NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO™ 2P Tent – Reviewed & Tested

We live in a world of high-tech, highly sustainable ultralight gear, making it easier than ever before to pack fast and travel very, very light. Explorer Andy tested one of the greener kids on the ultralight block: the NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO™ Tent.

When it comes to tents, the NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO™2P Backpacking Tent might just be one of the lightest and most compact on the market — and it could be a game-changer for bivy and tarp-lovers everywhere.

You can take weeks and sometimes even months, to plan a hiking adventure. But often the best and most memorable are those off-the-cuff, made-on-a-whim overnight trips, with nothing more than a daypack, snacks, water, sleeping bag, and shelter of your choice.

With just the clothes on your back, and the horizon all yours for the taking, travelling light and fast is addictive. The head-clearing and soul-cleansing qualities of a quick-draw hike cannot be underestimated.

Especially those that earn you views like this

Why am I the right person to do this review?

For the past 30-odd years I’ve hiked, walked, kayaked, bikepacked, backpacked, and climbed my way across Australia, Nepal, and the Middle East – not just for pleasure, but often for work too. I own an outdoor adventure shop in the Adelaide Hills and have the pick of some of the best gear out there to test for myself.

The gear I stock has to work. It has to perform. It has to do what its makers say it will do. If it doesn’t make the grade, it doesn’t get stocked. Simple as that.

So, with the Hornet packed neatly onto my daypack, and my provisions and sleeping bag zipped in, I took off on a 20km ramble to my camp for the night. It’s the perfect opportunity to see for myself whether this Hornet has a sting in its tail or is as good as its makers claim.

Quick Specifications

Weight: 948g
Dimensions: 215 x 130 x 109cm
Capacity: 2 Person
Season: 3-season
RRP: $1099.95

First Impressions

Packed in its Divvy Cube™ (otherwise known as a rectangular stuff sack) the packed tent is about the same length as a French baguette and only slightly heavier! In my experience, it’s rare to actually come across a product that labels itself as ultralight – and actually is.

The Hornet is a rare species indeed. It’s ridiculously light. Very ultralight in fact, weighing just 948g. It really is quite an achievement by NEMO Equipment to get a 2P tent to weigh so little, likely as a result of the use of an ultralight variant of its patented OSMO™ nylon ripstop fabric.

While it’s claimed to be waterproof and stretch-resistant, the OSMO™ material is also extremely thin. This makes me wonder how it will handle a night out in the wild, not to mention the forecasted wind and sub-zero temperatures.

Really hoping it’s going to be as comfortable as it is light

Design

Weight

As you’d expect, there was no issue with the weight of the tent as I traversed tricky gravel paths and steep climbs on my hike – it’s light alright. Inside the ‘baguette’ is the neatly folded tent, flysheet, poles, and pegs. The poles are encased in their own 100% recycled Repreve® bag, which is a nice touch, replacing the kind of disposable packaging you often find wrapped up in some tents.

It almost doesn’t look like enough materials to make a tent

Size

When pegged out with the Green DAC Featherlite NFL poles clipped in and up, the 2P Hornet looks small — which I assume is a compromise by NEMO to reduce the weight as much as possible. The interior height is around 940mm and the crossbeam is around 220mm. There’s also a patent-pending Flybar™, which helps to add more headroom and distributes the fly tension evenly once you’ve got the tent up.

This Flybar represents a small design tweak with big results

It’s certainly not a voluminous cavern, but I still have plenty of room to manoeuvre. With two people, I think it would be a squash. All-in-all it’s a compact set-up and design, exactly as promised by NEMO.

Perfect for one person, but two people? Not so much

Durability

The flysheet clips in easily to the underside of the poles. In typical NEMO Equipment style, it’s colour-coordinated to make for an easy set-up. Once on, the flysheet provides double-wall protection but it’s thin and light-coloured and isn’t much of a light blocker, so be prepared for a less-than-dark sleep.

There are plenty of storage pockets inside for gear, two decent-sized doors, and a surprisingly decent-sized vestibule area on each side – thanks to the flysheet – where you can store boots and backpacks.

No matter the time of day or night, any exterior light will be joining you inside the NEMO OSMO™ Elite Tent

Comfort

Even with just a sliver of a crescent moon, the NEMO Equipment OSMO™ Tent felt bright inside as I bedded down for the night. I don’t mind this, but for very light sleepers, it might not make for the best sleep of your life.

Unfortunately in my haste to pack, I forgot my mattress. As the temperature dropped to zero, and then to minus-1, the chill through my sleeping bag was palpable and a little uncomfortable. I’m not sure if the mattress would have made a difference.

This is a purposely designed ultralight tent and that weight efficiency has to have a compromise somewhere. In this case the relative thinness of the fly and canopy material.

The colour is aesthetically pleasing. Not garishly bright, but enough to stand out

Performance

Wind resistance

Then there was the wind. Early in the morning, a decent gust came over the ridge where I was camping. It was stronger than a breeze and much less than a gale, but it had some bite. It made the featherlight poles bow and flex – pole rigidity apparently sacrificed for fewer grams – which made for a few interesting moments.

So far the NEMO OSMO™ Elite Tent frame bends without breaking

Neither the poles nor the tent collapsed though, and the poles needed no assistance from yours truly to right themselves.

But, before heading off on a trip with this tent, I’d definitely check the weather forecast for any major winds. If they’re on the forecast, you’ll likely have a noisy and potentially fretful night ahead.

Waterproofing

As the sun rose in the morning and the frost on the tent melted, there was no water or hint of dampness inside. The OSMO™ fabric on the fly was very quick to dry once I’d swept away the bigger droplets. I haven’t used it in a good rainstorm as yet, but I’m confident it would keep me and my gear dry, and perform as its makers say.

It might be light but the OSMO™ fabric delivers high-quality performance in the rain

Price

At almost $1100 RRP, the NEMO Equipment Hornet Elite OSMO™ 2P Tent is a pricey piece of kit! I could definitely imagine carrying this tent for a multi-day hike over long distances though. For those with money to spare, who want to go beyond their trusted bivy and tarp – I recommend it.

Sustainability

The NEMO Hornet was specifically designed to be kinder to the planet and is made using the NEMO Equipment trademarked OSMO™ fabric. This means it contains 100% recycled yarns that are free from the harmful chemicals PFC and PFAS. This OSMO fabric has been mentioned a lot, and if you’re still not convinced you might want to check out our article that explains why it’s such a game changer.

The green news doesn’t stop at the tent itself. As part of the Polybag Elimination Project by Nemo Equipment, the typical disposable packaging you find around tent poles has been replaced by a 100% recycled Repreve® pole bag.

Repreve® pole bag looking slick

NEMO has always been a brand that puts its products where its values are, and this tent is yet another glowing example of that commitment. If you want to read more about what Nemo is doing to preserve our natural environment, check out its pretty chunky sustainability report.

Final Thoughts

The Hornet is light, easy to put up and pack away, is spacious and the surprisingly wide U-shaped doors make for a rapid entry and exit.

While it’s not a tent for every occasion, its impressive barely-there weight and compactness are proof that tents need not be made to feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. The Hornet might just set you free.

If ditching the weight means more hikes, this could be the tent for you

FAQs NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P Tent

What’s the difference between the NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P and the NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P Tents?

The NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P Tent is significantly lighter with smaller vestibules and lower peak height than the NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P Tent. The Hornet Elite OSMO™ is the better choice if you’re looking to lighten the load, but the Dagger is better if you prioritise space and comfort.

Does NEMO Equipment make bikepacking tents?

Yep! NEMO Equipment has a wide range of tents to suit every type of adventure. Andy also reviewed the NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack 2P OSMO™ Tent, which is a good read if you’re in the market for a new bikepacking house.

How heavy is the NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P Hiking Tent?

The NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO™ 2P Hiking Tent weighs just 948g.

Is the NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P Hiking Tent waterproof?

Yup. While Andy didn’t use it in a huge downpour, it kept him dry during standard rain, and there wasn’t any condensation inside the tent.

How long do tents by NEMO last?

All NEMO gear comes with a lifetime warranty, and is designed to last.

Does NEMO Equipment make sleeping pads?

NEMO provides sleeping mats for every type of outdoor adventure and we’ve tested and reviewed a lot of them. Check out our Explorer reviews of the NEMO Tensor 25R Insulated Sleeping Pad, the NEMO Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad, and the NEMO Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad.

Photos by Martin Tazioli

Finding NEMO Just Got Easier

• A New 100% Recyclable Sleeping Bag By NEMO
• Nemo Dagger 2P Tent Review – Nemo Dagger 2P Ultralight Tent
• NEMO Moonlite Elite Reclining Hiking Chair – Reviewed and Tested
• NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO Tent 2P – Reviewed & Tested