This is a wonderful tent that I've used for close to seven years without incident. It's large and airy, quick to put up, tough, and a pleasure to stay in. I tend to use it as a one person tent, though it's roomy enough for two.

Construction quality is, well, "bomber," and the tent could likely survive the grimmest conditions you could throw at it. I'm pretty well sold on Bibler / Black Diamond, despite the high cost. My only concern is that on my version of the tent the vestibule is a hassle to connect.

Customer Service

BackCountry provides great service, and so does Black Diamond.

9/19/2010

Before heading off on a year-long cycle trip around the world, I purchased and tested a number of tents – the Black Diamond Hilight, Black Diamond Skylight, Nemo Tenshi, MSR Elbow Room and MSR Hubba Hubba.

We decided to take the Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee, which we found to be well designed, and possibly the only true four season tent (useable in Summer) on the market.

Unfortunately for us the quality of workmanship has simply not matched up to its fantastic design.

About two weeks ago, whilst cycling across Ireland, our Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee tent began to let in water through the fabric. Now, even under light rain, water enters directly through all external surfaces of the Todd Tex fabric. All seams were sealed correctly and no water is penetrating these areas.

After a little research, I found that the problem with this tent has occurred for other people. (Read other reviews here)

Prior to the leaking, we also had a major recurring problem with the state of the eyelets either side of the tent that the awning pole is meant to sit in. The first time I set the tent up in the lounge room the pole was extremely difficult to get in, but I figured that it might have been intentionally made that way so that when the fabric stretched with use, the pole would fit perfectly. Well this never happened and it is still a constant struggle to put the pole in.

Now I have to use electrical tape on a recurring basis to hold in the eyelets to prevent them from completely falling out of the tabs (this has happened a few times). I tried a few different ways of making a permanent fix, like using glue, squashing the eyelets down tighter against the fabric and taking the tent to a number of different repair shops to see if they could permanently fix it, all to no avail.

I have not taken the tent to Black Diamond to see if it can be fixed properly before now because I haven’t been able to. We’ve been cycling around the world for the last eight months, so we usually need it. It is also difficult to provide an address, particularly one for long enough to have the tent sent overseas.

Now that we’re in the US (and it is leaking badly– which we can’t live with) we’ve posted it with the receipt of purchase (it is still in warranty) to the Salt Lake headquarters. We are desperately hoping for a speedy resolution and return as we are due to continue our world tour through America and into South and Central America.

Our first reply from Black Diamond expressed disbelief that the tent has problems, and hinted that we have misused it in some way. Here are some quotes:

‘Frankly I have never heard of this fabric leaking as you are describing.’
‘I have not known the Todd-Tex fabric to leak unless it has been damaged by mildew or contaminated with some type of oil.’
‘Please give me as much information as you can concerning the life/use of this tent that may explain why it has started leaking.’
‘Please understand we just don’t hear this. Something unusual has to be going on.’


The problems listed were not caused by misuse. When you spend a small fortune on a tent and it is the only home you have, you look after it well. We wash, with water, the tent occasionally, and always make sure it has dried before packing it up and riding each day. And according to online reports at least two other serious cases of this kind of leaking of Todd Tex fabric have been reported to Black Diamond.

For a large collection of photos of the tent in action in almost 20 countries around the world and a daily blog detailing our adventures up to this point please have a look at our website www.grandcycletour.com.

We’ll will update this review as soon as we here back from Black Diamond.

Similar Products Used:

Black Diamond Skylight, BD Hilight, MSR Hubba Hubba, Nemo Tenshi

I bought my Bibler Awanhe in 2002 and used it on the Milford track in New Zealand. This is one breathable tent even when completely zipped up. I just found it impossible to set up as I had no manual. Lucky me that I got some help from someone who noticed this mongoose struggling for air under a sheet. Impressed by its sturdiness, I brought my Blbler to both Morocco and up Mt. Kilimanjaro, well at least up to 4,700 meters and faced the full brunt of a gale and minus 20 celsius cold without condensation and problems. I guess my next test will be to take my Bibler to the tropics and face a bucketing downpour. As I am precious about my beloved Bibler, I am thinking of buying a lesser tent for a future trip to Tasmania where the Possums are wild and are known to gnaw their heads into tents and in New Zealand where those notorious Kia(Giant Parrots) are known to peel the seams and threads off anything.

I bought my Ahwahnee "1" in the early '80's for a lightweight, 4-season tent that I could use backpacking in the summer and for my dreams of hopping a transport to the Himalayas. Due to my height, Todd Bibler suggested the Ahwahnee and assured me it could handle all but the most severe high altitude weather.

He was right and, 25 years later, my Bible tent still breathes, still works great and is still an excellent tent. Repairs due to inevitable wear or mishaps have been simple, and the excellent construction pays back for the investment. The "ToddTex" material just plain works and quite well, in fact. The internal poles are strong. I've been in this tent and had it nearly flatten under an insanely hard gust...and it popped back to shape without incident.

I have had 3 persons in this tent when another tent failed during a storm below Vogelsang, in Yosemite, and that's quite "snug" but possible. For two, this is roomy for a backpacking tent, with plenty of room to sit up or move around a little. The yellow interior is bright and pleasant.

These are expensive tents! If you're backpacking and want a spacious two-man tent that's light, breathes and will be reliable in weather from heat to cold to rain, then take a serious look at this one.

Similar Products Used:

Eureka Timberline, Sierra Designs, North Face VE-24, Moss.

After reading many reviews like the ones one this site I took the plunge and got the Ahwahne 2. I wasn't sure how strong it was but in the store it seemed to be quite strong for snow loading etc. I was tossing up with the Fitzroy for more strength or an MSR or Mountain Hardware. Well the tent works pretty well. I love the living space and the single skin. It's quite nice as others here generally say. However I have just returned from a trip at 6000ft up Mt Bogong (Australia) where there was a lot of wind. I paid carefull attention to the position of the tent and guying it and the vestibule out tightly etc. The tent held quite well for a while without too much shaking. The other tent in the party was put in the lee of the Bibler, and it could be heard flapping around. At 00:30 in -5 degree weather a pole snapped in a gust and ripped a nice big 15cm gash in the roof. We then put a pole sleeve over it and had our back supporting the windward side of the tent while we worked out our options. We couldn't really move off the mountain due to the weather etc so decide to use the tent as a big bivy. So we pulled the poles out and tried to lie on the loose top part of the tent and hold it down. We did this for 5 hours then got up packed up and got off the mountain. The conditions were bad. The wind we estimate was over 100km/h. This I thought is not unusual for alpine Australia in Winter or when a front is coming through. I did think that a 4 season tent would be able to handle this. Perhaps the better design for wind is the tunnel (which I have had up there in similar blizzard conditions). They move a lot, but they stay up. I think that the tent is great if you aren't going to be in an exposed locaiton.

Customer Service

I'm about to find out!

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Macpac Olympus Wilderness Equipment First Arrow

I bought this tent to take on a solo trip to RMNP last fall and it has since replaced my Mtn Hardware Lightwedge as the first choice for sleeping. I most often camp at riverside on gravel bars which are inherently damp and usually have some rain in the evenings. It is such a treat to awake without that clammy feeling. My MH tent was a great tent, roomy & waterproof, but the overnight insensible evaporative loss vapor inside was much more noticeable. With the Bibler it often feels less humid inside the tent than outside in the mornings wakening along the river. I have taken my kids & friends several times & used both tents with consistently noticeable differences. Sleeping bags & groundpads air out more quickly as well. Just a great technology and a fine tent. Pricey, though it can be found on sale if you have patience.

Customer Service

Never had to call

Similar Products Used:

Northface, Mountain Hardware, Jansport tents

I bought the Ahwahnee last winter to replace a (pre-MSR) Moss tent that I believed was too heavy, after my high satisfaction with a Bibler Bombshelter. I have used it in spring and summer in Montana high country on backpacking trips. Strengths: very roomy, much better than any other two-person tent I've ever seen; easy to set up (and you can do it from inside the tent); lightweight; breathable (no condensation, although with the window and door shut it gets warm). I haven't used it enough to rate durability but the Bombshelter's been great. Weaknesses: only one encountered so far -- the (optional - extra charge) vestibule clips on, and it's difficult to attach when it's needed. And if you expect heavy rain or frequent showers (when it's needed for ventilation) or if you are on an extended trip with two adults (when it's needed for storage), you'll wish you had it. Otherwise this tent gets very high marks. I think it's good value, even though with a vestibule and ground cloth the list price is about $900. Look for specials on Black Diamond's web site.

Customer Service

I've never had to send a tent back, but the Black Diamond folks in Salt Lake City are very helpful over the phone. They have done timely and good work on skis, and I expect the same will be true if I

Similar Products Used:

Moss Stardome; Bibler Bombshelter (which is a two-person tent for an expedition, despite Bibler's claims to the contrary); The North Face

None

So far, I''ve only had the opportunity to use my Ahwahnee II in the fall and winter, however I do plan on summer camping, too. Let''s start from the top. Setup: Take a few times to practice at home before hitting the trail. I''d say it takes me about 2 minutes max to set it up. Two equal length poles and one small awning pole. You''ll be especially thankful setup is from the inside when that rain starts to drop AS you''re setting up camp. Breathability: Recently I camped in sub-freezing temperatures, and I wanted to test the tent''s ability to eliminate water vapor (from our breathing) without any vents open. The next morning I looked for moisture, and the only place I found it were on the Easton anadized aluminum poles, and in the corners opposite our heads where the poles met the tent floor. I was amazed because besides me were my girlfriend and 60lb dog. Ventilation: Very good, but I would imagine the tent gets very warm if used in the summer during a downpour. I think I''ll bring along the vestibule at those times so I keep the entire door of mesh. I''ll update at a later date on that issue. Durability: Absolutely the finest. Floor is virtually puncture proof, and the tent body has shown no signs of failure. Also, there''s a feeling of security inside this tent. It pitches very taut, no flapping rainfly. You can sense that this tent IS bombproof. Even the tent stakes are top quality Y-pegs--no worry of bending. Living space: They say it''s about 33 sq ft. Well, it''s perfect for 2 campers, but gets a little cramped when I bring the dog. But...we manage. There are only mesh pockets for securing small items. I purchased the gear loft and it has made things much nicer. Vestibule: I did purchase this item (for $70). Bibler claims it adds 12 sq ft. It''s made of nylon and requires it''s own pole. Like I mentioned before, I''m sure it will be nice to have on when it rains to have better venting options on those hot days. Complaints: ONLY ONE. I don''t like the way that the vestibule fastens to the tent. Basically, there''s a loop on the tent body, and a plastic hook on the vestibule. I''d much prefer something that buckles for quick fit and release. Only a minor flaw. I called Bibler Tents and they said to send it back and they could work something out. I haven''t yet, but these guys are good.

Customer Service

Absolutely the finest I''ve had to deal with. These guys will bend over backwards to meet consumer requests. Especially want to thank Mike in the warranty department. I had originally purchased a Pino

Similar Products Used:

Eureka K2-XT--very nice, but heavy Mountain Hardwear Horizon 3--summer use North Face Tadpole--lots of mesh 3season

None

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I''ve only had my Ahwahnee II for 8 mos. Condensation is not a problem in humid conditions at all. I used it the very first time in a 45 mph winter windstorm (not the best way to learn how to set it up). But, with one rear corner pointed into the wind the Ahwahnee II was absolutely rock solid. No fabric flapping, no deformation, just the impotent howl of the wind outside and a good night''s sleep. Getting the poles positioned right takes a little effort. Not a bit deal, but not a easy as sliding poles through a pole sleeve. I covered one end of each pole with a red plastic nipple cover from a PUR filter and put that end into the rear corners first. The optional vestibule works well. I was able to cook in it comfortably, especially with the huge door zipped open - its like a big back porch. In the new model the vestibule clips on with little metal hooks that hook into small loops of fabric. When the tent was brand new, it was a real pain to get the hooks into the loops. However, once they''d been used a couple of times the loops opened up a bit and the hooks now go in much more easily. I suggest attaching the vestibule while sitting inside the tent. On warm weather solo trips I just leave the vestibule home to save weight. That''s a nice option to have. The Ahwahnee II is 5 inches shorter than the old model (basically they changed the pattern so that the tent is squashed down a bit in the middle. I''ve been in both versions, and the new one seems just as roomy despite the lowered roof. The lower height is also an improvement in wind. The door screening is done differently now too. Instead of a removable netting door on the outside, the netting door is sewn permanently on the inside. Also, the door zippers now slide all the way around, instead of having two separate zippers that meet at the top. It is really nice to be able to open an entire side of the tent in good weather. Climbing over your partner to get out could be a nuisance I guess (I haven''t had to share it yet), but nothing is perfect. I wouldn''t want the extra weight of a second door, personally. I am very happy with the Bibler so far. It is absolutely dry, reasonably light for the goodly amount of space you get, and sturdy as hell. Get one from B. D. without the fire retardant fabric if you want the lightest weight.

Customer Service

First rate. Black Diamond weighed one for me to make sure it was at spec before shipping it. The vestibule shipped with the wrong pole, but they shipped the correct one immediately with no hassle as s

Similar Products Used:

S.D. Tiros I; Moss Titan; S.D. Meteor Light; S.D. Light Year

None

None

This tent rocks! It is lightweight, stormproof, has tons of space, and keeps condensation non-existant. I have used it in the wasatch range in Utah, the Canadian rockies in Alberta, and in Southeast Alaska. This tent does not collect condensation! Ventilation is excellent, and through snow, wind and rain it has kept my wife and I dry and comfy as can be. It is pricy, but you are definitely getting what you paid for! I recommend it to anyone.

Customer Service

Black Diamond in Salt Lake is amazing. They will bend over backwards for their customers.

Similar Products Used:

Walrus, North Face, Sierra Designs, nothing even comes close.