NEMO Dragonfly 2 Review

Specs

Review

The NEMO Dragonfly 2 is a great choice for anyone who needs a fully-featured freestanding tent without the weight. The tent manages to include practical features while making sure that it stays lightweight.

Comfort

The Dragonfly provides enough space to comfortably fit two people. It is 50 inches wide, which means you can fit two standard-sized Thermarest pads with a little extra room left. It peaks at 41 inches in height which is enough interior space for most people. At 88 inches in length, it can fit even those around 6 feet in height.

It comes with two large doors, which allow easy movement throughout the tent. This prevents you from hunching over and scrambling over your companion. The shape is relatively unusual and requires two hands to open. For the most part, it is a minor annoyance.

The privacy panels along the sides are not as high as other models. But, the two-tone black and white mesh add an extra layer of privacy. It also allows you to sleep under the stars when the weather is nice.

For such a lightweight tent, it comes with numerous storage features. On each side are two large individual storage pockets, which are perfect for your valuables. It also incorporates light diffuser pockets so you can read at night. The huge gear loft overhead is great for any items that you want to stash.

If you still have other gears to store, the massive vestibules can house two packs, boots, and maybe a small tent for your pet. It can serve as a great living space during the summer months as well.

Ease of Setup

If you are familiar with pitching tents, then the Dragonfly should be an easy setup for you. All parts are color-coded such as the corner webbing, the poles, and the fly clip webbing. This makes it easy to attach the right parts to the right places.

The overall structure of the tent is a modification of the usual X-frame. The design adds a bit more stability and space for the headroom.

On the other hand, the vestibules come with two stakes, each on top of the four stakes for the tent itself. They have a piece of cord that is reflective blue color which makes them easy to spot on the forest floor. This also prevents anyone from accidentally tripping on a stake at night.

Weather Resistance

The tent’s overall build provides enough tension and geometry that will keep you protected from the weather and elements. It comes with eight stake points which anchor it firmly to the ground. On top of that, it provides extra options for guy lines for further stability.

The fly runs low, enhancing its ability to withstand wind. Additionally, when pitched, the sides of the fly slope nicely. This creates a more streamlined exterior compared to other models.

Because it runs low, the fly effectively prevents splashback, especially during a downpour. The vestibule zippers come with struts which make them easy to prop open. However, they don’t open very wide. Combined with the fly, the ventilation is limited, which causes condensation to build up.

Durability

The NEMO Dragonfly 2 surprisingly provides stability even with its lightweight materials. The tent is made of 15D ripstop nylon fly and 20D ripstop nylon floor. These fabrics may feel delicate, but they are more than capable of standing up to the usual strains of hiking and backpacking.

The pole is made of tough material with enough stability. However, you need to make sure that each pole is securely locked with each adjacent segment. Improper attachment may cause the female end of the adjoining segment to crack.

Weight and Packed Size

The Dragonfly fly two perfectly balances amazing features and weight. At just a bit over three pounds, it is great for casual and challenging adventures alike. And dividing it between two people using the Divvy Pack makes the back even more weightless.

The tent packs tightly at 19.5 inches by 4.5 inches. You can also ditch the stuff stack and fit it around your other gears in your backpack.