It’s no secret that Alaska’s backcountry is gnarly, mountainous and virtually trail-free. In fact, that’s one of its main draws for seasoned adventurers looking to get away from typical national park crowds. It’s also what makes it one of the best places on the planet to put your outdoor gear through the wringer.
I’ve been an avid backpacker since 2015, thru-hiking big miles on the John Muir Trail and trekking on five continents, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s this: Your tent is the most important piece of overnight gear that you’ll buy. From keeping you dry to protecting you from mosquitoes and frigid winds, having a sturdy shelter is essential.
That’s why I was so impressed with how Nemo’s two-person Dragonfly Osmo performed on a recent trip on the Goat Trail in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, led by St. Elias Alpine Guides. Over the course of five days, I staked it out in alpine tundra, carried it across terrifying scree slopes, pitched it on top of Dall sheep poop (yes, really) and weathered the expected Alaskan rainstorms from the comfort of my sleeping pad. Let’s get into what makes this one of the best tents for backpacking.
Made with recycled materials and PFC-free fabrics, Nemo’s Dragonfly Osmo is a roomy, comfortable two-person tent that’s easy to pitch and fully freestanding, and sheds rain like a champ. Plus, it weighs in at an ultralight 3 pounds, 2 ounces.
What we liked about it
There’s a ton to love about Nemo’s recent Dragonfly update. With recycled and more environmentally friendly materials, 41 inches of headroom, great vestibule space and a sturdy bathtub floor, it stands out against other backpacking tents on the market today and weighs a scant 3 pounds with stakes.
Great floor area
CNN Underscored contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort always says that 29 square feet is the “magic number” when it comes to backpacking tents. With less, you’ll feel squished, but with much more, the ounces start to add up. The two-person Dragonfly Osmo hits the nail right on the head with 29 square feet of floor space, just enough for you, a buddy, and a little extra gear.
On my first evening in Wrangell-St. Elias, a surprise rain shower blew in across the alpine tundra, just after my group had pitched out tents. I hunkered down with my pack, pad, and sleeping bag inside for roughly an hour, until it was time to sprint to the kitchen tent for some grub. While I waited, I was able to sprawl out comfortably, listen to music, and even get in some post-hike stretching atop the just-right nylon floor.
It’s ultralight, yet strong
Most other tents trying to compete in the same category as the Dragonfly are merely listed as semi-freestanding, meaning that you’ll need to stake them out in some way to prevent the foot area from collapsing in on itself. This saves users weight, sure, but it also can mean that staking out your tent above the tree line in the Sierra Nevada or in the craggy canyonlands of Utah can be a real challenge, as I’ve learned. This tent is quick to pitch and even offers foot pole clips to keep the rainfly and tent body even more taught.
I found it impressive that I was able to pitch the Dragonfly for five straight days in the bumpy, undeveloped Alaskan tundra with no footprint and had zero issues with the fabric ripping or showing signs of wear on the floor. The tent’s materials feel much sturdier than similar options like Big Agnes’ Copper Spur HV UL2, which only weighs 3 ounces less.
Environmental updates
Like many big brands in the outdoor industry, Nemo has revamped the materials used in its manufacturing process to be more environmentally friendly. The latest design of the Dragonfly introduced the brand’s proprietary Osmo weave, which is a 100% recycled composite fabric that’s PFA-free, repels water better than previous iterations and stretches less when bogged down by moisture, holding the tent’s integrity during storms.
Supremely waterproof
Most Alaska locals will tell you, “the weather forecast is for entertainment purposes only,” which hints at the intense unpredictability of the state’s downpours. On my five-day trek in the Wrangells, I felt like moisture came at me from every angle — afternoon rain, glacial rivers and soggy morning dew. At every twist and turn, the Dragonfly Osmo performed perfectly. It shed showers with ease, kept me cozy when the tundra was soaked and stayed protected in its included stuff sack when I rock-hopped across countless streams.
What we didn’t like about it
Even when a piece of outdoor gear is truly outstanding, there are always a few areas in which it could be better. The Nemo Dragonfly Osmo has a few delicate areas that users need to be aware of to avoid an unnecessary snag or tear, and, at this price point, we’d love to see an included footprint.
Zippers can snag
While this isn’t uncommon in the realm of ultralight tents, it certainly is annoying, especially when the tent in question costs $500. Thankfully, as I got in and out of my tent multiple times a day on the Goat Trail, I didn’t notice much wear on the fabric from the occasional zipper snag. Plus, the double zippers meant that I could vent the tent easily, even when it was sprinkling outside.
Guy lines are fragile
One evening, when pitching my Dragonfly in a particularly rocky, exposed section of alpine tundra, I broke a guy line on a rock and had to repair it to stake out the tent’s corners properly. Thankfully, the kit included a roll of extra guy-out cord, so the fix was quick and easy.
No included footprint
This is a pretty standard disappointment, but if Osprey can include rain covers with its packs, why can’t a $500 tent include a basic footprint? Keeping your tent’s floor material clean and puncture-free is an important priority, and it would be nice to see a top brand include necessities like a footprint in its kits. The Dragonfly Osmo includes stakes, a pole splint and extra guy-out cord, but no footprint.
How it compares
In terms of weight, materials, space and price, Nemo’s Dragonfly Osmo two-person model comes in right in the middle of the competition at $500. It’s not the cheapest or lightest two-person tent you’ll see on store shelves, but it is sturdier, roomier and light enough to use as a palatial solo shelter or a cozy tent for two.
If you’re on a strict budget and seeking a similar option, the REI Half Dome SL 2+ is a cheaper (and heavier) tent that boasts a slightly larger floor area and one extra inch of headroom for two campers.
The Dragonfly is a bit pricier and heavier than the MSR FreeLite 2 Tent and the featherlight Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 Solution-Dyed Tent, which is, magically, only 2 pounds, 8 ounces. Both are only rated as semi-freestanding, though, which means they’ll be more difficult to pitch in rocky environments, like Yosemite’s granite slabs and Canyonlands’ slick sandstone. It’s cheaper and boasts more floor and vestibule area than Sea to Summit’s Alto TR 2, which clocks in at $550.
Bottom line
For its surprisingly light 3-pound, 2-ounce weight, the Dragonfly Osmo 2P Tent packs a lot of pockets, ventilation options and strength into one small, portable package. It’s light enough to use as a roomy, one-person backcountry shelter (like I did in the off-trail expanse of Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias), but boasts enough floor space for two backpackers to spread out comfortably. Plus, it’s constructed with durable, waterproof materials that aren’t quick to sag or snag. In short, it’s easily one of the top three backpacking tents on the market today.
