Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P Tent review: Wild testing the world’s first fully bluesign-ticked backpacking tent

The Dagger Osmo has been a high-performing camping tent for New Hampshire-based outdoor brand Nemo for several years, but over the last 18 months the design and construction process behind the shelter has been refined and improved to make it more sustainable and environmentally friendly, and earlier this year it was re-released as the world’s first fully bluesign-approved backpacking tent.

As well has having a lighter footprint, the new iteration of the tent offers more internal space (for zero extra carry weight) and boasts several eye-catching design innovations. Over the last couple of months, I have been testing the 2-person model of the tent to see how it performs in the wild, and it blew my socks right off.

Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P Tent review

Price and availability

Recently re-released in 2- and 3-person versions, the new Dagger Osmo tent is available now, directly from Nemo and through many well-respected outdoor outlets. The recommended price is £509.99 / €590 / $549.95 for the 2-person tent and £589.95 / €670 / $599.95 for the 3-person shelter.

Specifications

• Style: Pole dome tent
• Pack size (L x H x W): 51 x 16 x 9cm / 20.0 x 6.5 x 3.5in
• Inner dimensions: 223.52 x 127cm / 88 x 50in
• Peak height: 109.22cm / 43in
• Weight: 1.51 kg / 3lb 5oz
• Seasons: 3
• Capacity: 2 people
• Vestibules: 2 x large trapezoidal vestibules
• Fly fabric: OSMO Ripstop, HH 1500mm
• Groundsheet: OSMO Ripstop 2000mm
• Poles: Pre-bent anodised aluminium DAC Featherlite NSL poles
• Pegs: Lightweight aluminium stakes
• Pitch time: 5–8 minutes
• Colour: Birch Bud

Design and materials

As mentioned, the Dagger Osmo is not a new tent from Nemo, but neither is this your average boring relaunch. The redesign includes a rethink of the pole structure, so the shelter now has doors that are 10cm (4in) higher, and there is 5cm (2in) more headroom on the inside.

As a result of this pole tweak, both the vestibules now boast 22% more usable space than the original design, making the tent even more comfortable and functional for backpackers on multiday adventures, and the improvement has been done while ensuring the Dagger maintains its svelte carry weight of 1.51kg (3lb 5oz). Impressive stuff.

Additional minor improvements include the Axial corner anchor system, for one-handed setup and tensioning, and an improved ‘Divvy Cube’ stuff sack. However, those familiar with the design of the Dagger Osmo will be pleased to hear that smart features such as the ‘Landing Zone’ (a triangular storage tub in the vestibules), the ‘Nightlight Pockets’ on the inside, and the one-handed ‘Gatekeeper’ door clips remain on the new model.

The big news, though, is the fact that the entire tent now has the thumbs-up from the bluesign boffins, meaning it’s made more ethically and with the most environmentally sensitive components and processes possible. It might only be available in one colour, but the solution-dyed OSMO fabric used in this shelter is made from 100% recycled, PFAS-free yarns that require less water during the dyeing process.

With a hydrostatic head rating of 1500mm for the fly (and 2000mm for the groundsheet), these materials also – according to Nemo – promise four times longer lasting water repellency, three times less stretch when wet, and a 20% higher strength rating than similar fabrics.

Carrying and pitching

The improved ‘Divvy Cube’ stuff sack, which now has a wider gusseted opening, makes it easier to pack and unpack the Dagger Osmo, and you can still compress it down if you choose to split the contents and carry weight between backpacking buddies.

Once on site, I found the instructions very easy to follow, and the pitching process is intuitive, even if you have never been near a Nemo tent before, so you can put this shelter up very quickly after doing it a few times, even in challenging conditions. During dry, hot conditions, you can just set up the inner tent and leave the fly off.

Connected with an elasticated umbilical cord, the Diapole premium anodised aluminium poles are >–< shaped and pre-bent, so you don’t need to use too much pressure in order to clip them into place. (In case of breakage, a pole repair kit is included, but Nemo products come with a warranty.)

Besides the main pole, two small side poles extend in either direction from the tent's spine, improving the dome's geodesic design and adding headspace and useful room in the vestibules.

The ends of the main poles have a ball-shaped element, which clips neatly into a corresponding socket on each of the four feet. The Axial corner anchors can then be tensioned with one hand. When the flysheet is added, clever tiny T-shaped bars on the corners slide through slots in the feet to help keep it in place while you peg it out.

Usable for at least three quarters of the year, the Dagger Osmo features no-see-um mesh sidewalls that provide ventilation, reduce condensation, and protect against insects. Strut vents also keep the fly well ventilated, even in wet, humid weather, further reducing condensation.

The sides are white, providing a semi-private opaque finish, while the roof mesh is black, so you can stargaze during dry, clear nights when the fly doesn't need to be on.

Performance

Over the last few months, I have been testing the Nemo Dagger Osmo 2-person tent during backpacking escapades and camping adventures across the Mendip Hills and in the Wicklow Mountains. I have been out in all weathers, including torrential rain, and this shelter has kept me warm and dry at all times, without condensation ever building up on the inside.

While it's light enough for one person to carry in a hiking backpack, this is a proper 2-person tent, with ample space for two people to sleep comfortably on good-sized camping mats and plenty of storage inside and out. There are various pockets on the inside, making organisation nice and easy, and the vestibules are very voluminous.

The design of the original Dagger Osmo was good, but the updates made in the new version are excellent, making it easier to get in and out of the tent, and giving you extra headroom when inside (both of which, as a tall person, I applaud, especially since Nemo has achieved these improvements without making the tent any heavier. (Already lightweight, you can easily split the components of this shelter to spread the carry weight between you and your backpacking buddies.)

I also very much appreciate a 2-person tent with two proper doors, so you don’t need to clamber over your camping mate to get out in the night, and twin vestibules, so you can each organise your kit. The new pole design has also increased the usable area of the vestibules on this tent, making a massive difference to their functionality when operating stoves and so on.

The doors can be opened right up, as well, to allow lots of ventilation, and the struts on the fly to prevent condensation are ingenious.

I really loved the clever little features on this tent, such as the Landing Zone storage tub, which sits neatly in the corner of the vestibule and allows you to keep your hiking boots and other outdoor gear dry, without having to bring mud into the sanctum of the inner tent.

The Nightlight Pockets – storage pouches positioned in the lower roof at each end of the tent, made from a fabric that diffuses light and turns your headtorch into a camping lantern – are especially inspired. These ostensibly small design elements combine to make lightweight backpacking experiences a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

Having the ability to use the tent without the fly in dry weather is great, especially when Nemo has designed the inner roof with stargazing in mind. The tall tub floor means you get a bit of privacy when lying down, even when the fly isn’t on. And when you do use the outer, the natural colour allows you to be very discreet when you are wild camping.

Nothing is perfect, of course, and while the Dagger Osmo is very impressive, it only comes with eight stakes (which seems stingy for the price – and while I know keeping the weight down is important, so is the ability to peg out guy ropes in windy weather, and you can always leave a couple at home if the forecast is good).

It doesn’t come with a footprint either, and while it’s not unusual for footprints to be sold separately, the Dagger Osmo doesn’t have a groundsheet with a particularly high HH rating, and it’s definitely better to use one.

Still, while this is certainly not a cheap tent, it is built to provide high-performance three-season shelter for many years, and the overall design and build quality, combined with the components used and the excellent features it offers, all make the new Dagger Osmo one of the very best backpacking tents on the market.

Verdict

A proper upgrade to an already impressive tent, the new generation of the Dagger Osmo is an excellent shelter for weight-conscious backpackers who value their comfort, and car campers who are short of storage capacity.

With generous internal space, large vestibules, and myriad clever design features that improve the pitching process and stability of the structure, as well as making the experience of being outdoors overnight extra enjoyable, this is one of the best tents I’ve had the pleasure of testing over the last decade or more.

And the fact that it’s made from recycled materials, using as environmentally friendly processes as possible, is the cherry on the cake.

Also consider

For a larger shelter that still comes in an easy-to-carry weight and pack size, have a look at the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 XL, which impressed our editor with its generous internal space and overall design.

If the price point of the Nemo Dagger Osmo and the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 XL is a bit too steep, check out the impressive Alpkit Ordos 2 backpacking tent, which offers decent 2-person shelter for a fraction of the cost, and still has plenty of good features and a high level of functionality.