swag to choose

[prado2004]

Hey guys, tossing up on what sort of swag to buy for quick trips on my own when I dont need a tent.

I want aussie made, not oztrail etc... At the moment I am tossing up between the below two. It doesn't have to be from this store, I simply work near the store and they both look like good quality and from googling the prices it seems reasonable. I do not know if the burke wills swag is worth nearly double the price over the true blue. It is a bigger swag but this could be painful packing it up too. Also has a 75cm mattress not 50cm so would be bigger when packed, however comfier potentially also? Hmmm... decisions, decisions...

http://www.outbackadventures.net.au/products/swags/true-blue-bluey-xxl-swag-canvas-dome-camping-swag-detail

http://www.outbackadventures.net.au/products/swags/burke-wills-redgum-xl-deluxe-canvas-dome-swag-detail

[Green rv]

Gday mate
i bought a roo swag a year or so haven't used it much but this is what i learnt

it has the aluminum poles in it just like the burke and wills what a pain in the a--
once the poles are bent their always bent and won't go back into the pole bag
not only that the things keep snapping at the joints
have now swapped the pole over to fiberglass type
finally the bag is too small, i can fit back in but its a fair mission to do so
just some things to look at

 
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[fluids]

I too wanted a "just for me" alternative, looked at all the "gimmicks" with hoops and fan-dangled bits ... and ended up buying a good old fashioned canvas swag - http://www.saulswags.com.au/

It's brilliant! I get a good nights sleep in it. I added a firm 20mm excercise matt under the included foam mattress, and use two blankets (one of them a Sauls merino blanket) and a sheet.

So far have slept out in it (under the 4wd awning) in down to 3deg and it was comfotable and warm.

I also purchased a swag protection system (King single) from http://www.aosswags.com/
The way it unzips gives me a 3/4 length waterproof groundsheet/underlay under the swag, and leaves enough room when rolled up to put a couple of pillows in one end.

The Saul is a lifetime purchase as I see it. It's quality. The aos protection system lets me carry the swag on the roof racks regardless of wind, rain, dust, and unpacks clean & dry !!

YMMV .... some folks don't like the canvas to close to their faces ... I just tie one corner out to the door handle or awning pole on the 4wd so it's a bit tented .... and stare out at the stars! 

Kev..

[GUEY]

If I was to buy another swag I would get one with a pvc/rubber/plastic base. Someone may chip in with why these aren't a good idea, but for heavy rain and damp ground I could only see it as a bonus.

[wilson79]

I have a standard king single AOS swag and love it

If I am camping at creeks where there are mosquitos i use a meshed hutchie style tent that they use in the military..

[Swannie]

I have a Burke & wills Coolabah XL, great bit of kit

Swannie

[Wagon Man]

Swannie the PVC front and side mat looks handy.

[speedcomm]

We have 4 Burke and Wills Coolabahs in our household, very happy with them, I myself have an old Candy Canvas out of SA swag built about 15 years ago, basic swag design, but Aussie made and I love it ! I'm one of the odd ones who like the canvas on the face thing.. It like most quality things was pricey in the day, but it has survived the hard yards.

We got the eldest a cheap Chinese swag, what a waste. The material fell apart, zips failed, poles snapped, could never get it to seal, replaced it with the first of our Coolabahs.

[Swannie]

Swannie the PVC front and side mat looks handy.

Yeah I normally just throw the shoes under the pvc to keep them dry if its a little  wet

[prado2004]

Cheers for the feedback guys. Yes Aussie built is the way to go. Not interested in the roo systems and kings brand rubbish that's built overseas (and isn't much cheaper). Both brands are Aussie built so probably can't go wrong. Burke and wills seems to be pretty well renowned so might end up with one of them I think.

[D4D]

I have a Burke & wills Coolabah XL, great bit of kit

x2

[alnjan]

http://www.ultimaswag.com/swags.htm

Ultima tent covered swags have been operating since 1992. The Ultima swag is the invention of Tony Camaroni stemming from his outback training in the Australian Army in Townsville Queensland. As a direct result of intense discomfort experienced during field exercises Tony realised the necessity for a swag that was completely sandfly and mosquito proof. Tony started making swags under his house and they quickly became popular with other soldiers in his unit.

[paul.o]

Have a look at Panorama Swags. My mate and his kids have them and they look great. His is the top of the line one I think, and he said that it also has a fly you can attach if it is wet. It is side entry also which he pointed out is a great benefit if it is raining.

[Sawed-Off]

Wife and I are happy with our ARB swag.

[pedrogb]

Hi all
There is a swag review in the latest Pat Callinan 4x4 mag.  His stipulations were that they had to be Aussie made Aussie materials etc.  I bought the mag 'cause I bought the actual Murchison River King Brown Swag featured in the article after they had finished the test  . It is a big swag, all top quality canvas, can't fault the construction, has a 90mm mattress, and a simple hood arrangement over your head closes it up.
I also just purchased a Snow Peak sleeping bag from Drifta.  I bought this because it fits perfectly (the bag is 2000 x 1000mm) inside the dimensions of the swag, which is huge.
If there are mozzies/sandflies I have a net to hang over it.
You get what you pay for, we need to support these small Aussie suppliers, or they will cease to exist.
Pedro

[gumboot]

Hunting for a swag
Want Aus made and a few seem to recommend the Burke & Wills Coolabah XL
Whats better a PVC or a canvas base?
On the ground is normally fine but can you also put this on stretcher if you want to get off the ground?
Where is the best place to buy the swags?
Cheers
Robert

[Swannie]

Hunting for a swag
Want Aus made and a few seem to recommend the Burke & Wills Coolabah XL
Whats better a PVC or a canvas base?
On the ground is normally fine but can you also put this on stretcher if you want to get off the ground?
Where is the best place to buy the swags?
Cheers
Robert

The Coolabah is a really good bit of kit. I have a canvas base no reason besides that was the option I had. From keeping the bottom clean pvc is probably better but being up brisbane it may create condensation between the ground & mattress
Swannie

[Nay-DMAX]

We have the kulkyne queen size swag and love it. Yep it packs up a bit bigger but we have still got it in the bag with a pillow topper winter sheets doona and a blanket in it, the side bags are handy cause you can zip your shoes inside.  I don't like canvas on my face so I find it much better to sleep in than our old one. 


http://www.kulkyne.com/au/Queen-Super-Dome-Swag.html  This is the one we have.

[gumboot]

The Coolabah is a really good bit of kit. I have a canvas base no reason besides that was the option I had. From keeping the bottom clean pvc is probably better but being up brisbane it may create condensation between the ground & mattress
Swannie

Thanks Swannie
I will check them out
Cheers
Robert

[prado2004]

Thanks Swannie
I will check them out
Cheers
Robert

Rob, outback adventures at moray field sell the burke and wills redgum so I would guess they may also sell the coolabah or be able to order it in. The redgum is on special in their latest catalogue I am looking at buying one

[gumboot]

Rob, outback adventures at moray field sell the burke and wills redgum so I would guess they may also sell the coolabah or be able to order it in. The redgum is on special in their latest catalogue I am looking at buying one

Thanks for that.
It seems to be the redgum is the next model up after the Coolabah. More of a dome swag with more cooling with a big one piece mesh on the top and two hoops instead of three. Otherwise same material , mattress etc.
Does anybody on here have one or used one and can comment please?

Cheers
Robert

[Swannie]

Thanks for that.
It seems to be the redgum is the next model up after the Coolabah. More of a dome swag with more cooling with a big one piece mesh on the top and two hoops instead of three. Otherwise same material , mattress etc.
Does anybody on here have one or used one and can comment please?

Cheers
Robert

For me Robert I went the coolabah because the middle pole is setup on the outside where the redgum is the inside, probably not a biggie but I like all three poles externally

Swannie

[Wagon Man]

Anaconda is having a 25% off store wide sale till Sunday ...

Burke and Wills Coolabahs XL for $420

Now to convince the SWMBO

[fuji]

I was about to buy a B&W swag but I believe they too are made overseas. I purchased a Darche which is quite good.  Wanting something bigger I bought a Southern Cross bag which is huge but I love it. Which reminds me, I must go camping.

[fuji]

We have the kulkyne queen size swag and love it. Yep it packs up a bit bigger but we have still got it in the bag with a pillow topper winter sheets doona and a blanket in it, the side bags are handy cause you can zip your shoes inside.  I don't like canvas on my face so I find it much better to sleep in than our old one. 


http://www.kulkyne.com/au/Queen-Super-Dome-Swag.html  This is the one we have.

I would rather have canvas in my face than Andrew.