Description
Backed by almost 30 years of ultralight design, The Free can be deployed on any tentsite and stand up against storm clouds with our custom ClearSkies™ 15D Recycled Robic with 1200mm SIL/PU. Never fumble over the setup with a simple aluminum eco green anodizing* pole set, center swivel connector piece, and snap attachments.
Includes 6 stakes, 4 guylines, and pole repair section.
Features
Truly Freestanding
No stakes required. Setup with ease on any tent site.
Simple Setup
Matching colors on the poles and hardware webbing tell you exactly what goes where.
Custom ClearSkies™ Fabric
Engineered for ripstop durability and maximum water resistance, no other cottage brand has ventured into fabric technology to this degree.
Specs
FAQ
No. The Free is a true freestanding tent and can be deployed on any tent site without stakes. Stakes are included and needed to deploy the vestibule of the fly. The stakes are also recommended for added stability in wind, but they're not required to pitch the shelter.
Will a 25" wide sleeping pad fit in The Free?
While The Free's floor dimensions don't technically support a traditional 25" wide pad, it does fit — it'll just push the side walls a bit. For the best fit, we recommend going with a wide tapered pad instead.
What pole system does The Free use?
A DAC NFL 8.7mm aluminum pole set with eco green anodizing, a treatment that reduces harsh toxins, uses less water in production, and creates a more durable finish. Setup uses a center swivel connector and snap attachments for fast and easy pitching.
What's the interior headroom like?
Peak height is 39".
Is there a recommended maximum user height?
It really depends on your seated height. The Free has a 39" peak, so as long as your seated height stays under that, you'll be comfortable. We'd recommend a max height of 6'2". Taller campers, say 6'4" and up, especially on an inflated sleeping pad, will likely find their head touching the ceiling.
How does The Free perform in storms?
Factory-taped seams, ClearSkies™ fabric with 4,000mm+ water resistance, double tie-back points on the fly, and six included aluminum stakes give you a reliable setup in serious weather.
What's the difference between trail weight and total weight?
Trail weight (29.8oz) includes the fly, tent body, and poles. Total weight (32.6oz) adds stakes, stuff sack, and pole bag. Both figures are listed so you can plan accurately.
Is The Free easy to set up?
Yes. The DAC pole set uses a center swivel connector and snap attachments, and color-coded aluminum foot pieces at all four corners make setup intuitive.
What is ClearSkies™ fabric?
ClearSkies™ is Gossamer Gear's custom shelter fabric: It combines 15D PFAS-free recycled Robic nylon with a 20D dope-dyed ripstop grid for exceptional durability, UV stability, and tear resistance at its weight. An advanced silicone and PU coating (1200 mm) fully seals the fabric and creates an extremely hydrophobic surface that shakes off morning dew with ease. This formulation also delivers a hydrostatic head rating of 4,923 mm—surpassing the average water resistance of a three-season tent and nearly matching the 5,000 mm standard of heavy-duty mountaineering shelters. It provides 2.35 times the water resistance of previous Gossamer Gear iterations while maintaining the same ultralight weight.
What's included with The Free?
Six aluminum stakes, guylines, one pole repair section, color-coded aluminum foot pieces, a stuff sack, and a pole bag.
An order containing multiple items with different shipping times will by default ship on the timeframe of the slowest item, however, Gearshop reserves the right to split ship orders where we feel it is required.
Shipped goods will be left at a place deemed suitable by couriers, typically at your front door. If you need to sign for the parcel, please indicate this in the delivery instructions when completing your order address.
Shipping Charges
All charges are in New Zealand Dollars.
New Zealand
Business and residential addresses
- Post Haste courier charge structures mean that it's cheapest to ship to non rural business addresses. Post Haste apply a surcharge for residential addresses - however, Gearshop currently absorb this cost.
- Free standard shipping on all non rural business and residential address orders over $149
- $8.99 standard shipping on non rural business and residential address orders under $149
Rural addresses
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A $7 surcharge applies to all NZ rural addresses. We cannot ship to PO Boxes or Private Bags
- $7 shipping for orders over $149
- $15.99 shipping for orders under $149
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A $10 surcharge applies to Chatham Islands and Waiheke Island addresses
- $10 shipping for orders over $149
- $18.99 shipping for orders under $149
Oversized and heavy items
- A shipping charge of up to $85 (North Island) or up to $95 (South Island) applies to each oversized or heavy item
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We cannot ship oversized or heavy items to Chatham Islands
International
- $34.99 shipping on all Australian orders
- We cannot ship oversized or heavy items internationally
- Note that international orders for footwear may or may not be shipped with original boxes, due to shipping volume restrictions
- Not sure if we ship to your country? Request a shipping quote and we'll confirm cost and availability before you order
Shipping Times
We aim to process and dispatch your order as fast as possible. While in most cases this will happen within 24-72 hours, it can take up to 5 business days, depending on what is ordered. In some cases, like during peak season and holiday periods, it may take longer. Shipping and processing times are a guide only, not a guarantee.
An order containing multiple items with different shipping times will by default ship on the timeframe of the slowest item, however, Gearshop reserves the right to split ship orders where we feel it is required.
After dispatch, delivery is normally overnight within the South Island and 1-3 business days within the North Island. Rural addresses could take up to an additional 2-4 business days. At this time, we do not offer urgent delivery as a standard freight option, however if you require your order urgently, please contact us before ordering to ensure that we can meet your delivery timeframe. We aim to deliver your order within the following timeframes:
New Zealand
- North Island: 3-7 business days
- North Island rural: 3-7 business days
- Waiheke Island: 4-8 business days
- South Island: 2-6 business days
- South Island rural: 2-6 business days
- Chatham Islands: 7-10 business days
- Oversized or heavy items: 5-7 business days to all NZ addresses (excluding Chatham islands)
International
Australia: 7–10 business days (metropolitan areas only).
Canada: 10 business days
Hong Kong: 10 business days
UK/Ireland: 10 business days
USA: 10 business days
Every now and then, life throws a curveball and deliveries might take a little longer. We're doing our best to get your goods to you ASAP. If you've got any questions about your order, just give us a shout.
We're actually pretty speedy most of the time. After dispatch, around 92% of our orders zoom to your door within 5 days. In the South Island 79% of those arrive in 2 days. And for the North Island 85% of orders make it in 5 days. We're always keeping a watchful eye on freight times to ensure the best experience for our customers. Watch this space for our full freight review.
Usually, your stuff should reach you within the expected time. However, no need to stress if it takes a little longer than 5 days, occasionally things don't go exactly to plan. If you need something super soon and it's less than 6 days before your desired delivery date, just chat with us before ordering.
Keep in mind, we can't give refunds for delays beyond our control or if you've ordered last-minute without letting us know. We're all about making things smooth, so drop us a line if you're unsure.
Kindly note that if a package happens to go missing, Gearshop won't be able to offer a replacement or refund if the courier can provide evidence of delivery. Important note: If you haven't received your order within 7 days of your Shipping Confirmation email, please let us know right away so that we can follow up with the courier. Due to courier policies, we are unable to accept claims for non delivery, loss or damage after 12 days from shipping.
For the latest updates on the Courier Network Status, please refer to the following links:
Click & Collect
We now offer Click & Collect as an option via our website, you can place your order and select to collect. In some cases your order may be available the same or next day, but that may not always be the case, so we will notify you by text message or email where possible, when your order is ready to be collected. this could be up to 48 hours after ordering. So try and include a cell phone number with your order. If you need something urgently, give us a call or email before placing the order, to make sure we have it available for you right away.
Payment & Security

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