If you’re looking for a new swag, you may be a little confused as to what the differences are and how to choose the right model for you.
To save you the headache – in this blog, we’ve outlined the key points to look for when choosing a swag!
For me, there’s no better way to sleep outdoors than in the cocoon that is my swag. In any location or temperature, in my swag, I feel warm and protected from bugs – meanwhile still experiencing that glorious feeling of being out in the elements.
If you’re in the market for a new swag, it’s a daunting task to wade through all the brands and different types on offer to find the one that suits you. So, I hope the following tips help to make some sense of it all and equip you to make the best choice!
There’s no better way to sleep outdoors than in a swag! Image: OZtrail
1. Traditional Vs Dome
Traditional Swags are basically two layers of canvas with a mattress in between. They’re light in weight, compact when rolled up, easy to carry and transport, and are usually lower priced than dome swags.
This is a traditional, ‘envelope’ style swag. The OZtrail Cooper Expedition to be precise.
Dome Swags, due to their shape and height (60-70cm high), provide plenty of room inside while keeping the top canvas layer off your face. They offer easy side and/or head access, are generally well ventilated, and will keep insects, vermin, and snakes out.
In recent years too, the debate surrounding the ‘swent‘ – a sleeping solution that boasts features of both a swag and a tent – has proven to be never-ending. For more on this, tune into Ben and Lauren’s conversation on the Snowys Camping Show:
2. Size
Swags are usually available in 3 main sizes:
- Single: 60-90cm Wide x 180-230cm Long
- King Single: 90-115cm Wide x 190-230cm Long
- Double: 110-130cm Wide x 190-230cm Long
3. Material
- Quality canvas swags are made from a blend of cotton and polyester fibres. This creates a finished material that is breathable, rot-proof, and water-proof.
- ‘Heavy-duty ripstop’ means that nylon has been integrated into the weave, creating an even better strength-to-weight ratio.
- The weight or grade of the canvas is generally expressed in ‘ounces per square yard’ (oz), or ‘grams per square metre’ (gsm). Most swags fall into the range of 14-16oz canvas, which is roughly the same as 320-360gsm.
4. Canvas Vs PVC Base
- A PVC base will generally keep the swag dryer in wet conditions than a canvas base. However, it will tend to be less breathable and prone to condensation in warm and humid conditions.
- A tarp works the same as a PVC base, if the swag you like doesn’t have the latter. An added benefit of a tarp is that you can use it as a clean surface to step on as you enter or leave your swag.
A ‘dome’ swag is almost like a little one-person tent.
5. Mattress
- Swag mattresses are generally made from high-density open cell foam with a washable poly-cotton cover that can be removed for washing.
- Thicknesses range from 35mm for biker and traditional swags, and up to 70mm for top-of-the-range dome swags. Thickness usually increases with the swag price.
- For added comfort, self-inflating mats make good additions or alternatives when it’s important for compact storage or transport.
6. Ventilation
- Dome swags provide good ventilation by fully or part-opening the zippered openings at the head or foot. The head window is sometimes referred to as the ‘shooter’s window’.
- Pegging out the overhanging canvas porticos will provide additional protection from the weather.
7. Zips
- Reliable and good performing zips are essential in good-quality swags. No.10 Heavy Duty YKK spiral or coil zips are the benchmark, although there are many of equal quality. Look for chunky and solid pull-tabs and zips that are strong and robust.
Dome swags provide good ventilation by fully or part-opening the zippered openings at the head or foot. Image: OZtrail
8. Storage pockets
- Some swags offer internal nooks and pockets to store torches, phones, water bottles, and more.
- Good-quality swags have pockets to store poles and pegs when the swag is rolled up, making them easy to find when needed.
9. Add-Ons
- Consider a swag bag or swag protection system to store your swag when transporting or storage. It will protect against damage and keep your swag clean of dust and dirt.
- Many sleeping bag brands offer sleeping bags that are ideal for use with swags. Suitable bags are generally 80-100cm wide, have no hood, and are not so bulky that they can’t be rolled up and left in the swag.
- As mentioned above, self-inflating mats make great swag mattresses, as they are lightweight and compact when rolled up. A self-inflating pillow is ideal for the same reason.
- A spreader pole atop your swag will keep your swag taut and stable. It will do the same job as pegging out with rope and pegs when this isn’t possible.
We’ll be glad to point you in the right direction to ensure you find a swag that’s right for you! Image: 23ZERO
Hopefully you now feel comfortable choosing a swag that suits your requirements. However, if you need further assistance, feel free to shoot us an email or give us a call; we’ll be glad to point you in the right direction to ensure you find a swag that’s right for you!
In the meantime, check out our best-selling swags for this year – or, our huge range of swags to get you started on your next camping adventure!
my swag is good but the mattres is very thin why is this so
Hi Bob, What kind of swag do you have?
I enjoy the members news and tips especially the swag tips as we live on a sheep station so they are tools of the trade.
I’m sorry I don’t know about blogging, however, a couple of swag tips to add to your blog include a wool (aussie merino ) blanket to wrap under and over your sleeping bag (plenty of heat escapes through the mattresses, you can also fold it double to put ontop of the mattress to pad it out.
The other trick is to put a single “fitted” electric blanket in your swag over the mattress and run it off your small genset….nice warm swag but do turn it off once you hit the sack for safety reasons. It may sound soft but a few of the old timers out in camp winter time do this.
I agree with Offroading that a combination mattress is the way to go.
When rolling your swag after camping in it before travel use your knees to help compact it as you roll you will be amazed at the difference in the volume of the swag for transport.
The other good thing about a PVC base is that it greatly reduces the number of prickle seeds that stick to the bottom when you roll it up, this not only saves your hands from being stabed when you roll it up but more importantly it greatly reduces the spread of prickle seeds from one camp site to another.
A good tip that I had to learn the hard way was to store your swage loose. That is, when you get home slacken off the straps about 150mm and give the roll a shake to let it unravel a bit. This will stop the foam in the mattress fattening. Of course the ultimate is to store you swag laid out flat with nothing on top of it, ie under your bed or on top of a large wardrobe.
Saving space is critical on long hall drives – by getting a narrower swag you save a ‘swag of space’ when it comes to packing your car especially if you have a small car to start with. I also run a thinner (35mm)open cell HD foam mattress combined with a closed cell 10mm bed roll underneath the top 2/3 of the normal mattress (ie from above your head to below your hip). I have found this combination gives the luxury of an open cell mattress with less bulk, the closed cell bed role supports the hip and shoulder point loads to stop you from bottoming out. I would argue that I am actually more comfortable with this ‘combination’ mattress then other thicker (70mm) mattresses I have tried.
I’ve got an AOS Tracker swag and it’s great – but recently it got muddy and I’m finding it hard to clean. Any suggestions?
Hi Morgan,
The recommended way of keeping canvas clean is by brushing regularly with a soft brush and by hosing occasionally with clear, cold water. Avoid using soaps, detergents or cleaning fluids.
Richard – Snowys
so many swags on the mrket. waht are the best selling ones?
Hi Les,
Look out for an upcoming blog on the most popular swags in 2011.
Richard – Snowys
I agree with Richard regarding cleaning methods, and would add – don’t worry too much about getting your swag spotless, it adds character and shows you have a story to tell. A good swag is like a good book – well looked after but well warn. When I get home I always take 2min to knock off the bulk of dirt on the outside with my had or brush and pull the mattress out and shake out any sand, but the main thing is to make sure it is completely dry and fee of things like gum leaves which will grow mould during storage.