I like the new trend of "flourescent/reflective" threaded cord attached to the stakes.

Bright colored or reflective tape tags, like you can apply to your bike for night riding, works for needles and other stuff that cord falls off of easily.

I'd have to admit that I have found a lot more stakes than I've lost over the years (that goes for gear in general - except for pocket knives for some reason).

We picked up quite a bit of materials including a Jansport pack and Slumberjack bag that was dumped with a note saying "yours if you carry out" on the Bill Hall Trail. Someone must have been hurting.