SMC Perforated Tent Stake

My version differs from the picture in that it has drilled holes at about 1.5 inches o.c. down the entire length of the stake. I used 6 of them (8-1/2 inch length) in moderate snow conditions: 2 in a dead-man and 4 driven down into 2/3 snow 1/3 soft earth. The dead-man stakes were in snow entirely and upwind.

The flexibility of design and weight are all pluses for me — the drilled holes and alloy construction keep the weight down for their size, the rolled lip holds tent lines very well, and the design allows them to pack together tightly, something I can't say about the impressive but cumbersome 8.5" MSR X-Stakes I have for the same purpose in the same length.

I attached pull loops of 3mm cord on each one, making it much easier to find and extract when it's time to pack up.

Update: November 28, 2011

The drilled holes in the stakes are actually 1" on center, not 1.5" as stated in my first review...

I like the tip on adding a rope loop to the top hole. Good idea. Because when these stakes get iced in they are a bear to pull out sometimes.

Anyway, unless you're in super-dry snow or in high wind these stakes work great for snow camping.  I've used them for many years and never had a failure and I don't think they've changed the design much over those years. 

Seems as if they got it right the first time.