There is a lot to look out for when buying a modern-day swag. Here is a starting point on your next purchase.
A mate recently asked me which swag he should buy. It got me thinking. I’ve spent a lot of nights under canvas and I reckon I’ve worked out what the most important considerations are when forking out your hard-earned cash. Having a swag that suits you really does make for a great night’s sleep, which can make the difference between a great trip that makes you feel like a million bucks and arriving home feeling like you’ve just gone a few rounds with an MMA champion. So here are seven tips for making sure you invest in the right swag for your needs.
- You get what you pay for
In so many situations this rings true when you’re travelling. When you are retiring from a long day on the road, you want to look forward to your sleeping arrangements. Is that $100 Chinese swag from the local disposal store going to keep you comfortable when you need it most? Make sure you set your budget appropriately; single swags range from that $100 cheapie, to up to $600 for a high quality Australian-made swag; doubles will go for a little more. A swag is something that, treated right, will last you for decades; so it pays to spend a little bit more.
- Style
Are you happy to rough it or do you like a bit of space? If you are happy to rough it, you will benefit from a quicker set-up time, but you’ll lose out on head and foot room. There has been a big movement towards dome swags of late – with a similar set-up to dome tents, they give you plenty more space inside. Brands like Darche even do an inflatable swag. Other options include an ‘apex’ style that uses a single pole to support the head end of the swag; this can be a little claustrophobic for some people. Or there is the traditional style that has a single eyelet at the head end to string the swag to a tree. The extra space of a dome swag is an easy win for us.
- Size does matter
Is it going to be just you sleeping in the swag, or are you sharing it with a loved one? Double swags are great for couples, but remember you have to transport the swag… and starting at 1.4m long this can be a little difficult; a roof rack is required in most cases. Single swags start at about 80cm wide, ranging up to 1.1m, making transport much easier. The next dimension to consider is the head room – more is always better, it allows you to get better organised and feel a little less restricted. Somewhere around 70cm head height is quite comfortable.
- Construction
It gets very confusing when trying to compare materials that swags are made of. The most important things to consider are the material (cotton or synthetic), and the weight of the canvas – measured in GSM (grams per square metre) or ounces. The thicker the canvas the more weight you are carrying, but the better the insulation and water proofing – and it’ll likely last longer. The other consideration around construction is the floor; this becomes a personal preference. The options are PVC (doesn’t last as long, but is completely waterproof) or a heavy canvas (will be waterproof to a point but lasts longer than PVC). If the swag you are looking at uses Australian rip-stop cotton canvas at around 15 ounces, you are good to go; but the choice between canvas and PVC floors is largely a personal one.
- Going for that million star experience?
There is nothing better than going to sleep under a clear, starry sky without getting eaten by bugs of all shapes and sizes. It’s important to consider the layer arrangement. Typically, the outer layer is canvas and an inner layer is fly screen. How these are brought together is the important part. There is nothing worse than fumbling through a million zippers in the middle of the night when you’re busting for a little relief. If you can, try a few different models and see what works for you. The simpler the better.
- Mattress
Swag mattresses typically come in a 50mm or 70mm thickness. This will affect the size the swag rolls up to and, more importantly, how good of a sleep you will have. There are some manufacturer-specific styles of foam, such as eggshell or ripple. For us, the 70mm is a must; and the ripple foam is also quite nice. Another thing to consider is a swag that uses a thinner foam at the feet end. This allows for a smaller roll-up and provides almost as much comfort.
- Transport and storage
How are you going to move your swag around? Is it going inside or is it going on a roof rack? This is important because you may need to consider a little extra protection from dust and rain if it’s going on the roof. Check to see if the swag you are buying comes with a ‘swag bag’, or if the manufacturer makes a suitable one. This could save you from a wet night’s sleep.
At the end of the day, personal preference will dictate which way you go. But hopefully these pointers will send you in the right direction… towards the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had.
This article was originally posted by Unsealed 4X4.
