What Is A Swag In Australia?
A swag is like a sleeping bag/tent hybrid that is very popular for camping in Australia. It’s actually a game changer if you want to elevate your camping experience and sleep under the stars in comfort. Swags are a common camping tool for Australians, but they are mostly unknown to the rest of the world.
Let’s unpack the concept of a swag, what it’s like, and why it’s the BEST addition to any camping trip in Australia.
What is a swag?
A swag is an upgrade to your standard camping tent, as it’s basically a comfy mattress encased in weather-proof canvas that pops up to create a roomy sleeping area. Some swags are for one person, so they are a similar size to a single sleeping bag. You can also get bigger swags for two people, which have a double-size camping mattress inside.
So the mattress sits inside the canvas outer coating of the swag, but there are poles to prop up the cover so you don’t get claustrophobic. They are extremely easy to set up!
A swag has two layers as well: the inner fly-screen layer and the outer canvas layer. On clear nights, you can unzip the outer canvas layer and sleep under the stars with the fresh air streaming in. And the fly screen layer keeps out the bugs, so it's the perfect set-up.
Now that I have experienced camping in a swag in Australia, I’ll never go back to regular tents and sleeping bags!
Is a swag warmer than a tent?
A swag is much warmer than a tent for two reasons. First, you are sleeping on a foam mattress which creates a barrier between your body and the cold, hard ground. You can put your own sleeping bag or bed linens on top of the mattress for extra comfort and warmth.
Second, the outer canvas layer of the swag is generally much thicker than your standard polyester tent. Not only does the canvas keep heat in, it also does an amazing job of keeping wind, rain, and cold air out. A swag is like a cosy pod that you can nestle into while you’re out in the wilderness, and you’ll get an amazing nights sleep regardless of the conditions outside.
Are swags waterproof?
Most swags are water resistant, but not 100% waterproof. It depends on the brand, the quality of the swag, and how much rain there actually is. I have a basic Adventure Kings Australia swag and it has always held up in rainy weather even though it’s technically not waterproof. Maybe if you’re in a torrential downpour, the swag might not keep all the water out.
Many recommend “seasoning” your swag when you first buy it as well to help with waterproofing.
Camping swags on Adventure Tours Austalia's Outback Camping Adventure
How to season a swag
Seasoning a swag is basically just getting it wet when it’s new, as this helps close in the seams and improve its water resistance. You just unpack your new swag, remove the inner mattress, and fully soak the canvas on the outside. Then leave it out to fully dry. The fabric should morph and fill in all the seams as it dries, making it much more durable in wet weather going forward.
As I said before, my swag has always kept us dry in rainy weather and we did the seasoning technique. So definitely don’t skip this step, just to be safe!
Note: if you’re on a camping tour of the Outback, the swags will already be seasoned so you don’t need to worry about this step.
Book your camping tour of Outback Australia!
Swags vs. tents in Australia
A swag is comfier and more durable than a basic tent, but it’s also bigger and bulkier. Whether you use a swag or a tent depends on where you are camping and how remote the campsite is.
Tents are better for walk-in campgrounds
If you’re hiking to a walk-in campsite and you can’t bring lots of gear, a regular tent will be easier. Tents are lightweight, they roll up small, and they can easily clip onto a large hiking backpack. But you’ll also need to carry your sleeping bag and camping pillow, so just keep that in mind.
Swags are better for drive-in campgrounds
If you’re driving straight to a campsite, you may prefer a swag because it will easily fit in most cars. Then you can just pull it out of the car, plop it on the ground, and set it up when you arrive at your campsite.
Because swags have a built-in foam mattress, they are much more comfortable than using a sleeping bag on the ground. But that also makes them heavier and bulkier than a tent, so they generally don’t work for walk-in campgrounds (unless the walk is relatively short and you can make multiple trips with your gear).
Most tours in the Outback of Australia have a pre-set up campsite that the tour bus can drive to. So it’s common for Outback camping tours to include swag camping.
Best swags in Australia
If you’re looking to buy a swag for your camping adventures in Australia, there are several trusted brands to choose from. These include:
- Adventure Kings
- Southern Cross Canvas
- 23Zero
- Darche
- Saul Swags
- AOS
I recommend reading reviews before buying a swag to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Swags can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on the size and brand. If you’re going to use your swag often, it may be worth paying more for a better quality one that will last you years. But it’s all up to personal preference.
I personally have the double size of the Adventure Kings Swag. It was on the cheaper side ($200-ish) and we’ve been using it 2-5 times a year for about 5 years. It’s still in amazing shape and has never let us down.
Experience swag camping on your Outback tour!
A camping tour of Australia’s Outback is the perfect place to experience a swag. Imagine snuggling into a cosy, personal-sized sleeping bag with a foam mattress and unzipping that canvas layer so you can gaze up at the stars. You’re in the middle of the vast Australian continent, surrounded by endless desert landscapes and sacred Indigenous sites that have existed for millions of years. You can fall asleep to the crackling of a campfire and wake up to the beauty of the sunrise.
This is the Australian Outback at its finest!
