I was kind of amazed how many different stakes I had in the gear pile when I started looking around the other day. From various used tents I've rescued over the years and ones I've purchased I've got the following: steel v-stakes, plastic T-stakes, aluminum shepherds hooks, gutter nails (2 lengths), Groundhog knockoffs (2 lengths).
The aluminum shepherds hooks turn to modern art if I try and use them in hard ground but they pull out easily in the sandy FL soil (kind of junk, but cheap and light). I was surprised how well the plastic t-stakes hold but they're kind of heavy and bulky.
I think the real groundhogs would be great but I'm a cheapskate. I have a set of basically the same ones I got off e-bay for around $1/ea but they were only 7" and in bright blue. The color stands out great in the leaf litter but I wanted a little more strength for high winds.
I found the Coghlans 9" version at the local SA for $4/6pack. I added some reflective cord to replace the junk that came with them. I think these will be just the ticket but the kind of reddish brown color will likely disappear if I drop them in some forest duff.
Long story short...+1 on the groundhogs (or cheap knockoff). In order of importance for me high/low: price, holding power, ground penetration, weight, durability.....
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