Bikepacking equipment: Out into adventure: tent, sleeping mat & sleeping bag from Nemo

Every gram counts when bikepacking. All the equipment is mounted directly on the frame, saddle and handlebars - you feel every extra kilo directly in your legs and in your riding behaviour.

Heavy luggage makes the bike sluggish when cornering, cumbersome on climbs and unnecessarily drains your strength on multi-day tours. Especially on trails and in the mountains, excess weight becomes a real burden.

Minimalism is therefore the order of the day when bikepacking: Only those who limit themselves to the bare essentials remain agile, save energy and retain control.

The US manufacturer NEMO Equipment from New Hampshire presents four items of equipment for bikepacking tours.

Four new parts of Nemo

Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and pillow from Nemo.

Dragonfly Bikepack Osmo tent: The Bikepack tent gets an update

The Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO tent is available as a Single tent and as 2-person tent.

It uses a poly-nylon ripstop fabric which, according to the manufacturer, offers four times better water repellency than conventional tent fabrics. The material is said to stretch three times less when wet, making it unnecessary to re-tension the lines. The fabric is made from 100 per cent recycled yarns and does not contain PFAS or flame-retardant additives.

The DIAPOLE poles are made from recycled aluminium. A Precurve cross pole increases the volume in the head area by 34 per cent. The individual pole segments have been shortened so that the tent fits between the drops of a racing handlebar or in narrow frame bags. The Divvy Cube packsack has reinforced, adjustable fastening straps for attachment to the bike.

The revised pole geometry creates steeper side walls and more headroom in the interior. A waterproof landing zone is used to store equipment. The Nightlight Pocket transforms the smartphone into a ceiling light.

Price & weight: (All weights are manufacturer's specifications)

• 580 euros for the 1.4-kilo, 1-person version >> available here
• 640 euros for the 1.7-kilo 2-person version >> available here

Our assessment:
The weights are in the ultralight segment - even if they don't achieve record weights. The prices are solid, and most of the competition can't do it any cheaper. In short, the Nemo tent sounds promising. As a 2-person tent, I can recommend the Vaude Hogan SUL 1-2 persons for 530 Euro* (1370 grams) - I have been using this for around ten years. Laurin Lehner, test editor

Forte Endless Promise sleeping bag: Classic Spoon Shape and Zerofibre filling

The Forte Endless Promise sleeping bag is made from recycled mono-materials and is 100 per cent recyclable at the end of its life. The Classic Spoon Shape offers more room at the elbows and knees than conventional mummy sleeping bags. The Zerofiber synthetic filling is made from 100 percent recycled fibres.

Two-stage Thermo Gill zip vents at the front release excess body heat to the outside. The Blanket Fold collar can be folded inwards to retain heat or outwards for instant cooling. The integrated Pillow Pocket holds a Fillo pillow or jacket and prevents it from shifting during the night.

The sleeping bag weighs from 1.78 kg. It is available in temperature variants for minus 7 and plus 2 degrees Celsius, for men and women in regular and long lengths. The price starts at 220 euros >> available here at a reduced price.

Prices

• Regular -7° 250 Euro
• Long -7° 280 Euro
• Regular 2° 220 Euro
• Long 2° 250 Euro

Editor's assessment:
Whether down or synthetic - opinions differ. A three-season sleeping bag has a wide range. The features such as the pillow pocket or the zip openings at the front sound promising.
The price of the Nemo Forte Endless Promise is okay and rather affordable. The stated weight "from 1.78 kilos", on the other hand, is rather heavy. A comparable sleeping bag such as the Deuter Astro 500 -2 °C/28 °F (300 euros >> available here*) weighs less than 1.2 kilos.
For summer bikepacking trips, I recommend a lightweight two-season sleeping bag. These are available from as little as 170 euros and weigh only around 800 grams.
Laurin Lehner, test editor

Tensor Trail sleeping pad: Spaceframe baffle and thermal mirror film

The Tensor Trail sleeping mat uses a spaceframe baffle construction to create a stable and level sleeping surface. Inside, two layers of metallised Thermal Mirror foil reflect back body heat and are designed to minimise crackling at the same time.

The mat reaches a height of 9 cm. Recycled and bluesign-certified 20D nylon material is used on the top and 40D nylon on the underside. The Vortex pump bag supplied enables inflation without moisture from the air you breathe. Available e.g. here in different shapes.

Prices (all weights manufacturer's specification)

• Regular Mummy 210 Euro (451 g)
• Regular 210 Euro (477 g)
• Regular Wide 220 Euro, (576 g)
• Long Wide 230 Euro (604 g)

Editor's assessment:
The lightest sleeping mats weigh just under 400 grams. Here you usually have to dig deeper into your pocket. The weights of the Nemo Tensor Trail are therefore good - the prices also seem to be okay. However, we don't yet know how comfortable it is to sleep on.
Laurin Lehner, test editor

Cushion: Air chamber system and Primaloft insulation

The Fillo Elite cushion combines a 7 to 8 cm high air chamber system with a layer of 100 per cent recycled Primaloft insulation. This construction is designed to provide anatomically correct support for the neck and comfortable cushioning for the head.

The cushion weighs 83 grams. The pack size is smaller than a drinks can. The removable jersey fabric cover can be cleaned in the washing machine. The pillow is available in various colours for 70 euros, e.g. available here.

Editor's assessment:
83 grams is not much, the pack size is super small. An option for pillow fans - for me it would be something I would leave at home. The lightweight down jacket that you should always have with you on tour also works as a pillow. Laurin Lehner, test editor

Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO tent:

• Material: poly-nylon ripstop OSMO fabric, 100% recycled yarns, PFAS-free
• Poles: DIAPOLE poles made from recycled aluminium, Precurve crossbar
• Headroom volume: +34% due to Precurve crossbar
• Pack sack: Divvy Cube with adjustable fastening straps
• Features: Landing Zone (waterproof), Nightlight Pocket
• Price: 1 person tent 580 € ; 2 person tent 640 € >> available here
• Weights: 1.4 kilos (1-person tent; 2-person tent 1.7 kilos)

Forte Endless Promise sleeping bag

• Material: 100% recycled mono-materials, fully recyclable
• Shape: Classic Spoon Shape
• Filling: Zerofibre synthetic, 100% recycled fibres
• Ventilation: Thermo Gill zips (two-stage)
• Collar: Blanket Fold (adjustable)
• Weight: from 1.78 kg
• Temperature variants: -7°C and 2°C
• Sizes: Regular and Long (ladies/men)
• Price: from 220 euros >> available here

Tensor Trail sleeping mat:

• Construction: Spaceframe baffle
• Insulation: Thermal mirror film (two layers, metallised)
• Height: 9 cm
• Top material: 20D nylon (recycled, bluesign-certified)
• Material underside: 40D nylon
• Accessories: Vortex pump bag
• Price: from 210 Euro >> available here

Fillo Elite cushion:

• Construction: Air chamber system (7-8 cm)
• Insulation: Primaloft (100% recycled)
• Weight: 83 g
• Cover: jersey fabric (removable, washable)
• Price: 70 Euro >> available here