First Swag Purchase - what should I get

[Colly18]

"tent or swag?" The way I figure it is if you roll it out it's a swag, if you have to pitch it it's a tent!
Many words of truth have been outlined in this discussion. Particularly, that swags are not a light and compact option (even more so if you add a good quality self-inflating mattress into the package); no sleeping option is perfect; and we all tend to justify what we like. It is clear that what works for one person/couple may not work for another. We love swagging it and with an old style double swag we purchased over 20 years ago have enjoyed hundreds of nights under the stars (when the weather is fine). An elastic sided mozzie net is a quick fit addition when required. Then we carry/use a quick erect (cheap K-Mart or Big W) dome tent to use if the weather is foul or we require privacy in a busy campsite/park. It only takes a couple minutes to erect or pack up and you simply roll out the swag inside. And these days we even carry a self-inflating double mattress, although we don't use it all the time (sort of depends on how hard or cold the ground is). It all takes up space though! As has been said by some it's different options for different situations and experiences sought. Laying on your back in a swag watching the stars overhead is a genuine camping experience, particularly when a dingo wakes you at night as it walks across the lower half of the swag .

 

[Les PK Ranger]

with an old style double swag we purchased over 20 years ago

This is what I use on the rarer trips the wife comes with me.
It's 1400 wide, and fits in a Malamoo 3 man / 3 second tent perfectly, with room for a clothes duffle bag down each side (clothing, torch, etc).
So the tent is probably a minute to throw out and peg down, unroll the swag inside, and you're right to go for a couple.

That's a good tent for the purpose, privacy and quite good wet weather performance, good ventilation too.

No stretcher/s for that extra comfort, but the double Dune SIM on top of the std fabric covered foam mattress makes it quite bearable on the ground . . . after all, we just have to get into it once at night, and up next morning, then break camp and move on.

 

[itlldoo]

particularly when a dingo wakes you at night as it walks across the lower half of the swag

or cocks his leg on the foot end. which was a Fraser Island experience for me, lol...

 

[cam04]

or cocks his leg on the foot end. which was a Fraser Island experience for me, lol...

I had one sniff my face and maybe have a sly lick on the Coulson Line in the Simpson. Lucky I'd had a few, I reckon my breath scared him haha. Another very good reason to get a sleeping device that you can keep your head inside rather than my old ultima.

 

[Colly18]

I had one sniff my face and maybe have a sly lick on the Coulson Line in the Simpson. Lucky I'd had a few, I reckon my breath scared him haha. Another very good reason to get a sleeping device that you can keep your head inside rather than my old ultima.

But then you would miss the experience and not be able to spin the yarn
We've also had a herd of camels pass by just a few metres away, one evening near Henbury Meteorite Craters, as we were camped next to a path they decided they just had to use that night. Then there were rampaging donkeys at Whistle Duck Creek, Davenport Ranges (again just a few metres away). And a brumby that got most agitated (just north of Lawn Hill N.P.) when he discovered a double swag and LandCruiser across a track he thought was all his. All memorable camping experiences that just wouldn't have been the same from inside a tent or camper trailer.

 

[Swaggie]

Ahh that's good to hear about Kulkyne. My mate has the homestead swag. It comes with its own stretcher bed and is a bit of a PITA to set up, particularly one night stays. So much so, my mate now uses a standard stretcher bed for it and it sits on top. That works well. Maybe I might have to grab one now they have resurfaced??

https://www.kulkyne.com.au/single-homestead-swag.html


I don't get the tent comments.....My swag is far easier than any quick pitch tent....(add a minute or two more for the stretcher). Roll her out, insert the ally hoops each end and connect the center pole. Bed done.

No rooting around with getting mattresses inflated, bedding out the car etc, deflating that mattress in the morning, putting the bedding back into the car and so forth. Best of all, the swag all rolls up into one neat package. The disadvantage over a tent is that its a 450 dia roll x 900 long. So you are limited storage wise compared to single items as such when you use a tent.

3 quick erect poles, easy as. I find it a hard call to call it a tent.

Hi
Yeah I agree, used to watch a mate try and build his setup, waiting for the, can you give me a hand mate. Shit design...

Mine just rolls off the roof rack with 3 pillows, Doona all inside. I have an Awning also, I don't always use it but what I do do without failure is place a tarp under the swag. Just too look after the base, also if it rains you can put half the tarp back over the swag if needed to give it a break from the hard rain....

I also have a double Burke n Wills Swag with all the bedding etc If the girlfriend decides to stay at home, it's just too hard to roll up by yourself.
That's why I bought the Kulkyne King Swag. I can roll it up myself etc.... Anything over that its going to be a struggle, sure you can put your bedding elsewhere but imh it defeats the purpose of just rolling it out and in 5 minutes your ready for a comfortable sleep... If it's not all together you tend to forget stuff like pillows

Humans being humans we are all different, have different likes or dislikes.... That's why it's great catching up with different members and seeing what they have and collecting different ideas....

 

[sharkcaver]

Humans being humans we are all different, have different likes or dislikes.... That's why it's great catching up with different members and seeing what they have and collecting different ideas....

That is so true. Observing tried and proven tricks and gear from others is invaluable.....It saves you making the same mistakes.

 

[Barra GU]

Hi Guys and girls,
After 20 years in my single dome darche swag its come time to buy a new one...

One would think this is a very exciting time for some but for me I'm kind of dredding it....

You see in the 20 years ive owned ot i honestly can only say ive had 1 night of bad sleep and that wasn't potentially due to a hng hungover... the old girl is so good i fear nothing i buy now will match her comfort and warmth...

The 2 biggest key points are as mentioned COMFORT & WARMTH

These days i like the look of those swags that a huge but think that they wouldnt be too good retaining warmth as theres so much air to warm up inside the swag and you're also heavily relying on a good sleeping bag which i have never slept in.

I tend to take a sheet for the bottom, one of those 80's style "wog blankets" youd find at the old nonna's house with the lion head imprinted on it and an old trusty doona.

That combo, in a single dome pole set up has been awesome...


My question to you all is what did you find was great? And have you regretted not buying anything else...

This has been the one im looking at
Cheers


https://outfitters.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=213

 

[Swaggie]

Hi Guys and girls,
After 20 years in my single dome darche swag its come time to buy a new one...

One would think this is a very exciting time for some but for me I'm kind of dredding it....

You see in the 20 years ive owned ot i honestly can only say ive had 1 night of bad sleep and that wasn't potentially due to a hng hungover... the old girl is so good i fear nothing i buy now will match her comfort and warmth...

The 2 biggest key points are as mentioned COMFORT & WARMTH

These days i like the look of those swags that a huge but think that they wouldnt be too good retaining warmth as theres so much air to warm up inside the swag and you're also heavily relying on a good sleeping bag which i have never slept in.

I tend to take a sheet for the bottom, one of those 80's style "wog blankets" youd find at the old nonna's house with the lion head imprinted on it and an old trusty doona.

That combo, in a single dome pole set up has been awesome...


My question to you all is what did you find was great? And have you regretted not buying anything else...

This has been the one im looking at
Cheers


https://outfitters.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=213

These guys stand by there products I have a Redgum Double ..

A 50mm mattress is in the light side, prefer a 70mm.I bought the Dunlop Egg Cup topper for it.

I also have a Kulkyne swag which is good gear also..

 

[dno67]

They do make good gear, l've got a few of there ironbark swags. Swapped the mattress for a good self inflator and use a cotton swag bag for bedding. Ive found its warmer to sleep in, completely unclothed (jocks only) than wearing even a T shirt.

 

[darb]

I used to be pretty anti "tent swags" (twag? Swent?), and only liked traditional swags, often inside tents. No longer open air sleeper after a serious and ongoing bout with Ross River Virus (Plus on bachelor trips I have some pretty scaly mates). Anyway, now own a couple of the Darche Dirty Dee 1400's ... one for myself & son, and one for the wife & daughter. Usually it's just the son & I on the shorter exploration trips, so I still take both these days and we each get a big bed! (he rolls like a crocodile in his sleep so I am grateful for the room).

I know the simple swaggers will baulk, but that's cool, I'll take it onboard as I stretch out! On Longer trips we use Murchison River Traditionals inside an RV for the wife & daughter, while the son and I claim a Dirty Dee each.

Best thing I like about the DD's is that there's versatile options for entry, either big side doors, or the small door at end which is what we mainly use ... if its windy / dusty, or sleeping beauty has her head up the other end, the inside remains protected when getting in and out - less sand on your bedding, etc. Square roof that stays intact even when opening doors or windows, and freestanding. Good in wind.
Extremely fast to setup / pack away, takes me longer choosing where to put it (and guarantee the bloody wind direction campfire smoke changes to wherever I've decided anyway). We keep the poles in the sleeves when rolling up, doona and mattress stay in.

I don't like swags that sag, or that drop the roof contents "into" the swag interior when you open a door. Hence the box design is the winner for me.

I sleep better in my swag than I do at home usually!

Have done a few trips in very heavy rain - and they didn't miss a beat. Any questions hit me up.

Paid around $450 from memory.

 

[darb]

ps the 50mm stock mattresses are lacking in Darche. I use a rubber doubled over liner to help.

The trouble with matressesses is their cost... a proper 70mm thick HD quality sleeping foam in queen size, will cost many hindreds of dollars , nearly as much as the swag! I'm still toying with upgrading to 70mm in mine (not so much issue for the 20kg kids or 45kg wife, but i def feel the ground sometimes).

 

[Barra GU]

They do make good gear, l've got a few of there ironbark swags. Swapped the mattress for a good self inflator and use a cotton swag bag for bedding. Ive found its warmer to sleep in, completely unclothed (jocks only) than wearing even a T shirt.

Thats pretty much how i sleep even in winter.
Never really slept in sleeping bags as i prefer to dress the swag as though i'm at home so blankets are sufficient enough.

We tend to do a bit of camping through winter and even do the odd camp during the snow so it's not odd for us to wake up with the swag covered in snow after a good down pour.

I actually have a dune mat self inflating mattress that i bought for my 4 man pop up tent (yes thats a 4 man pop up) which i bought for when i go camping with the cheese and kisses so i may be able to use that in the new swag when i get one.

Question for you though what is a cotton bag swag ? You mean you actually sleep in the bag you store the swag in when its rolled up?

 

[Barra GU]

These guys stand by there products I have a Redgum Double ..

A 50mm mattress is in the light side, prefer a 70mm.I bought the Dunlop Egg Cup topper for it.

I also have a Kulkyne swag which is good gear also..

Yeah i think this one will be the winner
I prefer the traditional style.

I love the bigger ones but my only concern is retaining the heat.

If any of you have camped in the snow you'll get what i mean if i had b0obs they'd freeze off

 

[Swaggie]

Yeah i think this one will be the winner
I prefer the traditional style.

I love the bigger ones but my only concern is retaining the heat.

If any of you have camped in the snow you'll get what i mean if i had b0obs they'd freeze off

I actually had trouble with my Redgum leaking. Also water would come in under the top flap (not enough material), anyway they seam sealed the affected areas and added more material plus extra Velcro to stop it flapping. I was quite impressed...

Your a better man than I mate camping in the snow, I'm getting too soft in my old age...

 

[dno67]

Thats pretty much how i sleep even in winter.


Question for you though what is a cotton bag swag ? You mean you actually sleep in the bag you store the swag in when its rolled up?

Swag bag, is a sleeping bag designed for use inside a swag. More like a doona with a zip up one side. Moat are available in -0° or -5° l leave mine inside my swag when rolled up just like a doona.

With the warmth, l think it relies on your body's heat to warm the trapped air within the swag. So if your dressed, you are effectively insulating the heat transfer.