School me on Swags

Right, so im thinking to get my ducks in a row so that i can start taking the young fella out with me (he is 3 almost 4). I saw a Kings big daddy swag on marketplace that brand new for a sharp price, that would easy be big enough for the 2 of us. But anyway, started looking at reviews and saw overwhelming reviews saying that its not great at being waterproof.

So propably OK for a lot of OZ but not here.

So whats the go with swags in NZ? Are there other types that are more NZ weather friendly, or are we better off just sticking to tents? Never had a swag, but thought it be a good idea since we would likely just be camping next to the ute when he is with me.

I already have a 2 person bushbuck tent that ive taken to hell and back and its been great. Broke a few guy ropes in the SI and bent a few tent pegs but thats about it.

Cheers

I liked the idea of swags, however wanted something lighter and ended up going for a hooped bivy bag. I have just brought one of the Macpac Bush cocoons, and am keen to see how that goes! Might even fit my 5 year old son in as well at a squeeze if needed. Don't have my own review of it yet (only got yesterday after looking into it) but will be keen to see how it goes.

Fly. With ground sheet. With plenty of cord. Can make it like a tent. Just need something to tie off to, wagon works fine. If wagon is carting it a tarpaulin works. If you're carting it lots of light carry options. Best thing with a fly is 360 degree view, or at least 180. Tent- can't see squat. I like to see out. Bags get wet inside. No matter what. So do tents. Fly breaths better, not perfect as you can still get condensation underneath, but better.

I've looked at swags a few times but never quite got to getting one.

I was looking at it from being able to drive to you spot Friday night and quickly roll it out, jump in, roll it back up in the morning, throw it in the ute and off you go without having to dick around repacking your pack.

Hardantler probably is the best but fairly pricey option.

https://www.hardantlercamping.co.nz/...he-nz-outdoors

I've got a kings swag. I would recommend it. Much nicer to sleep in than a tent. Very fast to set up and take down. I wouldn't buy one second hand though, the first one that I had leaked because the stitching was shit. I emailed them and took photos and they sent me a replacement. The replacement has been awesome. Just make sure that you season it properly and it will be waterproof. I've had it in some heavy rain without issue. They do take up a reasonable amount of space in a ute though.

Pays to use an awning. Just are much more comfy than a tent.

Would that make you a jolly swag man ? if so I think you may be restricted to camping by the billabong

its an old concept...bivy bag with mattress inside it....
beside vechile a pup tent or fly and camp stretchers with foam mattress beats just about everything else,your bones will thank you in morning.

Us and several family members use the Adventure Kings swags for camping out of our 4wds. Sister in Law went for the pink one...wtf?... Plenty of room for two adults and a bit of gear. Great for kids as they are warmer and stay darker inside for longer in the morning.
You do need to check stitching, etc. Especially in the floor tub. Within our group of mates we have sent two back. No issues with getting replacements.
We have siliconed the corner stitching in the floor tub.
The AK swags do have loose sides and sag inwards, which can be a nuisance. Though easily remedied with a couple of guy lines and pegs to apply tension.
You'll want a tarp in wet weather so you can enter/exit without getting you and tent contents wet. A door mat in wet weather is good too.
Very bulky to store and transport if you buy with their mattress. We use inflatable ones.
I have a Hard Antler for solo trips, and it is much more robust. Although far less space.
Thicker canvas, etc.
AK swags are cheaper for a reason.

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Speaking as someone who lives between Australia ( the home of Swags ) and NZ I’ve probably spent more nights in a Swag than most .

There are Swag’s and there are Swag’s.

If your talking about “ old school “ Swags , basically a canvas Bed Roll then in NZ conditions they are only useful when you have a covering over you - shed roof - tent fly etc .

If your talking about “ new school “ Swags , basically a mini tent with poles and insect mesh etc then they can be a useful option .

Buttt……..

The amount of space they take up when transporting them is just a pain in the arse , the quality of sleep is often not great and the usefulness of them is limited to just sleeping ( try hanging out in a Swag all day when the weather is bad )

I’ve spent a large amount of time sleeping out over the last 15 years in a multitude of swags and their near cousins.
All I use now are stretcher tents

https://www.oztent.com.au/products/bunker-pro

If it’s a travelling type scenario where I’m living out of a vehicle then I’ll never sleep on the ground again .
Back packing/ Hunting etc is another story and I’ll sleep just about anywhere :thumbsup:

Mum, two boys from 6&7 to present (16&17), we’ve slept in the Southern Cross Canvas swags for something like 600 nights, all over Aus and NZ.

I rate them very highly, and still use them.

Attachment 234893

Looking at the comments above i wonder if i wont be better off buying the tent (sides) for my utes awning and a couple stretchers for camping by the ute.

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Originally Posted by NewbieZAR

Looking at the comments above i wonder if i wont be better off buying the tent (sides) for my utes awning and a couple stretchers for camping by the ute.

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If you have that option, that’s what I’d do , main reason being you can get out of bed and move around under cover .

Roll Swags are great for a quick easy bed on a good night. Sleep better than in my bed most nights. Bit Useless if proper wet but will handle a bit of drizzle. A tarp over top fixes that but then you might as well have a tent with a bed roll. If you’ve got an awning already get the sides and stretchers with a mattress topper or the like. Would be comfy as and have a bit more space when out in sub par conditions Attachment 234894

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Originally Posted by Ground Control

If you have that option, that’s what I’d do , main reason being you can get out of bed and move around under cover .

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Yeah i already have a 2.5x2.5m awning on my ute and the tent for it is about the price of a cheap swag

I've spent a ton of nights in my swag over the last 35 years. Both under the stars on a good day, inside depending where Im staying and on the back of my ute. A very basic swag no flyscreen etc.
We had a Double swag, best quality but no FG flyscreen etc. We sold it. If I take the wife bush we can use 2 singles.
At times the swag/s have been inside a tent. Even recently as I have a sleep apnea machine.
I've camped I'mn my sway and woken up in a heavy rain with water laying around. Hardly rains here.
A cheap swag will have a cheap mattress. I brought cheap enclosed swags for my kids from Rays Tent city years ago. I later brought high density foam from an upholsterer for more comfort.
If the little bloke is going to stay in camp start with single swags.
If you camp away from the vehicle swags will be no good for hiking.

My basic swag has served me well and has miles and years on it.

I'm not familiar with NZ weather except what I've learned online. Working on going over asap.

I think I'm overdue to go camping too.

Don't discount the idea of a camp stretcher etc.

I don't know if NZ has the cyclone Shearer's beds but they are great as a base.

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Originally Posted by NewbieZAR

Looking at the comments above i wonder if i wont be better off buying the tent (sides) for my utes awning and a couple stretchers for camping by the ute.

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A lot of it comes down to personal preference. Believe me I’ve tried pretty much every configuration on the market at some point or other, either our own or other peoples. I still have the Eezi-Awn rooftop tent that we bought in Johannesburg in 1994 - for Africa that was unbeatable. I’ve bought and then sold a couple of configurations because they just didn’t work despite looking like a good idea at the time.

Other than the rooftop tent, the one aspect of this mode of travel that I wouldn’t do again is to attach my sleeping arrangement to my vehicle. Absolute 100% no chance. Tried the awning option - total pain in the arse. It removes the ability to use the vehicle separately to your sleeping arrangements, which simply doesn’t work - you might think you won’t need to use your vehicle but then the reason will present itself and you will be irritated! (We got so good with the rooftop tent we could put it up and take it down in literally a minute or two.)

The other thing I would mention when we are comparing our stories from Australia to the reality of New Zealand is of course the difference in the weather. Here in New Zealand you absolutely must be able to seal yourself into a waterproof sleeping arrangement that doesn’t go flap flap flap in the wind. If you don’t have this then I can guarantee you will be sleeping in your truck in no time. A lot of the lightweight Australian options are very good for their prevailing conditions - perfect for long dry outback months for example - but absolutely useless here in the mud and horizontal rain.

For one or maybe two people, just sleep in the truck. If you have too much gear, put that in a cheap tent. Large SUV style vehicles with fold flat seats are obviously better suited to this than utes. That's what I do anyway.

Hi, one thing to also consider is if camping in a camp ground you probably want some space/height and privacy to get changed, and if in South Island insect mesh helps, so something like the Argali type pyramid tents looking pretty versatile, height adjustable to use only as a fly with army surplus bivvy bag for sideways rain or cold wind or used with fly for kitchen, got mesh for sandflies and height to change or get dressed, do not weigh much so car or hunt/hike.