NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 Tent Review

Bottom Line

The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 is a solid option for those who crave space and comfort on their adventures, whether car camping or backpacking. CleverHiker founder Dave Collins backpacked several hundred miles, including the rugged Skyline Trail in Jasper and Banff, Canada.  He also car camped for multiple weeks in the Dagger, loving its roomy interior, nearly vertical walls, and clever details that offered him and his partner a lot of space and convenience.

Weighing just over two pounds per person, this tent is on the heavy side for backpacking. Still, it does provide a roomier interior than many of the cramped two-person backpacking tent competitors, and it’s more comfortable for car camping too. We like the Dagger’s unique features like large trapezoidal vestibules, a storage tub accessory in the vestibule to keep gear clean and dry, and headlamp pockets that disperse light. Plus, the unique OSMO fabric resists sagging and stays waterproof longer than traditional coated fabrics.

However, the Dagger OSMO 2 comes with a higher price tag than similar options on our list of the best backpacking tents, so it might not work well for tighter budgets. While its weight is reasonable for shorter trips split between pairs, it is not considered a lightweight tent, so we don’t recommend it for long-distance adventures or strenuous hikes with lots of elevation gain. Downsides aside, the Dagger OSMO 2 has excellent durability, a very comfortable interior, and a quality construction with excellent attention to detail. We’ve found this to be one of the highest-quality crossover tents for backpacking and car camping.

Comfort

For those who desire a sense of spaciousness inside their tent, the Dagger 2 is a great option. With a floor length of 90 inches, even leggy hikers can stretch out without worrying about touching the walls, and the 50-inch width allows for two regular sleeping pads with room to spare. The pre-bent poles and brow pole design create plenty of headroom throughout the tent, so you won’t feel cramped storing your gear inside or sitting up. 

We love the attention to detail and quality features of this tent. The straight-zipper doors can be opened with one hand, the unique door clips hook material of the doors mostly out of the way, and the ceiling headlamp pocket turns your light into a lantern for soft interior light before bed. The Dagger 2 also has plenty of other pockets to keep essentials close. The vestibules are very large compared to most backpacking tents, and they even come with an included storage “tub” for one vestibule to help keep gear clean and out of the dirt or mud. 

There are some trade-offs when it comes to the Dagger OSMO’s comfort. It’s a bit narrow for two wide pads, which might be a downside for pairs who prefer extra sleeping space.  The many features are super convenient and make this tent feel like a home away from home, but it could be overkill for minimalist backpackers who want a simpler, no-frills shelter. Plus, many of these features, like the storage tub in the vestibule, while useful, add extra weight to an already heavy tent. To top it off, you’ll pay top dollar for these innovations, so it might be a bit out of reach for those on a budget.

Weight & Packability

The Dagger OSMO 2 strikes a balance with weight: it’s a roomy choice for pairs sharing a tent on short backpacking trips, and it’s still comfortable enough to use on car camping trips in the frontcountry. At just over four pounds, this tent should be split between two hikers to make the load more manageable on backpacking trips, and we wouldn’t recommend this tent for solo hikers. NEMO uses a rectangular roll-top stuff sack that compresses the body of the tent and the rainfly into a small package that will fit nicely into most backpacks. The poles and stakes have their own bag, so sharing the tent’s weight with a partner is easy. Most of the Dagger 2’s bulk and weight comes from the slightly thicker OSMO fabric, which is impressively durable and packable for the size of the tent. Beefy plastic components, thicker poles, and strong zippers also contribute to the overall weight and bulk. 

The Dagger 2 is not really a lightweight tent, even when the weight is shared between hikers, so we recommend this one for folks who want a top-of-the-line hybrid tent for car camping and a few backpacking trips a year. The rainfly and tent body are a bit bulky when packed, and will feel large for those with limited backpack space, especially on multi-day treks where every inch of space matters. The Dagger 2 meets in the middle between weight and comfort, but it isn’t our first choice for keeping our pack weights down.

Weather Resistance

When storms roll in, the Nemo Dagger 2 is a trusty shelter for harsh conditions. The proprietary OSMO poly-nylon ripstop fabric leads the industry in terms of water resistance. According to NEMO, it has four times better resistance than standard nylon and sags three times less when wet and cold. After many nights in rain, mist, and near-freezing temperatures, this fabric sags considerably less than the competition and maintains a more taut pitch that doesn’t need much adjustment. The rainfly has dual zippers, allowing for adjustable ventilation through strut vents, even in wet weather. Pre-bent aluminum poles provide solid structural support in whipping gusts and sheets of rain, and the well-designed stakes and pre-attached guylines lock the tent to the ground. 

When it comes to keeping your gear dry, the Dagger 2 is a top performer. The tent’s large vestibules and entry points are good at blocking rain from entering. Plus, it has a storage tub in the vestibule to separate your muddy gear or keep it off the wet ground. When the forecast is a wildcard, this tent is a reliable choice.

However, the Nemo Dagger 2 has a few design elements that could be improved for better weather resistance. The rainfly door clip is positioned low, causing the door to hang awkwardly over the entrance. This can lead to water dripping onto you or your gear when entering or exiting the tent after a stormy night. The positioning is particularly inconvenient during heavy rain, as it forces you to stoop low, increasing the chances of brushing against the fly and getting wet. The OSMO fabric is highly water-resistant but still stretches and sags a bit, although not nearly as much as silnylon and other fabrics. Finally, the tent’s ventilation is effective, but condensation will inevitably still build in high humidity. Our job is to nit-pick and find the limits of our gear, and these gripes are minor- we’d trust this tent to weather almost any 3-season storm.

Ease of Setup

The Nemo Dagger 2 is fast and easy to pitch, thanks to its freestanding design and straightforward layout. With a rectangular floor and color-coordinated poles and clips, even first-time users can assemble it quickly without instructions. The simple y-structure of the poles makes for a fast and reliable setup. We only have good things to say about the center supports’ ball-in-hub connection, which snaps in quickly and adds lots of flexibility in windy conditions for a sturdy tent in high winds. The rainfly securely clips into place with the innovative corner clips. Other features like the intuitive door toggles and highly adjustable guy lines set the Dagger 2 apart in terms of user-friendly design – it’s familiar, quick, and efficient. The Dagger’s design makes for a hassle-free backcountry experience.

There are a few minor challenges, though. Attaching the rainfly can be tricky in windy conditions, especially when trying to align the rounded poles with the hub system and clip it into the corners. The door toggles are innovative but can be a bit finicky to use with gloves or in the dark. The tent has a large footprint – which we like because the vestibules are so spacious – but it takes up more room than comparable 2-person tents. Not a big deal, but you may need to choose a campsite more carefully than you would otherwise. Despite these minor quirks, the Dagger 2 remains one of the easier tents to pitch for those familiar with similar designs.

Durability

The Dagger 2 is built to withstand years of rugged use. Its stout OSMO ripstop fabric provides not only excellent waterproofing but also resists sagging and stretching as well. It also protects well against punctures and tears, especially compared to thin ultralight tents. The high-quality construction extends to every component, from sturdy zippers and reliable clips to the tough stakes and durable guy lines. Whether you’re battling rough terrain or enduring severe weather, the Dagger 2 is engineered to last, and it will last for many seasons of use.

But durability like this does come at the expense of weight. This tent is long-lasting, but it’s heavier than many backpacking tents and won’t be as good for long-distance backcountry adventures. It’s a bit pricey, too – but you often get what you pay for: the Dagger 2 remains a top choice for those seeking a durable and long-lasting shelter.

Should You Buy the NEMO Dagger OSMO 2?

The NEMO Dagger 2 is for adventurers who want to balance comfort and practicality in a tent that can do it all. Its generous interior space, decently light design, and durable materials put it in a good middle ground for people who want to car camp and venture out on short backpacking trips. The Dagger 2’s spacious floor, towering ceiling, and nearly vertical sidewalls provide lots of room for two people, and excellent details like the light-dispersing pockets and versatile vestibules make it easy to stay organized and comfy at camp. The innovative OSMO fabric offers excellent weather resistance and durability, making it a reliable option for a variety of camping conditions.

However, we don’t recommend the Dagger OSMO 2 for lightweight backpackers or long-distance minimalists. Its weight, though reasonable for its size, is heavier compared to other backpacking shelters, and the luxurious features might be unnecessary for folks focused on low weight and long days on the trail. Additionally, the higher price point might be a drawback for budget-conscious campers, and comparable tents of similar weight and interior space can be found for a much smaller price tag. But for people who value space, comfort, and attention to detail over the lightest pack weight, the Dagger 2 is a versatile choice that will work well for many years.

What Other Backpacking Tents Should You Consider?

REI Half Dome SL 2+ Review: If you’re drawn to the comfort of the Dagger 2, the REI Half Dome SL 2+ has even more interior space, costs significantly less, and if you leave the included footprint at home, it weighs about the same. The quality build of the Dagger OSMO 2 is a step up from the Half Dome, but the value of the Half dome is pretty tough to beat.

Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Review: The Telos TR2 shares the Dagger 2’s solid balance of comfort and weather resistance. The Telos is slightly narrower and shorter, but it has much more headroom and is much lighter too. The Telos will be a better fit for backpackers looking to keep weight down but still wanting a very spacious shelter. 

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Review: The Copper Spur HV UL2 is a freestanding tent that’s similar in price and quality to the Dagger 2, but it weighs significantly less. While it’s slightly less durable and has a bit less interior space, it’s almost a full pound lighter, making it a much better choice for long-distance backpackers and it still provides very comfortable features.