NEMO Dagger 2 Review

Weighing in at a trail-ready weight of 3 lb. 12 oz. (including tent body, fly, stakes, line, and stuff sacks), the Dagger 2 offers 31 square feet of interior space, and an added 11.5 square feet of vestibule space. Dimensions of 90" x 50" x 42" meant the tent is a bit narrower — but also a bit longer — than most in this review. The freestanding structure is easy to pick up and holds its shape well for campsite adjustments mid set-up, and feels sturdy in windy conditions. The DAC featherlight NSL poles utilize a sophisticated system to further reduce weight and increase strength at pole connection points.

Performance Comparison

We were impressed how sturdy connection points appeared even when poles of varying diameters were coming together, and the elasticity of the aluminum seemed to make the connection "sticky" — it didn't feel like it was going to slide apart easily. The poles also "clicked" into place very easily into the hubs on the tent corners, and when we felt lazy we could place out foot on the tab and maneuver the pole out without bending down (handy on those 5AM pre-dawn departure mornings). We loved the "Divvy Sack" dual-stage drawstring stuff sack, which allowed us to easily split the tent between two hikers for trail carry. Two pockets helped keep us organized inside, and overhead light pockets provided an easy holster for headlamps, while the special light-diffusing fabric cast an even glow throughout the tent.

Comfort

While we didn't encounter much extreme weather while testing the Dagger 2, we found the high sidewalls effective at keeping evening breezes and dampness away when the rain started pouring down. The sidewalls provided a bit of privacy while camping sans-fly and the openness of the tent allowed for the ultimate view. The high sidewalls also provided some measure of privacy while the mesh ceiling and upper walls allowed airflow.


Two large side doors open to trapezoidal vestibules, which gave us more-than-expected area for gear storage and cooking. Tucked inside, we enjoyed the roomy interior mesh pockets and the overhead light pockets which offered soft, diffused light and eliminated the bothersome "bobbing headlamp."


Three other tents in our review features "hubs" for lighting — the Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL2 mtnGLO features integrated LED lighting, the Marmot Catalyst 2 boasts a "lamp shade pocket" and the Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 has a cute lantern-themed flashlight hub on one end of the tent.


This is a tent we'd take into the backcountry and expect to get a solid night's sleep in. The 15D Nylon ripstop fly fabric was quiet even in windy conditions — something many of the other tents in this review lacked — and we were pleased with the durability of the 30D PU Nylon ripstop floor. Even a rambunctious Bernese Mountain Dog's nails did not make a dent in the floor material.


The fine-gauge no-see-um mesh breathed well and worked cleanly in tandem with the fly to provide a night of fresh air and no morning condensation. This tent earned a 9 for comfort; we enjoyed the small details Nemo added to make nights just a bit more relaxing.


The only tent to earn a 10 for comfort in the test was the REI Half Dome 2 Plus. The Big Agnes Rattlesnake, the North Face Triarch and the NEMO Galaxi 2 also took home scores of 9 for their comfort rating.

Ease of Set-Up

The single, hubbed pole design made tent set-up a breeze; one person working alone was able to get the tent up in under four minutes. A wide crossbar lifted out the sidewalls, offering more headspace and the illusion for far more room than the tent actually boasts.



We loved the fact the fly entry doors staked out to two points instead of the industry average of one; this created more gear storage and let us feel like we had a bit more freedom in how we positioned the doors. We could leave the two points staked out and still have easy entrance and egress into the tent (and the open space was large and welcoming enough for a 130-lb. dog to trundle through without problems).


When the weather turned drizzly, the ability to have the fly essentially largely deployed while still maintaining a view to the outside was well appreciated.


Looking for other easy-to-assemble tents? We liked the REI Half Dome 2 Plus and the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 for their super-easy set-up, even by headlamp.


The fly clipped quickly and easily onto the poles, and we greatly appreciated the face all exterior-facing connection points were reflective — making late-night set-ups and early-morning break-downs far easier.

Weather Resistance

We tested the Dagger in very windy conditions and were impressed with the tent's stability in high springtime winds. When we encountered moisture, the tent performed beautifully in rainy conditions.


Our top choice for truly wet, windy conditions is the Hilleberg Anjan GT 2. We loved the tent's low profile, well-placed guy points, and heavy-duty Kerlon 1000 fly material. If we knew were heading into a week of wet weather, the Anjan would be our top choice. Other high-scorers were the Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL2 mtnGLO and the Big Agnes Copper Spur.

Durability

The 15D Nylon Ripstop body and high fabric walls felt like they'd wear well with hard use, and the 15D Sil / PU Nylon Ripstop (1200mm) (the same fabric as The North Face Triarch fly packed small but offered quality protection on cold, windy days. NEMO is known for their quality construction, and the Dagger doesn't disappoint.


We reviewed another tent from the NEMO family, the NEMO Galaxi 2 and came way with the same impression — NEMO tents are made to last. The Hilleberg Anjan 2 earned the highest durability score in our testing, alongside the Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL2 mtnGLO, Marmot Catalyst 2 and NEMO Galaxi.

Weight and Packed Size

Coming in with a trail-ready weight of 3 lb. 12 oz. (including tent body, fly, stakes, line, and stuff sacks), the Dagger 2 wasn't the lightest tent in our review.



That honor went to the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV at 2 pounds 5.6 ounces and the Tarptent Double Rainbow at 2 pounds 15 ounces). We feel that for the weight, it's one of the heaviest-featured tents in the review.



Its packed size is 19" x 5" (almost competitive with the Hilleberg Anjan GT at 19" x 6" and 4 lb. 1 oz.), and we loved the fact that the tent can easily be divided between two hikers with the "Divvy Sack" dual-stage drawstring stuff sack.

Best Applications

We would carry the Dagger on a backcountry trip in rough conditions, but also found it comfortable enough to car-camp with at our favorite local lake. Easily dividable between two hikers, the tent offers enough comfort and features for true backcountry travel, and we would want this tent as our shelter for that next high mountain summer snowstorm.

Value

At $399.95, the Dagger is not the cheapest tent in the review but it carries the features we'd expect for a tent in this price range. The price tag includes a reviewer favorite Divvy Sack dual-stage drawstring stuff sack, guy-out cord, a repair kit, and stakes. Nemo's Pawprint, a soft, washable fabric liner for the interior of the tent, is available for purchase at $59.95 and adds 12.7 oz. of weight. For camping in variable ground conditions — and to ensure both the durability of your tent and for additional insulation — we'd suggest picking up the footprint, which adds 7.7 oz. to the trail weight and costs an additional $49.95.


If you're looking for a backpacking tent under $200, look at the Marmot Catalyst 2, the Eureka Midori 2 and the Kelty Salida 2, all of which retail for under $200.

Conclusion

The NEMO Dagger 2P is targeted to the ultralight, feature-loving backpackers seeking both performance and creature comforts in their equipment.


This tent is well-suited to experienced backpackers looking to bring creature comforts to their next adventure but is easy enough to assemble that first-timers can easily set it up without assistance.