Thread: Swag or Tent????

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

Ok chaps... 16 days left until I leave London for Darwin...

Once settled in and before Leeds and I head south I need to buy some accommodation!!

Whatever I get I want a good quality one and one that'll keep the creepy crawlies and mozzies out! I hope to leave it in the 110 (to get it home) and use it on future travels also...

So, should I buy a Tent or a Swag? Pro's and con's of each please.

Furthermore, given availability of tents/swags in Darwin (or immediate area) what would you recommend / where should I go to hand over some AU$?

Bit of an open ended, subjective question I know!

Thanks.
Jon

I have both.
If your old and decrepit like me and getting up off the ground in the morning is taking longer and longer, go for a Tent with a stretcher bed (fold up) and high enough to stand upright in. Make sure whether you get a tent or a swag that you get the really fine insect mesh (no see-um) as sandflies will get through Standard insect mesh.
I have an OZ-Trail Swag and it is great in cold areas, I have not used it in summer yet, but I would imagine they would be too warm in summer if it was raining, with the top cover zipped up.
I have a 6 man Dome style tent with 2M of inside height and it will comfortably take 2 stretcher beds and heaps of room left for gear.
If I am going to camp overnight I setup the swag, because it is easy and quick, if I plan to camp for a few days I will setup the Tent and stretcher bed/s, they pack up small enough to fit in the back of the Disco.
Some quick setup tents when packed up are about 2m long and wont fit inside and have to be carried on top.
I think my setup is good for me and it is less than half the price of some of these quick setup tents and takes up less room, hope this helps, Regards Frank.

If your not keen on a swag maybe something like an oztent for wet weather or longer stays. As its 2m long it needs to go on racks while your traveling but could be stored in the vehicle for the trip home, great thing is its quick to erect and can stand up to the weather.

If its dark and/or wet its a bit of a pain setting up some tents...not with the oztent

The 110 has no roofrack so fold up size is important.

I believe Leeds has 2 tents with him, a small one for overnighting and a bigger one for when he's in one place for a while or when Barbara is with him.

Primary needs then are small (carrying in back of 110) size, quick to erect and big enough (when in use) not to feel like a sardine. Must keep the little blighters out though!

Anyone in Darwin with knowledge of whats available?

I found the BCF store in Darwin, they seem to list on their website (ultimaswag.com) the ultimaswag and some others that I havent heard of. So far everything else seems to be outside of NT!

As for tents, wouldnt know whats a good or bad one for your climate!

Thanks
Jon

I've heard good reports about Black Wolf Turbo tents...there are several retailers in Darwin on their site that sell them. I'm sure you'll get a heap of replies from others once the sun is up here ;-)

throw tents are good if your by yourself as are swags.

in darwin its much of a muchness but as you go further south a swag will keep you warmer

tents are lighter per size than a swag but once youve set the tent up you have to then put your bedding and stuff inside of it...

ALDI is about to sell some good looking swags for under $150 and for that money I dont think you can go wrong.

Jon, when you get to Darwin check out NT General Store, great place for camping gear.

Up north you'll find the tent better if its wet and also with the heat as it is less confined, but down south the swag is fine.

I've just bought a Black Wolf Turbo 210 tent and will be using it this weekend for the first time. It is fairly bulky though, more so than a cheaper dome tent.

G'day. By the time you get to Darwin it will be the build up to the Wet season (they had 100mm rain yesterday). Sleeping in a swag is no fun in the pouring rain, even if you do put a tarp over the top.
Like Tank, we carry both swag and tent, although I think ours might be a bit too bulky for your limited space. Noramlly we swag under the stars but if it looks like wet weather we set up our centre pole canvas tent and put our swag (which is a bed roll with matresses, sleeping bags etc.) inside.

Even if you do get a tent you still need bedding of some sort. The bedding is an individual thing, some can sleep on a 1 mm foam mattress, and others need a camp stretcher with an air bed, depending on the condition of your back.

When you go to the likes of BCF you should have a huge range to choose from and will see the tents set up and packed up. But PLEASE make sure you get fine mesh on whatever you buy as the sandflies can make camping hell.

Good luck
Cheers

Hi
I agree with above comments - I have both a tent and swag too.
The swag is good for quick overnight stops and it's dry - but you need to try one first- if you're at all claustrophobic they're probably not for you.
I still think for tents the centre pole heavy canvas style is the best all rounder - quick set up, very durable and insect and waterproof, and pack down to a reasonable size. Look at brands like Southern Cross or Freedom Camping.
Get quality gear whatever you buy - that includes your sleeping bags and mattress too ( self inflating e.g. Thermarest are the best. ). You might pay a bit more but it'll be worth it in the long run.