I used 1 1/4" roofing nails. I kept hitting my thumb when i tried 1' nails. Started out using poultry staples and hated them. The roofing nails are the way to go if you don't have a pneumatic staple gun.
My husband used the staples for fencing (some are calling them u-shaped nails) on some of the run then I suggested fender washers and screws and he like that. He can not use his right arm 100% after a work-related injury so the drill is his best friend now.