What Thiicknees is recommended for carbon stakes

[Felipe Vitoria]

Good Morning.
question for those who have experience with carbon stakes:

What wall thickness is recommended?

and the diameter to any recommendations?

I’m doing some tests and I want to define a material to work with.

see my prototype..

[JCH]

I have used the Ruta Locura 9″ carbon stakes since April 2013.  No idea what the specs are, it looks like they have been upgraded since I purchased.  They work beautifully for trekking pole supported shelters.  I don’t think I would trust anything shorter than 9″.

[Felipe Vitoria]

I’ve seen Ruta’s product. my doubt is when the thickness and diameter recommended for good strength

[DWR D]

Never used the, but my guess is they will shatter if you try to pound them into rocky ground. Soft soil, probably okay…

[Dan]

I stopped pounding stakes several years ago. Maybe I’m too conservative, but if I can’t push one in with the sole of my boot, I conclude that it’s probably not a good location.

[JCH]

What Dan said.

[Jan Rezac]

I tried using rolled CF tube with 8mm OD and 0.5mm wall. One stake broke after light use so I stopped using them.

1 mm wall would be overkill, and as heavy as other stakes I already have. Something in between would be perfect, but such a tube is not readily available. There may be some arrow shafts that fit the bill.

[JCH]

What I like about the 9″ CF stakes is their holding power.  They have more holding power than an MSR Groundhog at almost half the weight (13g vs 7.5g).  As mentioned, if you regularly pound in your stakes then CF is not for you.  However, I have been very surprised at the ability of the CF stakes to be “woven in between the rocks” on several trips.

In sandy, loamy, soft soil or forest duff, the CF stakes are the ticket…better than groundhogs.  As always, use the proper tool for the job :)

[Author]

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