Swags

1. the hoop type are good, they often have a large mesh front so they're very open in warm weather and would be my pick if i bought a new one, i have a A frame type i.e. big pole at the head and little pole at the foot, has mesh at both ends and a zip down flap at the foot and large overhang at the head for bad weather, it gets a reasonable breeze through it and is a bit cheeper than hoop type.

2. double will fit 2 people but is bulky to carry round if you;re on your own.

3. a poly floor would be better i think just to stop it getting damp, it doesn't soak through but under side is often damp when packing up

4.don't know

5. they're all good in their own ways but make up your own mind, you want something with good ventilation but can also be sealed up in foul weather (mine still has ventilation in foul weather cos the head is just fly mesh)

simple

I like and use southern cross swags

Iam 6f 3" and 135 kg the wife and I fit nicely into a southern cross double.

The southern cross has a vinyl bottom and our down under has a canvas bottom under both I put a ground sheet that is slightly smaller than the base.

No sure what weight it is.

All the best
Eric

In Poly you will sweat then steam as it doesnt breathe. With heavy canvas it will be hard enough for it breathe, so dont make it any harder.
I've got a Jolly swag and its going strong. Another good one is AOS (Aussie outback Supplies)- both Aussie made. Get something with a thick mattress at the top half as it will thin a little with the years.
Dome ones are great for 40-degree nights- just keep the fly screen top open and they catch any breeze going through and are free to move around in.
Handy extras I have seen- A flap of canvas on the outside to throw over your boots to keep em out of your swag and keep the dew off them, and a pocket built into the swag to store your poles, pegs and rope for the dome ones (AOS). Try and avoid the top-entry ones if possible as they are a pain in the arse to get 2 people into and you spend 20 minutes undoing 4 zips before you can get out.

Hey Ads,

Definitely go for a dome with a top entry and ventilation at the head and feet. For value-for-money I reckon you can't go past the Oztrail Mitchell swag. It is domed, kingsize, heaps of ventilation, well thought out with plenty of smart features. I used to have a traditional swag (Jolly Swag Matilda Kingsize) and the Mitchell is much better. You can get them for $200 when on sale at Grangers or Discount Camping in SA. I also reckon the double swags are only 1 1/2 times as big as the kingsize singles. I reckon you'd be better off buying two for when you both go away.

Borrow mine for a weekend.

You can see if you like them or not, they arent for everyone.

You saw what it looks like.

Ultima gives you a coffin shape with two sides and top of mesh . Then a flap over that zips on for rain .

Tie one end to Bull bar and one to tree or use their triangular pole .

So far ahead of the rest it's a joke .

Willie

Go and talk to Ian at Southern Cross Canvas.
I have a double and a single for the young bloke, my daughter loves then also, so I am just about to get another double for the son and the daughter can have the single.

Use it all the time if touring double fits the girlfriend and myself no hassles, very very good.
link text

Dear Crazie
I have a Bourke & Wills " Stringybark ", and have use it heaps ,, they are great ,, a little expensive but well worth it,, never been wet inside it yet ,, even in the worst storms ,,

http://www.outfitters.com.au/html/coolabah___waratah.html

Only critisizm of it, is that in the Simpson Desert on those very cold nights ( -5 ), the centre of it sags, onto the sleeping bag ,,, now that is easily fixed
Just get the " coolabah or warratah " models and the problem is fixed ..I use an old sleeping bag I got fron St Vinnies for $5

Another hint ,, go to Clark Rubber, and get yourself a sheet water, proof hi density, foam rubber, and use it as a ground sheet ( and an extra mattress ) ,, you see I'm 17 stone on the old scale ,, and I find it really cosey, this way
Cheers Mate
Bucky

We bought Rays Outdoors 3 hoop 'Outback' swags for our Simpson trip, & found them to be excellent, 100% waterproof, even in torrential high country rains, comfortable Dunlop mattress, a couple of pockets inside for torch & water bottle etc, easy entry through the top, has end entry as well but I reckon it would very awkward, but excellent for ventilation.
We bought 2 singles, mainly because when I just go away on my own, I don't have to cart a double all the time. ( Also because I didn't want to get kicked out into the cold for snoring! )
I think from memory that we bought them in one of the 20% off sales & they were around $150.00 each.

G'day Ads, just my 2 cents worth, if its just for the odd overnighter, personally I wouldn't go too flash, save your money, buy a good all canvas single for yourself & get a double with the bells & whistles for when your missus makes the trip, as someone said earlier, a double is too bulky to take away by yourself and I totally agree so your looking at 2 swags anyway.
really, when your out on your own or with some mates, when all is said & done, all it is is somewhere to catch a bit of sleep.....
have a good one....

we have a double burke and wills coolabah and it great lot of ventilation if needed been in it in a storm in the kimberly (127mm) and not got wetcanves floors are better no condensation ours is 15oz rripestop not cheap but good quality you get what you pay for