Does this tent need stakes to stand up?

No, the freestanding frame holds shape without staking for basic shelter. Guy lines and stakes improve stability in wind or heavy weather, and you should stake out the vestibules to maximize interior space and weatherproofing.

What does PFAS-free mean for tent fabric?

The canopy and rainfly use no per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances in their water-repellent treatment. PFAS chemicals persist in the environment and are increasingly regulated. This fabric achieves water resistance through alternative chemistry while maintaining durability.

Can one person set this tent up alone?

Yes. The freestanding design allows you to assemble the pole frame, drape the canopy, then clip the rainfly without needing a second set of hands or immediate staking. The corner anchor system simplifies rainfly attachment.

How does the divided stuff sack work for splitting weight?

The Divvy Cube separates into compartments so hiking partners can divide components between packs. One person typically carries the canopy and rainfly while the other takes the poles, stakes, and accessories, balancing the load.

Will the fabric sag if it gets wet overnight?

The proprietary fabric resists stretching when saturated, a common issue with many ultralight materials. It maintains tension through condensation or rain, so the canopy stays taut rather than drooping against occupants by morning.

What is the Nightlight Pocket feature?

A dedicated pocket with diffusing material spreads headlamp light evenly throughout the interior instead of creating a harsh spotlight. Insert your headlamp to provide ambient illumination for reading or organizing gear without glare.

Dragonfly OSMO™ Ultralight Backpacking Tent

Recycled materials

The 3-second version

Near-horizontal ceiling from angled crossbar creates full headroom across floor
PFAS-free fabric resists sagging when wet and handles wind without stretch
Freestanding pitch works without stakes; dual vestibules for gear access
Freestanding design adds weight vs trekking-pole tents
Requires guy lines for full wind performance
Solution-dyed fabric limits color options

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Freestanding backpacking tent with expanded headroom and PFAS-free fabric

Most backpacking tents force you to choose: go ultralight and crouch, or carry extra ounces for a tall peak you only use in one spot. The typical A-frame or single-hoop design concentrates headroom at the center, leaving you hunched anywhere else.

Angling the crossbar before it tensions changes the geometry. The ceiling stays high from door to door, so you can sit upright while cooking near the entry or changing clothes along the sidewall. For anyone who spends enough nights in a tent to feel the difference between adequate and comfortable, that spread-out vertical space justifies the freestanding frame. The PFAS-free fabric that holds shape when wet matters most in prolonged rain, where cheaper materials go slack and brush your face by morning.

Good gift when

Backpackers who camp frequently enough to notice comfort improvements
Partners splitting gear weight on multi-day trips
Anyone tired of crouching in low-ceiling ultralight shelters
Campers in wet climates where fabric stretch becomes a problem

Skip it if You want the absolute lightest option regardless of livability, need something that packs smaller than a freestanding design, or camp exclusively in fair weather where a tarp would suffice.

Specs

Capacities available: 1-Person, 2-Person, 3-Person
Frame material: Recycled aluminum poles
Canopy fabric treatment: PFAS-free, solution-dyed
Pitch type: Freestanding
Vestibules: Two
Included storage: Gear loft, wall pockets, vestibule tub organizer, headlamp diffuser pocket
Stuff sack: Divided compartments for load splitting
Color options: Birch Bud, Fog

What's included

Tent canopy
Rainfly
Recycled aluminum poles with forged hubs
Stakes
Guylines
Landing Zone vestibule storage tub
Gear loft
Divvy Cube stuff sack

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

Capacity choice (1, 2, or 3-person) and color selection required at purchase.

The details

This tent solves the headroom problem that most lightweight shelters ignore. An angled crossbar system positions the poles to slope upward before tensioning, creating a ceiling that stays nearly flat across the entire floor instead of peaking sharply in the center. You get usable vertical space throughout, not just directly under the ridgeline.

The canopy uses a solution-dyed proprietary fabric treated without PFAS chemistry. It sheds moisture, resists punctures, and maintains tension even after absorbing condensation or rain—a persistent issue with many ultralight materials that sag when damp. The freestanding design requires no stakes for basic pitch, though guylines improve wind performance in exposed sites.

Each door opens onto its own vestibule for gear storage. A removable tub-style organizer sits in either vestibule to isolate muddy boots or damp clothing from the clean interior. Inside, a gear loft suspends small items overhead, while wall pockets keep essentials within reach. A pocket designed to diffuse headlamp light provides ambient illumination without the harsh glare of a direct beam.

Recycled aluminum poles thread through forged hubs that route the crossbar at calculated angles. Corner anchors use a simplified clip system for the rainfly, speeding setup when weather turns. The stuff sack splits into compartments so partners can divide the load—one carries the canopy and rainfly, the other takes poles and stakes.

NEMO Equipment

Dragonfly OSMO™ Ultralight Backpacking Tent

New crossbar geometry delivers near-horizontal ceiling and taller entry across all capacity sizes

$499.95at nemoequipment.com

Choose an option

Quantity

Buy from NEMO Equipment

Ships and sold by NEMO Equipment. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Near-horizontal ceiling from angled crossbar creates full headroom across floor
PFAS-free fabric resists sagging when wet and handles wind without stretch
Freestanding pitch works without stakes; dual vestibules for gear access
Freestanding design adds weight vs trekking-pole tents
Requires guy lines for full wind performance
Solution-dyed fabric limits color options

Cheaper alternatives

Questions

Does this tent need stakes to stand up?: No, the freestanding frame holds shape without staking for basic shelter. Guy lines and stakes improve stability in wind or heavy weather, and you should stake out the vestibules to maximize interior space and weatherproofing.
What does PFAS-free mean for tent fabric?: The canopy and rainfly use no per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances in their water-repellent treatment. PFAS chemicals persist in the environment and are increasingly regulated. This fabric achieves water resistance through alternative chemistry while maintaining durability.
Can one person set this tent up alone?: Yes. The freestanding design allows you to assemble the pole frame, drape the canopy, then clip the rainfly without needing a second set of hands or immediate staking. The corner anchor system simplifies rainfly attachment.
How does the divided stuff sack work for splitting weight?: The Divvy Cube separates into compartments so hiking partners can divide components between packs. One person typically carries the canopy and rainfly while the other takes the poles, stakes, and accessories, balancing the load.
Will the fabric sag if it gets wet overnight?: The proprietary fabric resists stretching when saturated, a common issue with many ultralight materials. It maintains tension through condensation or rain, so the canopy stays taut rather than drooping against occupants by morning.
What is the Nightlight Pocket feature?: A dedicated pocket with diffusing material spreads headlamp light evenly throughout the interior instead of creating a harsh spotlight. Insert your headlamp to provide ambient illumination for reading or organizing gear without glare.