Swag "Groundsheet" ?

Maybe some shade cloth. Or, i think i'd read somewhere here about using a thin foam camping matress also...

Glad to hear you managed to get away Shaker - I still haven't! But this Thursday I shall :)

I used to use a small tarp but had the same problem as you so I've just been putting the swag on the ground and brushing any mud etc off when I roll it up. The base has stayed pretty clean and there is no water ingress, mine is all canvas too.

Mike Harding

My swag is all canvas too I always put down an 8x4 poly tarp to lay my swag on and I always rig up another tarp as a fly to prevent dew rain etc I spent about 3 months in my swag last year so important to keep them clean and dry. I have a 50m high density foam matress and a down sleeping bag and pillow that roll up in my swag, bit bulky but very comfortable. Cheers Rob

Hi Shaker,
We have always used a canvas tarp, but the only problem is when it is wet, you get pools of water on the tarp. Our last desert trip we tried shade cloth.

Works like a charm. Canvas swag still stays dry underneath, and sand drops straight through. We even had rain one night, swag damp on top, and completely dry underneath. Next morning, a quick flick of the shade cloth and all or most of the sand removed.

We will not bother with the canvas tarp again, also the shade cloth is about a quarter the weight.

Cheers

Stephen

I have never found the need to put anything under the swag.

If water has seeped underneath, we've never noticed it. Maybe we're just lucky.

Use nothing, thats why there made of canvas and the mattress is inside. You will learn to read the ground and pick agood spot.
if it looks like its gunna rain, put mat of grass, follage on ground first, helps water run underneath. Imagine the stockman throwing his swag on the ground and sayinfg Whoops, forgot to put my ground sheet down first.

I always put a billabong rug underneath mine, folded in two so that it is all under the swag, gives me a warmer night sleep I reckon. Also when its likely to pour rain I try and set up something to keep the rain off.

Of course what I really prefer under my swag is a 8" inner-spring mattress and the floor of a 5 star hotel. Of course if they are offering a roof with that floor I graciously accept that too.

Will have to try the shadecloth

Hi

We have a double swag and put the interlocking rubber flooring
that you can buy 4 for $20 from any camping or outdoor store.
We use 8 and that gives a little at each end, saves your knees
when rolling up the swag. Also keeps the moisture and cold
off the bottom of the swag and no cleaning when rolling up.