Best Tent Stake Hammer for Camping in 2024

By: Derek Vitiello | Last Updated on October 20, 2024

Every recommendation we make has been used, tested, and expertly selected by us. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

Knowing how to use tent stakes and how to secure a tent without stakes is one thing, but having the proper equipment is completely different. A good camping hammer is just as essential as having the best tent stakes for your conditions. Whether it’s windy conditions, rocky ground, or sandy terrain, you’ll need the best tent stakes and the best tent stake hammer available so you can have a safe and comfortable night in your tent. Read on to learn more about our top picks!

AT A GLANCE: All the Camping Hammers We Tested

4 Best Tent Stake Hammers

The best tent stake hammers are the Nemo Meldr Hammer, Gerber Pack Hatchet, MSR Stake Hammer, and the Snow Peak Peg Hammer. A good tent stake hammer has to be light, durable, and preferably have more than one function to make packing the extra weight worth it.

If you are looking for a dedicated camping hammer with great durability and versatility, our top pick is the Nemo Meldr Hammer. The Gerber Pack Hatchet is an honorable mention because we love doubling up on applications when it comes to camping tools. Its primary function is a hatchet but can also be used as a hammer, decreasing the amount of gear you’re packing.

Nemo Meldr Hammer

Know Nothing Nomads Favorite

4 person gazelle instant tent that we tested

Specifications

  • Stainless steel face and head
  • Hickory handle
  • Weight: 1lb. 9oz.
  • Length: 12 inches

What We Liked

  • Heirloom quality construction
  • Doubles as a bottle opener and stake puller
  • Lifetime warranty

What We Didn’t Like

  • Heaviest hammer on our list

Where to Shop

Nemo Meldr Hammer is a top-quality tent stake camping hammer that is perfect for any car camping trip. The steel head is extremely durable, and is ergonomically designed for the optimal strike angle for driving steel stakes from above. The shock absorbing, tapered hickory handle feels comfortable and easy to grip, and the integrated hook doubles as a bottle opener and tent stake remover.

The Nemo Meldr Hammer is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a high-quality camping hammer that will last for many years to come.

Gerber Pack Hatchet

Most Versatile

4 person gazelle instant tent that we tested

Specifications

  • Full Stainless Steel Construction
  • Rubber Overmold Handle
  • Weight: 1lb 4.8oz
  • Length: 9.5 inches
  • 3.5″ Max Blade Length

What We Liked

  • Doubles as a hatchet, making it one of the most versatile options on this list
  • Tied for second most affordable with the MSR below

What We Didn’t Like

  • No tent stake remover or bottle opener

Where to Shop

Above we mentioned how a good camping hammer should have more than one use, and that is exactly why the Gerber Pack Hatchet made this list! Not only is it one of the best camping hatchets, but the hammer on the backside makes a great camping hammer.

The full stainless steel tang extends all the way through the ergonomic rubber grip, which ensures a durable and corrosion resistant construction. The lanyard hole lets you secure the hatchet while on the move, or you can use the included belt carry sheath for transpiration. At less than a 1.5 pounds, it is relatively lightweight and would also be a great tool to make your own wooden tent stakes.

MSR Stake Hammer

Lightweight

MSR Stake Hammer That We tested

Specifications

  • Hardened Stainless Steel Head
  • Aluminum Handle
  • Pack Weight: 11oz
  • Length: 11 inches

What We Liked

  • Lightest metal hammer on our list and could be used for backpacking
  • Bottle opener and stake puller
  • Tied for second most affordable with the Gerber above

What We Didn’t Like

  • Simple design lacks true versatility

Where to Shop

REI

The MSR Hammer is the best lightweight camping hammer and it’s perfect for pounding in tent stakes. The head is made of hardened stainless steel, the handle is lightweight aluminum, and the entire tool weighs only 11 ounces.

This camping hammer also features an integrated bottle opener and high visibility pull cord, making it a versatile and handy tool for any camper. It’s even engineered with a perfectly balanced swing weight. At 11 inches in length, it fits into most tent storage bags, making it easy to pack and carry. The claw is also great for a digging tool to make a cat hole super fast, and the weight could be light enough for your next backpacking trip!

Snow Peak Copper Head Peg Hammer

Highest Quality

MSR Stake Hammer That We tested

Specifications

  • Forged Steel Head with replaceable Copper Face
  • Oak Handle
  • Weight: 1lb 6.4oz
  • Length: 11.5 inches

What We Liked

  • Replaceable head piece made of copper
  • Stake puller and bottle opener

What We Didn’t Like

  • Most expensive option on this list

Where to Shop

The Snow Peak Peg Hammer is a great choice for anyone looking for a hammer. The solid oak handle is durable and provides a comfortable grip, while the forged steel head ensures that this camping hammer can take a beating. The copper head helps to absorb the shock of hammering, making it easier on your arm, and if the head does eventually wear out, it is easily replaceable.

Coghlan’s Tent Peg Mallet

Most Affordable

MSR Stake Hammer That We tested

Specifications

  • Made of heavy duty plastic
  • Weight: 7 oz.

What We Liked

  • Most lightweight stake hammer
  • Most affordable and cheapest option

What We Didn’t Like

  • Not heavy duty enough for long term use

Where to Shop

REI

Coghlan’s makes some cool car camping accessories and we like their tent peg mallet as a cheap and affordable option for a hammer. It’s not very heavy duty so we wouldn’t recommend it for heavy use, but it’s a great option for casual campers who aren’t looking to spend more money on their camping gear.

It’s made of heavy duty plastic, which makes it the lightest hammer on this list, but also the least durable. For the price, it gets the job done and would be a great option for car campers or backpackers.

What to Look for in the Best Camping Hammer

When shopping for the best camping hammer, you should take into consideration materials, weight, versatility, and price

Materials

Each of these best camping hammers above have their own pros and cons, and each is made of different materials. In general, camping hammers made of metal are going to be preferred over plastic ones, mainly because the durability of metal is much better suited for steel stakes. While plastic tent hammers can work, they would be best suited for casual campers who don’t go out very frequently.

Steel is going to be the best material for the head because of its strength and durability, so you’ll notice that the best camping hammers above are made of steel. Rubber and aluminum are great materials for the handle or shaft because they are corrosion resistant and rubber and wood are especially great for shock absorption.

The Nemo Meldr (Editor’s Choice) has a stainless steel head that is strong, durable, and resists corrosion.

Weight

Finding a hammer with the right balance of quality materials and weight is important because you want something with enough weight to really get those tent stakes into the ground. If it’s too lightweight, it won’t have the striking force you need for tough terrain, but if it’s too heavy then it can become an inconvenience to pack and carry.

Versatility

All your camping tools should be multi-use so you’re not packing extra unnecessary gear, and that’s one of the main reasons why everything on our list is multipurpose in some way. Whether the stake also works as a can opener, a digging tool, and/or a hatchet, it should at least be a tent peg remover so you can maximize on usage.

Price

The camping hammers on this list range from $10 to $70, which is quite the price difference. So how much should you spend on a hammer? We personally prefer something in the middle of the range, something that balances price and quality. We wouldn’t want to go with the cheapest option, but we don’t really want a large price tag either.

No matter the price, it’s more important to consider what your typical usage will be, and pick something to best fit that. Look at what other features you want, the weight, and the materials, and pick based on what would best fit your individual needs.

The Snow Peak hammer is the most expensive option on this list but it’s also super high quality and has a replaceable head piece made of copper

Alternative for a Camping Hammer

If a camping hammer isn’t in your budget, or if you’re more the ‘roughing it’ type of camper, these are some other methods of driving stakes into the ground without buying a new piece of gear.

Wood

We absolutely love having campfires so we pretty much always have wood nearby when we go camping. Before we started using a hatchet (like the Gerber above) we used a piece of firewood. Simply hold it on one end and smack the stake with the other end. You have to be careful though: splinters are no fun. Try to use the weight of wood instead of forcing it down with your arm.

Related Post: How to Build a Campfire

A Rock

Our next go-to object was a rock, which are commonly scattered across most campsites. Just grab a rock that has a wider base and fits comfortably in your hand. Don’t use a small rock or something too thin, as you’ll risk missing the stake and hitting your hand, or even splitting the rock and hurting yourself.

A Hatchet

If you already have a hatchet, see if you can use the backside of the blade to hit the tent stakes. Most hatchets have this ability, which is why we’ve included the Gerber hatchet above. It works to split wood, but also has the ability to drive stakes into the ground, making it one of the more versatile options for a hammer.

FAQ’s

K
L
What to use to hammer in tent pegs?
Technically you can use just about anything, a rock, log, or a hammer out of the garage, but to avoid damaging or bending your tent stakes, it is a good idea to have a dedicated tent stake hammer. Tent stake hammers are specially designed to efficiently and effectively drive your tent stakes into all kinds of soils and conditions.
K
L
Can you use a regular hammer for tent stakes?
You certainly can! But, beware, a regular hammer can sometime damage your tent stakes. In order to prevent damaging your tent stakes and prolong the life of them it is much better to use a tent stake hammer.
K
L
Do I need a mallet for tent pegs?
While it’s not necessary to have a mallet for your tent pegs, it makes it a million times easier to have one. Plus, it will help your tent stakes last longer than if you use a regular hammer or rocks.
K
L
Are camping hammers worth it?
While camping hammers may seem like an unnecessary item, they can actually be quite useful, especially if it’s multi-purpose. Using a camping hammer instead of a rock will be easier on you and help your tent stakes last longer.

Share on Social Media

Why Trust Know Nothing Nomads?

Since 2017, Know Nothing Nomads has cemented itself as the “approachable experts” in everything camping, hiking, and adventuring in the Great Outdoors.

With over 60 years of experience in the outdoors, we don’t just talk about outdoor gear or recommend a good hiking trail.

We USE the gear we talk about. We’ve hiked 1000’s of miles and camped 1000’s of nights in the wilderness.

We don’t just know a few things about the outdoors — WE EAT, SLEEP, AND BREATHE IT.

We are not journalists from a magazine telling someone else’s stories from behind a computer. We are the ACTUAL outdoorsmen that those people write about. 

We are not a “gear lab” that runs tests on gear in life-like conditions. We are the seasoned, “trial-by-fire” experts who have taken the gear into the wilderness and USED IT. Read about our gear testing process here

We started Know Nothing Nomads to share our passion and expertise with our readers to inspire, educate, and enable you to explore the outdoors in the way that we have. And you will be more equipped and capable than ever before with the knowledge you gain here guiding you along the way.

And the best part? We are real people that LOVE our readers and this community. If you need anything or have a question about any of the things we have to write about, just reach out. Normally, one of us can respond within 24 hours, sometimes within minutes.

You should also know that advertising does not influence our gear reviews in any way, shape, or form, and it never will.

While we always focus our attention on gear that stands out to us—sometimes we discover that things aren’t up to our standards. This is exactly why we will always talk about the downfalls and compromises that we find while we are testing anything (If we find any).

About The Author

Derek, Co-Founder at Know Nothing Nomads

My goal with my writing and Know Nothing Nomads as a whole is to share my passions of hiking, camping, and a love of the outdoors with our readers.

Making the difficult and uncertain feel more approachable to people that might not know enough to feel comfortable taking their first steps into the wilderness is a driving factor for me.

When I'm not writing you can find me on a trail, in a forest, or next to a river with hiking shoes on my feet and a fly rod somewhere close by.

Related Posts

Hey there!

We are Derek and Ashley of Know Nothing Nomads. Whether it is hiking, camping, or just generally being outside, we love it. We are so happy that you have found our little blog and hope that you stick around a while. Feel free to contact us with any questions or get in touch with us on social media!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Know Nothing Nomads