If you’re new to camping, you may well assume that all tent pegs do pretty much the same thing – we wouldn’t blame you for thinking as much, to be honest! However, as seasoned trekkers and campers will know, different pegs and fixtures will work with different types of ground and fittings. While many modern tents will come packaged with appropriate pegging for you to use in a wide range of grounding, it’s a good idea to get acquainted with other types of peg and nail used for tent pitching just in case you decide to go adventuring on particularly hard or muddy ground! Here’s our quick guide to some of the pegs you may wish to use – and where you’re best off using them!
Skewers and Round Wire Pegs
Round wire pegs and skewers are extremely common and are widely provided in tent packages as the catch-all solution to end them all. They’re very easy to insert by hand, but you’ll need to remember that they may not be so good for soft or muddy ground. If you’re off to a festival, for example, you may wish to invest in alternative pegs for your tents before you leave – these pegs are great in harder ground or even in rocky patches, but they can bend and warp, too – meaning they’re always prime for replacement. They do the job in milder weather, however – and you can find them in a variety of thicknesses and styles, too, meaning that they may be worth looking into if you’re hoping to keep costs low.
Tent Nails
No – not the sort you use to hang pictures up with – these are specifically designed to hold tenting down on harder ground, with flat heads and short, skewered bodies to allow you to easily hammer in and secure your base on a patch of land that isn’t necessarily going to give you much in the way of leeway. These types of peg aren’t particularly useful in softer ground or sand, as they simply won’t hold. You can even get your hands on longer nails which are thicker and reportedly more durable – offering a better hold in hard ground. These are quite heavy, however, and won’t be of much use if you’re anywhere near rocky ground.
V Pegs or Vee Pegs
V pegs, or vee section pegs, are the ideal choice for softer, sandier and muddier grounds. They’re splayed out, giving more of an opportunity for greater hold and flexibility. These types of pegs can come in a variety of types and shapes, too – meaning that if you’re in need of a bigger surface area or a stronger hold, you may wish to do a bit more shopping around – but for the money, we think V pegs offer more than enough lightweight support that should be sought ahead of anything seemingly simpler, such as skewers or nails. V pegs are an ideal purchase for festival campers and for those heading to uneven ground.
Rock Pegs
The name gives it away, doesn’t it? These sharp, piercing pegs are rock-busters – meaning that they are ideally used on rocky ground or in areas where you are having trouble pegging into thicker soil or earth. The main issue some campers face with these pegs is the fact that they may not be too durable, depending upon the make or model you opt for – but–there are durable versions of the rock peg out there which could be well worth a look if you’re one for your mountaineering, for example.
Biodegradable Pegs
For the environmentally-conscious camper, biodegradable pegs offer an eco-friendly twist which maintains the hold and security of some of the best pegs and nails on this list. These pegs will quickly degrade over time should you accidentally leave them in the wild – meaning that you won’t have to worry too much if you forget about them – but do also remember that while they can supply something of a nice grip, they have a habit of being fragile on the odd occasion.
Harpoon Pegs
Lastly, let’s take a look at a relatively new peg design. The Harpoon peg is a catch-all winner – extensive surface area and adaptability make for a hold that can be transferred across soft and medium grounds, meaning that you can even pitch into gravel if you need to. The perfect beach pegs, the Harpoon model is one to look for if you’re hoping to monopolise on base grip above all.
So you know have the knowledge about which pegs you need for which ground, you have no excuse for not going camping. Why not find your perfect campsite.
Images used for Illustrational purposes and may differ from brand to brand.
