Thread: Swag or tent??

I am a recent convert to swags after years of motorcycle touring and backpack type camping. I used a small tent, self inflating mattress and down sleeping bag that all squeezes down very small. I bought a swag for the times I am driving late at night and can't keep going and just got a cheepie at a camping show.

I never actually got a good nights sleep before on the self inflating mattress or the hard foam roll before it, but the swag has a proper fifty millimetre foam mattress and I sleep soundly in it. Last time I even used the swag inside the dome tent and the sloping ground which would normally have had me sliding down to the bottom of the tent did not cause problems at all.

Use the swag all the time? No. Good nights sleep? Yes.

Jeff

Advailible in canvass or nylon
eBay - EPE Speedy SAHARA 3 Person CANVAS 2 Second Pop up tent, Similar items search

Personally I was converted to hammocking some years back. Hammock, tarp & mossie mesh can be made to fit in the top pocket of my rucksack.
I originally thought they were just a bushcraft fashion, but soon realised the major advantage of not having to find & clear a suitable spot to pitch a tent.
You can add extras like tree protectors (flat bands do less damage to the tree than rope does, as a generalisation) underslung quilts, mattresses or a reindeer hide for winter use ( the drawback of a hammock - insufficient insulation at low temperatures) all as required.
Once you get your hammock system set up as you like it, add a set of 'snake skins' & you'll be setting up & breaking down in about 2 minutes with a little practice.

Admittedly, here in Qld. you do have much greater challenges with 'widow maker' trees than in the UK. However, since most of us on this forum are car camping, not hiking, it's not too difficult to avoid by slinging between vehicles etc.
Last time I used my hammock, I slung it up in a mate's smithy. Much quicker than finding 2 suitable trees on his property!

I agree with Jeff, a good swag is hard to beat for a top nights sleep. The saying about 'Snug as a bug in a rug' springs to mind.

cheers,
Terry

Mate, you are a Yorkie and from Europe, swags are Aussie things that I never have got used to. They might work well in the outback, no arguments, but I have yet to see one that is

• adequately water proof
• roomy enough to stay in a whole day when the weather is crap
• light enough to carry when backpacking

Of course it depends on your purpose, having it in the truck and sleeping in it when going outback a swag may well fit your bill. However, when going on a hike, encountering more varied weather in different places, maybe having to wait out a storm or whatever you may be happy to have something more substantial to stay in.
I personally use tents, a Hilleberg for two people, which weighs less than 3kg and is spacious enough to stay and live in there for even several days (I once weathered out a very wet weekend in the Cairngorms in it) and a Fjällräven that sleeps four (when taking the family on an adventure) and weighs in at about 4kg. Those tents will stand serious weather, I can tell you from my own experience and don't take up much space in your truck. A self inflatable mattress and decent sleeping bag will get you going. If you have plenty of space, a thicker mattress can always be carried, but that will be more difficult when hiking or canoeing, of course.
I yet have to find a swag that allows me to do all these things.
As with anything, you get what you pay for. A "bargain" tent/swag from the five'n'dime or similar low priced outlets will not give you similar performance, satisfaction and piece of mind as a quality product. In my opinion, a good tent is a prerequisite for any successful trip. Getting soaked or having to readjust guy lines every night will spoil the adventure for even the most die-hard traveler.
Cheers

roof top tent, cumfy pillow, sleeping bag which opens to form doona-type covering, invalide's screw top "pee" bottle (from pharmacy - no need to climb down ladder for midnight slash ) too old to sleep on the ground anymore!

Last year we saw a family of 5 who had a clever setup: each had a swag. Swags were arranged like spokes on a wheel with heads towards the centre. Low level gazebo provided adequate shelter for each swag to about 2/3 its length! The speed and efficiency with which they set up/pulled down was impressive..."well drilled" comes to mind!

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

When Im travelling with my Defer the Roof Tent is always the go. This "new accomodation" is for when I go-along with others, ie. dont have my car with me.

At the moment Im tending to lean towards a swag with 2 poles (one at the head end, another at the foot end). The main reason for this approach rather than a cheap small nylon/polyester tent is durability, puncture resistance on small stones etc etc. I would hope it would breather better too.

So, with pole type swag in mind, what's a good make?

I suspect the Bourke & Wills ones are towards the top end of the quality and price range and perhaps overkill for my needs, then again, the ones in Anoconda are much cheaper but dont look great where the pole ends come to rest aginst the canvas.

Can someone recommend some good, available makers please.

Thx.
Jon

Jon I got my OZ-Trail Mitchell from eBay for around $150 delivered, it has 3 poles, 1 each end one in the middle, very comfy, Regards Frank.