ZPacks Sonic Stakes

[Don Burton]

I know these just came out but I’m wondering if anyone has used them in the field yet. Zpacks says not to hammer them but that’s mainly what I’m wondering about.

I’ve been using MSR mini groundhogs have hammered the @#$* out them for about 50 nights and I’ve only broken the head off of one which is pretty good to me.

Do these stand up to that? Is Zpacks disclaimer just in case?

[Scott Kilcoyne]

I saw them last night and ordered them. Hopefully I’ll get them in time to take on my Smokies trip next week, if so, I’ll report back.

[Alex Willows]

Following this thread with interest, the design looks great, just depends on their strength I guess!

[Don Burton]

Thanks Scott. Let us know.

[Bob Moulder]

Yep, practically identical spec to Mini GroundHog.

Around here, if I could not hit stakes to get them into the ground then I wouldn’t be using them at all.

My approach with stake placement is to start off by tapping lightly to see if the stake will go in, then gradually increasing the force of the taps until it ‘feels’ as if the stake can’t take any more without bending. Fairly easy to tell if it just isn’t going to go in. But occasionally even Ti skewers will penetrate granite or shale that is somewhat rotten.

Similar stakes on Amazon (7″)… I have used some like these (larger GroundHog dimensions) and they are perfectly fine.

[Matthew / BPL]

Very interesting. They are ~3g lighter per stake. I wonder where the weight savings comes from. I’m a huge fan of full-size Groundhogs but I’ve bent a couple of the minis in the rocky soil of Arizona. I’m skeptical about using the ZPacks variant here. I will be interested to hear more about them.

[JCH]

Yes…the significant weight reduction is very interesting. 0.24oz vs 0.35oz (Mini GH).  Nevermind the nearly 50% weight reduction compared to GroundHogs and the Amazon versions that are both just 1″ longer.  To my mind the only viable explanation is the Alloy used.  Will be interesting to hear real-world usage reports.

[Yoyo]

Man!  I just ordered the carbon fiber ones from Zpacks the other day…Why do they keep coming out with new stuff!  My wallet is hurting!

[Richie S]

I picked up a set. I do always feel somewhat resentful if four stakes come up over the oz – so I’ll give these a crack.

[Richie S]

Size vs groundhogs.

 

[Cameron M]

I learned that its all about “tapping.” In construction I occasionally have to embed a 6′ copper grounding rod and when you whack it hard your hammer bounces back. Tap tap, tap, and it is amazing when you see all 6 feet slowly and easily sink in. I still use my Ruta Locura Sorex 9″ carbon stakes, but as I lost several last year I am considering changing (they don’t like getting hit sideways). Carbon tent stakes and carbon  trekking poles do lessen nervousness about airport confiscation. On the Treklite forum they seem to favor Eastons. Oftentimes I think that length matters the most so I am not sure I would like that 6″ blue thing shown in the picture above.

[Brad Rogers]

Easton’s seem to be getting hard to find for some reason.  I have had good luck with them over the past nine years or so though (knock on wood).

[Todd T]

Easton’s seem to be getting hard to find for some reason.  I have had good luck with them over the past nine years or so though (knock on wood).

When have Eastons not been hard to find?  I’ve sometimes wondered if I’d have to buy a new Tarptent just to get another Easton or two, not that that’s the worst fate I could suffer.  :^)

[John Rowan]

I picked up a set (due to be delivered Tuesday or so) that I’ll be taking out on a 700-ish mile PCT section, so I’ll have some feedback in a few weeks.

Thst said, it IS the PCT, so it’s also very possible that they’ll never even touch dirt, since I cowboy camp anytime it’s at all possible.

[JCH]

Re: photo posted by @landrover

Pretty easy to see from whence the weight savings are derived…the Zpacks stake is significantly narrower in addition to the (previouly known) shorter length.  Will likely be easier to wiggle into the cracks of rocky grond, but that’s not really the conditions where Groundhogs are favored.

I see them as another option…they don’t really replace anything.

[Matthew / BPL]

JCH, I believe that photo shows the Sonic next to a full size Groundhog next a Mini-Groundhog.

[Richie S]

It does Matthew. I don’t have a minimgroundhog. I’m would see them as a good replacement over shepherd hooks but not replacing a full size groundhog.

[JCH]

“…next to a full size Groundhog next a Mini-Groundhog.”

Oh.  Nevermind. :)

[Scott Kilcoyne]

Got mine in but they arrived while I was gone on my 4 day trip so I didn’t get to use them in the field. They are 100% identical in shape and size to mini ‘hogs….just lighter.

[Nick Gatel]

In poor weather (which is the only time I use a shelter) a shelter is only as good as the stakes. A stake the vendor says bends easy and do not hammer them in — sorry, I’ll pass. Save 0.1 ounce and have your shelter collapse in the wind… that’s stupid light.

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