Breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the glorious views of the countryside are just some of the joys of camping. However, your trip can quickly turn into a nightmare if the wind picks up and your accommodation isn’t as secure as you would like. To ensure that you don’t have any problems of this kind, it is essential to buy tent pegs that offer stability and security as well as being incredibly durable.
When you buy your tent, you’ll probably receive some pegs with it, but these are usually bog standard and won’t be a match for the trials of outdoor life. But don’t worry, there are tonnes of excellent quality tent pegs on the market and the good news is that they don’t break the bank. Let’s take a look at what to consider and some of our top picks.
Our 9 Top Tent Pegs
If you’re looking to upgrade the tent pegs that came with your tent then you’ll quickly notice that there are a lot of options out there. Don’t be tempted to just purchase the first set of pegs that catches your eye; not all of them will be what you expect. To save you the hassle of having to spend hours searching, we have sourced some of the best tent pegs available; here are our top picks.
BEST OVERALL
When you’re camping and need that extra bit of security for your tent, you need reliable, heavy duty tent pegs that won’t budge and that is exactly what you’ll get with these ones from Azarxis. The pegs are made from incredibly durable forged steel that will resist rust and won’t bend no matter what you put it through. This makes these pegs perfect for hard ground.
What’s more, the pegs come with a hook and hole at the top to allow for the attachment of ropes providing you with even more stability for your tent. That said, they’re versatile enough for other uses such as securing that garden gazebo.
The Azarxis tent pegs have a very sharp tip which makes them much easier to insert into the ground. You may still need a mallet to drive them fully in but you won’t need to exert much effort in doing so.
Pros | Cons |
Very strong metal | We couldn’t find anything wrong with these tent pegs |
Won’t bend even in hard ground | |
Ropes can be attached | |
Comes with carry bag | |
Versatile |
BEST VALUE
Buying a decent set of heavy duty tent pegs doesn’t need to break the bank. In fact, there are plenty out there that come in under a tenner and still outperform some of the pricier products. These Blue Diamond Power Pegs are the perfect example of this.
Designed for use in hard or rocky ground, these solid tent pegs will penetrate easily into the earth giving a good grip and keeping everything secure. What’s more, they are made from high quality steel meaning they will stand up to heavy duty use and remain durable.
The Blue Diamond Power Pegs come in sets of 20 so you’ve got more than enough to secure the average sized tent. Moreover, the handy storage case means you won’t lose any when you’re on the road.
Pros | Cons |
Affordable | Storage box is on the larger side |
Made from high quality materials | |
Great for hard ground | |
Affordable | |
Don’t bend or warp |
BEST PLASTIC TENT PEGS
A lot of people will tell you that plastic tent pegs aren’t the way to go and if we’re talking about using them in very hard ground or extreme conditions, then we would agree. But for camping on soft ground in good weather, a plastic tent peg is lightweight, affordable and does the job well.
However, you must ensure that you choose a good quality peg and the Nuoshen pegs are exactly that. These pegs are made from a very durable type of plastic so there’s not much risk of them bending or snapping. But what really sets them apart from some other pegs is the spiral design which gives them a much more secure grip in the ground.
The pegs come in a set of 20 and are lightweight, making them perfect for hikers. You’ll also notice that there is a small hole for attaching ropes to give your tent even greater security.
Pros | Cons |
Good value for money | Not suitable for hard ground |
Durable | |
Spiral design | |
Guy rope holes | |
Lightweight |
BEST HEAVY DUTY TENT PEGS
One of the things that instantly stands out about these tent pegs is the heavily spiralled design. This means that, once inserted into the ground, the pegs will create a strong grip and your tent won’t be going anywhere! What’s more, they’re versatile enough to be used for other applications.
The pegs are made from a very high quality and durable steel that makes them perfect for rocky or tough ground without the worry of them bending. Moreover, the sharp tip makes it easy to drive the stake into the ground without wearing yourself out.
If you don’t mind camping in any weather, you’ll be pleased to know that the rust resistant design means that these pegs will stand up to elements and last for many adventures.
Pros | Cons |
Heavy duty | Only get ten per pack |
Easy to drive into the ground | |
Weather resistant | |
Good grip | |
Hooked end |
BEST PEGS FOR BEACH CAMPING
Getting a strong grip in sand and soft ground can be tricky as the tent pegs may slide around but the Y shape design of these tent pegs means that everything remains much more secure. What’s more, the Elezenioc tent pegs are lightweight and ideal for hiking or for times when you have to get to your campsite on foot.
We also love the hi-vis reflective drawstrings at the tops of the pegs for added safety and the lightweight carry bag to keep everything safe when not in use.
These tent pegs are made from a strong aluminium meaning they are durable enough for frequent use in soft ground without worrying that they will bend or break. This material is also ideal for wet weather as aluminium won’t rust or corrode.
Pros | Cons |
Great value for money | Not suitable for hard ground |
Strong yet lightweight | |
Reflective drawstrings for safety | |
Sharp tip | |
Weather resistant |
TOP PICK
If you prefer a more rugged adventure then you’re going to need tent pegs that will stand up to the challenge. These heavy duty pegs are made from galvanised steel which is a material that won’t rust, won’t bend and will remain reliable for many uses.
With a very sharp tip, you’ll have no problems driving these into the ground. The only issue for us is that they don’t have a spiral design which will limit the grip. That said, at 25cm in length, they’ll go far enough into the ground to hold things very securely.
We also love that these tent pegs are super easy to remove with a rigid plastic tip. Moreover, they can be used for various applications so you aren’t limited to camping.
Pros | Cons |
Durable and weatherproof | No spiralled length |
Long length | |
Easy to drive into the ground | |
Easy to remove | |
Versatile |
Coming in a solid carry case, these tent pegs look as though they mean business and they really do. If you need something much more heavy duty then these should be one of your top options. They are made from durable steel making them ideal for hard ground and wet conditions. What’s more, these tent pegs have a spiral design to keep them firmly in the ground.
Something that makes these tent pegs stand out from others is that they come with a cleaning brush. Putting dirty pegs back into the storage box is hardly ideal and while this is a minor pro, it’s certainly one that’ll make life easier.
The Outdoor Revolution pegs feature a very sharp tip allowing for the greatest ease when inserting them into the ground. You’ll get a good grip on the plastic tip when it’s time to remove the pegs so everything is a breeze from start to finish.
Pros | Cons |
Set of 20 | Heavier than some other options |
Made from robust material | |
Spiral design | |
Easy to drive into the ground | |
Great value for money |
Just looking at these tent pegs, you can see how robust and well made they are. If you need something that will remain reliable even in tougher conditions then these are an excellent choice. There’s also a choice of sizes which is great, depending on how you plan to use them. However, do keep in mind that as the size goes up, so does the price.
The Triwonder tent pegs are some of the most heavy duty on the market and won’t bend or break under pressure. They’re made from steel and are coated for added weather resistance so they’re great for versatile use.
There is a hook and hole at the top of the pegs to allow you to attach a rope and when you’re ready to pack up camp, they’re super easy to remove so it’s all stress free!
Pros | Cons |
Weather resistant | Only get 10 per pack |
Sharp tip | |
Guy rope holes and hooks | |
Very robust | |
Great for hard ground |
If you’re looking for something lightweight that will still perform well then these aluminium tent pegs could be just what you’ve been searching for. The manufacturer claims that they are almost indestructible and they’re not wrong. They’ll hold up very well in hard ground and with three latch points, you can drive them in to your desired length and they’ll grip excellently.
The Gibot tent pegs also feature a reflective cord which makes them much safer; there won’t be a risk of anyone tripping over them once the sun goes down. Being so lightweight, they’re ideal for hiking and moving between campsites without weighing you down. Plus, they come with a handy carry bag just to make life that little bit easier.
Pros | Cons |
Ultra lightweight | Only get 10 per pack |
Very durable | |
Great for hard ground | |
Reflective strip for safety | |
3 latch points for greater grip |
What To Look For In A Tent Peg And What To Avoid
When it comes to choosing the right tent pegs, you could be forgiven for thinking that you don’t need to put a lot of thought into it. If you’re camping on perfect ground in pristine weather conditions for just one night then the pegs that came with your tent might be enough. In any other situation, you must make sure that the pegs you buy are ready for anything the outdoors throws at them.
What Is The Ground Like?
One of the most important things to think about when choosing tent pegs is the condition of the ground. For example, if you’re camping on very rocky or hard ground, there is no point in trying to use a flimsy tent peg. There are special pegs designed for this type of ground that are made from very strong materials and are designed with a pointed tip to really drive hard into the ground.
For extremely tough ground, you might go for a screw tent peg that is easy to drive into the ground but also offers greater grip once it’s in there. These are perfect for camping in rough weather where wind may cause other types of peg to loosen.
On the other hand, if you are camping on soft ground such as grass then a plastic tent peg may be sufficient. These are also more affordable and are great for pegging guy ropes
What Not To Buy
There are a lot of wire pegs out there and while they might be OK for extra reinforcements of flappy bits of groundsheet, they aren’t much good for anything else. These pegs are incredibly flimsy and won’t hold up under pressure. You’ll normally get a few of these with your tent but just keep them for emergencies.
You might also have V shaped tent pegs that come with your tent. These are normally made from metal so this could lull you into a false sense of security that they are robust but if there are any rocky bits in the ground, they’ll just bend out of shape, making them unusable.
How To Make The Most Of Your Tent Pegs
It can be quite challenging to get your tent pegs into the ground but using the right tactics can make the job easier. We would always suggest driving the pegs in at a 45 degree angle towards the tent. Doing this will ensure the best grip and security.
Before you actually start trying to drive anything in to, test the ground first. If you do this, you’ll have a good idea as to whether pegging the tent is going to be an impossibility and if possible, you can move somewhere else.
Having a metal mallet is a good way to get the pegs into very hard ground but even so, you might need to take extra measures for the best success. For example, wetting the ground before pegging can soften it slightly, allowing you to drive in the peg more easily. When you start putting the peg in, be sure to gently tap it just enough to break the surface of the ground. You can then hit it harder with your mallet or even a large rock.
Conclusion
Having a reliable set of tent pegs can mean the difference between pitching your tent with ease and extreme frustration. There are many different types of tent pegs on the market and this can make it difficult to make the right decision.
If you are camping on hard ground, it is essential to choose something that will hold up under the pressure when being driven in and that will remain stable throughout use. But if you’re camping on softer ground, you can get away with something less robust, provided that the pegs offer good security.
