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Nemo

Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO Ultralight Backpacking Tent (1P, 2P)

$797.93 $1,151.78
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Description

The Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO is Nemo's lightest backpacking tent, at 657 g minimum weight for the one-person and 779 g for the two-person. It is semi-freestanding, uses DAC Featherlite poles on a single hub, and packs to 48 x 10 x 5 cm. Every component is optimised for weight, which means less interior room than the standard Hornet.

Who it's for

Gram counters. Thru-hikers, fastpackers, and anyone whose base weight is a spreadsheet. At 657 g this is in trekking-pole-shelter territory while still being a proper double-wall tent with its own poles.

Not the tent for anyone who wants to sit out a wet afternoon inside. The 2P has 94 cm of peak height — lower than the 1P — and 0.6 sq m vestibules, which is enough for a pack and boots and not much else. If you want space, the standard Hornet, Dragonfly and Dagger all give you more for a few hundred grams.

Key features

  • 657 g minimum weight in the 1P, 779 g in the 2P — the lightest freestanding-style shelter Nemo makes.
  • DAC Featherlite poles on a single hub. DAC is the benchmark for ultralight tent poles, and a single hub means one pole assembly and nothing to work out in the dark.
  • Packs to 48 x 10 x 5 cm in the Divvy Cube, which is a rectangular sack rather than a tube, so it sits flat in the bottom of a pack.
  • OSMO fabric, 1200 mm rated on both fly and floor — the ultralight variant of Nemo's poly-nylon, PFAS-free and made from recycled yarn.
  • Flybar pole clip lifts the fly at the head end, buying back a little of the volume the weight target takes away.
  • Nightlight Pocket overhead diffuses a headlamp into room light.

Elite versus the standard Hornet

Same design lineage, different priorities. The standard Hornet 1P is 822 g with 1.9 sq m of floor; the Elite 1P is 657 g with 2.0 sq m. In the 2P the Elite saves 169 g but drops peak height to 94 cm and vestibule area to 0.6 sq m. The Elite also uses lighter 1200 mm fabrics throughout, which are thinner and want more care on abrasive ground. Choose Elite if the weight difference genuinely changes your trip; choose the standard Hornet if it does not.

Living with an ultralight tent

Semi-freestanding means the foot end must be staked to hold its shape — on rock platforms or tent decks bring cord and rocks. The 1200 mm fabrics are light rather than fragile, but they reward a groundsheet on granite and gravel, and they will not tolerate being dragged.

Specifications
  • Capacity
    1-Person, 2-Person
  • Color
    Aluminum / Stormy Night
  • Freestanding
    Semi-Freestanding
  • Minimum Weight
    1-Person: 657 g, 2-Person: 779 g
  • Packed Size
    48 x 10 x 5 cm
  • Packed Weight
    1-Person: 812 g, 2-Person: 935 g
  • Peak Height
    1-Person: 98 cm, 2-Person: 94 cm
  • Season
    3
  • Stuff Sack
    Divvy Cube
  • Vestibule Area
    1-Person: 0.6 sq m, 2-Person: 0.6 sq m + 0.6 sq m
  • Vestibule Quantity
    1-Person: 1, 2-Person: 2
  • Floor Area
    1-Person: 2.0 sq m, 2-Person: 2.5 sq m
  • Floor Dimensions
    1-Person: 221 x 102 / 81 cm, 2-Person: 216 x 128 / 107 cm
  • Floor Fabric
    OSMO™ Ripstop (1200 mm)
  • Canopy Fabric
    No-see-um mesh
  • Door Quantity
    1-Person: 1, 2-Person: 2
  • Rainfly Fabric
    OSMO™ Ripstop (1200 mm)

Sizing Guide

Additional Information
  • High-performance, high-strength OSMO™ poly-nylon ripstop fabric has 4x better water repellency and 3x less stretch when wet. OSMO fabric is made from 100% recycled yarns that are PFAS-free and meet flame retardancy standards without the use of added chemicals.
  • Generous doors and vestibules for each person with Gatekeeper door tie-backs provide more coverage and ease of entry.
  • New Divvy Cube™ rectangular stuff sack allows you to still split the weight with your partner, but packs more efficiently in your backpack.
  • Patent-pending Flybar™ volumizing pole clip adds more room at the head and distributes fly tension evenly.
  • Triangulated volumizing guy-outs at corners increase volume at the foot, protecting sleeping bags from tent wall condensation.
  • Nightlight Pockets™ turn your headlamp into a tent lantern while removing blue light and casting an even glow.
  • DAC Featherlite® poles boast minimal weight and connect with a single hub for lightning-quick setup.
    100% recycled Repreve® pole bag replaces disposable packaging as part of our 100K Polybag Elimination Project.

FAQ's

1. Hornet vs Hornet Elite: What's the difference?
The main difference between the Hornet and Hornet elite is the packed weight. The one-person and two-person Hornet Elite tents weigh less than 1kg at 812 grams and 935 grams respectively. Most other specifications remain on par with the Hornet with only slight differences in the peak height and floor area. The Hornet Elite is slightly smaller in both height and floor area.

2. How much does Nemo Hornet 2P Elite weigh?
If opting for the two-person Hornet Elite tent you can expect a packed weight of 935 grams. This is lighter than the Hornet two-person which totals 1.08 kilograms when packed. Included in the pack weight are stakes, a guy-out cord, a repair kit, a light pocket and a divvy sack. Using the divvy sack you can even split this already very light load easily with a partner.

3. Is it OK to use the Nemo Hornet Elite tent without a footprint?
While it is possible to use the Nemo Hornet Elite without a footprint, we highly recommend pairing your tent with the Nemo Hornet Footprint. This helps to extend the life of your tent by reducing the risk of tears or punctures to the floor while also acting as an additional waterproof barrier.

4. Is Nemo Hornet Elite a freestanding tent?
No, the Nemo Hornet Elite is a semi-freestanding tent. While the included pole structure keeps your Nemo Hornet Elite standing upright, you will still need to stake out the sides or body of the tent to have it reach its full size. This also helps to create a more rigid structure all around for optimal comfort during use.

5. Does the Nemo Hornet Elite have a lifetime warranty?
No, while a lifetime warranty is often honoured overseas, in Australia, all Nemo products come with a 2-year warranty that covers any manufacturing defects affecting usage. The warranty doesn’t cover general wear and tear, improper use or maintenance, misuse, or neglect. If you need to make a warranty claim, Nemo is known for handling these quickly and efficiently.

6. Is the Nemo Hornet Elite seam sealed?
Yes, the stitching and seam sealing on the Hornet Elite are done exceptionally well for optimal weatherproofing in even the wettest conditions.

7. Can you wash a Nemo Hornet Elite tent?
Yes, you can wash your Nemo Hornet Elite tent, however, this must be done carefully to avoid damaging the lightweight fabric. Nemo recommends washing your tent by hand while set up, using a technical fabric wash such as Nikwax Solar Wash. Simply spray the cleaning solution on your pre-dampened tent surface and wipe it over to distribute. You can then gently rinse the tent with a hose before letting it dry fully and packing it away.

What is the difference between the Hornet Elite and the standard Hornet?
The Elite is lighter and tighter. The 1P saves 165 g; the 2P saves 169 g but gives up peak height, dropping to 94 cm, and vestibule space at 0.6 sq m. The Elite also uses lighter 1200 mm fabrics. The standard Hornet is the better tent to live in; the Elite is the better tent to carry.

Is the Hornet Elite durable enough for regular use?
The fly and floor are OSMO ripstop rated at 1200 mm, lighter than the fabrics on the Dagger or Dragonfly. That is a deliberate weight choice rather than a flaw, but it rewards care: use a footprint on granite or gravel, pitch it on cleared ground, and do not drag it.

Will two people and gear fit in the Hornet Elite 2P?
Two people fit, with 2.5 sq m of floor and two doors. Gear mostly does not — the vestibules are 0.6 sq m each, enough for a pack and boots. Two people who want packs inside, or room to sit out weather, should look at the Dagger instead.

How small does the Hornet Elite pack down?
The Hornet Elite packs to 48 x 10 x 5 cm in its Divvy Cube stuff sack. The rectangular shape means it lies flat in the bottom of a pack rather than wedging like a tube, and the load can be split between two people carrying the poles and the body separately.