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NEMO Dagger 2 Review

A high-quality tent that strikes a solid balance between weight and comfort features
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NEMO Dagger 2 Review
Credit: Nemo
Price:  $530 List
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Manufacturer:   NEMO
By Ben Applebaum-Bauch ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 18, 2022
74
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 8.0
  • Weight - 20% 6.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0
  • Ease of Set-up - 10% 8.0
  • Packed Size - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

Targeted toward the backpacker who wants it all, the NEMO Dagger does not disappoint. It offers many of the comforts of a car camping tent while still keeping its weight in check. Right out of the stuff sack, we were impressed with the durable yet lightweight fabric. Its extended length and spacious vestibules make it even more appealing after a long day of hiking. If you are looking for a new shelter to catch some quality Zs for years to come, you can't go wrong with this model. If you want to go bigger, be sure to read more about the 3-person version at the bottom of this review.
REASONS TO BUY
Generous dimensions
Large vestibules
Good balance between weight and durability
REASONS TO AVOID
Small doors
Expensive
Zippers don't always open smoothly
Editor's Note: This review was updated on May 18, 2022, with information about the updated Dagger tent.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Product Update Note — May 2022

Nemo released a new version of this tent called the Dagger Osmo. You can compare the two tents in the photos above; the Dagger we tested is on the left, and the updated version is on the right. Links in our review now point to the new Dagger Osmo.

This revised tent features Nemo's proprietary new Osmo fabric, which is PFC and PFA-free, made from recycled fabrics, and boasts some updates to its water-repellent properties. The Osmo material is designed to stretch less when wet in order to reduce sag on the rainfly and effectively shed water better. There are some other new features, like a Landing Zone tub, which is an extra bit of flooring to protect your gear inside a portion of the vestibule, and some new Gatekeeper clips for holding the doors open. Both of those upgrades are illustrated in the photos below.
Nemo's stock photo illustrating the Landing Zone tub in the vestibule.
Nemo's stock photo illustrating the Landing Zone tub in the vestibule.
This stock photo from Nemo illustrates the new Gatekeeper door clips...
This stock photo from Nemo illustrates the new Gatekeeper door clips in action.

The NEMO Dagger 2 is a full-featured backpacking tent with a carefully considered design. This tent is at or near the top of each scoring metric, putting it, not surprising, squarely in the upper tier of this review.

Performance Comparison


nemo dagger 2 - this tent is a quality companion on brisk early spring mornings.
This tent is a quality companion on brisk early spring mornings.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Comfort


This extra long tent is nice for the extra tall backpacker. The two side doors are great for entering and exiting the tent without disturbing your partner. The privacy panels are nice for camping sans-fly, and the mesh is thoughtfully designed as well; it is white around the sides, offering a little more privacy and a more traditional black on top, which allows for less obstructed star gazing.

The trapezoidal vestibules are enormous, each offering ample space for gear storage. When tucked inside, the two mesh pockets (one at each end) provide enough space for a book or a few articles of clothing. Like its sibling, the award-winning NEMO Dragonfly, the Dagger includes overhead light diffuser pockets which are made from opaque white fabric that creates a soft glow from the light of a headlamp.

nemo dagger 2 - the storage pockets are sufficiently large for most uses.
The storage pockets are sufficiently large for most uses.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

We noticed that the pre-bent poles really maximize interior volume, especially at shoulder height.

nemo dagger 2 - this tent comes with a pre-bent pole architecture which pulls the...
This tent comes with a pre-bent pole architecture which pulls the canopy out a little bit more than a traditional straight pole design.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

The doors are a little smaller and harder to open with one hand than models with D-shaped doors. It's neither objectively good nor bad, but it is also worth noting that the two doors open in opposite directions, which means that sleepers are meant to lie head-to-toe.

nemo dagger 2 - the doors open from opposite ends so occupants can sleep head to...
The doors open from opposite ends so occupants can sleep head to toe. Also visible is the side white mesh and the top black mesh.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Ease of Set-Up


This model has a single, hubbed pole structure. The tent and poles are also symmetrical, which means there is no 'head' or 'foot', so it's easy to orient everything properly. On top of that, the webbing around the clips and at the corners of the tent and fly is all color-coded to give you extra confidence that it will go up right the first time. The tips of the poles have a ball at each end that clicks into a 'socket' at each corner of the tent. The fly has four broad hooks that clip into place as well. The brightly colored fabric on the tent corners and reflective cord on the stakes also ensure that you can find your way around the outside of this tent late at night or early in the morning.

nemo dagger 2 - fly and pole attachment points at the tent corners.
Fly and pole attachment points at the tent corners.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Our only knock against the setup is that the pole apparatus is just long and gangly, so it can take a little bit to get it under control. Even so, one person working alone was able to get the tent up in under four minutes.

nemo dagger 2 - the dagger is relatively easy to set up, but the connected branching...
The Dagger is relatively easy to set up, but the connected branching poles make getting it under a control a little tricky sometimes.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Weather Resistance


We are impressed with the tent's stability in high winds. The four stakes in the vestibules (two on each side) anchor the tent and significantly reduce fly flapping in the wind. The fly runs relatively low to the ground. The tent is susceptible to a little bit of splashback from the ground, but the bathtub floor is also higher than many other models, keeping moisture on the outside of the tent. Another nice feature is the strut-supported fly vent, which allows you to keep the fly unzipped in light rain.

nemo dagger 2 - the fly door can be propped open to allow for ventilation. it is...
The fly door can be propped open to allow for ventilation. It is protected with a gray piece of fabric so it can be open in the rain.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Durability


The 30D ripstop nylon floor feels like it would stand up well to regular use. The seams are well-sealed, and the corners highly reinforced. The stakes are sturdier than other ultralight NEMO models, so we trust them a bit more if staking requires a little assistance from a rock.

nemo dagger 2 - the reinforced corners on this tent struck us as particularly...
The reinforced corners on this tent struck us as particularly well-crafted.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Weight and Packed Size


Weighing in at 3 pounds, 14 ounces (including tent body, fly, stakes, line, and stuff sacks), the Dagger 2 certainly isn't the lightest tent in our review. However, given what it offers in terms of comfort, features, and durability, we are impressed that it still comes in at under four pounds.

Its packed size is 19.5" x 6.5" and we loved the fact that the tent can easily be divided between two hikers with the 'Divvy Sack' drawstring stuff sack.

nemo dagger 2 - we really like what it has to offer and we would gladly take this...
We really like what it has to offer and we would gladly take this tent on our next backpacking adventure.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Value


The Dagger is not the cheapest tent in the review, but it has the features and quality we would expect for a model in this price range. Because of its weather resistance and durability, we think with average care, this model should last for years of adventures to come.

Conclusion


The NEMO Dagger 2 is targeted to the backpacker that seeks both performance and creature comfort from their tent. It is well-suited to experienced backpackers looking to bring some style to their next adventure but is also easy enough to assemble that first-timers will find a lot to like about it as well.

3-Person Version


We love the Dagger 2 so much that we wanted to see if its 3-person sibling offers the same great experience. The Dagger 3 comes with all of the same carefully considered design features, material, and durability of the 2. If you have a furry friend that enjoys the trail as much as you do, this version is an excellent option. It adds on an additional half a pound, bringing the total weight of the tent up to 4.25 lbs. If you can split it three ways (poles, tent, and fly), it's less per person than the 2P. The extra material also adds on an inch to the diameter of the packed size when rolled and stored in its bag.

nemo dagger 2 - the 3-person version on the left compared to the 2-person version on...
The 3-person version on the left compared to the 2-person version on the right. Despite the advertised dimensions, we don't see that much of a difference.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

It has the same length and peak height of the 2P, so what you receive in return is an additional 20 inches of width and another 12.5 square feet of floor space. Many sleeping pads are 20 inches wide, so there is just enough space for another pad and sleeping bag.

nemo dagger 2 - it's a tight fit for three sleeping setups, but can be accomplished...
It's a tight fit for three sleeping setups, but can be accomplished by getting a bit cozy with your friends.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

The geometry of the headroom also doesn't feel very different, which means that it's a little more cramped than we prefer for the people on the sides. This version will also increase your outlay, so it's not cheap.

nemo dagger 2 - we were expecting a little more from the peak height, but we had to...
We were expecting a little more from the peak height, but we had to hunch over a little bit if we wanted to sit on our knees.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

We still love the 3-person version of the Dagger — if you just want to bring your dog along, it's going to give you what you need. However, for three humans, we ultimately think there are better options out there.

Ben Applebaum-Bauch