NEMO Dagger Footprint Review

Overview

The NEMO Dagger Footprint is a custom-cut ground sheet for the Dagger backpacking tent. It is made from 70D polyurethane-coated polyester and weighs about 221 g in the two-person size. Its job is narrow: take the abuse from gravel, roots and sharp rock so the tent floor doesn’t. The trade-off is simple. Owners get a precise fit and a tough layer, and they pay $69.95 and carry roughly half a pound for it.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	221 g (7.8 oz)
Fabric	70D PU polyester
Dimensions (2P)	50 x 90 in / 127 x 229 cm
Attachment	Perimeter points on the tent
Includes	Breathable mesh stuff sack with drawstring
Season rating	3-season
Price (2P)	$69.95

Performance

Protection. NEMO is upfront about what this footprint is for. The company says the Dagger’s own floor is already waterproof, so the footprint isn’t there to add waterproofing. It is there to protect the floor on rough surfaces and extend the tent’s life. The 70D polyester is built to resist wear from sharp and gravelly ground. That makes it most useful on rocky alpine pads, gravel bars and root-laced forest sites, which is where thin tent floors usually fail first.

Fit. The sheet is cut to the tent’s floor dimensions. It stays out of sight under the tent and doesn’t catch rain around the edges. Pooling under a footprint that overhangs the tent is a common complaint with generic ground sheets, and the custom cut avoids it. It attaches at the tent’s perimeter points, so it stays aligned through a night of wind and shifting. Buyers on retail sites praise this. One owner called it a must-have for the Dagger and said it folds easily and feels durable. Another described it as doing exactly what it should.

Weight and cost. The same owner reviews that praise the fit also carry the recurring complaint. Several buyers call the footprint heavy for what it is and expensive for a cut piece of coated fabric. At 221 g, it adds about the weight of a small canister of fuel. That is a hard sell for backpackers who count every ounce. Many ultralight hikers cover the same ground with a sheet of polycryo or Tyvek for a fraction of the weight and money. They give up the custom cut and the attachment points.

Packing. It stuffs into the included mesh drawstring sack and fits in the corner of a pack. The breathable mesh lets a damp sheet dry on the move, which is useful after a wet camp. A groundsheet that is dirty and wet from the underside should not be packed in with sleeping gear.

Compatibility. NEMO has changed the Dagger line over the years, and footprints are tied to specific tent generations. NEMO states that its current Dagger OSMO footprint, made from 75D recycled polyester and priced at $89.95, only works with the 2025 tent design and not with past Dagger models. The earlier 2P footprint likewise does not fit tents built before 2019. Buyers should match the footprint to the tent’s model year before ordering.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Cut to the tent’s floor shape, so nothing sticks out to collect water
• 70D PU polyester resists gravel, roots and sharp rock
• Attaches at the tent’s perimeter points and stays put
• Mesh drawstring sack included and packs small
• Owners describe it as durable and easy to fold

Cons

• 221 g is a real penalty for a layer that does no sheltering
• $69.95 is steep for a ground sheet
• Fits only specific Dagger generations
• Cheaper, lighter DIY options exist for ultralight users who don’t need a custom fit

Who Should Buy This

This footprint suits Dagger owners who camp on rocky, gravelly or root-heavy ground and want the tent floor to last for many seasons. It also suits people who value fast, tidy setup, because the attachment points keep it aligned with the tent. Gram-counters and thru-hikers who pitch mostly on forgiving duff and trail-side dirt should look elsewhere. A scrap of polycryo or Tyvek will protect the floor for a few ounces less, and for far less money.

Verdict

The NEMO Dagger Footprint is a well-fitted, durable floor guard that does exactly what NEMO says. It is also heavy and pricey by ultralight standards. Buy it if the Dagger is a long-term investment pitched on abrasive ground. Skip it if weight and cost matter more than a perfect fit.