The Nemo Hornet OSMO tent series represents a significant advancement in ultralight backpacking shelters. Combining innovative Osmo fabric – a blend of nylon and recycled polyester – with a single, lightweight DAC Featherlite aluminum pole, these tents prioritize weight savings without sacrificing durability or weather protection. This unique fabric boasts exceptional water resistance and strength, resisting stretching and sagging even in challenging conditions, ensuring a stable and dry experience. The ingenious design incorporates a patent-pending fly bar volumizing pole, maximizing headroom and interior space while maintaining a remarkably low weight.Available in one-, two-, and three-person models, the Hornet OSMO tents offer a compelling balance of features and functionality. Each model features a bathtub-style floor with taped seams, preventing water intrusion, and includes thoughtful details such as no-see-um mesh for ventilation and privacy, mesh pockets for organization, and a dedicated headlamp diffuser. Weighing in at just over two pounds for the one-person model, these tents are ideal for backpackers seeking a lightweight, easy-to-pitch shelter that delivers robust protection against the elements.
Pros And Cons
- Ultra-light
- Sleek and trim design
- Provides lots of volume and living space
- Made from strong, water-repellent Osmo fabric (a mix of nylon and polyester)
- Uses a single hubbed DAC Featherlite aluminum pole for quick and easy setup
- Patent-pending fly bar volumizing pole maximizes headroom
- Taped seams and bathtub-style floor prevent rain splash
- White no-seam mesh walls for privacy and stargazing
- Interior mesh pockets for organization
- Night Light Pocket diffuses headlamp light
- Available in one, two, and three-person options
- Made with 100% recycled materials
- Semi-freestanding; requires staking out corners for full interior space and stability
Read more: 5 Best Family Camping Tents for Your Next Adventure
Fabric and Construction
The Nemo Hornet OSMO tents utilize Osmo fabric, a unique blend of nylon and polyester yarns. This innovative combination results in a robust, water-resistant material that's both lightweight and durable. The nylon provides strength, while the polyester contributes hydrophobic properties, resisting stretching and sagging even in heavy rain.
This advanced fabric ensures your tent remains stable and prevents the frustrating experience of carrying a heavy, waterlogged tent. Furthermore, Nemo proudly uses 100% recycled materials in the construction of this tent, reflecting their commitment to sustainability.
Pole System and Design
The Nemo Hornet OSMO series features a single, DAC Featherlite aluminum pole. This high-quality pole system is incredibly lightweight yet strong and efficient. Its intuitive design allows for quick and easy setup.
A patent-pending fly bar volumizing pole maximizes headroom, eliminating the need for additional poles to achieve ample interior space. This design contributes to the tent's overall lightweight profile, a crucial factor for backpackers.
Features and Specifications
The Nemo Hornet OSMO is a semi-freestanding tent, requiring corner stakes at the foot for full stability and interior space. The tent floor boasts taped seams and a bathtub-style design to prevent water intrusion, ensuring dryness even in downpours.
Interior features include white no-see-um mesh for privacy and stargazing, along with mesh pockets for organization and a Night Light Pocket to diffuse headlamp light. One-person and two-person models offer one and two doors respectively, while the three-person model also features two doors.
Weight and Sizing
Weight is a significant consideration for backpackers, and the Nemo Hornet OSMO delivers. The one-person model weighs just over two pounds, the two-person model around two and a half pounds, and the three-person model is close to three pounds.
The sizing caters to individual needs. The one-person tent offers sufficient space for a single person, while the two-person model accommodates two mummy-shaped sleeping pads. The three-person option provides enough room for three people comfortably.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Nemo Hornet OSMO tent series excels in lightweight design, robust construction, and thoughtful features. The Osmo fabric and single-pole system are noteworthy innovations contributing to its overall performance. The added features like the volumizing pole and bathtub floor add substantial value.
While not included, the compatible Hornet footprint is highly recommended for added protection. Overall, the Nemo Hornet OSMO tents are an excellent choice for backpackers prioritizing weight savings, ease of setup, and reliable weather protection. If these are your priorities, this tent is well worth considering.
