Swags-Does it really matter?

I paid about $230 for mine a couple of years ago and have had many great sleeps in the outdoors. A couple of point to think about when buying your swag. The mattress depth is probably the main concern, you need to wake up in the morning without being stiff and sore (unless its a double swag). Mine has a dome at the head but not at the legs, if I got another it would have dome for the legs for sure. Inside pocket for keys etc. Tarp over head is good, but I don't use 1 as a rule. A ground sheet needs to be able to let water through, otherwise you could wake up in a puddle and possibly a wet swag.
Cheers
Wato35

Here's my "swag".

A $30 two man tent, into which I throw a mattress. If it's going to rain I chuck a $10 tarp over it.

Jim.

I live in Qld too but it was in NSW when i was sleeping not in something that an ant crawled in my ear and kept crawling for a whole 24 hours (spent the day banging my head against trees and submersing it in water) before he popped out on to my shoulder. I sleep in tents now, but a sway for $149 well I might be winging it to Aldi this weekend.

Hi
I don't know too much about swags, but I'd say you'd get what you pay for.
If you're going to be using it a lot, then spend the money. Else you could find yourself buying another one down the track. The cheaper ones could be prone to ripping and could have bad stitching. I'd probably go for a mid range one.
Personally I prefer the basic swags without all the fancy fly nets and attachements. Sure they could serve a purpose, but I'd say they're likely to give you problems too.
I have a swag with a flap that sits over my head, so if it's full moon (or even daylight) it's pitch black underneath. I find this flap not only useful for keeping the light out, but also flying insects as well.
My swag's a Lonely Trekker brand, which was given to me by a relative. I don't use a ground sheet, but mainly use it on the back of my ute anyway. It's a good swag.

After years of camping, I finally bought my first swag a few weeks ago and used it on a recent trip up round the Vic-NSW border. It was a great alternative and I used my normal self-inflating camp mattress with it instead of the provided foam one. It's a great alternative to the tent, is well made with good fly screens and cover and was $160 on special from Anaconda. I figure go the cheapy. I also carry a small two man tent if weather is that bad. Mind you if it looks like rain, a pub or motel is a better option anyway.

Always reckoned a simple piece of shade cloth is the best ground sheet( go the 90% shade stuff tho). Stops prickles, rolls up to nothing and if you get a piece slightly larger than your swag, it gives you something to stand on or put your gear on when getting in and out.

The swag was the Dune 4x4 from Anaconda. Normally $260 odd but often on special for half that.

Cheers,

Mick.

I bought an OzTrail "Mitchell" swag about three years ago, I paid $200 but I think they are now $250.

I do not use a tarp either underneath or on top. This swag has served me very well over countless nights, most of them in the Vic High Country where it has been subject every sort of weather from -5C to +45C and lots of rain including one trip of three weeks when I think it rained every night - never leaked a drop. The swag is still in perfect working order and I see no reason why it should not last for many years yet.

Keep in mind that swags are not for everyone - there is an element of claustrophobia about them for some people, me included but I'm used to it now and love my cosy swag :)

Mike Harding

Hi
One point I would like to raise is if you get a domed swag make sure it is sandfly screened with the real small mesh not the usual fly mesh

Greenant

hi esplanade
i use a swag most w/ends the dimensions of a good swag are one bum wide two bums high lol. the best swag i own is one that i had made it is a double one the local trucking canvas maker made up for me with a zipper all the way down the side i suplyed the canvas he made it. cost $50. also i always use a ground sheet "slept in sheep sheds on sheep sh..t"it took forever to get the smell of the swag also i always have a cover of some sort to go over me not only for rain but on dewy nights its a must hope this helps also you can buy a foam mattress from clarks rubber i use a 4" hight density king single cheers bill.

Well thanks for all the replies.
I went and had a look at the Aldi special.
It has midgie mesh along the top. So can be opened up to let it breath. Has a midgie mesh entrance as well.
The swag has x3 1/2 loops to make it a dome style. Would prefer no poles (these are f/glass) and just guy ropes. But I do like the fact it is of your bedroll.
The mattress is OK. But I think I would be using my Thermarest anyway.
The bottom is fairly thin. So I would use some shade cloth that I use on my other tents. Plus they help keep the bottom clean d and gives you somewhere to wipe your feet.
They are a double as well. The size is 215 x 110 x 85cm . So a fairly normal double size.
thanks once again
Regards

I guess each to his own and that applies to everything.

I have had 3 swags. First was dome type with no mesh and got eaten alive by the mozzies & it leaked. Next which I have used for some years until recently, a dome with mesh. Good quality, paid about $250, but leaked so had to use a tarp over the top it rained, it did not matter how much water proofing I put on it.

In May I purchased a Burke and Wills Redgum, (we now have a single and double of this model).

Recently spent the night out in freezing conditions and heavy rain over night, kept me warm and dry. Sure I paid for the privilege, but as I have learnt over the years, you pay for what you get.

A basic flat swag is too hot for me, I need the air circulating around me.

Swags

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Hope these pics help.

There is more to a good quality swag than just being waterproof.

A top quality swag will also have a top quality high density matress which will give a more comfortable sleep.
If you need to stuff another matress in the swag for comfort, you are virtually defeating one of the main purposes for a swag IMO.

Bill.

I've retired my swag and now use a self inflating mattress. Most of the times my swag was inside my tent and in the end the cold generated from the ground became too much.

I now use my SIM with my unrolled sleeping bag on top, inside my tourer tent for a great nights sleep. No claustrophobia, the ability to adjust the temperature by sticking a foot or two outside the sleeping bag (or wear beanie and thick socks) and have the comfort of 12 cms of self inflated foam that doesn't transmit the cold of the ground straight through to me.

The Esplanade,

As a seasoned swagger, I have a domed swag with a pole at one end and hoop at the other.
Asking what swag, is about the same as asking what car???
There are so many varied answers and only you know what you want and what your use will be.
From an experience point of view as previously reply's have stated, you get what you pay for. However, I always have a tarp over my swag. It keeps dew off, so in the morning you can roll it up dry. It also provides a rain cover so it doesn't get drenched while you climb in and out. I have 2 ties I tie off to the roof rack at back of the car and then just peg the end of the tarp to the ground. That way I can get stuff in and out the back dry and use the swag under cover. It is cheap, but very quick and effective.
Also I would highly recommend a self inflating mattress in there.
I also suggest a good quality woollen underlay.
The feeling of being cold in a sleeping bag actually comes from the ground. you can have layers of blankets on you and still be cold.
Stop the cold reaching your body with the insulation of a good underlay and you will sleep well. this of course can be aided with the poison of your choice. Cabernet Merlot does a nice job. for very cold weather however I would recommend Wild Turkey.
I'm starting to think my drinking club has a 4wd problem!!)

If you plan to give the swag a lot of use, spend the money. If its just occasional, take the risk.
Just my 2 cents worth
By the sound of it an Aldi swag with a tarp may suit you.

Last year I spent 3 and a half months in a Downunder swag. Have had it for 3 years and I love it. Took it to Wombeyan caves over the last long weekend and was the wettest weekend I have been camping in, in a very long time.
My head and pillow did get wet but that was because I left it outside the swag LOL........ The rest of me was dry and as warm as toast. love my swag and the ease of being able to be packed up in the morn in 5 mins when on a long road trip. there is a pic of mine in the rig page
Peter

Gday,
Ive got a few and have used then a fair bit......What do you want yours for? Its not rocket science.
If you go bush get a PVC bottom, get it made big enough ,get it made wide enough , get the matress thick enough so you can roll it small enough... BUT work out what you want it for.
Im sure someone will make one with a liitle flap to hide a microwave but what do you want it for??

Cheers