Nemo, an outdoor gear company based in Dover, NH, is known for its premium camping and backpacking solutions. They made their mark in the industry as the first company to design an inflatable tent and have since expanded their product lines and production capabilities. TOOL (myself) partnered with Nemo to design and engineer custom tent hardware aimed at reducing sourcing limitations and cost structures.
Interestingly, most tent brands rely on rigging hardware developed by third-party vendors, which drives up costs. Nemo sought to invest in their own custom hardware, and that’s where we came in to provide innovative solutions.
One of the most challenging hardware elements was the “foot” component, located at the base of the tent at each corner. With multiple connection points, this piece needed to be robust and durable. I designed a clever solution where the foot could be stamped from metal and insert-molded to create all five connection points in one piece.
The rain fly connection (the waterproof cover) uses a simple 90-degree key turn lock, making it easy to attach or remove depending on the weather conditions.
Another critical piece was the pole hub. This component needed to be lightweight, strong, and minimalistic, but also elegant, as it’s positioned at the center of the tent and eye level. After several design iterations and FDA analysis, I developed a cast metal part with a branded plastic cap that neatly concealed the inner shock cord tie-offs, offering both form and function.
It’s amazing how much functionality is packed into these small components, each designed with the utmost attention to detail. This was my first collaboration with the Nemo team—and certainly not the last. I’m excited to soon share some of the new gear currently in the works that I was involved in.
Work completed 2021 / Product released 2023
Available to Purchase HERE