2023 NEMO Dragonfly OSMO Bikepack Tent: 1st Impressions and Comparing w/the Big Agnes Copper Spur

[@brianhabel5078]

I bought the NEMO, several friends have the Copper Spur. I like the fact that NEMO made this tent in subdued colors, ( including guy lines) for stealth camping if the situation arises. I have used it twice, once at a campground and another for a quick weeknight bikepacking trip. I can pack the tent and rainfly down small enough to fit in a Revelate Designs Polecat fork mounted dry bag. I carry the poles separately in my frame bag or strap to cargo rack. The weeknight trip it was very windy at the start but I used no guy lines at all and it did fine. Overall, I'm very happy I chose this tent over others. Great review, thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@jasonadler6152]

Great review! Thanks for sharing. Keep it up.

[@Captainpaulbtyhtr]

Nemo for the win !

[@contentofcharacter]

Thanks. Very helpful video 🙏

[@jmax850]

I’m thinking about buying this tent, have you been happy with yours?

[@matthewsponseller]

Nice review, particularly the video of the two tents set up side by side. Thank you for making this video… you did well for a first review video.

[@klarsen100]

Hi Katrina, i stumbled on your channel and I hope you have the answer I'm looking for about the dragonfly tent. the door flap on the vestibule has a toggle and a clasp to hold the door fly open; but on the other stationary vestibule flap on the inside are 2 toggles but no corresponding clasps. Do you happen to know what they are for? Thank you!

[@KatrinaOutside]

@@klarsen100 hi, the other toggles should be for attaching the gear bins (forgot the name now). There is only one, but you can change which side you attach it to.

[@klarsen100]

@@KatrinaOutside thanks for your response, the non bbike-packing version has no bins (bathtubs?) but perhaps I can purchase that. Thanks!

[@Will-xe5qt]

Really appreciate honest reviews like this from real users rather than folks getting free products and trying to make a living off of KZbin and sponsorships. Yes, I’m talking to you Dan Becker and Backpacking TV!😊

[@spinningtrue]

I tried the exact same tents, did not realize that the Dragonfly OSMO used a polyester/nylon blend but I did find that it was a much more lightweight material which felt cheaper to me but is probably higher performance in practice. Very good point about only being able to vent the Copper Spur from the outside! Interesting that we came to the exact opposite conclusion, I chose the Big Agnes mainly because of the way the rainfly of the Nemo is cut to fit so high above the ground. I also thought that there were some gimmicky features on both tents and that they are both great.

[@braitschsf]

17:40 this is the biggest issue for me. I need a 2p bikepacking tent that can accommodate 2x 25" pads. It's ridiculous that both Nemo and BA taper the design which prevents this to save a few grams.

[@vancey6072]

I have used both and lean towards the Copper Spur. That exposed end wall of the Nemo gets too much condensation. It's basically a single wall tent right by your head. The Copper Spur doesn't have this issue as the rain fly covers the enitre tent. All the gimmicky "features" of the Nemo can't make up for this single major flaw. There is no functional reasoning for this design other than for looks and to shave a few grams just to get it closer to the Copper Spur.

[@SparkyOne549]

I agree. But if the Nemo had a rainfly that goes just above the ground, like the BA I would buy it.

[@knordberg]

I have a regular Dragonfly 1p. I had it out in about 50 mph wind and it folded the top down on me in the middle of the night. Obviously this is extreme wind to be out camping. It even blew my bicycle over from a leaning position on a picnic table. I would say in wind to orient the tent so it is longwise into the wind and use all the guy out lines. Otherwise, these Dragonflys are a great tent. I like the door that opens almost the entire side of the tent so you don't feel so claustrophobic in a 1p.

[@AdamBusbin]

Thanks for this comparison video! Exactly the two I am looking at

[@davidmurray3685]

This was brilliant, exactly what I was searching for. Thank you

[@michaellovric9975]

I was also considering both these models. Thanks. You helped me make up my mind. I will be selling my dyneema tent to pay for a Dragonfly because the poles are too long and it is too darn transparent.

[@KatrinaOutside]

Great! I am glad it helped someone else.

[@The-GreenHornet]

Thank you, you did really well as a "normal person reviewing" these two tents. I like you favor the Nemo Dragonfly for the details: floor spacing is just a little wider. It is extremely important to me that the color of any tent is a natural drab color that greatly helps blending into your environment for stealth camping if needed or wanted. I can't stand tents that have bright unnatural colors; don't understand the reason for these. A few ounces to me really don't make a difference, you'll never notice a few ounces. I do camping on my recumbent trike, so small packability is also very important to me; I like putting my tent into a compression sack and packing the poles separately in a exterior pocket on my panniers; This allows me to compress my tent down very small for space saving purposes. The venting seems better on the Nemo Dragonfly too. The only thing that I don't really care for is I always like the ability for the rainfly to come all the way down to the ground, and not be cut in such a way that it comes high up the sides of the tent; I understand that is for better ventilation, but is counter productive in really windy blowing sand situations. There's methods one can do to achieve good ventilation with a rainfly that is cut low to the ground; Stake it out further and leave a little looser, even find a good size rock for the rainfly edge to rest on top of to keep space between the edges and the ground when staking off. The gear pockets are better in the Nemo as well; not sure how to utilize those latches on the outside of the Nemo? What would you hang off of them? Wouldn't that cause the tent ceiling to sag? How much money is the Nemo Dragonfly? Thanks again, great job doing this review.

[@Dimitri-Evers]

Great review, one big difference for me is you can't put the rainfly first with the Nemo when is raining.... That's possible with the BA Copper Spur if you get the right footprint,.... Thats a deal breaker for me because I already experienced pitching a tent under heavy rain (I live in Belgium, lot of rain) and I was so happy to able to put the rainfly first and don't have the inner tent wet.... After ten or twelve hours on saddle every detail counts ....But anyway I really like the Nemo.... And I still debating between which I will buy for my bikebacking trip around Europe Do you still happy with the Nemo ? Thanks you again for the great review

[@amirasassmann1795]

Great🎉 Video. Thank you so much. 🎉🎉🎉🎉I wonder how the Nemo will perform in heavy rain and windy situations with this new Osmo Material, also if it won‘t stretch so much as the pure Nylon Tents.

[@stetard]

100% agree about the non-rectangular footprint! Why don’t tent companies make 2p tents that can hold 2x 25” pads!

[@rolandsmuiznieks3088]

Good on you to make this report. Very helpful. Your update after a good rain would be welcomed!

[@The-GreenHornet]

Good on you mate 👏.

[@Soundchain101]

Thanks for reviewing these, as they are my top considerations but neither is perfect. The clothing hanger loops are probably most useful on the outside of the outer shell. You can’t easily access your items on the outside of the inner tent and they’d just get wet anyway from condensation. Love the door flap ties on the Dragonfly. Another reviewer pointed out how easily the Dragonfly’s special fabric can be damaged by abrasion-that worried me. Also, apparently, it’s taller tub walls promote more inner tent condensation near the floor. That aside I find it is still a tough choice between the two. If you stealth camp, then the colour of the Dragonfly blends in better.

[@johnnyontrails]

Excellent review of the two tents! I have the previous bikepack version of the 1 person Dragonfly and looking to update to another one or go for the two person. Thank you

[@james6454]

How has it been so far? Love the supressed colors for stealth camping options.

[@koh367]

Hello! Can you fit one 25 inch wide pad and one 20 inch wide pad in the nemo?

[@zafiradaima]

Thanks so much for your review. I purchased, but have not used, the REI Quarterdome 2 SL, but I'm really leaning toward returning it for a NEMO Dragonfly because the Quarterdome is semi-freestanding. I think I can get a tent pitched faster if I'm just using poles, and I may be doing some platform camping where a free-standing tent would make much more sense. REI has the NEMO on sale now, and it's tempting.

[@yodspain2006]

Thank you for the video and appreciate you adding the bit about connecting the footprint to the tent as I wasn't 100% sure as it wasn't intuitive.

[@Kerry1986]

I use the 2 P Nemo Version. Feels more comfortable for me. Thank you for the Video

[@GatorReeves]

I JUST got the new Hornet Osmo. I went back and forth between that and the Dragonfly, and it seemed like it came down to the Dragonfly having a couple more inches of height and 3 inches of length (plus completely free standing instead of having to stake out the foot end on the Hornet), but at a 10oz additional weight penalty. I'm a weekend backpacker, not a thru hiker or a bike packer, and will be the only one in the tent. Did you look at the Hornet? Curious if I'm missing something. They are both great tents, but your video has me second guessing my choice.

[@KatrinaOutside]

Yes, I had looked at the Hornet, but as you lay out, that is a very different tent. The difference in headroom is very substantial. The hornet 2p feels just as small as my Durston 1p tent, so I had no need in another tent that small. I just personally really liked how roomy the Dragonfly is while also being fully free standing.

[@GatorReeves]

@@KatrinaOutside Thanks, that makes total sense. Also, I was happy to hear you say "it's hot and I'm sweating out here." That told me your review would apply to me here in the South, as sometimes people from out West reviewing things don't understand the swampy humid conditions here, and the review might not be as applicable.

[@KatrinaOutside]

@@GatorReeves Hahaha yeah you could probably tell by my accent too that I’m a Bama gal! 😆

[@joyceleppers]

Hi Katrina, thanks so much for the comparisson video! I am comparing both as well. I was wondering what you think about the rain fly being cut high up, on the side, on the Dragonfly? It could be a drawback in rainy and windy weather, don‘t you think?

[@KatrinaOutside]

@@joyceleppers When i tested this tent last weekend it was quite windy, but the tent performed great. I think I actually like the Rainfly being cut up a little higher so the airflow starts higher up above where you are laying - rather than from the bottom if that makes sense. I will need to test again in the rain before I put out a final review video.

[@jeansandmyshirt]

is it better than the copper spur? i'm looking for my first 1p ul tent. not sure which one to get im in BC, canada. we have lots of rainy days. thanks.

[@KatrinaOutside]

After having both now for a longer period, I wouldn’t say either one is better than the other. I guess it depends on your priorities. The NEMO has a slightly less stretchy fabric, the BA has the fast-fly pitch for a fly first setup during rain. There’s other differences, but those are the main things that standout to me.

[@falcoperegrinus82]

Although not being dyneema, the dragonfly is definitely not a budget tent!

[@KatrinaOutside]

Right. I don’t think I called it a budget tent did I? If so, I misspoke. It’s just “not as crazy expensive as dynema” is all I should have said.

[@ianmacfarlane9454]

Great review,thanks 👍 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@almarahu]

Great video… just what we were looking for….comparing specifically these 2 models! Greetings from México!

[@KatrinaOutside]

Thanks. I’m so surprised there is no one else on KZbin talking about this tent since it is in the same weight class as the Copper Spur but seems to give it a run for its money!

[@tammylundquist552]

Hi, I haven't been able to locate the gear piece that goes in between the tent and fly for storage. Your the only video that shows it. wierd

[@KatrinaOutside]

It only comes with the bikepack 🚲 version. Did you perhaps purchase the regular backpacking version (greener in color)?

[@mateusperuchimaranho1906]

Hi, thanks for the review! Can you confirm the PACKED WEIGHT please? I found different values compared to nemo websites and other reviews. Thanks in advance.

[@KatrinaOutside]

I actually just got back from my second trip with this and need to air it out anyway, so I will weigh each component tonight or tomorrow and update my caption with those weights. I will also be doing a final comprehensive review once I get some footage in the rain.

[@mateusperuchimaranho1906]

@@KatrinaOutside really appreciate

[@scottschaefer6366]

Very nice Review! I found it to be most helpful. So...The Copper Spur has a better pole structure as you noted, a better door access zipper, as you noted, the awesome awning fly system (you did not show) and an available footprint that covers all the vestibule space (you did not show) instead of the annoying storage area on the Nemo that you identified. Also, have you noticed that the Copper Spur fly gives greater coverage of the whole tent body? I would be concerned about moisture weeping through on the uncovered area of the Nemo, at the head area, if your bag makes contact during a heavy rain. I think Nemo is trying to improve ventilation with that feature and if the new OSMO fabric performs it will have been a good move. If not, perhaps an Achilles heel bringing down a house of cards. Ventilation: You are spot on in noting the bummer with the one on the Copper Spur where you have to go outside to close it...but...I have had mine in some pretty heavy rain without issue because the steep angle. The ones on the Nemo vestibules look like potential water spouts to me so it is definitely good that they can be easily closed. It all comes down to personal preference, but for me, the advantages you are giving to the Nemo are definitely accurate but do not seem to be game changers since they do not have to do with the essential purposes of a tent...weather resistance, structural stability and ease of entry/exit for me. In my opinion, the Copper Spur wins in those areas based on your observations. All those cool little user friendly features on the Nemo fade fast if you are wet and the wind is caving your tent in from the side. Again, it all comes down to the new OSMO fabric performance. Early versions of the Nemo Hornet and Dragonfly took a beating in reviews concerning water absorption, material stretch and sag. I actually wanted you to talk me out of my Copper Spur but your review actually reinforced my confidence in it. I would consider holding on to that Copper Spur until the Nemo has been hit with a good storm. If you find that it is storm worthy, please post an update as I would be interested in giving one a try. I have the Copper Spur 2 and was looking at getting the Dragonfly 1 for some solo trips. Thanks again for the review!

[@KatrinaOutside]

Thanks for your comment. You make some solid points. I had actually noted in my caption that my follow-up research found that the pole structure of the NEMO is *supposed* to be more stable than a tradition x-beam structure like that on the copper spur. Look at some reviews of another NEMO tent (the Dagger), which has similar pole structure, and you can hear their thoughts on the pole too. I found this helpful. You are right, I didn’t show the “porch mode” of the rain fly on the Copper Spur. That is a fun feature, but not personally something that I use due to it not being wide enough closest to the tent in the rain (which is when I would want to use that personally). I also didn’t want to add the guy-lines (and weight). The fly comes down further at the head of the Copper Spur but that’s because the tent inner body is mesh all the way down. The NEMO tent has solid fabric that comes up in order to make that Rainfly cut higher- this is for regulated airflow. I did notice the difference there. The NEMO rainfly also doesn’t stretch in the rain like the Copper Spur does, as you mention. This was a huge deal for me (and probably the #1 reason for my NEMO purchase) as the SIL-nylon on the Copper Spur can get really annoying and saggy in the rain and humidity. I have used the NEMO in the rain now and will discuss how this works in a follow-up review. I’m somewhat considering waiting for another chilly rainy day to do some more filming for an example. I would like to show condensation and how the fabric performs. I’m still thoroughly impressed by the thought that NEMO has put into this tent.

[@codyshake7692]

Thank you for your review. These are the the two tents I have been looking into. I've been leaning more towards the Nemo, and I believe that's what I am going with after your review.