Outdoor gear brand NEMO Equipment has made a groundbreaking leap in sustainable design with the release of the world’s first bluesign-approved backpacking tent — a major milestone in an industry long reliant on harmful chemicals for performance gear.
The Dagger OSMO, already one of NEMO’s bestsellers, has undergone a major redesign over the past 18 months to reduce its environmental impact. The tent now features 100% recycled fabrics, and it is completely free of PFAS (the "forever chemicals" often used for water repellency) as well as added flame retardants — a first for high-performance tents.
“In fall 2023, our team set out to take the Dagger further by not only using safer materials, but by creating the industry’s first bluesign tent,” said Gabi Rosenbrien, NEMO’s Product Development Director.
Backpacking tents like the Dagger typically depend on chemical treatments to stay light, waterproof, and fire-resistant. But these treatments have long posed serious environmental and health risks, especially in manufacturing.
To earn bluesign approval, brands must meet strict requirements for chemical safety, transparency, and environmental responsibility. That includes full traceability in sourcing and production, reducing energy and water usage, eliminating harmful chemicals, and protecting worker health and safety.
This move follows NEMO’s recent release of the lightest insulated inflatable sleeping pad on the market, showing the New Hampshire-based company is serious about innovation with a purpose.
With the new Dagger OSMO, NEMO not only sets a new bar for sustainable outdoor gear, but challenges the entire industry to rethink how performance and environmental responsibility can — and should — go hand in hand.
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