Guys,
I sell wholesale as an agent for QLD company Campout Products have a very extensive range of product at www.swags.com.au ph: 07 3219 9246
prices very competive compared to many brands, they also do a slightly cheaper version of all types with a non canvas botton (Canvacom material) makes all models about 20% cheaper again and just as waterproof.
In my opinion if it has a small pole or hoop to keep off the body it ceases to be a swag and becomes a one man short tent, unless a double of course.
All the tents made at Campout that don't have hoops, have the ability by tying rope to the tabs at each end then becoming a small tent if you can't handle the weight of canvas on your body at night.
The company also manufactor insect screen that hang of tree to cover complete swag for extreme hot weather.
Also another excellant maker of swags are Hal Saul Swags, 667 Mountain Creek Rd, Tawonga 3697 Ph: 0500 575 444. They only sell mail order or at field days or 4WD shows. They make the best quality real swag on the market using 8m suare of canvas (9 1/2 yards) more canvas than any other maker for the price, but no hoops $255 w/ matress plus $45 for mossie net, anyone over 6'4" extra $20. Saul Swags carry lifetime guarantee. They describe their swags as "No Nancy Boy Swags" just plain roll out bed roll.
One point to remember with swags is once you suspend canvas off your body you create a pocket of air to make you cold in winter. Normally with a swag a good quality wool (horse type blanket $65 from them) is all that is required to keep you warm in winter, not needing a sleeping bag unless you have a hoop type swag of course. . The idea to have the canvas and blanket against your body is the same principal of a good s/bag to warm the smallest amount of air as possible to insulate you from even frost and damp. 4x4 Australia did a product test which I could fax if interested, it was a glowing report, done by Steve Pearman of Swifts Creek.
There are others that are good like Simon Heard Canvas in Shepparton, www. simonheardcanvas.com.au branded Longreach Swags, good value.
A couple of mates had a bad experience with Jolly Swags allthough they did give money back without question.
Darche & Bushwacka www.bushwakkaswags.com (coffin shape wedge style with four small poles) brands also are well made, just to confuse you the more as there are ten other brands I could mention. The three above are the ones to look at, Saul the best if plain roll type, Campout for hoop (tent) style & price point on plain roll.
A good idea to think about is to buy swag as a skin only (no matress which most serious bag makers will do) and use Thermorest to save weight and space if you put inside car and better back insulation as well in extreme cold area where ground freezing or wet like snow which is fun to sleep in, Thermorest the only way to go forget the cheaper brands, most are chinese and don't work unless for a child.
Hope this helps? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]
