How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

The NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 3P tent offers an ideal balance of weight and livability in a freestanding tent. Plus, it's made with proprietary OSMO™ fabric for enhanced performance without added chemicals.
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View the NEMO Dragonfly Product LineView all NEMO Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 3-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 3 lbs. 5 oz. |
Packaged Weight | 3 lbs. 15 oz. |
Packed Size | 6.5 x 16 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 88 x 70/65 (L x W head/foot) inches |
Floor Area | 41.2 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 10 square feet |
Peak Height | 44 inches |
Number of Doors | 2 doors |
Number of Poles | 1 |
Pole Material | Aluminum |
Pole Diameter | 8.5 millimeters |
Canopy Fabric | Nylon |
Floor Fabric | Ripstop |
Rainfly Fabric | Ripstop |
Footprint Included | No |
Design Type | Freestanding |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria |
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This tent and footprint are great. Had it out for it's first trip this past week in the Smokey Mountains. One heavy, heavy rain storm and it was completely dry inside and super fast to dry it in the sun when I picked it up. Many configurations to open it up for more or less ventilation over the week based on temperatures. I put it up and down in a few minutes myself, and it fits back into the bags easy-breezy. The OSMO fabric is amazing, and the poles and stakes are super light but durable. You'll love this tent.
This thing is a beast! It packs down nice and small but has quite a bit of room inside. I love the natural color of it, and the frame is so slick. I love how simple it is to set up and even has color coded halves to make sure you set it up correctly. The corner connections are so simple and brilliant, making it a breeze to set up. It withstood the weather very well and was perfect for my 4th of July trip!
Things I liked - Easy set up - the connection points are color coded with the tent poles. - The tent poles are all connected in a single piece - Interior overhead pouches for belongings / light or headlamp - Phone pouches - Fabric is thin but feels durable and sturdy - Entrance on both sides - Loops to hold the door and rain fly open are simple construction and easy to secure - Reflective portions on the outside easy to see at night I used this tent in the Olympic Peninsula in the rainforest, and east of the Cascade Mountains in the dry heat of the Okanogan Highlands of eastern Washington State. In the rain, the tent kept everything inside dry, and even a few items under the vestibule. Some water did get between the footprint and the bottom of the tent but for the most part, it was dry between the tent and the footprint. In the dry heat, the tent was very hot, but with the rain fly off or even just open, it was easy to get a breeze to flow through to cool things down. The footprint came in its own separate bag, but I ended up getting it to fit into the tent and rainfly bag so everything fit on my backpack. I kept the tent secured to loops on the bottom of my backpack for transport and the fit was great. The tent bag also has a loop on it for an extra layer of security to secure it to your bag. I weighed the tent after repacking and my scale says it weighs 4.6 lbs with everything listed below: Aluminum poles with bag Aluminum stakes with bag Rain Fly with bag Tent with bag Footprint Pole Repair Sleeve Overall the tent was light, durable, and worked well for 2 people. I only tested the tent with two people inside, but I believe that 3 would fit with not much extra room. If you keep your backpacks and spare items in the vestibule area outside and only bring in essentials for sleeping, I think it would fit 3 people no problem (as long as you are ok with getting cozy).
I purchased 2 3-person dragonfly Osmo tents for an expedition into the Patagonia Highlands. Specifically we were hiking the Torres Del Paine O Circuit. During a wind storm on the second night, the main aluminum pole on the first tent broke. On the fifth night in high winds, the second tent poles also broke in the exact same spot. They were both properly set up at the time, but high winds caused them to fatally fail. The second time the broken pole tore through the rain fly. While we were repairing the tent in a cooking hut, another hiker commented that his Nemo Osmo Dragonfly tent had also broken in the exact same spot. There were many other tents in the campground, and no other tents broke, but ours. This is a very serious flaw in the design of the Osmo three person dragonfly tent. It needs to be recalled immediately because this is a dangerous situation. I don’t think this tent is useful for anything other than perhaps a little kids slumber party in a backyard. It is clearly not suitable for three season wilderness backpacking where a reliable tent is absolutely necessary. This is a tent that is unsuitable for wilderness backpacking. I am a long-term user of Nemo equipment and have always been satisfied until now. I am a natural resources, research professional, and spend months per year in the backcountry. The tent frame poles really needs redesign. I recommend that NEMO immediately take this tent off the market.
I received this item in exchange for my honest review. The NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 3P is a very good tent and on par with other options at this price point. The fabric seems good and the tent poles felt sturdy. However the weight is not very impressive when compared to the competition and the sides are sloped so that it was difficult for me to feel truly comfortable in. I used the tent for a solo camping trip in the blue ridge mountains in spring of 2023. It seems pertinent to point out that I usually opt for much lighter gear, I’ve been using GG The One for awhile as my go-to. I agreed to try the 3P because 1) I am 6’4” and wanted to really see if a larger tent would be a better “fit” and 2) I usually do solo hikes so I have never had the opportunity to test out a 3P in the field before this. To compare this to other tents I went to rei and compared the packed tent to their inventory in regards to size and weight. I find NEMO overall to be a very high end offering, making high quality, lightweight, yet durable gear (my NEMO shower comes to mind). This tent nails those three points perfectly. While it is not as light as some other options at this price point ( and it is considerably heavier than dyneema options at 2x or more the price) it does feel a bit more durable and sturdy. The poles particularly feel very well crafted and there is absolutely no wiggle in the joints once they are put together. The fabric is supposed to be very hydrophobic but I didn’t notice anything in particular that stood out over other brand new tents I’ve used. I did notice some condensation on the inside in the mornings, but nothing like my GG single wall. The fabric does feel particularly durable and is lightweight. The tent dimensions were adequate for a man my size, I was able to store my gear inside but there is gear storage outside with the fly on. For this trip I used a therma-a-rest long, an eco quilt, and a klymit foam pillow without my head or my toes touching. I set the tent up in the back yard to test other kit and with a thicker big Agnes sleeping pad and a 20 degree sleeping bag I did touch the sides. I would need to sleep a bit diagonal to avoid this is I wished to do so. As far as the “3P” designation is concerned, that depends on whom you are trying to stuff into this tent. Three of me (6’4” 200lbs) would not fit. A foot shorter and 50lbs lighter and you may fit three people in there, their gear however would have to stay outside. At my height I would use this as a 2P tent with no problems, and for me it’s a great option for that use case. Two people and a dog would work very well. The sloping sides meant I could only really sit up to do things like change my pants or bend over the deflate my sleeping pad in the center of the tent. It’s not a deal breaker for me and it certainly isn’t as bad as some options out there but it could be annoying over time. I guess there is some option to split up the tent into two parts for easier carry in a group setting but I did not get to take advantage of that. If it were 2 pieces that would make the weight a lot more tolerable though, especially if you are used to UL hiking. More realistic for this model might actually be someone on a motorcycle, dirt bike, or bicycle. The sturdy design and roomy interior would make a very nice shelter for someone who isn’t carrying that extra weight. I would use this in all 4 seasons (where a winter canvass tent was not applicable) without a second thought. Overall I like this tent quite a bit. The quality is definitely on par with what I expect from NEMO and if that holds true over time then this tent should last for many excursions. Tents do break down over time so it won’t last forever and you’ll have to weight the mid tier price tag against the high quality materials and build to decide if it’s worth it for you. If you do a lot of hikes with people 6’ or under this might be a great option for you and worth checking out. If you are looking for a roomy solo or duo option then this is a great tent to consider. It’s also great for one person, but depending on what you’re used to it may seem a bit heavy on the trail. This is a great tent from a great company, if it fits the bill for you then you are not likely to be left disappointed.
We recently did a 7 night canoe expedition and was incredibly impressed with the Dragonfly OSMO waterproofing. We had a few nights where it rained almost all night, and we were completely dry in the morning. The fly is the best I've seen on a tent from NEMO.. some clever little touches that allow it to stay further away from the primary tent structure. It's also very easy and quick to set-up - intuitive and simple. A few other things... We especially liked the reflective string of the fly tie downs that you see with your headlamp. We noticed a lot of other tents and tarps on the trip lacked this feature, but when you're walking around at night you really notice the difference and feel safer with the NEMO tents. Materials all feel very high end. I really felt like this is one of the nicest tents I've used from NEMO - even better than the Kunai which I also own.
I recently got the NEMO Dragonfly 3P Tent and I was thoroughly impressed with its performance and features. First and foremost, the standout feature of this tent is its incredible lightweight design. Weighing in at just under 3 pounds, it's perfect for backpackers who prioritize minimizing their pack weight without sacrificing comfort. This makes it an excellent choice for long hiking trips or any adventure where every ounce counts. It provided the perfect amount of room for a trip with a friend and her dog but happily could have fit a third person rather than the pup! This tent is still light weight enough for a back packing expedition and compresses down well for car camping or any other excursions. The 3 person footprint lends itself well to creating a bit more space for not a lot of extra weight. Setting up the Dragonfly 3P Tent was an absolute breeze. NEMO's innovative hubbed pole design and color-coded clips made the process intuitive and quick. Even in windy conditions, the tent remained stable and secure. The included stakes and lines further enhanced its stability, ensuring it stayed firmly in place. The Dragonfly 3P Tent boasts a spacious interior that comfortably accommodates three people, with ample headroom for sitting up and moving around. The symmetrical design and steep walls maximize usable space, allowing for convenient storage of gear and personal belongings. The two large doors and vestibules are well-placed, offering easy access and extra storage options for wet or muddy gear, keeping the interior clean and organized. We experienced some light rain/dew in the morning and the OSMO fabric kept us dry without any moisture pass through into the tent. The Dragonfly 3P excels in in regard to ventilation. The tent features two large mesh windows and a mesh ceiling, allowing for excellent airflow. Condensation was minimal, even on humid nights, thanks to the fly's ventilation options. The durability of the Dragonfly 3P Tent is exceptional. The high-quality materials, reinforced stitching, and attention to detail contribute to its robust construction. I found it reassuring that NEMO stands behind their products with a lifetime warranty, giving me confidence in the tent's longevity and reliability. The NEMO Dragonfly 3P Tent exceeded my expectations in every aspect. Its lightweight design, easy setup, spacious interior, weather resistance, and excellent ventilation make it a top choice for backpackers and outdoor adventurers. Whether you're embarking on a solo expedition or heading out with friends or family, this tent will undoubtedly enhance your camping experience. I highly recommend the NEMO Dragonfly 3P Tent to anyone seeking a reliable and feature-packed shelter for their outdoor adventures.
We used this tent for a weekend backpacking trip in the San Juans in CO and it performed like a champ. It was easy to setup with color coded poles and webbing to orient all of the tent parts. The pockets inside are well placed and easy to use with a neat "night light pocket" that holds your headlamp oriented downwards and was great for looking at maps and reading in the tent. It is also relatively high ibside and i could easily change in a slightly crouched position instead of needing to lay down to change. The double doors and vestibules avoid the annoying middle of the night climb over for bathroom breaks. Even though the material feels very lightweight it held up to dog nails with no visible signs of damage. Would recommend if you are looking for a lightweight but spacious 3 person backpacking tent option.
Pros: light weight, good size, sets up easily Cons: flimsy poles, attaching footprint was awkward and disappointing Setting up 1st night in wind and the poles snapped in 2 locations. Comes with 1 splint which was some help. Few nights later in the wind/rain the repaired bend completely snapped and went through the tent top. IMO the poles are not reliable Returned to REI after trip and will buy another brand
Took this for three weeks of travel thru Patagonia. The 3P is extremely roomy. Fit my two kids and I we with ample room to spare. Would be incredibly roomy for two adults. Loved the large pockets and thoughtful touches (ie the hooks to roll back rain fly or door for easy prolonged access). Tent vented pretty well - very limited moisture accumulation, but was in low temps and low humidity environment. Will try in the tropics in a few weeks and anticipate more moisture build up. Have the footprint and felt very secure placing this on various surfaces. The material is extremely thin and light, bit seems bomber. Set up is super easy - three min max. Love the Nemo system - was able to get it set up in rainy without a hitch. Rain fly worked well though we didn't have any seriously rainy or windy days. As always with Nemo tents, need to IMO be diligent in setting up the fly properly with all the lines. Weighs almost nothing - key for me as I have to carry nearly everything for the three persons. With another adult, can split the poles and compress the tent to make this supremely packable. Even smaller than my normal 2P ultralight. All in all - stellar purchase. Really excited to have this.