Tent pegs and guylines: choosing and checking the small parts

Tent pegs and guylines connect your shelter to the ground. Getting the right parts matters more than simply counting how many pegs are in the bag.

What the names mean

• Peg or stake: the ground anchor.
• Guyline: the cord running from the tent to an anchor.
• Tensioner: the adjuster that shortens or lengthens the working cord.
• Guy-out point: the reinforced attachment on the tent.

Match the peg to the ground

• Firm soil: a robust all-purpose beam-shaped peg is a common choice.
• Soft soil or firm sand: MSR’s spiral Cyclone design is intended to improve holding.
• Loose sand or snow: broad specialised anchors offer more surface area than a narrow peg. Use the maker’s instructions for these conditions.

Read length and weight together

Length is usually given in centimetres; weight in grams may be per peg or per set. For example, eight 14 g pegs weigh 112 g before the bag and cords. A lighter set is only useful if it holds in the ground you expect.

How many do you need?

Start with your tent’s instructions and every required anchor point, including the fly and guylines. MSR says its supplied kit covers normal conditions, while stronger weather or different ground may require extra or specialised anchors. Its tents do not have a single universal wind-speed rating.

Check the complete setup before buying

I would pitch a used tent and count the parts against its manual. Inspect pegs for cracks or severe bends, cords for wear, tensioners for grip and fabric attachment points for torn stitching. Include missing parts in the total cost. Practise adjusting the lines before your first trip.

Related: How to check a second-hand tent.

Sources and photo credits

Sources checked 1 October 2026.

• MSR: selecting stakes for ground conditions
• MSR: how many stakes to use
• MSR: wind resistance and anchoring

Photo: Tent Peg 7652.jpg — Ashley Pomeroy. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.