You briefly mentioned about how this has limited protection against higher winds. I had mine out for a 1 nighter and the wind where I was camped was awful. Maybe about 50 mph. It nearly folded the tent in half. I like all the features talked about in this video, but just be aware that when he says shouldn't be in winds over 35 mph, he is correct.
Great review! You may have just sold me on it three years later, but now I get to choose the OSMO version.. I have a Duplex, but...free standing definitely has its appeal for me, along with the ability to star gaze, the quick drying OSMO fabric, and the weight make this a clear top contender!
Oh my gosh!! I am so impressed with this video. Just started looking at buying a compact, light weight, and backpacking tent. I dont think I need to look at any other tents! This one looks purfect! This video was great to watch, thank-you!!
Quick question. Check out the 2:19 mark in the video, the back side or green side of the tent where the rain fly doesn't come down all the way. In the past (I used to have the Northface Tadpole 23 tent, purchased 2013, kind of a similar design), I've had issues where the floor of my tent has gotten pretty soaked (crazy crazy downpour). On the front side of the tent, opposite of where I'm describing with the NEMO logo, there's at least a little hook so u could use a stake and tighten it so the rain/snow isn't an issue. Any insight to this and how to combat heavy precipitation?
Great informative review. Now that you have had the tent for a couple of years, how has the material durability been? Have you had it in adverse conditions (wind, rain)? Also, I see you had it pitched in the winter, any issues to report? I have been going back and forth with the Dragonfly, Copper Spur , and Hubba Hubba. I might put Tiger Wall and FreeLite on that list too. My friends all have jumped on the Durston X-Mid bandwagon. It is a great tent, I am thinking their 1P would be a good complement to a 2P freestanding. Different use cases for me.
Hi, First of all great video! Secondly I would kindly ask you if you could tell me something more about the "back of the tent". For example is it possible for water to get in to the tent on a windy night because the outside layer isn't covering the whole inside layer?? Thanks!
I recently bought this tent as well, and put it through its paces two weekends ago on a two-night trip to Lake Vernon from Hetch Hetchy. I definitely am happy with how it performed, especially with unexpected sleet, hail and snow during a very windy night. I've only used it solo, but I tend to prefer a full tent to a minimalist setup since I'm not a thru-hiker and like the comfort-factor. You did a great job on the review - very thorough and thought-out, and I learned a couple things about it that I'd missed! Looking forward to more content.
Glad to hear no issues with the sleet/hail/snow. Just bought this and set it up in my living room with the fly (no stakes of course). The front side where the rain fly doesn't come down all the way concerns me a bit. Technically the back side too, even if the 4 corners are really tightened.
@@Braquemartable I definitely didn't measure the wind speed, and it was not a blizzard with feet of snow/hail/sleet. But it did stand up against a good inch of this mix when it happened unexpectedly at night. So no, do NOT rely on this for an expedition or serious winter camping in inclement weather.
Great review! Clear and concise with great video and audio. I'd like to buy a new tent soon and have narrowed it down to three: Nemo Dagger 2p tent, MSR Hubba Hubba 2p tent, and the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2p tent. I've heard the Copper Spur is ultralight and therefore not quite as durable with its super thin (yet still strong) materials compared to the other two. Have you used the Hubba Hubba? They seem to be pretty comparable, but I'd like to know if there's anything I'm missing or anything you or anyone else might know that would be a deciding factor for me. Thanks!
I'ma little concerned of the "arched" rain fly on the head/foot side, do you experience wind gusting in from the gap? (considering tent like copper spur kind of tent, where the fly goes all the way the ground). Thanks
I’m curious how you found the rainfly cut out at the head of the tent. Looks like it comes a fair way up leaving the main tent exposed albeit the 20D fabric. Any issues with rain hitting that spot?
Good review, Jimmy. Had you considered the Hornet 2P? And, if so, was there anything specific that pushed you to the Dragonfly? Trying to decide if it's worth replacing my Copper Spur UL2 with the Hornet to save some weight.
Thanks! The Dragonfly is ideal for me when I hike with a partner in buggy conditions. More often than not, I have a greater willingness to sacrifice creature comforts to save weight than my partner has. Also, the Dragonfly represents less overlap with my existing quiver of shelters, as I tend to use lighter solo shelters for more ambitious trips. But the Hornet could be good if you’re happy to get really close with your hiking partner or are using it mostly for solo applications.
Just bought this for 250.00 for an REI garage sale item. I bought it based just on the opinion of a worker there because it is a good seller and a very good deal. My concern is with the strength of the poles because I see many of the buyer reviews report snapped poles. Apparently the metal gauge size is very thin on these poles. What do you think?
These 8.7mm poles are fairly standard on sub-3lb 2 person ultralight freestanding tents. Many of these tents are tested for 35-40mph winds in the wind tunnel but on the basis that the full tent is properly guyed out. Check out my most recent video where I put up this tent in a rain storm with some serious gusts to see whether these are the kind of conditions you expect to encounter.
The no-see-um mesh in your video looks black; however the one on Nemo official website is white and it was released in January 2019. Do you know id they had any updates recently? I do prefer the black mesh in your video.
Strange. I used a kitchen scale for more accuracy than a bathroom scale. The difference in your measured weight vs mine makes it sound like you have the Dagger. Couldn’t explain that big difference otherwise.
Thanks Sam. It’s finding the right sweet spot for liveability vs weight - the hornet is a tighter squeeze and I think my hiking partners would value the extra space a bit more.
@@HikingNerd Also, if it's 45 inches at the foot end I take it you mean 2 large tapered pads will fit? I'm actually looking at the Firefly as a dedicated 2p tent. The dimensions are basically the same. It's just a bit heaver due to the thicker floor (dog).
I love your videos! I am striving for ultralight within a reasonable budget & durability. I have a 90lb lab who sleeps in my tent with me. I am shopping for a new tent and want a ultralight (3lbs or less) and hopefully some durability which can be tough for ultralight. Could you please provide suggestions for a 2 person 2 door tent for me & Yoshi? Thank you! ☀️🏕😊
My suggestion is to put a ground cloth inside the tent or just be prepared to fix any holes with Tenacious tape. The holy grail of weight, price, and durability does not exist at the degree you’re asking for, unfortunately.
They probably got some condensation instead of actual water leakage. This tent has a single wall at the head end which is more prone to condensation. I've never had issues here but if conditions are sufficiently bad for condensation (high relative humidity, low air flow, and large + rapid temperature drop), it could happen. However, the walls are steep enough that they won't catch much exhaled air unless you cram your head into the corner and they almost certainly wouldn't rain down on you while you sleep. In general, I don't really are about condensation unless it compromises my sleeping insulation, but some people hate it. Hope that helps.
@Hiking Nerd Good review. I was noticing the lack of coverage at the head end and foot end of the tent. Does the fly have guy out loops or tabs at either end? Also does the tent perform well in the rain due to the lack of rain fly coverage in these areas mentioned?
There's enough material overlap between the rainfly and bathtub floor (same hydrostatic head but different weight fabrics) that rain won't get in. See 8:01 in the video which shows a top down view of the overlap at the head end.
@@wanderingaloudwithmark3057 Sorry but I'm not sure what you mean. A floor that is not waterproof on the sides could hardly be called a bathtub floor. The rainfly (green) is designed to keep rain from getting in through the mesh body, while the bathtub floor (grey) provides coverage against splashback and, in this case, becomes an extension of the rainfly at the head-end as there is a trapezoidal cut-out in the rainfly there. 8:01 in the video refers to the same trapezoidal cut-out that you see at 0:32.
@@HikingNerd Yes it is the trapezoid cut I am referring to. Most tent flies extend over the body of the tent to offer protection from the elements. But that is where the bathtub floor is exposed. I suspect the cut out part of the fly is to save ounces. I am just a little old school. But I am giving the Dagger 3 a try.
@@wanderingaloudwithmark3057 Most tents that have the fly extending to 2-6" off the ground have bathtub floors that are 4-8" tall. In addition to the weight savings, the secondary benefit is that the solid fabric reduces drafts near the sleeper's head as compared to tent like you mentioned (e.g. NEMO Galaxy 2). Many heavier tents today employ a solid, non-waterproof fabric to reduce drafts near the head and extend the fly to a few inches off the ground.
Yep it's pretty much a weight vs. comfort tradeoff and it's likely different for everyone, especially because there will be diminishing returns on each dimension. I found the Dragonfly to be the right balance of both for me - something like the Hornet would be too cramped for my liking but the Dagger is too luxurious .
Nicely done great presentation, but the rest of the world has moved on from ounces 😂 this was definitely a tent I considered before settling on the BA Copper Spur UL2 which I solo hike with.
What's your experience with this tent during windy conditions? In your personal opinion do you think this tent could stand windy conditions (not extreme ones) while hiking mountains? Happy hiking! :D
Wind resistant features were sacrificed for weight. So it depends on “how windy” you’re talking and whether you have the skills and knowledge to reduce the effect on your tent (which brand doesn’t matter as certain practices will always help)
This is one of the best tent reviews I’ve ever seen! 👍
Good review! I like your calm, even voice, impartiality, with no idle chit-chat. Thank you!
You briefly mentioned about how this has limited protection against higher winds. I had mine out for a 1 nighter and the wind where I was camped was awful. Maybe about 50 mph. It nearly folded the tent in half. I like all the features talked about in this video, but just be aware that when he says shouldn't be in winds over 35 mph, he is correct.
Great review! You may have just sold me on it three years later, but now I get to choose the OSMO version.. I have a Duplex, but...free standing definitely has its appeal for me, along with the ability to star gaze, the quick drying OSMO fabric, and the weight make this a clear top contender!
Oh my gosh!! I am so impressed with this video. Just started looking at buying a compact, light weight, and backpacking tent. I dont think I need to look at any other tents! This one looks purfect! This video was great to watch, thank-you!!
Glad you enjoyed the review!
Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time and ambition to make this review.
Beyond the review I learned a lot about the tent. Thanks!
2:52 thanks for converting dimensions to metric units 😀
Love it. I'm going to go order the 1P version right now! Thanks for the great review!
Quick question. Check out the 2:19 mark in the video, the back side or green side of the tent where the rain fly doesn't come down all the way. In the past (I used to have the Northface Tadpole 23 tent, purchased 2013, kind of a similar design), I've had issues where the floor of my tent has gotten pretty soaked (crazy crazy downpour). On the front side of the tent, opposite of where I'm describing with the NEMO logo, there's at least a little hook so u could use a stake and tighten it so the rain/snow isn't an issue. Any insight to this and how to combat heavy precipitation?
Like the freestanding feature. I returned my 1p because semi-freestanding was a major pita.
Nemo is the king of outdoor gear.
Great informative review. Now that you have had the tent for a couple of years, how has the material durability been? Have you had it in adverse conditions (wind, rain)? Also, I see you had it pitched in the winter, any issues to report? I have been going back and forth with the Dragonfly, Copper Spur , and Hubba Hubba. I might put Tiger Wall and FreeLite on that list too. My friends all have jumped on the Durston X-Mid bandwagon. It is a great tent, I am thinking their 1P would be a good complement to a 2P freestanding. Different use cases for me.
Great demonstration and break down . I like all my stuff inside on a trip .the extra pound is worth it over the single especially if it rains .
I just ordered the bikepacking version of this tent. Nice to see that the prior version has such good reviews.
did you get a footprint too? Is it the same footprint as the standard dragonfly?
Thanks! I just bought this tent, so your review was very reassuring… 💚🌞
this was a great review, took your time and make your points very clear.
Hi, First of all great video! Secondly I would kindly ask you if you could tell me something more about the "back of the tent". For example is it possible for water to get in to the tent on a windy night because the outside layer isn't covering the whole inside layer??
Thanks!
Great review on a great tent.
Well done. Really enjoyed the footage and your commentary. Keep it up.
I recently bought this tent as well, and put it through its paces two weekends ago on a two-night trip to Lake Vernon from Hetch Hetchy. I definitely am happy with how it performed, especially with unexpected sleet, hail and snow during a very windy night. I've only used it solo, but I tend to prefer a full tent to a minimalist setup since I'm not a thru-hiker and like the comfort-factor.
You did a great job on the review - very thorough and thought-out, and I learned a couple things about it that I'd missed! Looking forward to more content.
Thanks for the comment!
Glad to hear no issues with the sleet/hail/snow. Just bought this and set it up in my living room with the fly (no stakes of course). The front side where the rain fly doesn't come down all the way concerns me a bit. Technically the back side too, even if the 4 corners are really tightened.
No way, mine (i have the firefly though) broke down with barely 40 km/h of wind ... So resisting hail storm and snow i HIGHLY doubt it
@@Braquemartable I definitely didn't measure the wind speed, and it was not a blizzard with feet of snow/hail/sleet. But it did stand up against a good inch of this mix when it happened unexpectedly at night. So no, do NOT rely on this for an expedition or serious winter camping in inclement weather.
Sorry to hear you didn't get to do the spoon!
Great review! Clear and concise with great video and audio. I'd like to buy a new tent soon and have narrowed it down to three: Nemo Dagger 2p tent, MSR Hubba Hubba 2p tent, and the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2p tent. I've heard the Copper Spur is ultralight and therefore not quite as durable with its super thin (yet still strong) materials compared to the other two. Have you used the Hubba Hubba? They seem to be pretty comparable, but I'd like to know if there's anything I'm missing or anything you or anyone else might know that would be a deciding factor for me. Thanks!
I'm stuck between the same options. What did you decide to go with??
such a great review, just ordered mine!
Glad you said something about wind. I saw a 1 star review because the wind broke a pole so this would be a concern of mine
Mine (i have the firefly though) broke down with barely 40 km/h of wind ...
Just ordered this tent, seems right weight/space ratio, thanks for the review!
Great review, thank you!!!
very helpful review, thank you!
Great review. Was looking at this product online and this gave me a great sense of what I would be getting 💯
Great review!
Best review thank you!
Another awesome review! Thanks Jimmy.
I'ma little concerned of the "arched" rain fly on the head/foot side, do you experience wind gusting in from the gap? (considering tent like copper spur kind of tent, where the fly goes all the way the ground). Thanks
This guy needs to review all of Nemos tents
Good audio
Good video
What else can you ask for.....
Better audio! Better video! :)
Have you had any issues with water pooling inside the bathtub because of the cut out on the rain fly, on the head end?
such a good review
Nice review. Thanks!
Very well done review. Thank you
This is nice review. How would you compare it to big agnus copper series?
Good video mate
What has been your experience with the rain fly not coming all the way down at the head end? Does that single wall get wet a lot?
Love your style
Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
I’m curious how you found the rainfly cut out at the head of the tent. Looks like it comes a fair way up leaving the main tent exposed albeit the 20D fabric. Any issues with rain hitting that spot?
Rain can hit the spot but the grey is part of the bathtub floor which has enough hydrostatic head to keep the rain out.
Outstanding review.
Awesome review. Just subbed and looking forward to more great content.
great review and supper tent！
Why is the rain fly too short at one side?
Thank you very much
I have a problem with the bright color, with most of the nemo products. Other than that I like it. Head to head against the hornet in rain and heat?
Great review man!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good review, Jimmy. Had you considered the Hornet 2P? And, if so, was there anything specific that pushed you to the Dragonfly? Trying to decide if it's worth replacing my Copper Spur UL2 with the Hornet to save some weight.
Thanks! The Dragonfly is ideal for me when I hike with a partner in buggy conditions. More often than not, I have a greater willingness to sacrifice creature comforts to save weight than my partner has. Also, the Dragonfly represents less overlap with my existing quiver of shelters, as I tend to use lighter solo shelters for more ambitious trips. But the Hornet could be good if you’re happy to get really close with your hiking partner or are using it mostly for solo applications.
Noticed your UberLite pad in a couple of videos - wouldn’t mind your review of that.
Just bought this for 250.00 for an REI garage sale item. I bought it based just on the opinion of a worker there because it is a good seller and a very good deal.
My concern is with the strength of the poles because I see many of the buyer reviews report snapped poles. Apparently the metal gauge size is very thin on these poles. What do you think?
These 8.7mm poles are fairly standard on sub-3lb 2 person ultralight freestanding tents. Many of these tents are tested for 35-40mph winds in the wind tunnel but on the basis that the full tent is properly guyed out. Check out my most recent video where I put up this tent in a rain storm with some serious gusts to see whether these are the kind of conditions you expect to encounter.
The no-see-um mesh in your video looks black; however the one on Nemo official website is white and it was released in January 2019. Do you know id they had any updates recently? I do prefer the black mesh in your video.
There were some inconsistencies in their website pictures but I believe the current model is a black mesh.
Nice review, just bought this tent :)~
Good review! Next time can you put the weights in kg too? 🙏🏼
Scott Moyse Yes! Looks like I’m getting more non-American viewers :)
Whats with the big gap on the rear ?
great review
How well did your friend fit in there? I am the same height with a large xtherm pad. Comparing this to the Hubba Hubba NX.
great video, thanks!
Amazing video!! One question, how is it after 2 years? Have you been in storms with the tent?
Thanks. Check out my video called “Pitching a tent in the rain”
Tent/ fly/ poles weighed in at 3.6 lbs! I weighed myself with /Without tent 5 times!
Strange. I used a kitchen scale for more accuracy than a bathroom scale. The difference in your measured weight vs mine makes it sound like you have the Dagger. Couldn’t explain that big difference otherwise.
Excellent review as always. I'm curious as to why you chose this tent over the hornet for the additional weight savings?
Thanks Sam. It’s finding the right sweet spot for liveability vs weight - the hornet is a tighter squeeze and I think my hiking partners would value the extra space a bit more.
@@HikingNerd Also, if it's 45 inches at the foot end I take it you mean 2 large tapered pads will fit? I'm actually looking at the Firefly as a dedicated 2p tent. The dimensions are basically the same. It's just a bit heaver due to the thicker floor (dog).
So Im curious to see if yours actually measures 50 inches wide. I have the dagger 2p and claims it does but even staked out its closer to 45-46.
Hi thanks. Do you know the difference with the dagger tent ? Which one do you prefer ?
I love your videos! I am striving for ultralight within a reasonable budget & durability. I have a 90lb lab who sleeps in my tent with me. I am shopping for a new tent and want a ultralight (3lbs or less) and hopefully some durability which can be tough for ultralight. Could you please provide suggestions for a 2 person 2 door tent for me & Yoshi? Thank you! ☀️🏕😊
My suggestion is to put a ground cloth inside the tent or just be prepared to fix any holes with Tenacious tape. The holy grail of weight, price, and durability does not exist at the degree you’re asking for, unfortunately.
Hiking Nerd sounds good, I got some patching tape too from REI
Has the large “cut out” in the fly at the head of the tent an issue in the rain?
Nope
Did it leak at the back (the side of the big logo on the fly) of the tent? As I heard of someone that the tent will leak on this side. Thanks!
They probably got some condensation instead of actual water leakage. This tent has a single wall at the head end which is more prone to condensation. I've never had issues here but if conditions are sufficiently bad for condensation (high relative humidity, low air flow, and large + rapid temperature drop), it could happen. However, the walls are steep enough that they won't catch much exhaled air unless you cram your head into the corner and they almost certainly wouldn't rain down on you while you sleep. In general, I don't really are about condensation unless it compromises my sleeping insulation, but some people hate it. Hope that helps.
@hikingnerd Have you ever used a copper spur hv ul2 and if so would you pick the dragonfly or copper spur?
@Hiking Nerd Good review. I was noticing the lack of coverage at the head end and foot end of the tent. Does the fly have guy out loops or tabs at either end? Also does the tent perform well in the rain due to the lack of rain fly coverage in these areas mentioned?
There's enough material overlap between the rainfly and bathtub floor (same hydrostatic head but different weight fabrics) that rain won't get in. See 8:01 in the video which shows a top down view of the overlap at the head end.
@@HikingNerd Thanks I was referring to 00:32 where you see the large exposed bathtub floor.
@@wanderingaloudwithmark3057 Sorry but I'm not sure what you mean. A floor that is not waterproof on the sides could hardly be called a bathtub floor. The rainfly (green) is designed to keep rain from getting in through the mesh body, while the bathtub floor (grey) provides coverage against splashback and, in this case, becomes an extension of the rainfly at the head-end as there is a trapezoidal cut-out in the rainfly there. 8:01 in the video refers to the same trapezoidal cut-out that you see at 0:32.
@@HikingNerd Yes it is the trapezoid cut I am referring to. Most tent flies extend over the body of the tent to offer protection from the elements. But that is where the bathtub floor is exposed. I suspect the cut out part of the fly is to save ounces. I am just a little old school. But I am giving the Dagger 3 a try.
@@wanderingaloudwithmark3057 Most tents that have the fly extending to 2-6" off the ground have bathtub floors that are 4-8" tall. In addition to the weight savings, the secondary benefit is that the solid fabric reduces drafts near the sleeper's head as compared to tent like you mentioned (e.g. NEMO Galaxy 2). Many heavier tents today employ a solid, non-waterproof fabric to reduce drafts near the head and extend the fly to a few inches off the ground.
Did you compare this to the Dagger when making your decision? Any thoughts? Max weight 12oz difference, Dagger seems more spacious inside and out
Yep it's pretty much a weight vs. comfort tradeoff and it's likely different for everyone, especially because there will be diminishing returns on each dimension. I found the Dragonfly to be the right balance of both for me - something like the Hornet would be too cramped for my liking but the Dagger is too luxurious .
Pro review.
The fly doesn't cover the whole tent body. Why?
Do you think the tent is long enough for a 6'5" guy on a 2.5" sleeping pad under a 15* quilt? Thanks!
Yep definitely
@@HikingNerd Thank you for the quick reply, I'll check it out.
Nemo dagger 2p VS dragonfly 2p Which one would be better?
Depends on what you prioritize (weight vs internal volume)
Dragonfly VS firefly, which would be better?
Lighter and more expensive = Dragonfly
Heavier, more durable, slightly cheaper = Firefly
Nicely done great presentation, but the rest of the world has moved on from ounces 😂 this was definitely a tent I considered before settling on the BA Copper Spur UL2 which I solo hike with.
What's your experience with this tent during windy conditions? In your personal opinion do you think this tent could stand windy conditions (not extreme ones) while hiking mountains?
Happy hiking! :D
Wind resistant features were sacrificed for weight. So it depends on “how windy” you’re talking and whether you have the skills and knowledge to reduce the effect on your tent (which brand doesn’t matter as certain practices will always help)
Never understand why they would put a seam in the middle of the floor.. I could see this on a cheap tent, but on a $400+ tent is ridiculous
Change color to olive and i buy
So rhe inner gets wet as your putting up not 4 me
Why write on screen???
If you want more views, quote weights in both imperial and metric. Then people outwith the USA know what you are talking about.
Good review though.
Save your money and buy a footprint
Imagine if RUclips reviewers use proper units of measurement instead of ounces or whatever.
There are lighter for cheaper ..who the hell leaves bits of the tent at home to save weight ??!!@#$# dumbest thing iv heard
Great review! 🏕️ Just subscribed! ✅
Great review, thanks!
Great review! Thanks!