Ease Of Set-Up
I have never found a hoop style tunnel tent as easy to set up as a free standing tent and this time was no different. While not difficult, it was not as easy and intuitive a set up as freestanding tents. The color-coding did help with set-up and the 8 guy lines provided really good support once set up.
Weatherproofing & Ventilation
The tent is extremely waterproof and the tunnel design with side door entry into the vestibule made weather protection really good. During a storm that lasted for hours and pinned us in our tents with high winds and heavy snow, we felt like we were in a storm shelter. Even with wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph, the tent did not sway or bend and I always felt secure and comfortable. The storm dumped large amounts of snow but the tent continued to perform well, and was stable and secure. The number of guy lines add to the stability of the tent and with the option to add extra poles to the tent sleeves, this tent can really protect you in the nastiest weather conditions.
This tent has a large vent on each end of the living quarters that creates good air flow through the tent. The vents prevented most condensation in the tent and the vestibule even has a vent that allows you to cook in it during bad and extended weather conditions.
Living Space & Vestibule
This tent provided plenty of room and good storage options. We were both able to easily move around inside the tent, store our belongings in the large vestibule and storage pockets and even hang up clothes on the built in clothes line. There was also plenty of room for me to sit up inside the tent, change clothes, or handle other essentials.
The vestibule on this tent is quite possibly the best that I have ever seen in a tent. To say that it is huge is an understatement. There is plenty of room for multiple backpacks or duffels and a large vent that allows you even to cook during inclement weather. While there is only one vestibule, it has a door on each side, which adds to its versatility. Even with only one vestibule, I never missed having a second one with this one being so big and having so many features.
Weight To Space And Function
This tent is a bit heavy for a two person four-season tent, but the weight does relate to its durability. This tent does have some really nice function options like the vent in the vestibule and the clothesline in the ceiling of the living quarters. The large zipper-pulls were glow-in-the-dark and were easy to maneuver even when very cold and wearing heavy gloves.
Durability
This tent is really tough and was able to handle any of the bad weather we were in, including snow, sleet, rain and heavy wind. Even after high winds, snow and dry conditions, the tent showed little wear and everything continued to work as new.
The Verdict
The Fjallraven Akka Endurance 2 tent proved highly durable during testing and it offers one of the best vestibules on the market. The tunnel design with side door entry into the vestibule created outstanding weather protection in this tough tent.
