NEMO Equipment: 20 Years of Innovation in Outdoor Adventure

Discover the NEMO Equipment brand

NEMO Equipment: The Brand’s Origins and History

The idea for NEMO Equipment was born in 2002 on the slopes of Mount Washington, where founder Cam Brensinger spent a sleepless night in rudimentary gear. From this misadventure came a conviction: smart design can radically transform the outdoor experience. In the spring of his senior year at the Rhode Island School of Design, Cam founded NEMO Equipment and set up his first offices in Nashua, New Hampshire, three days after graduating. The brand name, inspired by Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo, is also a nod to “New England Mountain Outfitters,” paying homage to New England, where the brand was born. For two years, in a former textile factory converted into a workshop, Cam and his team developed the first prototypes of AirSupported inflatable-frame tents. Unveiled to the public in 2004, the brand won the ISPO BrandNew Award 2005 the following year, which recognizes the most innovative companies in the outdoor sector. Its creations were also named by TIME and Popular Science among the 100 best inventions of the year.

Did you know?

NEMO’s headquarters, now based in Dover, operates entirely on renewable energy.

Product Development and Innovations at NEMO Equipment

Because every adventure deserves gear designed down to the smallest detail, NEMO Equipment has dedicated over 20 years to engineering and perfecting camping gear. This quest for innovation is part of the brand’s very DNA, and its motto , “Design Like You Give a Damn, ” sums up its philosophy.

Among the brand’s key milestones: as early as 2008, NEMO prototyped the Nano OZ™, the first tent made from recycled fabrics and bamboo poles. The brand then revolutionized nighttime comfort with its Spoon™-shaped sleeping bags, designed for sleepers who prefer the side-sleeping position. More recently, NEMO introduced its proprietary OSMO™ fabric, made from100% recycled, PFAS-free yarns, which offers waterproofing that lasts five times longer than comparable tent fabrics, stretches three times less when wet, and delivers exceptional strength for its weight.

Products offered by the NEMO Equipment brand

NEMO Equipment now offers a wide range of ultralight tents, 4-season tents, RDS-certified down and synthetic sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, bivouac pillows, and camping furniture, designed for both backpacking and expeditions. The lineup covers everything from minimalist trekking to comfortable car camping.

The brand is particularly renowned for several flagship products: the Hornet OSMO tent, an ultralight semi-freestanding tent designed for weight-conscious hikers; and the Dagger OSMO, a versatile bestseller that combines spaciousness, durability, and lightness. When it comes to sleeping gear, the Tempo andForte Endless Promise® sleeping bags exemplify NEMO’s Spoon™ approach by combining side-sleeping comfort and warmth.

NEMO Equipment’s Commitment to Sustainability

Committed to the environment, the brand is implementing several initiatives to reduce its ecological footprint. NEMO is now moving forward with a clear goal: to design products that consume fewer resources, generate less waste, and last longer —of which the OSMO™ tent is the perfect example. As a bluesign® partner , NEMO makes it a point of honor to reduce its environmental impact throughout its global value chain. With a goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 50%, the brand currently reports a 22% reduction in its annualsustainability report. Clear goals and actions demonstrate a commitment to responsibility toward people and the planet.