How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

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With its tiny pack size, this NEMO tent is made specifically for bike journeys, canoe trips and other outings where pack-down size matters. Its OSMO™ fabric repels moisture.
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View the NEMO Dragonfly Product LineView all NEMO Backpacking Tents| Best Use | Bikepacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Packaged Weight | 2 lbs. 11 oz. |
| Packed Size | 6 x 14.5 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 88 x 35/32 (L x W head/foot) inches |
| Floor Area | 20.3 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 10 square feet |
| Peak Height | 40 inches |
| Number of Doors | 1 door |
| 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 Structure | Freestanding |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria |
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I got this tent for the versatility of the half sized DAC poles. I only used it on my bicycle once but mainly use it on my motorcycle for adventure camping and for backpacking by myself. This tent is lightweight, easy to roll up into the bag and is wide enough for my wide pad and has room at my feet for my clothes. The tent is sturdy and the landing pad cloth is phenomenal for not having my bag in the dirt. The double walled fabric comes high enough where it blocks wind when laying down so I don't get cold. The top mesh nicely obfuscates when changing without the rainfly on. My love for this tent has inspired me to get the 3 person one for when taking my dogs out or a partner.
Did a test setup in my living room before my first hike coming up in a few weeks. Was really suprised how lightweight and compact it's packed, but is very roomy when set up. Im 6'1 and was worried a 1- person would be too small, but not the case. Easy quick setup, all poles are preattached so theres no questioning where each goes. Rainfly attaches easily, i also bought the nemo footprint separately
I’ve been using this tent for years. It’s the only one that has held up. The balance of durability and weight is perfect. I only disperse camp in remote areas and it fits great in my pack. I got a cheap ground sheet off Amazon. Just got the 2 person bike pack tent. I’ve tried the Durston dome one tent and keep getting holes in the bottom. This thing has with stood heavy storms and some rough trips. In my opinion someone got it right. Thanks nemo
Nice, light 1-person tent with good headroom. But the old pole crossbar design puts way too much stress on the thin aluminum (they fixed this via a 5-point pole hub in the updated model). And yeah, spending this much on a tent, and it not including a footprint fabric, is an insult.
This tent has been great so far, but like so many lightweight tents, the main weak point is the zippers. I know they’re trying to improve their on-paper stats like every other company, but the handful of grams saved by using a tiny zipper makes opening and closing the tent something that must be done with great care. The first time I set it up, the zipper on the door briefly jammed and skipped a couple teeth despite gentle handling. The door also has a sharp curve on the leftmost side, and if you try to round that bend with a zipper, the force it takes gets a little scary. It definitely wants both zippers to join there. A broken zipper can really put a damper on an otherwise good trip, so I wish Nemo and other companies would choose something just a little more robust for such a critical, high use failure point. So far I have found that just being extra careful has kept me from drama, but it’s always a concern. Other than that, it packs great, is comfy, goes up easily, and is easy to slap on the bike with no extra straps. I haven’t tried it yet, but hopefully there is a way to set it up with the fly pre-attached, as the inner tent is mostly mesh and would get wet in a hurry if pitched in the rain.