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The weather is always a concern when camping, with one of the main concerns being high winds (which can come out of nowhere).
This is why it’s important to properly anchor your tent to keep it from blowing away and potentially being damaged in the process.
Unfortunately, those wimpy tent stakes that manufacturers supply with their tents just aren’t designed for high wind situations.
So, let’s look at the three best tent stakes for high winds, how to choose the best tent stake for your needs, plus tips and tricks to effectively secure your tent and keep it from blowing away!
Best Tent Stakes for High Winds
The three best tent stakes for high winds are the Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor, Vasgor High Wind Stakes, and the MSR Cyclone 10″ Tent Stake. All three options will keep your tent secure to the ground in the windiest of conditions.
Let’s take a closer look at our three top models to find the one that’s best for you.
Related: Best Tent Stakes for Rocky Ground
Tent Stake Comparison Chart
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Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor
The Orange Screw ground anchor is my high wind tent stake of choice! Why?
They are super lightweight at only 1.8 ounces per stake, making them easy to carry if you plan on hiking or backpacking. And are an extra-long 9 1/2″ inches which are perfect for securing your tent in even the windiest conditions.
Orange screw anchors are made of 100% recycled polycarbonate (a type of high impact plastic) and are, as the manufacturer says, “nearly indestructible“.
As for screwing them into the ground, you can use the clear T-Grip Tool that stores on the screw when it’s not being used. The tool slips into the top hole of the screw to form a T-grip for extra turning leverage. This is super helpful in hard soils.
Here’s a quick video on how to use the Orange Screw.
If manual labor isn’t your thing, there is an attachment to put on your power drill to screw these stakes into the ground.
Keyfit Tools Tent Stake Speed Staker
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Plus, they can be used in many different situations, for example, as tent stakes, tarp anchors, canopies, secure dog chains, and much more!
Orange screws are made in the USA and come with an industry-leading lifetime warranty. You break one, and they will replace it! It doesn’t get any better than this.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.8 oz. per screw
- Size: 9.5″ long x 7/8″ diameter
- Material: Recycled Polycarbonate
- Color: Orange or black
- Brand: Orange Screw
- Kit includes: 4 screws and a gripping tool
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Extra-long for added stay power
- Made of 100% recycled materials
- Nearly indestructible
- Comes with a T-Grip Tool to easily screw them into the ground
- Have multiple uses around the house, garden, as well as, on camping trips
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- They can be difficult to screw into harder ground
- I have seen pictures that reviewers posted of the tips breaking off (though it’s never happened to me)
Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchor
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Vasgor High Wind Stakes
The Vasgor High Wind Stakes were designed to keep trampolines from blowing away. And if they can keep a trampoline, which is basically a big windsail, from blowing away, they will make an aerodynamic tent virtually immovable.
These heavy-duty tent stakes are U-shaped and made with black powder-coated rebar steel. The galvanized steel makes them virtually unbreakable, while the weather-resistant powder coat prevents them from rusting or corroding in outdoor environments. They also feature pointed ends, making them easier to drive into the ground.
Vasgor High Wind Stakes come with a 100% money-back guarantee.
Specifications
- Size: 12″ long x 3/8″ diameter
- Material: Black powder coated rebar steel
- Color: Black
- Brand: Vasgor
- Kit includes: 8 stakes
Pros
- Perfect for high wind situations
- Weather and rust-resistant
- Extremely heavy-duty steel stakes that durability wise can’t be beat
Cons
- Heavy! I don’t have the exact weight per stake, but they are long and thick steel tent stakes so they may not be ideal for hiking and backpacking trips where pack weight is of concern.
Vasgor High Wind Stakes
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MSR Cyclone 10″ Tent Stake
First off, MSR is one of the leading camping gear manufacturers that often find themselves in our “best of” lists. They make quality gear!
And their MSR Cyclone does not disappoint when it comes to securing your tent in heavy wind conditions.
These stakes are made of durable 7000-series aluminum and are ultra-lightweight, weighing only 1.2 ounces each. They also feature a pull cord attached to each stake to make pulling them out of the ground a bit easier.
But, what’s unique about these stakes is their spiral shape design, which is ideal for creating a strong anchor point in soil. Combine that with their extra-long 10″ size, and your tent will be safe and secure in high winds.
The downside? They won’t hold your tent as well on sand as the above stakes. See our guide to the best tent stakes for sand if you often camp on sandy soil.
These stakes are protected by a limited 3-year warranty.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.2 ounces
- Size: 10″ long x 0.59″ diameter
- Material: 7000-series aluminum
- Color: Red
- Brand: MSR
- Kit includes: 4 stakes with pull loop cords
Pros
- Ultralight and perfect for carrying on hiking or backpacking trips
- Unique design helps hold them in the ground
- Extra-long 10″ size
- Pull cord to make removal easier
- Strong tent pegs made of 7000-series aluminum
Cons
- They lack holding power on soft and sandy soil
MSR Cyclone 10u0022 Tent Stake
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How Do You Secure a Tent in High Winds?
To secure a tent in high winds, pitch it near a wind block, use tent stakes designed for high wind conditions, and preferably, opt for a dome tent instead of a cabin-style tent.
In other words:
- Choose a location to pitch your tent that will serve as a natural wind block, for example, near (not under) trees, large rock walls, or even next to your vehicle.
- Securing your tent with extra-long stakes or screw anchors designed for high winds will help prevent your tent from blowing away.
- While cabin tents may offer more headroom inside the shelter, their long, tall walls don’t hold up as well as more aerodynamic dome tents in windy conditions.
Combining these three tips will offer the best protection for your tent in high winds.
Can a Tent Withstand High Winds?
Most camping tents should be able to withstand winds up to 15 mph. With that said, it depends on the tent design and construction on how much wind it can withstand. The Moonlight 4 tent, for example, can withstand winds up to 35 mph, a Force 7 wind on the Beaufort scale.
If you’re curious how much wind your tent can withstand, you may need to contact the manufacturer. If you tent camp often in high winds, it might be a good idea to purchase a new tent designed to withstand strong winds.