When you’re deep in the backcountry scouting, chasing elk or deer, or simply backpacking, your sleep system plays a critical role in whether you stay another day or head back to the trailhead to regroup. The first line of defense in your sleep system is your shelter. On top of a mountain, your tent becomes a whole lot more than a place to stash your gear. It’s your refuge, your recharge center, and becomes vital on those nights when Mother Nature decides to throw it’s worst at you.Out there, a reliable shelter can be the difference between coming out heavy and coming out with a pack full of wet gear.
While there are other pieces of gear that are critical to your sleep system in the backcountry like your sleeping bag and mat that can make all the difference in the world for your comfort and warmth, an inadequate shelter can render them significantly less important.
In this review, we are going to take a look at the Nemo Dagger OSMO tent. It is classified as a freestanding three-season shelter and comes in a 2-person or 3-person model. We will be reviewing the 3-person model.
The Specs: Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent
Before we get into my experience with the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3-person tent, let’s go over the specs first. One of the things I appreciated about the Nemo Dagger tent is that everything you need is included with the purchase. There weren’t any add-ons required to increase the initial cost of the tent.
Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Specs:
| Nemo Dagger 3P Tent Specs | |
|---|---|
| Packed Weight | 4 lb 7 oz |
| Peak Height | 44 inches |
| Interior Floor Area | 42.8 sq ft |
| Interior Length | 7.5ft (94″) |
| Interior dimensions | 88×70 inches |
| Zipper Height | 40″ |
| Vestibule Area | 12.1 sq feet |
| Vestibule Depth | 28 inches |
| Packed Size | 20.0 x 7.0 x 3.5 in |
| Doors | 2 |
| Vestibules | 2 |
| Sleeps | Up to 3 |
| Seasons | 3 |
Nemo Dagger OSMO Materials
| Nemo Dagger 3P Tent Materials | |
|---|---|
| Canopy fabric | Polyester / No-see-um mesh |
| Rainfly fabric | OSMO Ripstop (1500 mm) |
| Floor fabric | OSMO Ripstop (2000 mm) |
| Included | Tent, stuff sack, poles, stakes, landing zone, pole repair splint, guy-out cord |
| Color | Birch Bud (light green) |
| Zipper Height | 40″ |
| Vestibule Area | 12.1 sq feet |
| Packed Size | 20.0 x 7.0 x 3.5 in |
| Doors | 2 |
| Vestibules | 2 |
| Sleeps | Up to 3 |
| Seasons | 3 |
What Was Most Important for Me
There are a lot of things to consider when you invest in a shelter for the backwoods, and everyone has their own list of what matters most. The weather can be unpredictable in the high country in September and October, so being confident that your gear will hold up under the elements is a crucial part of a successful hunt.
A few things that were important for me in choosing this tent were overall size and comfort, weight, ease of use, strength of the shelter, and storage.
the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent: Size and Comfort
Through the years, I have used several different tents that had certain features I loved but always seemed to compromise in the area of comfort. One of my main goals with this Nemo Dagger tent was going with a shelter that hit as many marks as possible, but emphasized overall size and comfort. I opted to go with the three-man tent specifically to add comfort, even though I’m typically only backpacking with one other hunting buddy.
One of the things that has always annoyed me about tents is that every two-person tent really isn’t wide enough for two full-size adults—unless I’m camping with my wife and snuggle time isn’t weird. I’ve pretty much given up on finding a two-person tent that is actually comfortable for two full-grown men. Not to mention all the gear that ends up in the tent with you, especially if you’re going to get weather and need to keep things dry.
The width of this Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent is great for two guys since it’s a three-man tent. With me and a hunting buddy, it gave us enough room where our pads and sleeping bags had some space between them, and we still had room for gear. The floor measures 70 inches across, and as I mentioned above, that was part of my goal with this tent. It does add a little weight, but I wanted to see if the comfort was worth packing the extra ounces.
One of the other things I’ve found over the years is that tent length can be a factor. I don’t like my head or feet touching the edge of the tent, so I always make sure there’s enough clearance. This Nemo Dagger OSMO tent is great in the length department, coming in at 88 inches. Additionally, the pitch of the tent at the head and foot is fairly vertical, so you don’t lose a lot of room due to the slope of the walls.
Another factor in the size and comfort department is the vestibule. This Nemo Dagger has an entrance on both sides of the tent with a good-size vestibule, which was great for storing gear, boots, packs, etc. to keep everything out of the weather.
One of the nights we were on the mountain, we had one of the worst rainstorms I’ve ever been in while in the backcountry. The vestibule was vital to keep all of our gear dry and protected from the elements. We didn’t feel crowded with everything we had under the footprint of the tent. The vestibule gives you 28 inches from the middle point to the edge of the canopy. It’s a total of 12 square feet and even has a small landing area for your gear that is removable if you want to shave a few ounces.
Make sure to check out our other gear reviews and the Backwoods Pursuit YouTube Channel to help you decide what gear will help you stay out in the field longer!
The packed size of this Nemo Dagger OSMO tent is naturally going to be a little bigger than a two-man tent, but it does include the poles. It’s a rectangular shape and measures 20 x 7 x 3.5 inches packed. If you’re using it as a true three-man tent, the packed size isn’t bad since you can spread the gear out between packs using the Divvy Cube stuff sack.
Overall, this Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent hit the mark on what I was looking for in the comfort department. As is usually the case, we always end up with more gear than we need, so the extra space was great for me and my hunting buddy. If I ever end up using this tent with three people, it’s would to be tight fit, but manageable.
the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent: Weight
The next thing I looked at when considering this Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent was weight. I knew I was going to sacrifice some weight for the comfort of having a three-man tent for two of us, but I still wanted to stay as light as possible.
This tent is not an ultralight three-man tent coming in at 4 pounds 7 ounces, but it wasn’t the heaviest I found either. One of the tradeoffs with going super lightweight is that many of those tents don’t include poles, meaning you have to use trekking poles for setup. Personally, I don’t like pulling trekking poles out of my system at the end of the day, so I opted to go with a tent that came with poles.
If you’re using this tent as an actual three-man tent, it’s not bad at all if you split the weight. In theory, you could spread the weight out to roughly 18 ounces per person. Perhaps I’ll use it that way someday when my kids are old enough and want to backpack as well.
Nonetheless, using it as a two-man tent wasn’t terrible in the weight department, and the comfort was worth it.
the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent: Ease of Use / Setup
If you have ever been in the backwoods at the end of a long day of hunting or backpacking into your favorite spot, you know how frustrating it can be to struggle setting up your tent once you arrive. Setting up camp in the dark or when the weather is less than ideal can be challenging enough by itself. It gets worse if your tent has a complicated setup process.
One of the things I look at when getting a new tent is overall ease of use and setup. This Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent did not disappoint in the simplicity department. Once it’s out of the stuff sack, it’s about as self-explanatory as it gets. The poles are all connected, so building the frame is easy. The ends of the poles snap into each corner of the canopy, and the rest of the canopy has small clips that connect to the poles. Just like that, you’re almost done.
The last part of setup is the vestibule, which is again about as easy as can be. The vestibule has a unique way of connecting to each corner of the canopy. It’s almost like a key-style setup that slides into the corner bracket and turns. It’s simple and fast without having to worry about breaking a buckle or strap. The last step is staking everything down.
The stakes seemed strong and I didn’t have any issues with them bending. I’m always leery of stakes and how easily they bend, so I was careful, but didn’t run into any problems.
Overall, the Nemo Dagger OSMO tent is fantastic in the ease-of-use department. It’s one of the easiest tents I’ve ever set up. I would still recommend setting it up once in your backyard to make sure everything is there and familiarize yourself with it, but after that first setup, it’s about as quick and simple as it gets. The ingenuity in this tent is well thought out and easy to use.
One aspect of the tent that I did not like was how much condensation would build up inside. The venting tabs at the top of the vestibule seem like they should work, but they didn’t give us enough airflow to prevent a lot of condensation. The moisture buildup seemed worse than most other tents I’ve used, even after opening the vent tabs as much as possible. It was annoying in the morning if we were packing up to move locations but didn’t have time to air it out completely.
the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent: Strength of the Shelter
Another major factor with a shelter is how well it holds up in bad weather. You never know what the mountains can throw at you in the fall, so being confident that a tent will hold up when it matters most is critical. This Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent performed very well under some harsh conditions.
One of the nights we spent on the mountain, we had one of the most intense rainstorms I’ve experienced in the woods. It rained for several hours with gusting winds and a significant amount of rain.
The frame held up well and I was never worried about it being compromised. It’s hard to tell exactly how much rain we got because being inside a tent can make it sound like more than it is, but it was enough that nothing was even remotely dry when we emerged the next morning. Nor was anything close to dry by the time we got back to camp after our morning hunt.
Overall, I was very pleased with how the Nemo Dagger OSMO tent held up and performed under tough conditions.
the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent: Storage
The last thing I looked at in choosing this Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent was storage. The vestibules are a great size and allow for a good amount of gear to stay protected from the elements.
Additionally, there are several pockets and pouches inside the canopy to keep gear organized. It’s always nice having a pouch for your headlamp so you know exactly where it is if you need it in the middle of the night.
The landing zone is also a nice add-on to keep a bigger item dry under the vestibule rather than sitting in the dirt outside the canopy. If it’s not something you think you’ll use, it’s easily removable and can be left behind.
What I Liked – Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent
The Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P checked a lot of boxes for what I want in a backcountry hunting tent, but what stood out most was the balance between comfort, durability, and ease of use.
SPACE: First and foremost, the space and comfort were excellent. Running a three-man tent for two people made a noticeable difference. There was enough width for two extra-large sleeping pads without feeling crammed, room to keep gear inside when weather turned ugly, and enough length that my head and feet never touched the tent walls. The more vertical pitch at the head and foot really helps maximize usable space, which is something I’ve found lacking in other backpacking tents.
COMPLETE SETUP INCLUDED: I also loved the fact that when you purchase the tent, there is nothing additional you need to add on in order to make things work right. The purchase price is what is advertised.
DUAL DOORS & VESTIBULES: The dual doors and vestibules were another big win. Having access on both sides made getting in and out easier, and the vestibules provided plenty of protected storage for packs, boots, and gear. During a heavy rainstorm, those vestibules were critical for keeping our gear dry and organized without feeling cluttered inside the tent.
SETUP: I also really appreciated how easy this tent is to set up. After a long day of hiking and hunting, the last thing you want is a complicated shelter. The pole system is intuitive, the canopy clips on quickly, and the vestibule attachment system is simple and secure. Even in poor conditions, setup was fast and frustration-free.
WEATHER PERFORMANCE: In terms of weather performance, the tent impressed me. It handled heavy rain and wind without any structural concerns, and I never questioned whether it would hold up when the weather got rough. That peace of mind matters when you’re miles from the trailhead.
STORAGE: Lastly, the thoughtful storage options inside the tent were a nice touch. Interior pockets made it easy to keep essential gear within reach, and the included landing zone added extra protection for gear under the vestibule when needed.
Overall, the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent delivered exactly what I was looking for: a comfortable, reliable, and easy-to-use shelter that performs when conditions are less than ideal.
What I Didn’t Like – Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P Tent
While the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P did a lot of things right, there were a couple of areas that were frustrating.
CONDENSATION: The biggest issue for me was condensation. Even with the vestibule vent tabs fully opened, we experienced more moisture buildup inside the tent than I’ve had with other shelters. Every night I spent in the tent, condensation collected on the interior walls, which became especially frustrating in the mornings when we needed to pack up quickly and didn’t have time to fully air the tent out before moving locations. I even tried setting the vent tabs up differently each night, but nothing worked to reduce the condensation.
WEIGHT: Another consideration is weight, especially for solo or two-person backcountry hunts. At just over four and a half pounds, it’s not excessive for a three-man tent, but it’s definitely not ultralight. I knowingly accepted the extra weight for the added comfort, but for hunters who prioritize minimal pack weight above all else, this could be a deciding factor.
3P FIT: Lastly, while it technically sleeps three, three full-size adults would be tight. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind tight quarters it’s manageable, but this tent really shines as a comfortable two-person shelter rather than a true three-man option for extended trips.
None of these issues were deal-breakers for me, but they’re worth considering depending on how and where you plan to use this tent.
Conclusion: nemo Dagger 3P Tent Review
Overall, this Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P tent performed really well for what I was looking for. If you are like me and prefer to have a little more elbow room with your hunting buddy and are OK carrying a little more weight to add comfort, this tent is a great option.
It sits in the middle of the road as far as cost goes for a lightweight 3-person tent, but it’s built well and extremely functional. Outside of the condensation issue, I was very pleased with this tent and will not hesitate to use it again.
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