How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
NEMO Dagger 3P Tent
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
The 3-person, 3-season Dagger from NEMO offers you the best of both worlds: a tent light enough for ultralight backpacking, yet roomy enough to wait out a rainstorm without feeling claustrophobic.
Shop newer version- 2 large side doors open to trapezoidal vestibules, creating more area and volume for storage than many other tents
- High position of the hubs in the pole frame increases livable space inside
- Single, hubbed pole design with tent clips makes for a fast and easy setup
- Place your headlamp in the Light Pocket overhead sleeve; its special light-diffusing fabric casts an even glow throughout the tent
- Interior mesh pockets keep personal items close at hand
- Divvy Sack dual-stage drawstring stuff sack allows you to easily split the tent between 2 people for carrying on the trail
- Includes a stuff sack, stakes, guyout cord and repair kit
- All exterior-facing connection points such as guyout loops and zipper pulls are reflective for nighttime visibility
- Inner tent has a built-in privacy panel for extended coverage and security
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 3-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 3 lbs. 12 oz. |
| Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | Unavailable |
| Packaged Weight | 4 lbs. 4 oz. |
| Packed Size | 19 x 6 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 90 x 70 inches |
| Floor Area | 43 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 23 square feet |
| Peak Height | 42 inches |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors |
| Number of Poles | 1 |
| Pole Material | Aluminum |
| Pole Diameter | 9/9.6 millimeters |
| Canopy Fabric | 20-denier nylon/mesh |
| Floor Fabric | 30-denier nylon |
| Rainfly Fabric | 20-denier nylon |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Design Type | Freestanding |
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Even Nearer Perfection (Update on previous review)
Pennsy Hiker8 years ago
I reviewed this tent about a year ago, and my opinion of this tent is even more solid now. I'll add a few comments about some other good tent choices.
I recently found a hiking partner who is slightly claustrophobic and has a dog. So the Dagger 3P became the perfect choice for us.
Just this year (2017), REI redesigned the Quarter Dome 3P. the QD3 is an excellent alternative to the Dagger 3P and is about $100 cheaper when not on sale.
The new QD3 is a great improvement over the decent older QD3, but I see a few key differences that have me spending the extra money on the Dagger 3P. The Dagger 3P packed weight is 5 ounces lighter, the packed diameter is nearly 2" narrower, the floor is rectangular and slightly larger, and the vestibules are larger. It does all this with a 20 denier fly and body and a 30 denier floor, while the QD3 uses a 15 denier fly, and 20 denier body and 20 denier floor. So where the materials count most, the Dagger 3P wins. I believe that REI had to do this because the QD3 uses quite a bit more poles to stretch the tent out.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur tents are another good alternative, but the vestibules are not as large and the materials are lighter. I know that Big Agnes uses a special ripstop nylon that is supposed to be more durable, but I don't know enough about it to have an opinion. The Copper Spur tents are also lighter because of this. The BA tents taper at the bottom, though. I really do like the Copper Spur tents enough that I bought a Copper Spur UL1 for solo hikes. It's an awesome one person tent, but other features make the NEMO Dagger tents the better choice (in my opinion) for two and three person applications.
So my opinion is unchanged: the Dagger 2P and Dagger 3P are the most spacious, durable, and packable of the lightweight tents on the market.
Pennsy Hiker
Montgomery County PA
109 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
actual floor dimensions do not match specs
pimaC8 years ago
Received this tent a few days ago, set it up in the back yard, only to find that the floor dimensions are not close to what's listed in the specifications.
The specs state the floor dimensions are 90″ X 70″.
But I’m measuring 81″ X 60″.
That’s quite a difference.
If I measure corner to corner, staked very tight from corner to corner, I get 85 inches in length, 66 width. However, on the inside of the tent if you take measurements from the center of each wall, pushing the floor all the way to the ground as far as you can against the wall, and take the measurement from that point, I get 60″ X 81″. Ugh!
60″ X 81″ is a whole lot less than 70″ X 90″. The specs should be corrected to show the actual dimensions of the floor.
Even taking the point to point corner measurements it’s still not to specifications.
I like the weight, all the mesh at the top, the color, the ease of set up, the dual side doors. BUT… 60 inches of width instead of the advertised 70 inches is a disappointment, and 81 inches in length instead of 90 is also not what was advertised. It's basically a 2 person tent, not a 3 person. It will be cramped for my wife, our dog, and me.
pimaC
Tucson
24 people found this review helpful
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imprezadriver
Ogden, UT
Sexier than Big Agnes
7 years ago
Don’t get me wring, Big Agnes makes some stellar tents. They offer a couple tents with similar tent structures and specs, but I personally think NEMO got me with their birch green and grey color design. The BA Tigerwall is impressive, but the few more ounces and more space in the Dagger is nothing to worry about. The floor on this tent seems pretty durable with a 30D material. As of now, I don’t plan on buying a footprint. I always pitch my tents in good locations. This tent is very spacious. I don’t think it can get any better. Setup is a breeze as well as take down. This is the most exciting tent I’ve purchased yet!
Yes , I recommend this product
Pennsy Hiker
Montgomery County PA
Even Nearer Perfection (Update on previous review)
8 years ago
I reviewed this tent about a year ago, and my opinion of this tent is even more solid now. I'll add a few comments about some other good tent choices. I recently found a hiking partner who is slightly claustrophobic and has a dog. So the Dagger 3P became the perfect choice for us. Just this year (2017), REI redesigned the Quarter Dome 3P. the QD3 is an excellent alternative to the Dagger 3P and is about $100 cheaper when not on sale. The new QD3 is a great improvement over the decent older QD3, but I see a few key differences that have me spending the extra money on the Dagger 3P. The Dagger 3P packed weight is 5 ounces lighter, the packed diameter is nearly 2" narrower, the floor is rectangular and slightly larger, and the vestibules are larger. It does all this with a 20 denier fly and body and a 30 denier floor, while the QD3 uses a 15 denier fly, and 20 denier body and 20 denier floor. So where the materials count most, the Dagger 3P wins. I believe that REI had to do this because the QD3 uses quite a bit more poles to stretch the tent out. The Big Agnes Copper Spur tents are another good alternative, but the vestibules are not as large and the materials are lighter. I know that Big Agnes uses a special ripstop nylon that is supposed to be more durable, but I don't know enough about it to have an opinion. The Copper Spur tents are also lighter because of this. The BA tents taper at the bottom, though. I really do like the Copper Spur tents enough that I bought a Copper Spur UL1 for solo hikes. It's an awesome one person tent, but other features make the NEMO Dagger tents the better choice (in my opinion) for two and three person applications. So my opinion is unchanged: the Dagger 2P and Dagger 3P are the most spacious, durable, and packable of the lightweight tents on the market.
Yes , I recommend this product
Pennsy Hiker
Harleysville, PA
Near Perfection
9 years ago
I heavily researched two and three person backpacking tents and the NEMO Dagger 2P and 3P were at the top of my list along with the MSR Hubba Hubba NX (2 person) and MSR Motha Hubba NX (3 person). I initially purchased the Dagger 2P (didn't feel I needed the extra space/expense of the 3P) and set it up at home. Every tent is a compromise, but there is much to like about the Dagger tents. I believe that they are the best combination of floor space, vestibule space, weight, material durability, and packed size. The optional "paw print" liner for inside the tent is a great feature for those who hike with their pooch. The tent sets up quickly and easily, and is a pleasing color, especially for Eastern camping. I really like this tent! I initially believed that a minimalist pitch (NEMO calls it On the Fly) and a dry pitch were not possible, as the Jake's Feet plastic connectors are attached to the tent body corners. The poles have ball ends that fit into the sockets in the plastic connectors. This helps a bit with setup, as the poles lock in place so they don't pop out while hooking up the other corners. This feature doesn't really matter to me, as I never had much trouble with grommets/straps. The rainfly has plastic clips that attach to a separate portion of the corner connectors, as does the optional footprint. Every other tent I have owned and pitched uses metal grommets in fabric straps at the corners, and I don't feel the advantages of the Jake's feet are great enough to warrant their use. I thought that the tent body must be pitched first, but a phone call to Kendall at NEMO taught me that the Jake's feet can be removed and then attached to the footprint. The poles and then rainfly could be attached after that. One could stop there for the On-the-Fly pitch, or work under the fly to set the tent body up in rainy weather. My one issue is that if one of those plastic corner pieces breaks, I see no way to effect a field repair so the tent can still be used. If one breaks one 20 miles in on a trail, it will be quite a bummer! Kendall told me that the only broken Jake's foot he is aware of happened when a car ran a tent over! NEMO offers them separately on their website under "Spare Parts", so if you are the kind of person that loses small items, you may wish to purchase another set and pack them separate from the tent. The only true competitor to the Dagger 3P in my opinion is the MSR Motha Hubba NX. It is, however, significantly heavier and is shorter and narrower. THE MSR vestibules are smaller too, according to REI's specifications. The Dagger 2P vestibules are also larger than the MSR Hubba Hubba NX, but the weight and packed size are much closer to the Dagger 2P. I ended up with the Hubba Hubba NX because I did not understand that the Jake's feet were removable. While, the Hubba Hubba NX is 6" shorter, the design is such that the end walls pitch nearly vertical for the lower foot or so, rather than slant upwards immediately from the base. This makes the effective length of the Hubba Hubba NX closer to the Dagger 2P. Like most backpacking tents, a 2 person Dagger 2P or Hubba Hubba NX will be quite snug for two. But the three person version of either tent would be spacious for two people while still allowing room for gear/dogs AND while still being a reasonable weight and pack size. So if you are looking for a 3 person tent and don't mind the price, I believe that this is the best choice currently on the market.
Yes , I recommend this product
JHinkens
California Central Coast & Idaho
Light and Super Easy to Set Up
8 years ago
I recently purchased the Nemo Dagger 3P to use as a 2 person tent on backpacking trips. I had originally planned on purchasing the REI Quarter Dome 3 but REI was out of stock. Even though the Dagger 3P is a bit pricey, I found it to be a great tent. Fit and finish are top notch. Setup was a breeze and in under 5 minutes I was setup and ready to go with the ground sheet, tent, & fly. The interior is spacious with the vertical wall design and the four interior pockets are well placed and sized right. The two upper pockets are made of an opaque material that diffuses the light nicely when you place your headlight in the pocket. I was really impressed with how light it is. Splitting it between two people makes it next to nothing. Having two doors is a big plus. I really like the pole configuration because it's one unit all connected. No fussing about trying to figure out where the poles go. The floor is symmetrical which eliminates any guessing as to which way to set it up. And since it's free standing, you can set it up and then move it about as desired. The fly sheet offers spacious vestibules and when the fly is pulled taught with the adjustable straps it fits perfectly with no threat of the fly touching the tent. So there's a lot to love with easy setup, light weight, spacious interior. The only minor gripes I have is that I didn't notice any reflective areas on the stakes, lines, or tent anywhere. So entering at night required a light source to avoid tripping on things. Finally, the zippered doors are of the two-zipper variety which were a little difficult to open or close at times with one hand. It could be that it's just because the zippers are new and in time will ease up a little. But overall, I'm very well pleased and expect to get a lot of use out of this tent. As always, the staff at REI were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks to Mark at the Santa Barbara store.
Yes , I recommend this product
pimaC
Tucson
actual floor dimensions do not match specs
8 years ago
Received this tent a few days ago, set it up in the back yard, only to find that the floor dimensions are not close to what's listed in the specifications. The specs state the floor dimensions are 90″ X 70″. But I’m measuring 81″ X 60″. That’s quite a difference. If I measure corner to corner, staked very tight from corner to corner, I get 85 inches in length, 66 width. However, on the inside of the tent if you take measurements from the center of each wall, pushing the floor all the way to the ground as far as you can against the wall, and take the measurement from that point, I get 60″ X 81″. Ugh! 60″ X 81″ is a whole lot less than 70″ X 90″. The specs should be corrected to show the actual dimensions of the floor. Even taking the point to point corner measurements it’s still not to specifications. I like the weight, all the mesh at the top, the color, the ease of set up, the dual side doors. BUT… 60 inches of width instead of the advertised 70 inches is a disappointment, and 81 inches in length instead of 90 is also not what was advertised. It's basically a 2 person tent, not a 3 person. It will be cramped for my wife, our dog, and me.
Yes , I recommend this product
Captain Argo
San Diego, CA, United States
No Compromise
8 years ago
This is an expensive tent, no doubt about it, but you really do get what you pay for; Nemo seemingly has not compromised on any spec or feature for the Dagger 3P. Okay, sure, technically they have compromised: They might have used lighter materials, but for a couple of ounces I prefer that the Dagger feels like it won't rip at the drop of a hat, or bend a pole in light wind. They might have made it smaller to save fabric or make a smaller pole structure -- but if you're looking at 3P tents then you probably want the extra space for your 2oz. They might have made it an oz or two lighter or less expensive by removing features like the Jake's feet, or the large double-staked vestibules -- but the Jake's feet ease solo setup, and the vestibules prevent you from having to move gear inside the tent. IMO, this tent is the best possible compromise, delivering top-notch space, weight, and strength without lacking meaningfully in any category compared to any other tent. It is as big as any 3-person tent, easy to set up, attractive, has all the livability features you need (enough pockets, a ceiling loop for lanterns, 2 doors), and weighs less than many 2P tents without feeling flimsy. If I had to come up with some critiques, well... obviously the price is pretty sky high and I've never seen it on sale, so thank goodness for those 20% off coupons. The door vents seemed to work fine, although I've not taken it anywhere particularly humid yet; a vent eye in the top of the rain fly might be nice? Also, the little plastic hook clips that attach to the Jake's feet can be difficult to attach and remove without a good bit of force; I have not had any actual problems, nor do they feel flimsy, but they do seem like they could be a potential point of breakage.
ribold
Atlanta, GA, United States
Exceptional in every way!
7 years ago
I was willing to spend any amount of money on a three-person tent and chose this one. I’m very happy with it. Insanely easy to set up even with just one person. High quality components. Even at 6’ 4”, it is long enough for me to stretch out and sleep comfortably once it’s staked in. Nice double sided door feature. Convenient pockets and lantern hangar. And I trust NEMO if anything goes wrong.
Yes , I recommend this product
roses
California
Nemo Dagger 3P is light and easy to setup
7 years ago
I am very happy with my new Nemo Dagger 3P tent. I went with the 3P tent one the 2P tent because I tend to feel too cramped in the smaller, low profile tents. I typically camp with 1 other person (dog at some point). I didn't want to sacrifice weight since the tent will also be used for backpacking. I typically car camp but it suits both purposes. The tent was easy to setup after some initial trial and error in the dark. I highly recommend setup in the daylight the first time. After understanding the process, it is super easy because of the modern snap setup. The footprint and the rainfly snap right on and can be tightened. I also got the Dagger's matching footprint since it's just way easier to have a footprint that matches your tent. I slept in the tent with 1 other person and it was very spacious and comfortable. Note about the picture: I could have tightening the rainfly down quite a bit more. It was an epic windy night up in Shasta and the rainfly could have been a bit more snug (live and learn). Disclaimer: I am a Nemo fan because of Nemo outdoor shower so I might be a bit biased.
Yes , I recommend this product
clippercreek
Auburn, CA
screens not durable
6 years ago
Tent is beautiful. Love the space and the weight. I have a Nemo 1 man tent for when I solo. I have used it for years and love it. Bought this tent for when my husband is with me. We have used it for only 8 nights . Both doors screens are pulling away from the zipper at the curve where the tension on the screen is at the maximum. The gossamer fabric of the screen makes repairing it nearly impossible. So sad . I don't really want to bring it back.
No, I do not recommend this product
Marcus
Melbourrne, Australia
Brilliant hiking tent
4 years ago
Took this out on a 5 day hike - and it was fantastic. Incredibly easy to set up and pack up. The engineering is incredible - tent poles all connected and almost automatically snap into place ... little ball and socket joints holding everything in place. We have the optional floor mat - and this can remain clipped on when you pack the tent ... easily fitting into the bag. 100% buy this as the floor of the tent is very lightweight. You need to be a little careful with your alignment to ensure the fly doesn’t touch the netting which is a little painful. Getting the fly off is a challenge until you figure out the trick is to slightly twist the clips as you take them off. Once you have this mastered it is incredibly easy. The only concern is that it all appears a little fragile and would be impossible to repair ... but then it is a lightweight tent.
Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product
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