Which Swag style

We spent weekend at Sheepyard flat near Mansfield and about 3pm it started to rain and it did not stop , even a little bit, till 7am next day.

Some tenters ended up sleeping on water beds etc

I'm in no doubt that the high dome combined with a strong PVC base which comes up the sides a little such that in can sit in water is mandatory.

One person without a dome , but had a tarp cover , kept most water off but internal humidity cused him to get almost as wet.

Boobook,

This is may setup which I have used for many years and works well for me.
I previously had the old stile swag but got sick of insects and other nasty's crawling in. On the stretcher it's easy to sit down and roll in, even after a few reds. ;)

Early morning @ North Pool on the CSR:

Hullo Boobook
You might like to have a look at www.mrswagman.com - he makes a swag that combines the 2 concepts and is flexible wrt setup - can use it flat or with a ridge.
Have one myself (Classic). 210cm x 80cm; 60cm high at head, 36cm at foot with insect mesh both ends.
No affiliation.
Cheers
Andrew

after spending many years in a swag as a tour guide,i found the best and quickest simple setup
- a traditional type swag that has a tarp and a mozzie/midgee net rolled up with it (net fits an old sleeping bag cover)
this way you get the best of all worlds, a tarp to put your swag on that can also fold over you if it unexpectedly rains
-if it is already raining ,can set it up as a cover
-the mozzie net i have an occy strap attached to the top that you can hook to the bullbar mirror, window or tree what ever you can find, then just tuck it in around you under the edges of the swag,..if you dont like the creepy crawlees this work perfect , i only use this when there are mozzies or midgees around,but it may help you feel at ease if your not used to a swag
-best to get a queen size hoop style net,gives you tons of room and the net doesnt touch you(about $25-$30)also good to get some chemspray home pest control concentrate(BIG W )permethrin about $10,soak the net in this stuff and let it dry out,bugs then dont want to to come near the net,it is 100% safe and non toxic if used as per directions,we learnt and used this in africa to keep the malaria mozzies away,works a treat and still use it today
this setup takes about 1 minute to do ,youll have finished a few beers off by the time your friends are set up
-i took my father and father in law on a desert trip ,both 78 years old and they used and loved this set up ,they hate setting up and breaking camp as much as me ,they now reckon if your going to have a dome style swag you may as well have a tent because they take as long to set up
i know all dome swag lovers will strongly disagree with these views,but each to their own ,i spend about 8 months of the year in a swag and i love it

Boobook

In the other thread I mention I have a Saul Swag traditional type. I did not mention that I also got the optional insect screen that I find handy, mainly in warmer areas.

I used my swag at minus 9.3 once with a sleeping bag and it was good. With blankets only, it is a bit cool below minus 5. It has been used many times at around minus 5 to minus 7. It is a bit intimidating when it has frost on it before you get in it. :)

I found no problem with "keeping the swag high off you". One of the advantages of the traditional type is you have a lot of flexibility with how the canvas is arranged and this makes it suitable for a lot of temperatures and rain or no rain. The canvas can be domed into self supporting shapes. Very versatile. Several times I have been in the tent during heavy downpours and many times in drizzling rain. No problem! It is a bit tricky if it is raining heavily when you are trying to get in it. Of course a tarp or bit of shelter will fix that.

Mostly I use the swag straight on the ground. Sometimes put a tarp under it. Sometimes use it on the tray of the cruiser. I would not bother with a camp stretcher but that is just me.

On something as personal as choice of a swag I think you have to make your own call and be prepared to try again if you are not happy with the first choice. It took me about six weeks solid to learn enough about the swag to get the best out of it. A bushie mate of mine goes for a dome or mini tent type. I come more from an urban background and prefer the traditional. Personal choice!

Nothing like being in the swag looking up at the stars on a dark desert night.

Flynnie

Dome style I think is a little more versatile, plus keeps out the crawlies better. Camped by the sthn Darling last year in a 'standard' flold-over swag and had ants crawling over me during the night. Didn't bite thank heavens but annoying enough to wake me up a few times.

On the swags subject which is better and why ? The canvas floor or pvc type ? Thanks

Just an update re Swags ..............ended up going with the Burke & Wills Redgum at a great price from Wild Earth. One does need to shop around as the price varied from $550 for the single 800 wide to the XL single 1100 wide that I ended up getting for $520 postage included.
Cheers and happy trails.
Merry X-mas