Description
Rikkar Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 person |
| Trail Weight | 29.8 oz / 845 g |
| Total Weight | 33.02 oz / 935.8 g |
| Floor Area | 16.5 sq ft / 1.53 sq m |
| Length | 86 in / 218.4 cm |
| Head Width | 34 in / 86.4 cm |
| Foot Width | 21.5 in / 54.6 cm |
| Peak Height | 39 in / 99.1 cm |
| Packed Size | 17 × 5 × 5 in / 43.2 × 12.7 × 12.7 cm |
| Fabric | ClearSkiesâ„¢ 15D recycled Robic with 20D dope-dyed ripstop grid |
| Coating | Silicone and PU coating |
| Water Resistance | 4,923 mm hydrostatic head |
| Shelter Design | Double-wall, freestanding |
| Poles | DAC NFL 8.7 mm aluminum |
| Stakes | 6 aluminum stakes |
| Guylines | 4 included |
| PFAS-Free | Yes |
The 29.8 oz / 845 g trail weight includes the fly, tent body, and poles. The 33.02 oz / 935.8 g total weight includes the stakes, guylines, stuff sack, pole repair section, and pole bag.
Key Features
- Ultralight one-person freestanding tent
- Double-wall construction
- 29.8 oz / 845 g trail weight
- 33.02 oz / 935.8 g total weight
- New ClearSkiesâ„¢ shelter fabric
- 15D recycled Robic nylon with 20D dope-dyed ripstop grid
- 4,923 mm hydrostatic head water resistance
- Factory-taped seams
- 16.5 sq ft interior floor area
- 39-inch peak height
- Separate mesh tent body
- Full-coverage rainfly
- Freestanding design
- No stakes required for the main tent structure
- DAC NFL 8.7 mm aluminum pole system
- Center swivel connector
- Color-coded pole and attachment points
- Six aluminum stakes included
- Four guylines included
- Pole repair section included
- PFAS-free materials
ClearSkiesâ„¢ Fabric
The Free uses the same ClearSkiesâ„¢ fabric introduced across Gossamer Gear’s newer shelter lineup.
ClearSkies combines a lightweight 15D recycled Robic nylon base with a 20D dope-dyed ripstop grid designed to improve durability and tear resistance without adding unnecessary weight. The fabric uses a silicone and PU coating and carries a 4,923 mm hydrostatic head rating.
For The Free, that fabric is paired with a traditional double-wall design. The rainfly handles weather protection while the separate mesh body provides a more open interior and keeps the sleeper separated from the wet fly.
The result is a shelter that feels much closer to a conventional backpacking tent than Gossamer Gear’s single-wall trekking-pole shelters, while still staying firmly in ultralight territory.
Freestanding Design
The biggest difference between The Free and The One or The Two is the setup.
The Free is genuinely freestanding, meaning the main tent structure can stand without stakes. This makes campsite selection easier because you’re not relying on stakes to create the basic shape of the shelter.
The included DAC NFL 8.7 mm aluminum pole system uses a center swivel connector and snap attachments to make setup straightforward. Color-coded components help show where the poles and attachments connect.
Stakes are still included and are used to secure the vestibule and provide additional stability in windy conditions, but you don’t need them just to get the tent standing.
That’s a meaningful advantage when camping on hard ground, rocky sites, platforms, or other locations where driving stakes can be difficult.
Double-Wall Comfort
The Free’s double-wall construction is another major advantage for backpackers who don’t want to deal with some of the compromises of a single-wall shelter.
The separate mesh body provides bug protection while creating a layer between the occupant and the rainfly. This also helps with condensation management compared with a single-wall shelter.
The 16.5-square-foot floor is tapered from 34 inches at the head to 21.5 inches at the foot, with an 86-inch length. The 39-inch peak height provides enough room to sit up comfortably for many users.
The Free can also accommodate a 25-inch-wide sleeping pad, although a wide tapered pad provides the best fit.
Setup & Packability
The Free is designed to make the setup process as straightforward as possible.
The aluminum pole system uses a center swivel connector and snap attachments, while color-coded foot pieces and hardware help make the pitching process intuitive.
Once packed, the shelter measures approximately 17 × 5 × 5 inches. That’s not as compact as a minimalist trekking-pole shelter, but it’s still a manageable package for a freestanding double-wall tent.
The additional weight and packed volume are the tradeoff for getting a complete freestanding structure with dedicated poles and a separate mesh inner tent.
Weather Protection
The Free is built as a three-season shelter, with its ClearSkiesâ„¢ fabric, factory-taped seams, full rainfly, and multiple attachment points providing a strong level of protection from rain and wind.
The 4,923 mm hydrostatic head rating is particularly impressive for such a lightweight shelter. The ClearSkiesâ„¢ fabric gives The Free substantially greater water resistance while maintaining an ultralight construction.
The freestanding architecture also gives the tent a useful advantage in changing conditions. You can get the basic structure standing quickly, then stake out the vestibule and additional guy points as needed.
What Is The Free Best For?
The Free is designed for solo backpackers who want the convenience of a traditional freestanding tent without giving up the weight savings expected from an ultralight shelter.
It’s particularly well suited to backpackers who don’t want to rely on trekking poles for their tent, hikers who frequently camp on hard or rocky ground, and anyone who prefers the comfort of a double-wall shelter.
It’s also a strong option for backpackers who are new to ultralight gear but aren’t ready to give up the familiar setup and structure of a conventional tent.
At 29.8 ounces trail weight, The Free is light enough for serious ultralight backpacking while retaining many of the features that make freestanding tents appealing.
The Tradeoff
The Free’s biggest advantage—its freestanding double-wall design—is also where it gives up some weight compared with The One and The Two.
You have to carry a dedicated aluminum pole system, and the separate tent body and rainfly add material and packed volume. At 29.8 ounces trail weight, The Free is heavier than Gossamer Gear’s trekking-pole shelters.
In exchange, you get a shelter that doesn’t require trekking poles or stakes to stand, a separate mesh interior, easier campsite selection, and the familiar structure of a traditional double-wall tent.
For hikers who prioritize the lowest possible shelter weight, The One or The Two will make more sense. For those who want ultralight weight without giving up freestanding convenience, The Free is the more compelling choice.
Rikkar Take
The Gossamer Gear The Free takes a different approach to ultralight shelter design. Instead of eliminating dedicated poles and using a single-wall construction to chase the lowest possible weight, it keeps the features that make a traditional tent comfortable and easy to use while aggressively cutting weight everywhere else.
The result is a 29.8-ounce freestanding double-wall tent with a separate mesh body, full rainfly, dedicated aluminum poles, and highly water-resistant ClearSkiesâ„¢ fabric.
We especially like the fact that the tent can stand without stakes. That makes The Free considerably more flexible when choosing a campsite and removes one of the biggest setup compromises associated with trekking-pole shelters.
It’s not Gossamer Gear’s lightest shelter, and that’s not really the point. The Free is for the backpacker who wants to go ultralight but doesn’t want to give up the convenience of a true freestanding double-wall tent.
At just under 30 ounces trail weight, it strikes an impressive middle ground between traditional tent comfort and ultralight backpacking performance.
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