PigSti
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Swags: Top Ten!
https://www.4wdaction.com.au/articles/2012/swags-glory
If you are in the market for a swag, not happy with your current canvas roll, or even just want to know why someone would possibly want to sleep in the living mans equivalent of a coffin, read on.
SOUTHERN CROSS CANVAS DOME SWAG
Cost: $685
Size: 213x82x70cm
Canvas: 10oz
Dynaproofed Base: PVC
Mattress: 50mm high density
Manufactured: Australia
Is it really even a swag? Sure it is made from canvas, rolls up with the mattress inside and says swag on the packaging – but you can almost sit up straight in it, there is enough room for some luggage and it looks only a little bit like the others on this test. However, there was a lot to like about this swag. Even before we unrolled it, the quality was obvious – the Wax Converters canvas is top notch, and all of the straps and handle to carry it are the best quality. The swag came with alloy hoop poles and a galvanised spreader making it freestanding.
We liked that both sides of the swag could be rolled up to expose the night sky or let a breeze through – there is no chance of feeling claustrophobic in this model. The mattress was firm, which shielded us from all but the most gnarly of rocks or roots on the ground. On the downside, this is not a cheap swag. Expect to be paying top dollar for the privilege.
BURKE & WILLS COOLABAH
Cost: $659
Size: 110x215x80cm
Canvas: 15oz ripstop
Base: Canvas (tested) or PVC
Mattress: 75mm convoluted
Manufactured: Australia
By far the largest swag on our test the Coolabah by Burke & Wills was winning votes just from looking at its rap sheet. Available in colours such as purple, brown and even (believe it or not) green, other features such as the triple hoop design, PVC or canvas base options and an egg shell mattress make it a very good design.
We loved the space inside – more than enough to stretch out in and the fact that there was no canvas on us ever. Other great features included the PVC covers to put your shoes under and the interior pockets for keys and the like. Build wise, it was hard to fault the Australian made dome. Everything was high quality and you can tell you are getting what you paid for. Its one main downside – the mattress was maybe a little too soft, especially noticeable on rougher ground, which left us fairly intimate with a number of rocks that went unnoticed on setup.
ROMAN BREAKAWAY
Cost: $450
Size: 214 x 90cm
Canvas: 14oz Bradmill
Base: Heavy Duty PVC
Mattress: 50mm high-density foam
Manufactured: Overseas
The Breakaway by Roman has very recently been updated – so recently in fact that the one pictured was the only one in Australia for our test. The Breakaway has for a while been Roman's flagship swag. Made from Bradmill Canvas and complete with inbuilt pole carrier, triple hoop design, this new model did a much better job of keeping the canvas from sagging onto our bodies overnight.
What we liked about the Breakaway was how simple it was to set up, how well made it was and that it was up there with the more comfortable of the swags. The canvas extension at the head end also worked very well as a shelter for shoes and even something as simple as the handle when packed up made a difference to our opinion. The few gripes were how tight the pole hooks where especially when undoing them with cold fingers. We also found the zipper on the fl y a little tight around the top of the arch when hopping into bed.
DARCHE SUPERDOME
Cost: $349
Size: 213x88cm
Canvas: 14ox ripstop
Base: 500gsm PVC
Mattress: 50mm high-density foam
Manufactured: Overseas
According to Darche, it was them that pioneered the dome swag over 20 years ago. Two decades on and they are still doing a good job of it. The Superdome is a very basic but functional swag. Only utilising two hoops, its clever design meant the canvas was kept well and truly off us. The mattress was at the firmer end of the scale which our testing determined was much better in the long run as it compensated better for sleeping on irregular ground.
Overall, everything on the swag was easy to do – zips, hooks, packing it up and fitting the main hoop. We did find the centre pole a little tight fit at first, however, this did get slightly easier with use and practice. A handle to carry it with when packed up and some heavier duty buckles so you can roll it really tight would make it even better.
https://www.4wdaction.com.au/articles/2012/swags-glory
If you are in the market for a swag, not happy with your current canvas roll, or even just want to know why someone would possibly want to sleep in the living mans equivalent of a coffin, read on.
SOUTHERN CROSS CANVAS DOME SWAG
Cost: $685
Size: 213x82x70cm
Canvas: 10oz
Dynaproofed Base: PVC
Mattress: 50mm high density
Manufactured: Australia
Is it really even a swag? Sure it is made from canvas, rolls up with the mattress inside and says swag on the packaging – but you can almost sit up straight in it, there is enough room for some luggage and it looks only a little bit like the others on this test. However, there was a lot to like about this swag. Even before we unrolled it, the quality was obvious – the Wax Converters canvas is top notch, and all of the straps and handle to carry it are the best quality. The swag came with alloy hoop poles and a galvanised spreader making it freestanding.
We liked that both sides of the swag could be rolled up to expose the night sky or let a breeze through – there is no chance of feeling claustrophobic in this model. The mattress was firm, which shielded us from all but the most gnarly of rocks or roots on the ground. On the downside, this is not a cheap swag. Expect to be paying top dollar for the privilege.
BURKE & WILLS COOLABAH
Cost: $659
Size: 110x215x80cm
Canvas: 15oz ripstop
Base: Canvas (tested) or PVC
Mattress: 75mm convoluted
Manufactured: Australia
By far the largest swag on our test the Coolabah by Burke & Wills was winning votes just from looking at its rap sheet. Available in colours such as purple, brown and even (believe it or not) green, other features such as the triple hoop design, PVC or canvas base options and an egg shell mattress make it a very good design.
We loved the space inside – more than enough to stretch out in and the fact that there was no canvas on us ever. Other great features included the PVC covers to put your shoes under and the interior pockets for keys and the like. Build wise, it was hard to fault the Australian made dome. Everything was high quality and you can tell you are getting what you paid for. Its one main downside – the mattress was maybe a little too soft, especially noticeable on rougher ground, which left us fairly intimate with a number of rocks that went unnoticed on setup.
ROMAN BREAKAWAY
Cost: $450
Size: 214 x 90cm
Canvas: 14oz Bradmill
Base: Heavy Duty PVC
Mattress: 50mm high-density foam
Manufactured: Overseas
The Breakaway by Roman has very recently been updated – so recently in fact that the one pictured was the only one in Australia for our test. The Breakaway has for a while been Roman's flagship swag. Made from Bradmill Canvas and complete with inbuilt pole carrier, triple hoop design, this new model did a much better job of keeping the canvas from sagging onto our bodies overnight.
What we liked about the Breakaway was how simple it was to set up, how well made it was and that it was up there with the more comfortable of the swags. The canvas extension at the head end also worked very well as a shelter for shoes and even something as simple as the handle when packed up made a difference to our opinion. The few gripes were how tight the pole hooks where especially when undoing them with cold fingers. We also found the zipper on the fl y a little tight around the top of the arch when hopping into bed.
DARCHE SUPERDOME
Cost: $349
Size: 213x88cm
Canvas: 14ox ripstop
Base: 500gsm PVC
Mattress: 50mm high-density foam
Manufactured: Overseas
According to Darche, it was them that pioneered the dome swag over 20 years ago. Two decades on and they are still doing a good job of it. The Superdome is a very basic but functional swag. Only utilising two hoops, its clever design meant the canvas was kept well and truly off us. The mattress was at the firmer end of the scale which our testing determined was much better in the long run as it compensated better for sleeping on irregular ground.
Overall, everything on the swag was easy to do – zips, hooks, packing it up and fitting the main hoop. We did find the centre pole a little tight fit at first, however, this did get slightly easier with use and practice. A handle to carry it with when packed up and some heavier duty buckles so you can roll it really tight would make it even better.
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