swags - are they any good

**cols110** · 17th April 2017, 04:31 AM

It's been a long time since this thread has been updated & I thought an update was due.

I had a look at the Southern Cross in Perth and whilst it was very nice I couldn't justify the money when for around 1K it didn't even come with a bag.

I ended up with a Travelander Swagit which was around 1/2 the price & seemed to be of a similar quality and was better appointed with a nice bag & fly sheet.

I have been using it now for around 2-3 years and love it. I normally use it with my lad who is now 7, if I camp by myself I revert back to my old single swag & stretcher.

As I live in Dubai it hasn't seen a lot of rain but the couple of times it has rained it stayed perfectly dry.

Size is an issue especially when you leave your bedding in, but it just fits across the back seat of my G Wagon and weighs are 20kg. So whilst it isn't small or light it is manageable and works a treat for our use.

I also have a roof tent which is my heavier and takes around the same time to set and pack up, so when you compare the 2 the swag is around 30kg lighter and I have the flexibility of where I load it, either in the back or on the roof. Apart from a little less roof height compared to the RTT they are very similar. If I was regularly camping in rocky areas or very wet areas I would prefer my RRT but otherwise I much prefer the double swag.

I would happily recommend the Travelander Swagit to anyone as very good value for money.

**weeds** · 17th April 2017, 05:45 AM

I dragged the swags out for a last minute overnighter last night.......wouldn't trust any of ours in the rain. I made one, three cost $50ea new and the Double was second hand and is probably 10+ years old. The Double might be alright in light rain.

Daughter and son still tucked up in theirs.

**Slunnie** · 17th April 2017, 08:01 AM

My trusty old swag isn't trustworthy in the rain anymore and the foam roll is now permanently compressed. This this was bloody expensive when I bought it.

I bought a King Big Daddy swag, and without having used it yet, I have to say that I am just so incredibly impressed with it. King products might be cheap, but assuming this thing doesn't leak, it most certainly doesn't present as a cheap swag in the slightest when it's in front of you. And it doesn't sit on top of you which also annoys me and my feather down bedding.

**ozscott** · 17th April 2017, 03:43 PM

After trying quite a few different things I settled on a Coleman Instant up Gold Series (heavier duty) and alloy cot with 3cm matters self inflator. The tent is extremely quick to effect and pull down and the cot set up is so much better than even a 10cm self inflator on the ground. Cheers

**trout1105** · 17th April 2017, 04:08 PM

I also bought a Kings Double swag and slept in it for 10 days on the last fishing trip.
It rained and it blew up to about 30kts on occasion and I didn't get wet or blown away.
I had a super comfortable sleep every night with heaps of room and NO sandflies or mozzies to worry me either.
I am 63 with a "Gammy" left arm/hand and even I could put this swag up in a couple of minuets, Rolling it up was a bit of a bother but my young bloke gave me a hand as it is easier with 2 people to roll up a 1.5m wide swag.
It cost me less that $200 and I was thinking that if I get one or two trips out of it I would be happy enough, However I think this swag will last me a few years now after using it and seeing just how good and robust it is.
Cheap as chips and fit for purpose, Ticks all the right boxes as far as I am concerned

swag.jpg

DiscoMick · 17th April 2017, 06:56 PM

I've graduated to using a stretcher to get off the wet and cold ground.

**trout1105** · 17th April 2017, 07:48 PM

I have graduated to Not going anywhere that it is wet and cold

**Ranga** · 17th April 2017, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

to get off the wet and cold ground.

One of the reasons I love my Hennessy Hammock and sleeping bag (at the size of 2 loaves of bread when packed up)

**Vern** · 17th April 2017, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Ranga

One of the reasons I love my Hennessy Hammock and sleeping bag (at the size of 2 loaves of bread when packed up)

What if you have nothing to tie it too?

**trout1105** · 17th April 2017, 09:49 PM

To use a swag, hammock, stretcher bed and any other type of sleeping arrangements is pretty much all about personal choice when camping.
As long as you can get a good nights sleep it really doesn't matter which you choose as long as you are happy with the set up, All is good

I personally like the swag idea because of the ease/speed of setting it up and packing it away, Also if the weather is good then that's all you will have to set up as far as your sleeping arrangements go.
They are particularly useful for those one night stop overs, If camping up for a few days then adding a stretcher to the mix as well is a fantastic idea.

I just like the idea of pulling out the awning, setting up my small table to cook and eat off and rolling out the swag.
This way my overnight camp is set up in about 10 min and I am sitting down with a nice cold beer enjoying the view

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