Rooftop tents have been done to death in the overland community, becoming more like fashionable accessories adorning Instagram rigs than functional pieces of equipment used to facilitate adventure. It’s cool; we’ve dealt with our fair share of naysayers and kept trucking along to our next campsite. Who cares?
So, if you are looking for the perfect rooftop tent despite the noise, you have come to the right place. After two other rooftop tents (and several ground tents), we bought the Freespirit Recreation Evolution Series Hard Shell Rooftop Tent. Today, we’re sharing our initial impressions, reflecting on 30 nights spent in the tent, and giving you a thorough, good old-fashioned rooftop tent review.
If you prefer videos, we filmed a review of this tent for our YouTube and Rumble channels.
Without further adieu, let’s jump into why you should opt for a rooftop tent, what makes this tent great, and what Freespirit Recreation could improve.
GoFSR Evo Review
Over the years, Hanna and I have used a number of tents. We started with a little two-person ground tent from Kmart (yes, really), tried a Rightline Gear SUV Tent, used another ground tent from Walmart, then went through two rooftop tents before getting the Freespirit Recreation Evolution.
So, what led us to the Freespirit Recreation brand and the Evolution in particular?
First and foremost, the people at Freespirit were amazing when we visited their showroom in Bend, OR. We did not buy an ultra-expensive rooftop tent because we liked the people, but that was a welcomed bonus, especially since we like to try to form relationships with companies in the industry.
In addition, the quality of GoFSR’s products was obvious from the moment we first laid eyes on them. Most rooftop tents have a similar design and build quality because—surprise—they come from the same handful of manufacturers. Freespirit Recreation has an exclusive manufacturer, giving them more control over the design and quality of their products.
This leads us to the Evolution Series—it is unique. The dual pop-up design is creative and makes the most of a small footprint—something other hard shell rooftop tents struggle to do. To keep things succinct, we chose the Freespirit Recreation Evolution for the following reasons.
Hard Shell
No need to deal with cumbersome covers.
Slimmer profile.
Arguably more durable.
Easier to set up.
Unique Design
The dual strut design appealed to us.
It looks and performs differently than other hard shell rooftop tents because it sets up vertically while retaining a slim profile.
Features
Despite being a hard shell with a slim profile, we can leave our bedding in it. This is huge.
The tri-layer fabric makes it great for 4-season use, even in colder environments.
The weight to space ratio is appealing (170lbs).
We have been using the Evolution since June of 2021. As of the new year, we have spent around 30 nights in the tent, giving us a pretty clear picture of where the tent excels and where it falls a little short. Overall, it is the best tent we have ever owned, but that does not mean it is without its flaws.
Freespirit Recreation Evolution Series Pros
Quality
The quality is much higher than the previous rooftop tents we have used (from another major manufacturer).
Freespirit Recreation has its own manufacturer, giving them greater control over design and quality than most competitors.
Roominess
The Evolution is very roomy thanks to the vertical pop-up design (as opposed to the wedge shape many hard-shell tents use).
Being able to sit up in a rooftop tent is very underrated.
Attention to Detail
Plenty of ventilation thanks to thoughtfully placed windows and vents.
Tri-layer fabric regulates temperature better than standard tent canvas.
Small touches like interior pockets and an LED lighting strip make everyday living more comfortable.
The exterior is all aluminum T-Track, making the addition of accessories (like awnings) simple.
The blank aluminum top reflects the sun, keeps the temperature down, and makes it easy to mount a solar panel or wrap the top of the tent.
Setup
Struts easily lift the tent. Very little physical effort is involved.
No need for spring rods or anything of the sort.
Bedding Storage
Most tents this thin (9”) do not allow you to leave more than a sleeping bag inside. With the Evo, we can leave multiple blankets, pillows, and so on inside at all times.
This is all thanks to the extra space provided by the dual-pop-up design.
We no longer have to carry bedding between the truck and tent, get stuff dirty, and eat into our limited storage space.
Waterproof
The bottom of the tent is waterproof fabric, shedding weight and keeping everything dry.
The mattress cover is waterproof making it easy to clean.
Freespirit Recreation Evolution Series Cons
Mattress
The mattress is a little hard.
It is not uncomfortable, but it could be better. After a handful of consecutive nights, you can definitely tell.
Inclement Weather
The lack of window and door awnings is convenient but leaves few options in inclement weather.
If it is raining (or snowing), you cannot get in and out of the tent or have the windows open without being exposed to the elements.
The overhang of the shell helps if there’s just a drizzle, but when it’s real rain or a bit windy, you’re getting wet.
The Ladder
The ladder and attachment system seem like afterthoughts, which is not acceptable for a tent this expensive.
It interferes with the bottom portion of the door zipper, which is extremely frustrating, especially at night.
It moves and clunks around unless the vehicle is perfectly level and the ladder is precisely placed.
This is by far our biggest complaint.
Common Questions
The bottom of the tent is not solid. Does water get in?
No. The fabric is completely waterproof. We have pressure washed it many times with no issues.
Do you have condensation problems?
No. We had severe moisture issues in our previous tent. Like, really bad. We have had ZERO condensation in this tent, even when camping in funky environments.
What would you change?
Freespirit recently updated this tent and corrected some of the minor problems with the design, including things we would have changed.
They changed the ladder and how it connects (thank goodness).
They replaced the rubber latches with metal ones. We don’t mind the rubber latches, but apparently, some people did.
The metal latches now have joints, making them much easier to use.
They added a vent to the ceiling, giving you even more circulation, especially when the windows are shut.
The entire tent, including the top, is now black. The top also features Freespirit Recreation’s logo. We are not big fans of this decision, but it’s minor.
How many people can fit in it?
Two adults and a child/dog. We are both decent-sized people (5’9” and 5’11”), and we fit with plenty of room to spare. We typically have jackets, water bottles, and more tucked up there with us.
Our Verdict
We love our first-generation Freespirit Recreation Evolution Series Hard Shell Rooftop Tent. With the changes they have made to the design, which we have seen in person, this really is one of the best options we have seen on the market. While we’re not experts by any stretch of the imagination, this is our third rooftop tent, and we have been in and around several others.
We plan to continue using this tent extensively, so if anything changes about our experience, we will be sure to update you. In the meantime, we highly recommend the Evo from Freespirit Recreation. If you enjoy visual aids, be sure to check out our video review of this rooftop tent on YouTube and Rumble.
Now, get out there and explore!
