How does your swag roll?

[Nomad]

Following on from my "what do you sit on thread" which I must update as I have just bought a couple of nice chairs for the Mrs and I this one is about your swag. I know there has been a heap of threads on this but they I thought some up to date advise would be worth asking for.

Over Easter i lent my swag to my best mate who was going out camping and shooting a bit.
Anyway long story short the cut off duel cab pig/roo shooting truck ended up in flames and now he owes me a swag......lucky me.

Now my swag was a 19 year old (ish) bog standard Sar Major with a zip and buttons on it, there were no poles etc. It was heavy duty canvas and was great to sleep in.

Ill get some photos to stick up here about the fire to make this a bit more interesting........

But in the mean time should I be looking at the swags with hoops etc or just go another basic bed roll swag...........

I basically use it if we go up the beach surfing or fishing for a night.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Cheers 

Nomad.

[D4D]

I like the hoop style as it is less claustrophobic

[seqfisho]

Hi Nomad,

If you are only using on the odd occasion then I would recommend looking at the Oztrails , we have two Mitchells, a single and a double, and cant complain. at the price of a reasonable double we were able to get the two, canvas seems good and weatherproof, although we usually put them up under a awning or popup gazebo, and the zips and mesh are also pretty good, mattresses are pretty comfy but we use them on stretchers aswell, although I reckon they would be ok on the ground.

[seqfisho]

Forgot to add they are the hoop type as I'm not keen on canvas over my face or the mozzies and midgies giving me love kisses overnight, that privilege is reserved for the cook

[Bird]

I like the hoop style as it is less claustrophobic

x2

but if you were happy with your old one, stick with it.

[MDSimpson]

I have the OZTrail Mitchell and Lachlan
King. The Lachlan as a PVC base, which is more water proof.
Best pricing I have found is at www.campingmegastore.com.au




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[Mrs smith]

Seems to be a few reasonable priced swags advertised on Gumtree. Might be worth a look or keeping an eye out your area.
 http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-stuff-for-sale/melbourne/swag/k0c9298l3001317r250

Should have added I like the simple bed role type.

[nick 08]

We have an ultima double www.ultimaswag.com and a cheap single dome from BCF which goes alright.

[torsion]

I guess it depends on what your mate is willing to pay for.

[Nomad]

I guess it depends on what your mate is willing to pay for.

Its an insurance claim. Don't want to go to hard but don't want to fall short either. That swag cost me a couple of hundred when I bought it.

Cheers Nomad.

[JGM]

Just a basic old style (no poles) swag for me, complete with eggcup mattress topper thing and a mozzie net that can be strung up if you need it.

JGM

[Chippy76]

We bought our boys oztrail cooper swags for xmas. They have had several uses since then and we are more than happy with them. They are a older style canvas flap type swag. No poles, no mozzie netting.
We picked them up for $79 from tentworld.
Cheers Chippy

[DannyG]

We also bought one of our kids an oz trail cooper, it is a great basic fold over old style swag. Not ideal for outdoors in the rain on the ground though because it relies on the waterproof mattress cover to keep you dry underneath.
We also just bought a king size single mattress from eBay that uses 2 hoops. It has a heavy PVC base, heavy canvas and all the bells and whistles and it was only $130 delivered. We couldn't make one for that price. And the quality is far superior than a well known Aussie made double swag I used to use.  Go figure?

[Jason B]

I use one of these and highly recommend them. Heaps of room and they open up on both sides to full mozzy mesh for great ventilation. Because of the design nothing touches you and you can have it fully open and catch the breeze while looking at the stars, not cheap but they are one of the best canvas companies in OZ, fully made in oz from WCT Canvas.

http://www.southerncrosscanvas.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/dome-swag-single.jpg

They are free standing also (you don't need the ropes in the pic) as there is a spreader pole in the middle that holds the hoops apart.

I put mine on a stretcher now to make it easier to get in and out of.

I spend about 100 nights a year in mine and love it.

Regards


Jas

[johnyd]

I just have a flat one with no poles or anything.  Generally don't bother having it up over my head though as I'm either in a tent or not cold.

[KieranR]

We've got 2 of the oztrails, a mitchell double which the missus and daughter use and i have the king single, both are great, missus puts the hoops in hers, i just tie the front rope to the ute on mine and forget about the hoops.  I would buy them again if i needed to.

[Chippy76]

where is the line between swag and small tent ??


Cheers Chippy

[Blinky Bill]

I use one of these and highly recommend them. Heaps of room and they open up on both sides to full mozzy mesh for great ventilation. Because of the design nothing touches you and you can have it fully open and catch the breeze while looking at the stars, not cheap but they are one of the best canvas companies in OZ, fully made in oz from WCT Canvas.

http://www.southerncrosscanvas.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/dome-swag-single.jpg

They are free standing also (you don't need the ropes in the pic) as there is a spreader pole in the middle that holds the hoops apart.

I put mine on a stretcher now to make it easier to get in and out of.

I spend about 100 nights a year in mine and love it.

Regards


Jas

Jas, I've got to say that's THE best swag that I've seen.

I like the look of it and so does the good lady. 

I figure in your role as a professional out-doors-man you have road tested it and I trust your recommendation. 

Since spotting your pic I've ducked onto the Southern Cross website & had a closer look. Sadly no prices so I've written asking for details.  :'(

Thanks for posting - Wayne

[Roo]

make sure you remain seated when you get the price list.

another one to look at similar to the the southern cross is the kulkyne campers swags. My better half likes the mini tent idea better than a double hoop type swag too...I keep telling her it is nearly the same cost and effort as the tent we already have.

[Jason B]

Jas, I've got to say that's THE best swag that I've seen.

I like the look of it and so does the good lady. 

I figure in your role as a professional out-doors-man you have road tested it and I trust your recommendation. 

Since spotting your pic I've ducked onto the Southern Cross website & had a closer look. Sadly no prices so I've written asking for details.  :'(

Thanks for posting - Wayne

Wayne I have gone through about 4 or 5 swags in my 17 years working out doors. We have used Darche, Jolly, swagman etc and all were good in various ways. The Southern Cross is by far the biggest with regard to space over the top of you, all of the others touched or laid on you in various places. These are like being in a mini tent and they still pack up to the size of any other swag.

ROO's comments regarding price are correct, they are a bit scary, but it depends on how you view value. My staff all have one of these also (6) and camp out at some stage nearly every week, they are 3 or 4 years old now (probably equivalent to 10 years of normal use) and we have had no failures or issues. The canvas is the main thing for us, we know when they are worn out from the performance of the canvas in wet conditions etc.

The other thing to consider is they are made in Oz from Oz Canvas by a very well established company.


The price (take that seat) is about $590, I have seen them cheaper at trade shows etc, we buy direct from the manufactures and pay full retail. Whilst this is expensive ($200 more than most others) over a 10 year period it doesn't work out as much. Also the fact that you can get changed in it/read a book in it etc if its raining pays for its self very quickly in my opinion.

Regards


Jas

[Blinky Bill]

Wayne I have gone through about 4 or 5 swags in my 17 years working out doors. We have used Darche, Jolly, swagman etc and all were good in various ways. The Southern Cross is by far the biggest with regard to space over the top of you, all of the others touched or laid on you in various places. These are like being in a mini tent and they still pack up to the size of any other swag.

ROO's comments regarding price are correct, they are a bit scary, but it depends on how you view value. My staff all have one of these also (6) and camp out at some stage nearly every week, they are 3 or 4 years old now (probably equivalent to 10 years of normal use) and we have had no failures or issues. The canvas is the main thing for us, we know when they are worn out from the performance of the canvas in wet conditions etc.

The other thing to consider is they are made in Oz from Oz Canvas by a very well established company.


The price (take that seat) is about $590, I have seen them cheaper at trade shows etc, we buy direct from the manufactures and pay full retail. Whilst this is expensive ($200 more than most others) over a 10 year period it doesn't work out as much. Also the fact that you can get changed in it/read a book in it etc if its raining pays for its self very quickly in my opinion.

Regards


Jas

Gidday Jas,

Actually a $590 price hasn't taken me aback at all. As they say 'quality is it's own reward'.

I've been wanting a swag for a wee while and bad experiences by the Missus with her nylon jobbie in Barrington Tops in April (brrrrr), has meant that I've needed to try & find the best option for us if I'm to get her to try one again.

I guess the only consideration is whether or not a double or two singles is better. Other than that the considerations are quality & how much one is prepared to pay for it.

Cheerio from Bello - Wayne

[Jason B]

Wayne

I like the idea of the double for me and the missus, but find the size to be a bit of a PITA (I have a double of a different brand for the kids) to pack and fit in when packing. I find it eaier to pack two singles.

The double looks awesome though.

Regards

Jas

[Roo]

590 is pretty good but that will be the single...i found on the net some mention of closer to 900 for the double version from southern cross. No doubting the are a well made piece of kit though. Just look at their tents to see the same quality if canvas and manufacturing.

I like this one though..http://www.kulkyne.com/au/Queen-Super-Dome-Swag.html#info

1.5 wide...awesome but finding a stretcher to suit would be hard work so you'd be a ground dweller....like a tent person...lower class

[Alan Loy]

I know that this is not a swag but have you thought about a tent cot http://www.kulkyne.com/au/Tent-Cots/

We have a double cot and its really comfortable.  Getting above the ground has its advantages!

[Blinky Bill]

Howdy Roo,

Actually $690 for the single, $795 for the double & $940 for the king. But quality kit no doubt.

I checked into the Kulkyne & I am just awaiting a response from their computerised chat system. It looks good as well.

Another that's got me wondering is the Ultima Swag. Made just up the road from me in Casino (I believe). Design wise & quality very good also. I checked it out on Utube and will also have a touch & feel of their range too, which by the look of it is available from BCF.

The after all that I expect the Missus to pipe in with 'but we have a camper trailer...do we need a swag'? 

Like I say, I've long fancies one even as a way of visiting a mate & tossing it down in his lounge room. 

Cheers - Wayne