Thread: swags - are they any good

Originally Posted by HPLP

Ive just bought one of these for my time in NZ. Have you any suggestions/comments for when I use it?

H

Search aorund for hammock forums (yep, they exist!) and websites such as The Ultimate Hang | Hammock camping tips, reviews, and illustrations

Little more info in here http://www.aulro.com/afvb/camping-tu...y-hammock.html also.

Plenty more info than I could ever offer. Only thing I can tell you, is they have no insulation underneath, so if it's cool weather, you need to provide some.

Oh, and take it from me, make sure where you attach each end is nice and sturdy.

Thats great, thanks.

H

I did swag but never could get comfy on the mattress, bought a oztent stretcher
Tent 2 years ago and have not looked back best purchase for my solo travels and
I'm sleeping as well as in the camper trailer in it.

Set up and packed in in 3 minutes and much smaller packed then a swag.

I still use a self inflatable thin one for summer 10cm one for winter

I now use a "Mr Swagman" bikers swag, it rolls up to around half the size of a full swag and I am about to replace the thin foam mattress with a good quality self inflating mattress.

For a bit of extra comfort, I roll it out on a stretcher, means I am up of the ground and no lumps under your bed.

Bikers Swags - camping swag product for Bikers - Horse Swag - by Mr Swagman - Australian Camping and Gear - Bush Swags Bed rolls - Camping Bed - Campout Products

I am going to buy two more of the biker swags soon for the kids.

Nice and easy for the three of us to roll out swags under a tarp or the awning for a quick night camping.

I've got three swags, and I would recommend going for as thick a mattress as you can - my first swag I got nearly 20 years ago, and my son uses it now, it has a 50mm foam mattress and is the most comfortable of the lot. I have a double swag for me and the missus, oztrail is the brand I think, and whilst it is not too bad, the mattress is a little thin, about 15mm. Bought a cheap single swag that rolls up quite small, but only had a thin 5 mm foam mattress in it, which I must say didn't really cut it, so gave it to one of my other boys
Guess you have to weigh up how much room you are willing for it to take up, the thicker the mattress, the more room it takes. Definitely recommend getting one with a mozzie net on it - my first swag doesn't have it which is the only downside to it.

Originally Posted by d@rk51d3

Love my Saul.

Rugged and dead simple. Nothing to break on these things. Keep a seperate mozzie net for when you need it.

Another vote here for Saul swags.

I used a dome type for years before upgrading to the Saul swag. Further to what was said above, I find the Saul quicker and easier in all respects to the dome type.

Easier to set-up or pack-up.

Easier to get in or out.

Easier to adapt to the conditions - if it is warm, no problem, leave the flap open, if the temp drops, as it often does before dawn, or it starts to rain, simply reach across and pull the flap back over.

In cold conditions there is no large space with cold air above your bed, so you don't require as good a sleeping bag to keep warm.

The only downside I have found to having this simplicity is the need for a separate piece of insect netting if mozzies or midgies are about.

Also Hal Saul is great to deal with. Order by telephone or email, with your address details, within a few days, go to your local post office and hand over your $$$ in exchange for the goods.

Originally Posted by Ranga

Oh, and take it from me, make sure where you attach each end is nice and sturdy.

A double bowman's knot is easy to tie, secure and most important easy to untie in the morning.

talking of knots, a handy iPhone app is 3D knots. 80 odd knots in the database including description of use. It categorises the knots into sailing, climbing, scouts etc. Has an animator for the tie sequence which can be sped up or slowed down.

Hammock camping, from my reading of those forums, is similar to the lunacy that consumes road cyclists aiming for the minimalist of weight. they are all a bit touched in the head, in a nice way.

MLD

IF ya don't know how to tie knots, tie lots
2nd the iphone app - had it for years
Lucky ya missed that last trip eh Mark?