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 with the Dagger, including the rugged Skyline Trail in Jasper and Banff, Canada.  He loved its roomy interior, nearly vertical walls, and clever details that offered him and his partner a lot of space and convenience.

The Dagger is full of 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. 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. 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.

How We Tested

Our gear testers have collectively backpacked hundreds of miles with this tent, including on the rugged Skyline Trail in the Canadian Rockies. In addition to field testing, we always put our recommendations through rigorous at-home testing and analysis to bring you quantifiable testing data.

Comfort

For those who desire a sense of spaciousness inside their tent, the Dagger 2 is a great option. With a floor length of 88 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 them 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, 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 between size and 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 front country.

At just under 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.

The Dagger does, however, compress small enough to fit into most backpacks. Most of the Dagger 2’s bulk and weight is 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. 

Overall, the Dagger 2 compromises low weight for comfort, so it isn’t our first choice for keeping our pack weights down.

Weather Resistance

When a storm rolls in, the Nemo Dagger OSMO 2 is a trusty shelter for harsh conditions. The proprietary OSMO poly-nylon ripstop fabric leads the industry in water resistance with a whopping 2000mm waterproof rating on the bathtub floor and 1500mm on the fly. 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, we noticed this fabric better maintains a taut pitch that doesn’t need much adjustment. 

The rainfly has dual zippers, allowing for adjustable ventilation through strutted vents, even in wet weather. Pre-bent aluminum poles provide solid structural support in whipping gusts, and the well-designed stakes and ten extra guypoints lock the tent to the ground. 

With its large vestibules and entry points, the Dagger 2 is a top performer when it comes to keeping your gear dry. Plus, it has a storage tub in the vestibule to separate your muddy gear or keep it off the wet ground. 

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. 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. Finally, the tent’s ventilation is decent, but larger fly vents would help manage condensation better.

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 key-lock 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. The Dagger’s design makes for a hassle-free backcountry experience.

There are a few minor challenges, though. The door toggles are innovative but can be 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 easiest 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 excellent waterproofing and resists sagging and stretching. 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 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 a durable and long-lasting shelter.

Should You Buy the NEMO Dagger OSMO 2?

The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 is for adventurers who want a comfortable and protective tent at a reasonable weight. Its generous interior space, decently light design, and durable materials strike a good balance for folks who don’t want to sacrifice much comfort in harsh backpacking conditions. 

The Dagger 2 provides 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. Although its weight makes sense for its size, it is still heavier than that of comparable backpacking shelters. The luxurious features might be unnecessary for folks focused on low weight and long days on the trail.

What Other Backpacking Tents Should You Consider?

For more lightweight or moderate weather backpacking tents, check out our full list of top performers. 

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.