bag - Made for Camping - Support A Start Up https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D2VHN5I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_so2LAbZXR0AM2

I have that exact same tent, i bought it in 1998, have only had to buy new stakes, fix a tiny 3 inch mouse hole, (chewed it while it was in storage, basic tent tape fixed it) and redo the water proofing this year. I am not ashamed to say I did pay $225 for it when I bought it and it has made it through a dozen family camping trips with 4 people, 5 years in storage, and now it is my single person Glamping tent! I can fit a king size tall air mattress, a rug, 2 camp chairs, and a small shelving unit in there and its tall enough for most people to stand straight up in to get dressed.

My only suggestions...
dump the plastic stakes and get these instead, they work better in all soil types and in high wind.
Get a big silvered tarp for the roof, maybe some of these clips also. Helps with temp control in the sun!


happy camping! Hope you get as many good years of use out of yours as I have out of mine!

If you want to do any long term camping, the first trick you need to learn is the home made canopy. Takes about 30-45 minutes to set up and makes a rainy trip much more enjoyable.

First you need a large tarp, something like this. Then you need like 2 packs of ratchet straps and a nice rope like this. Finally, a couple packs of heavy duty metal tent stakes and some small rope

So you find an area that has 2 trees about 50 feet apart and tie the rope around the trunk about 10 feet up. Then run it over to the other tree, but instead of tying it to the tree, make a knot that leaves a loop sticking out. Put a ratchet strap around the tree and connect that to the rope loop and pull it tie. It'll stretch after a bit so you can tighten it up more as needed without undoing the whole thing.

Then you throw the tarp over the rope and create an A frame style canopy. Use the stakes and extra ratchet straps to tighten the corners down nicely then use stakes and the 1/4" rope to fill in the gaps.

So 45 minutes later you have a 1000 square foot pavilion to camp under, it can rain all it wants. It's also high enough that you can build a modest fire under and not damage the tarp.

Throw out some chairs, fold out picnic table and you're good to go.

I was in the same boat as you. It seems like most "high-end" tent manufacturers don't include stakes or groundcover with their tent sales.

I decided on the MSR Groundhogs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZC5KLG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zkkqDb4K12HQ4

These are super lightweight and seem like they're worth the money.

Good luck 👍

I use the mini Groundhogs, they are very durable and I really like them. I have broken 1 over maybe 4-5 years, but that seems pretty minor considering how I take care of them.

There are some titanium options I've been considering, but I wouldn't upgrade until I lose one of my current stakes or something.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009M55QY4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AJSWYKX5ODALO

Those would also work nicely in the snow as a deadman stake because of the holes.

If you're just car camping, go with whatever tent is on clearance, or a used one from ebay/craigslist. Most lower-end tents from major brands (REI, north face, coleman, etc) will be durable and convenient. Note that the "fits X people" ratings are usually overestimated by 1, unless your people are very small. Get a great deal on any old tent, use it a few times, and you'll get a feeling for what you want out of your first 'nice' tent. Then give away your former tent to a friend and make them go camping with you!

The best stakes for the money are aluminum "Y" stakes, like these. They're much harder to bend than circular stakes and very grippy. The 7" length is plenty unless you expect the ground to be very loose or sandy.

Yeah, I'd not go for the super basic titanium stakes if you're going to be around a lot of rocks. I upgraded mine to titanium v-stakes personally - best grip to weight ratio I could find and I couldn't bend them by stepping on them (220lb guy). You still don't want to hammer titanium though and rocks are tricky.

My recent upgrade cost me $16 on Amazon w/ Prime and weigh ~67g for 6 of them, with ties replaced. However, I'm the only review on that product and my scale showed the weight was off, but with Prime's return policy I wasn't concerned. You could go with Toaks as well for a few bucks + grams extra.

If you're concerned about the durability and can spare an extra few ounces, just go with aluminum stakes of a v-shape or cross-pattern, both are good grip types. The nail types are really only for shaving a ton of weight.

I live in Florida... It's no different than primitive camping anywhere else...

Bring all the fresh water you'll need for the entire trip with you. There's none on the island (that you're allowed to touch). Bring good mosquito repellent.

Big thunderstorms are on the forecast models for later next week. Stake that tent down like you're getting ready for a hurricane, winds can get 60+mph. Standard straight kit spikes don't work in loose sand, you'll need something like these. Tie the tent lines to the middle of them and bury em in the ground horizontal a foot or so as a deadman anchor.

That you can take on the shuttle bus? None. Maybe a Sport/beach umbrella.

You can build a pvc shade structure pretty easy. A simple tarp, pvc setup will work. The ground is hard, bring some kind of heavy duty tent/tarp stakes.

Anything other than an EZ brand EZ up will not last 4 days without proper care. Eg. you must stake down each foot through both holes. Run all the guide lines it has, make them taut and hang tags for visibility. The cheap $30 ones will fall apart in the wind. You must add guide lines to keep the stress from the wind even, a strong gust will lift, tweak, and destroy the cheapo s. Strong guide lines keep the stress on the wires and upper frame, as opposed to the long spindly legs.

I recently bought a Chinese knock-off of the Big Agnes fly creek UL2 which normally goes for $250plus, from Aliexpress - called the Naturehike NH15T002-T, for $100 including shipping. I got the more expensive grey one due to it's supposed higher rain tolerance. I've used it a few times, in pretty ideal conditions but I'm really impressed with the quality of it. It came with real nice kinda Y-shaped stakes, it's own ground sheet and weighs 1.24 kg / 2.8 lbs (advertised weight). I haven't weighed it myself, but it's pretty bloody light. I haven't seen how it'll hold up in the wind/rain yet, but with mindful set-up I personally would have no qualms about using it in such conditions. I personally thought it was a risk to get, but I've been nothing but impressed by it so far.

EDIT: Oh, and just to say, I've tested it's two-person dimensions by going on some overnights with my partner. Plenty of room for two people - for reference I'm 5ft9, ~180 lbs and she's 5ft5, ~120 lbs. Also a small vestibule big enough for two packs (we had 1 ~60L and 1 ~40L pack).

You will be fine with the tempest 200.
Its a ok tent for the money and will be fine in it in the Norwegian summer moutains. The downside is that it is slightly heavy.

I know nothing about the Hoolie tent.

/edit

I can't remember which pegs that come with the tempest 200, but if they are like this, then you will want to replace them with someone like this.

I beg to differ with /u/flargenhargen's suggestion of nail stakes. While they aren't bad, they are far from indestructable. I've killed a lot of them over my time. The plastic tips are easy to break and they bend like any other stake will if there's a rock 6" underground that you didn't know about.

With that said, these are the only tent stakes I've ever owned that I absolutely could not destroy. The manufacturer claims that they can be driven into asphalt and I believe them! They are truly buy it for life although I confess that in extremely hard ground you can get a workout driving in half a dozen of them (but the stakes themselves won't care).

Final comment: Different types of ground call for different types of stakes. Unless I know exactly what the ground is like where I'm going, I try to carry three different types of stakes. The nail stakes previously mentioned (work in hard clay). For really soft ground where stakes pull out easily (sand or snow), I use augers. For all else I use the bad boys I linked to at the top of my post. Yes, I carry all three types if I don't know exactly where I'm going in advance.

edit: I keep coming back to refine my comments. Sheesh|

I prefer regular tent

Using a mallet reduces bending your stakes.

Here are the steel stakes I've been using for my main tent and easy up. These things are a beast! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TD8D9L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bsTYCbTYXC4G1

Leaving your tent windows open with the rain-fly off and an easy-up or tarp over your tent helps with ventilation/cooling, allowing you to get better sleep.

You do need something to hold that down. Strong winds, which can happen anywhere, will catch that roof like a wing and lift the whole coop up. If you can't bolt it to the foundation, get some really long stakes and find a way to attach them to your structure. You could use something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Pack-Heavy-Duty-Steel-Stakes/dp/B004TLI1GG

My first cruiser came with a knockoff awning on it, it was just as solid as the ARB I have now. One of my favorite mods! Get a pair of these for anchoring, way better than tent stakes:

Orange Screw: The Ultimate Ground Anchor | Large 2 Pack | Made in The USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B26DHAU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sTGiDbP3YR9CM

Honestly, if I can't get a stake in the ground, I just don't stake it. Usually, I can get some stakes into the ground...and from there, you can get clever with rope and tie multiple points to the stakes points you have.

Alternatively, you could use threaded stakes: 1; 2; 3

It will work fine if you anchor your stakes well and keep the tarp pulled tight. Pound in your stakes at a 45° angle (top away from tent) and use a “taut line hitch” to tie your ropes to the stakes. This will allow you to tighten your ropes when they get slack without untying them.
I like these stakes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075QK5XNC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_j3C2BbYNSHRYZ
Relatively inexpensive but effective in most situations.

Is there anything I can do without moving the shed off of the pavers? Also, is this the product you’re referring to? https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Screw-Ultimate-Ground-Anchor/dp/B01D3UIA5A/

And where would the anchors go in the paver grid? Outside the shed walls, I assume? Sorry, just trying to visualize how this would go. Thanks for your help.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R4S3NS2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best tent stakes I've ever had. Period. The only thing that beats them are rebar stakes, and unless you're going to Burning Man, these will do just fine for any scenario as long as you have a hammer.

I like getting the small things as gifts. Things I misplace or might not grab myself.

Gerber Dime Multi-Tool, Black [30-000469] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006M9NIDO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_pvcBxb58D4MMB

Aimkon iTP A3 EOS Max 130 Lumen LED Flashlight Cool White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BM5GQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_-vcBxb144A2CF

Frogg Toggs The Original Chilly Pad Cooling Towel, Ice White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCUSMQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_DwcBxb22YD8AD

Leegoal Ultralight Backpacking Canister Camp Stove with Piezo Ignition 3.9oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_pxcBxbQZ4XD4G

NEW Bottle Clip Strap With Compass Camping Hiking Carabiner Water Holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L3YOLDO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_pycBxbYD4T2JS

BINGONE Nylon 4-in-1 Drawstring Bags / Ditty Bag / Cord Bag Home Storage Travel Use 4 Different Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VM4HR6S/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_dzcBxbMF0HKZ8

WindFire® Mini Zoomable 3 Modes UV-Ultraviolet Led Blacklight Flashlight AA/14500 Rechargeable Battery Zoom UV Ultraviolet Blacklight Flashlight Torch with Features Money Detector, Leak detector and Cat-Dog-Pet Urine Detector (Battery not included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S4CFB4G/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_KzcBxbEKNHQTQ

iPerb® Aluminum Alloy Tri-cone Shaped Tent Stakes Pegs 15g Each-Pack of 14 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LD2TIUM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_pAcBxbKVMRABT

Bluecell 16Pcs Red Color Aluminum Guyline Cord Adjuster for Tent Camping Hiking Backpacking Picnic Shelter Shade Canopy Outdoor Activity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LLUDFMI/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_NAcBxb0GS1V7V

Nite Ize Reflective Nylon Cord, Woven for High Strength, 50 Feet, Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MMEHTC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_9AcBxbDAJPW6D

Nite Ize KRG-03-11 S-Biner Key Ring, Stainless https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MMEHWE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_NEcBxb41K6YTE

Stove, light, knife, cord, stakes, tensioners, blacklight for scorpion spotting for fun, water bottle clip, kee cool wet towel, ditty bags, micro s-biners. For mostly under 10 bucks, few under 20.

Pick some. That flashlight rocks my socks, but I have all of these things.

Couple of small suggestions that unfortunately add a tiny bit of weight.

I'd swap out one or two of your tent stakes, I hiked with an Altaplex and the shepherds hook stakes didn't grip enough for the front guy line causing the tent to collapse a couple of times in strong wind.

I used the MSR Mini Groundhogs otherwise something like Toaks titanium V shaped should be pretty good.

Also if you haven't yet bought the spork I'd swap it for a long handled one so you can reach in to Mountain House style meals without getting covered in food.

I use these. Live in Arizona and most of the ground I camp on is pretty hard. I've bashed them with rocks many times and so far haven't had any failures.

edit: Just noticed that they only seem to have the XL size for sale at that link right now. The ones I got were the regular size.

Plastic stakes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000LCA8GS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1427417696&sr=8-2&keywords=plastic+stakes&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

http://smile.amazon.com/COGHLANS-LTD-TENT-inches-Pack/dp/B000LCA8GS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1396892492&sr=8-8&keywords=tent+stake

http://www.walmart.com/ip/COLEMAN-TENT-STAKES-ABS-9/13848618