The most legendary and versatile 2-person, single-wall tent on the market.
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Overall rating: 4.8095236 / 5 from 21 reviews.
The Ahwahnee Tent is a highly versatile 2-person tent known for its waterproof and breathable features, offering excellent ventilation even in heavy rain. While some customers find the poles challenging to set up, the tent's internal pole design provides strength and minimal noise in windy conditions. With optional vestibules, it offers comfort during storms.
Review topics: [model, fabric, design, issues, features, tent, poles, ventilation, leaks, door, wall, solution, vestibule, stay].
"Everything works as it should except that the top cross pole is almost impossible to put in place or to remove. I understand the need for rigidity of the tent during strong winds or snowfall. But this is definitely over done."
"I have a bilber have used it 40 years. Best investment i ever made . We been threw more than the average man would ever do . And still going. Spend once a never regret it . You get what you pay for. Ground ponder"
"Thank you, thank you for bringing back the greatest line of tents ever made! I have an Ahwahnee, Bombshelter and my favorite, a Fitzroy. Todd's designs were truly genius!"
"This tent has lasted longer than any other I've ever had. The version I have is just prior to the BD buyout, but other than only 1 door, it's the same tent. I think the setup challenges have been adequately critiqued by outdoorgearlab. I don't think it's given enough credit for being a very large internal space single wall tent, with such good ventilation I've never had an issue. It does pack large and weighs more than current competitors, but it's handled wind, snow, rain and lots of car camping in places like JTree which would wear out a lesser tent. I have also loaned this out extensively over the years, in part because I'm so confident it will come back intact. The plastic twist ties are not an issue in my experience, but I'd bring one spare just in case, and every other aspect is bomber. It is, like any tent, worth dialing the pitching of this tent before you are benighted in a storm, but the corners are well reinforced if you're flailing around to get the poles in their holes, and you can do it from inside the tent (mostly). The vestibule is useful in winter, or heavy rain, but for 2 you can fit yourselves and your gear inside without it. I think I've had this almost 2 decades and would estimate with care I'll get 2 more out of it, if I last, or my heirs will."
"I bought a Bibler Tripod Bivy about 30 years ago, for use in NSW and Tasmania, Australia. The Tripod was last in action for an overnight bivy on the Tasman Peninsula last weekend. But it's not great for a multi-day walk, and too tight to get dressed in, in the rain! So when I wanted to upsize about 10 years ago, I bought an Ahwahnee. I was impressed by the toughness and breathability of the Todd-Tex, and I'd learnt to cope with the fiddly pole insertion. The Ahwahnee has the full size double doors, so with the doors fully down it's a beach shelter, as breezy as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If there are bugs, the No-See-Um mesh is bug proof and no real restriction to airflow. For torrential rain, and we get plenty of that, the fabric doors can be left open under the transverse pole which holds up a little awning, so there's enough ventilation in a summer storm. For snow camping the Ahwahnee is freestanding, easy to set up in a spindrift blizzard (dive in with a head torch and mostly close the door behind you, start the poles at the upwind end), very stable with guy lines out. The only essential accessory is a small microfibre towel to wipe up mud from your boots - you can't leave them outside or a funnel web spider or tiger snake will nest in them overnight! The little towel can be left at the foot of the pole nearest your head, because some condensation trickles down the poles, especially if there are 2 of you in the tent. Otherwise it's the driest tent I've ever had. I have used one vestibule for 2 people, so boots can be stored in packs outside the tent. 2 people plus gear is a cozy fit without the vestibule. For planned foul-weather snow-camping I use my Bibler Tempest, slightly lighter than the Ahwahnee with vestibule, but the Tempest isn't as well ventilated if the weather turns warm. The Ahwahnee is super versatile, I've had it in +40 to -10 C, winds from zero (that's the real test of tent ventilation) to 130 kmh (bent and kept me awake, didn't break!). I usually use the footprint, it's never leaked on salty beach sand, boggy river edge, and slushy snow. It's the only tent you'd ever need if you want one tent for any weather. All the other "4 Season" tents are one season winter tents! The other bonus is the view out the 2 huge doors. In the morning you can lie in your sleeping bag or sit on your mat, watching the mountains or the dolphins out in the surf, while you fire up your gas stove."
"I bought this tent to be my go to shelter regardless of any adventure. I couldn’t be happier with it. It is very spacious and comfortable, a 2 person tent that can actually comfortably fit two people (I’m 5’6”). The quality of the build is good and after a few goes, setting it up isn’t bad."
"Ok so I have only used it a couple times a year but still it is such a pleasure to use and the design is better then anything I have seen. Wish they offered the green color still. Make sure you take the small pole out last when taking it down."
"A real 4 seasons tent. We’ve been in huge storms in the rainforest and in the Alps in the middle of winter. We love it and feel safe in it."
"The only 4 season tent you'll ever need. It's though, well ventilated, and does the job at minus 40 as well as in summer heat because the whole side walls can be opened, and there's a bug mesh for when it's needed. . ."
"I purchased this tent right before a 3 week trip to Patagonia. My previous tent (Marmot) was on it's last leg, and with the weather forecast predicting freezing rain I decided to pull the trigger and buy this tent which I have been thinking of for a while, and I'm glad I did. The tent is simple, and the fabric is amazing. I put the tent in a compression sack to pack it down smaller and reduce bulk which worked great. There have been a few reviews about the setup, it is different than most tents, the poles are on the inside, but follow the simple directions and practice it once before you hit the back country and it's as easy as any other tent. There were 2-days on our trip of freezing rain and wind all day long and all we could do was remain hunkered down inside the tent. Not one leak, it was cozy and comfortable, even with two people (5'10" and 5'8") and our two packs. Every evening I looked forward to getting in this tent and out of the weather. Great tent, I'm glad I purchased it, looking forward to using it in the California winter this season."
