Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2p bike pack version is on clearance at REI and you can get an additional 20% if you are a member for about $300. It looks like the clearance regular backpacking 2p version is gone. I picked up the 3p version for my gf and I
Durston Xmid or xdome is another recommendation. We wanted more space so the Nemo fills a need in 3p version for us
Nobody is telling you that you have to spend $500 to shed a pound. The point they were making is that for some people *who are not you*, it is worth it. You already made the point that it isn't worth it to you in the post - you don't have to keep making it over and over again.
People prefer the tents they prefer for various reasons, including not only weight but configuration and familiarity with a brand which tends to provide a better sense of reliability than with inexpensive products from amazon, and various other things - even color. Many people also buy from places like REI because they have memberships and can get good discounts and they know they can return their ***used*** tent for up to a year after purchasing it if they aren't happy with it - which is worth a lot to many, many people.
The reason there are more expensive tents out there is that there is a market for them.
The $100 tent you link to is no longer available, nor are the other mobi tents in their amazon store. Looking at their website, their tents are between $200-$400. We got our Nemo Dragonfly 3-person tent for $350, with a 1-year return policy (even used), and $35 back in member rewards because we bought it from REI (so it was $315 factoring that in). That is right in range of mobi's prices. We chose the specific tent because we like the features and it's lighter than others in the same price range (at least at the time we bought it) - and the brand provides a lifetime warranty. At most we paid $115 more for our tent than a mobi tent - or possibly even around $75 *less* than what we'd pay for an equivalent mobi tent (if the highest price ones are even really equivalent to ours). The price difference was well worth it to us for those reasons plus others.
I have a nemo osmo dragonfly and it comes with a landing zone in the vestibule that keeps you pack off the ground. This might be the best of both worlds for you. I think it’s comes in a 3P, I have the 2P and it’s worked very well for me 2P wild camps in Dartmoor where there are lot of ticks
I got the osmo nemo dragonfly on sale for £350. It might be worth seeing if you can get this one on offer as it’s a great tent and fits the requirements
Go with two backpacking tents, and then you don’t have to share with the kids! The Nemo dragonfly is on sale at REI, I’d go with the 2p for the kids and 3p for you and the wife. The 2P also makes a great 1 person for when you’re solo. If you want to save a bit, Featherstone, Paria Zion and the Naturehike Mongar are all similar 2p white label tents for around $150 or so.
The X-Dome is commonly recommended because it’s the lightest freestanding tent on the market when equipped with the carbon poles while still being spacious. Their 2P actually fits two, so you’d have to compare that with many other 3P tents which makes the weight really stand out. Personally I’m not a fan of Carbon poles as they seem more fragile than aluminum and am ok with a little extra weight. Fortunately Durston sells the tent with aluminum poles now. The 2p is still about 6-7oz lighter then the Nemo Dragonfly 3P with aluminum poles but a bit more expensive then the current sale price of the Dragonfly.
Personally I’d go with the Dragonfly since it’s on sale. Also the OSMO fabric is supposed to have very long lasting waterproofing. It’s too new to be sure (came out in 2022 I think) but I’d guess these tents will go 10+ years typically before re-waterproofing. The fabric is also a big reason why I’d choose that over MSR, BA etc. I hate tents that sag and most manufacturers use nylon which sags. Nylon also absorbs water which makes packing it up really messy if the fly is still wet. OSMO and Poly fly’s (Durston uses poly, as does Mountainsmith) can be shaken dry before you put it away.
I was caught in a 12 hour downpour on my last trip. The OSMO was flawless, it’s really impressive how quickly water beads off. It feels like no other material I’ve come across on a tent, it’s almost slippery. The only complaint I’ve read is that some people don’t like the fly cutout on the head end. I’d imagine in heavy humidity you might get some condensation because it technically should act like a single wall tent on that panel. Personally I haven’t had that issue or maybe I haven’t noticed it, but even if I did, only my pillow that touches that area. Maybe if you are tall and had a sleeping bag with a hood that touches that panel it might be an issue at times.
If that’s a deal breaker look for the Dagger 2p which has a full fly, or wait for the the 2026 Dragonfly which doesn’t have a cutout. If you don’t think you’ll be backpacking for a while it might be worth waiting and just get the Mountainsmith tent for the fam.
Regarding Hyperbead vs OSMO, there’s some big differences but basically Hyperbead claims to be permanently waterproof so if you camp a ton, like 30+ nights a year this might be very useful. OSMO has a very high quality waterproofing and should last many years (probably 10+ for the average camper, but likely less if you camp a ton) but it’s big advantage is that it doesn’t sag or absorb water. Hyperbead is made from nylon so I suspect they’ll be some stretch and water retention. If you’ve ever packed away a soggy tent, this is a pretty easy choice.
Both brands should be storm worthy enough assuming you use the 4 season tent in really nasty weather. You do have to be more cautious with the Hornet, it has the lightest materials and there is only a single pole on one end so it’s the least wind resistant. The Tiger Wall has essentially the same design so that applies as well. Personally I feel the extra weight of full free standing tents is worth it for the peace of mind in windy conditions. Plus the option of not needing stakes on blue bell days is nice.
With a dog always use caution, these are lightweight tents and should be treated with the same care you’d take with an Airmat. Keep a barrier between the claws and the tent and you’ll be fine. You height won’t be an issue. As you’ve heard the NEMO warranty is the best in the industry.
I’m not sure what you mean in your last question about the Hornet body panel. Do you mean the fly scoop? The Dragonfly has this as well. Total non issue for me and a big plus in warm weather. If you hate that design, the new generation coming out next year doesn’t have scoops. Personally if you can get a sale now I wouldn’t wait, the updates are similar to what they did on the Dagger, slightly more head space and no more fly scoops.
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The North Face
Wawona 6
84% positive of 134 users
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.
bigfloppydonkeydng
