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Freestanding convenience, two-skin protection and in a properly ultralight weight class
Gossamer Gear says:
Experience the freedom to camp anywhere with The Free—your go-anywhere, freestanding shelter. Featuring a fly and mesh tent body, it keeps you protected while offering an incredible view of the stars above while keeping trail weight under two pounds. Lightweight and easy to set up, The Free lets you embrace the outdoors with a playful spirit and endless possibilities
Our Verdict
Gossamer Gear has entered the freestanding tent world with The Free, and the standout is the weight. At 850g for the fly, inner and poles, excluding pegs and bags, it is the lightest two-skin one-person “freestanding” tent we do.
The pitch is very simple. With a bit of practice, I think it could be up in under two minutes. The main structure is freestanding, although the vestibule still needs pegging out. It also has four guy-out points, but the guylines are not pre-attached, and you would need extra pegs. In the typical clement British weather, I would take the time to attach them before heading out.
Space is compact, but better than the weight suggests. I’m 6ft 1 in and, even on an 11 cm-deep mat, I had just enough headroom to sit without quite touching the top, with plenty of length when lying down. A wide mat fits, though a long, wide pad may struggle at the tapered foot end. It is not a tent I would want to be confined in for an extended period, but the mesh inner helps it feel less closed in.
The Custom ClearSkies 15D PFAS-free recycled Robic fabric is a big part of how Gossamer Gear has kept the weight so low. The 20D dope-dyed ripstop grid adds some reassurance to such a light flysheet, while the SIL/PU coating gives proper three-season weather protection. It is still an ultralight fabric, so that I would treat it with care around rough ground, sharp vegetation and heavy abrasion.
Ventilation is improved by the large-mesh inner, which lets the tent breathe well and reduces that closed-in feel. It should also help manage condensation by keeping airflow moving around the sleeping area, although there are no dedicated vents in the rain fly. Still, damp conditions, I would still expect some condensation, but the mesh inner does a good job of keeping you separated from it.
I also like the pocket layout, with one roof pocket for a headtorch and one at the head end for glasses, medication or a phone. For solo backpackers wanting a very light, quick-pitching freestanding tent, it is like a seriously interesting option.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Custom ClearSkies fabric
- Center swivel and easy attachment to tent body
- DAC NFL 8.7mm pole set with eco green anodizing
- Custom easy snap metal foot colour coded for easy set up
- Excellent ventilation
- Reflective zipper pulls and guy lines
- Factory-taped seasm
- Two interior mesh pockets
- Great headroom, fits tall people
Specifications
- Flysheet weighs: 283g
- Inner weighs: 272g
- Poles weigh: 295g
- Total weight: 850g (excludes pegs & bags)
- Pegs x6 weigh: 44g
- Peak height: 39"
- Sqft: 15.8 (interior)
- Width: 33" head x 21" foot
- Length: 85"
Material & Construction
- Custom ClearSkies™ 15D recycled Robic with a 20D dope-dyed ripstop 1200mm SIL/PU
