Like any product you will take with you on more remote and outback trips, you need to get some knowledge on how to select the best swag Australia has on offer that best suits your needs.

These best swag reviews will take you through some basic information on what you need to look for so you can confidently answer the question of ‘what is the best swag’ for you.

So, whether you’re looking for the best double swag Australia offers, best single swags, best swag tent or something else entirely we’re sure to have what you need!

• Types of swags.
• Sizes of swags.
• Material quality.
• Features – mattress quality, ventilation, zips, poles.

If you’re good with all this, then just click on the links immediately below to see more info, prices and reviews on the best swags on the market.

Or see our comparison table to get a quick summary. Just click here.

Here is quick comparison table of swag reviews.  This will help you quickly check out the features and benefits of what we believe are the best swags, 2022.

By now you should know enough to know what could work for you.  Here are some swags for you to check out, and hopefully help you get the best swag to buy.

With the spacious Dual Cab Double Swag, you won’t feel packed on your next outdoor trip. It is composed of a waterproof 400gsm ripstop polycotton canvas that protects you from all the weather conditions. It also includes a water-resistant PVC bucket floor for ultimate waterproofing, storm flaps that help you get dry in all-weather situations, and sandfly-proof netting.

There’s a huge side entrance door that maximizes the airflow. There’s also a single-sided awning that’s simple to set up for extra protection of your belongings. It has a solid free-standing alloy pole design, with reinforced canvas pole end sleeves and a three-pole galvanised steel ridge bar for extra strength and stability. 

This 1 m tall swag also comes with a queen-sized 70mm high density foam mattress, 2.1 m long, which you can use to sleep comfortably outside if you want. Awning poles may be purchased separately to extend the sides to give you more protection. This swag is made of high-quality materials and is quite affordable!

Specs (Double Swag)

• Dimensions:  215 x 155 x 100 cm LWH
• Weight: 17.2kg
• Material: 400gsm PolyCotton Ripstop Canvas
• Base: 480gsm PVC Bucket Floor
• Mattress: 7cm High Density Foam Mattress
• Mesh: Sandfly-proof mesh

Click here to check availability on the 4×4 Equip Dual Cab Double Swag.

This swag is one of the easiest to set up and is one of the most comfortable and well-designed tents out there. This stretcher has sleeping room for two people.

The stretcher frame also has the advantage of keeping you off the ground, especially in humid conditions. On the inside, you’ll find a padded brushed polyester sleeping surface, and to keep your things organized, there are pockets and a mesh under-bed shelf for off-the-ground storage.

There are two massive doors on either side. It has a highly breathable mesh net for an insect-free environment and a heavy-duty 150-denier ripstop fly. It has a full-length fly for additional ground coverage.

Specs

• Colour:Beige/Grey
• Fabric:Hard wearing, 150 Denier ripstop fly
• Weight Rating:150 kg (on each side)
• Bed Height:30 cm
• Dimensions:200 x 144 x 30/150 cm (L x W x H)
• Weight:26 kg
• Pack Size:102 x 38 x 22 cm (L x W x H)

Click here to check availability on the Oztrail Ultimate All Weather Stretcher Queen.

This swag is the perfect all-round outdoor adventure companion. Darche has dubbed the Dirty Dee swag the “ultimate freestanding swag.” The swag includes a 70mm thick mattress.

It’s comfortable with plenty of room for one reasonably sized person, high enough to sit up and move around, and enough ventilation thanks to its four mesh windows that can be closed securely from the outside with canvas flaps and velcro tabs.

The mesh and zips are of high quality. The PVC floor is strong, as is the stitching in the corners where the rings connect to the frame to prevent any leaks.

Both entries on either side are double-zipped. The shape of the poles makes it durable and means it can hold up to any weather condition, which also gives plenty of room inside.

Specs

• Dimensions: 2150mm L x 1100mm W x 850mm H (open)
• Dimensions: 1150 mm L x 1100mm W x 850mm H (packed down)
• Weight: 13.00kg
• Colour: Khaki

Click here to check availability on the Darche Dirty Dee 1100 Swag With 70mm Mattress.

You’ll be up and running in less than 20 seconds with the new Darche AD 900 Swag. It provides you a quick setup anywhere you want and can hold up to any weather situations.

With the innovative Air-Volution inflating mechanism, it has a high capacity hand pump that will inflate the whole swag in less than 20 seconds with just one inflation point.

It is well-ventilated with a breathable mesh and it has also storage compartments on the inside. It features a two-way entry and storm coverings that may be converted into awnings. The swag includes a comfortable 50mm poly/cotton high density foam mattress.

Specs

• Dimensions: 2150mm L x 900mm W x 900mm H
• Weight: 11.9kg

Click here to check availability on the Darche Ad 900 Swag.

The Coleman Instant Swagger Tent is a terrific alternative to traditional swag. It has a unique new Instant Up structure that allows for extremely quick set up, as well as a strong frame design and spring-loaded fiberglass poles for more headroom.

This compact camping tent comfortably sleeps up to three people.

It’s also durable enough for all weather conditions, with 150D polyester for both the tent and the fly, a 1500mm waterhead rating, and a PE Tarp floor of 14 x 14.

Specs

• Pitched Dimensions: 250cm L x 290cm W x 120cm H
• Weight: 10 Kilograms
• Waterhead Rating: Tent & Fly 1500mm
• Head height at centre: 1.3m
• Tent & Fly Fabric:  150 Denier Polyester
• Floor Fabric: Polyethelene

Click here to check availability on the Coleman 3 Person Swagger Instant Up Tent.

Good all-round product.  We have a number of the Adventure Kings brand products, and they work well.

This one is generous in the size area for a single swag and has large storm flaps and good ventilation.

This is the Kings Single swag review but they also make a double swag (the Big Daddy) with a similar design, which has a footprint of 215cm x 155cm and headroom of 100cm, which makes it the biggest swag on the market.  So, if you’re looking for some additional room, take a look at a Kings Big Daddy Deluxe swag review.

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Specs (Single Swag)

• Size: 210cm(L) x 90cm(W) x 80cm(H)
• Material: 400gm/sq.m polycotton canvas (ripstop)
• Mattress Thickness: 50mm
• Flooring: PVC ‘Bucket’ Floor
• Weight: ~ 12kgs

Click here for more details, prices and reviews on the Adventure Kings Deluxe Escape Single Swag; or

Click here for more details, prices and reviews on the Adventure Kings ‘Big Daddy’ Deluxe Double Swag.

The Darche brand has been around for decades, and no product review would be complete without highlighting their kit.

Darche make really good swags that deserve to be under the banner of best Australian swags.

This one is not cheapest out there, but it sure has a dray-load of impressive features. It’s free standing, offers 180^o ‘star gazing’ views, excellent ventilation, it’s large inside, storage pockets for things like phones, full storm cover, boot mat.

Specs (King Single)

• Size: 215cm(L) x 110cm(W) x 81cm
• Material: 420gm/sq.m ripstop canvas
• Mattress Thickness: 50mm
• Flooring: PVC Vinyl
• Weight: ~ 14.3kgs

Click here to check availability on the Darche Steel Dusk to Dawn Swag.

I’ve put this one in here, it’s not one of the more prominent brands on the Australian scene, but is well worthy of consideration.

It comes with a few things I personally like in a swag setup.  It’s roomy, up off the ground, good ventilation, insect screens, storm flaps and has a comfortable mattress setup.  There’s also an optional sleeping bag specifically designed to go with this swag.

There’s also a twin Homestead Swag, designed for a couple and would have to be one of the best double swags in Australia. 

Please note:  the double swag has a supporting bar length way down the middle, so it’s not suitable for a larger person wanting extra room.  You’re better off looking at the Adventure Kings Deluxe Escape Big Daddy Swag.

Specs (Single Swag)

• Size: 225cm(L) x 100cm(W) x 80cm
• Material: 440gm/sq.m canvas
• Mattress Thickness: 40mm
• Flooring: Canvas
• Weight: ~ 14kgs

Visit www.kulkyne.com.au for more details, prices and reviews on the Kulkyne Kampers Homestead Swags.

While on the topic of different takes on the best swag setup, one worthy of consideration is the stretcher tent, or cot tent.

I own one of these, and honestly, they’re pretty damn good. ?

You’re up off the ground, and that’s important when you get up in years.  They take no more time to setup than any other swag arrangement, and stow down to a very manageable size and weight.  Good headroom, ventilation and size to sleep an adult comfortably.

We put ours under a gazebo, just for a bit more all-round weather protection.  Other than that, they’re a good, robust unit.

I’ve picked the Oztrail brand, but there’s a few out there.  It’s a matter of which one takes your fancy.

Specs

• Size: 200cm(L) x 80cm(W) x 140/42cm
• Material: Synthetic UVTex fabric with water repellent treatment
• Mattress Thickness: 40mm
• Flooring: Synthetic
• Weight: ~ 12.5kgs

Click here to check availability on the Oztrail Easy Fold Stretcher Tent.

This is an Aussie made product, and it’s one of the best traditional swags around.  It has a water and rot-proof base top and base made from a quality 470gm/sq.m canvas.  Carry bag, pegs, guy ropes are all included in the price, and comes with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

It’s also available in a number of sizes – Single, King Single, Double and Queen.

Mattress is 70mm and comes fitted with a removable, washable cover.

Specs (Single Swag)

• Size: 200cm(L) x 71cm(W) x 70cm (Height at head)
• Material: 470gm/sq.m polycotton canvas (plain weave)
• Mattress Thickness: 70mm
• Flooring: Canvas
• Weight: ~ 8.7kgs

Click here to check availability on the AOS Bushman Deluxe Apex Single Swag.

This is an update of the popular Mitchell King swag, which has been around for a while.  A good solid product with a durable construction at a reasonable price point.

It uses a lighter, proprietary ‘SatProof’ fabric in conjunction with conventional ripstop canvas to provide a lighter swag with the benefits of canvas.

The top entry arrangement makes it easy to get in and out of the swag.

It also has an eyelet for an optional centre ridge pole to pitch it without needing guy ropes, which can be big plus in rocky or hard surfaced camp areas.

The mesh windows use the finer No-See-Um fabric, which gives good ventilation and keeps anything that might decide to have a feed off you well and truly on the outside.

Specs (Single Swag)

• Size: 210cm(L) x 90cm(W) x 70cm (Height at head)
• Material: 230gm/sq.m ‘SatProof’ + ripstop canvas
• Mattress Thickness: 50mm
• Flooring: PVC Vinyl Shield
• Weight: ~ 6.3kgs

Click here to check availability on the Oztrail Mitchell Expedition Swag.

This swag is by Australian brand Darche who have been making swags for over two decades. The canvas is wax coated with Max-Treme brand wax and is ripstop canvas so you get a strong, durable, but breathable swag which has great water resistance. Included is the 70mm high-density foam mattress for ultimate comfort on all surfaces.

The swag has an adjustable head pole, rear supports, bucket floor, and uses high quality American & Efird thread. You’ll find a built in clothes storage pocket at the head section which doubles as a handy pillow. 

Along with your purchase, you’ll even get the Darche lifetime warranty, so there’s not much to lose with this purchase.

Specs (King Single)

• Size: 215cm(L) x 90cm(W)
• Material: 16oz Max-Treme 100% cotton ripstop canvas
• Mattress Thickness: 70mm high-density foam mattress
• Weight: 10.60kg

Click here to check availability on the Darche Traditional Swag.

Oztrail has come through with this fantastic, lightweight swag, perfect for bikers or anyone just looking to keep weight to a minimum.

The canvas is 230GSM and is made with blended cotton that is waterproof and resistant to mildew. The canvas is coated in such a way that it keeps its water-resistance even after plenty of use. It will also block out heat and provides 98% protection from harmful UV rays. The large mesh panels allow fresh air in when you need but keep bugs out. The swag also comes with a 5cm mattress.

Along with your purchase, you’ll get a two year warranty against defects. The best thing about this fantastic swag though is the price!

Specs (Single)

• Size: 200cm x 75cm
• Material: 230gsm SatProof 600+ ripstop canvas
• Mattress Thickness: 50mm
• Flooring: 460gsm heavyweight PVC vinyl floor
• Weight: 5kg

Click here to check availability on the Oztrail Biker Edition Swag.

This is Darche’s newly upgraded swag which is designed to be the ideal combination of comfort, protection from the elements, and durability for up to two people. It’s so simple to set up and pack down (takes just 90 seconds) and fits in a compact bag without trouble. 

Use it every season and for all weathers. Don’t worry about bugs or lack of circulation, since the large mesh panels take care of this and the 5cm thick mattress is super comfy without being bulky or heavy.

You can buy awning poles to go with this swag, which gives great protection from the sun when you want to be outside of the tent. For peace of mind, you’ll get a two year warranty against defects.

Specs 

• Size: 230cm(L) x 155cm(W) x 100cm(H)
• Material: Single skin 420GSM proofed poly/cotton ripstop canvas
• Mattress Thickness: 50mm
• Flooring: HF Welded PVC 600GSM bucket floor
• Weight: 22kg

Click here to check availability on the Darche Nebula Swag Tent.

This great swag by Darche uses a wax-coated Max Treme 16oz ripstop canvas — giving the perfect combination of strength, comfort, and durability, as well as maximum breathability and water resistance. 

It comes with a super thick 70mm high-density foam mattress which provides amazing comfort even on hard or uneven grounds.

One of the coolest features of this swag is the three way entry — so handy. It’s also really roomy (1.1 metres wide). This swag is built to last and is even backed up by a lifetime warranty against defects so you know it is an investment you can trust.

Specs 

• Size: 215cm x 110cm
• Material: Wax coated Max-Treme 16oz ripstop canvas
• Mattress Thickness: 70mm
• Flooring: Heavy duty laminated 600gsm PVC bucket floor
• Weight: 13.34kg

Click here to check availability on the Darche Ridgedome Swag.

These have been around forever, and as the name suggests they are a mattress in a large canvas pocket.  They have either a zip or press studs up one side for ease of getting in and out of it.

The single biggest benefit is they are quick and easy to set up; just unleash the strap and roll them out.  They are relatively light and generally can take any amount of punishment.

If there is a disadvantage, there’s nothing keeping the top canvas cover off your face if you need to snuggle down during the night.  Some users are OK with this, others find it off-putting.

As the name suggests, they’re like a camping cot.  They do take a bit more time to set up, as it involves poles and ropes.

These days they offer good ventilation with insect screening and the design creates a space between you and the canvas.  For me, these are the best camping swag to take with you, unless space is a premium.

One of the latest innovations in dome swags is removing the need for ropes and poles with the shape of the swag being kept in place by inflating an air frame.  A high volume, low pressure pump is used, and it takes between 10 and 15 seconds.

These are very quick to setup, stable and still provide all of the benefits of a dome swag.

For quick reference, here are the three sizes for swags

• Single – 180-230cm (L) x 60-90cm (W)
• King – 180-230cm (L) x 90-110cm (W)
• Double – 190-230cm (L) x 110-130cm (W)

To pick which is the best swag 2022, take into account your height and weight. Pretty simple really. Below we have double swag reviews, singles and king singles.

One of the more important aspects of picking the best swag to buy.  When outdoors, sometimes it’s going to get damp through the night.  Even if you’re under a gazebo or canvas fly, either rain or dew is going to get onto your swag. 

To keep you warm and dry, the best material is canvas; and it must have the basic characteristics: –

• Weight – minimum 400gm/sq.m (12 oz), better if it’s around 540gm/sq.m (16 oz), where ‘oz’ refers to a traditional imperial measure of canvas strength and quality and stands for ‘ounces per square yard’. Gm/sq.m is grams per square metre, the metric equivalent.
• Sewing – seams need to be sewn with high gauge cotton thread; which expands when it gets wet to seal off where the canvas is joined.
• Ripstop weaves – most durable canvas is made in a particular way to resist tearing if a hole develops. Again, worth having.
• Mould resistance – it isn’t always possible to pack your swag away when it’s dry when you’re out on the road. To avoid mould and mildew attacking the fabric, it’s a good investment to make sure it’s rot proofed.

Depending on where you intend to go, always check the climate rating on the swag.  Some of the lighter swags are not that good for colder areas.

Things to watch out for are about overall quality.  Check for quality of poles, zips, ventilation and last, but definitely not least, the mattress.  More on mattresses below.

When you get hold of your new swag, don’t forget you need to put it up in the back yard, and wet the canvas and all stitched seams down well with the hose.  Then let it dry out completely. 

This process may have to be repeated a couple of times.  Refer to the instructions that come with the sway of your choice.

This causes the cotton stitching to swell and make an effective waterproof seal. Otherwise it isn’t completely waterproof!

Let’s talk mattresses. ?

Swags, roof top tents, cot tents mattresses are typically in the depth range of 50mm to 75mm.  They’re made that way to minimise storage space.

We’ve got a roof top tent and a cot tent; and I found it hard to get rid of the old numb hip by morning. What we did is go and buy a cheap air mattress to give an extra amount of pliability to the sleeping area. You can pick them up for around $20 – $35 from discount warehouse stores.

A 2.03m X 1.52m X 0.22cm fits our roof top tent perfectly. Add in a 12V air pump (For example, Coleman Inflate-All 12V Air Pump) which you can pick up for around $20. 

The only disadvantage is you lose head room, but for my money it’s the best swag mattress arrangement.  The loss of head room is a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep; and makes for one of the best swag setups you can have.

Once the deflated, the air mattress takes up very little room, and can be rolled up with the swag.

You can check out some pumps here – Air Bed Pumps

And check out some air beds here – Air Mattresses.

Also, if getting down onto the ground is an issue, remember, you can pop your swag onto a canvas camp stretcher to get you up off the ground, away from moisture, crawling insects and reptiles.

Take a look at some suitable camp stretchers here – Camp Stretchers .

We also research and publish buying guides to help you get the camping gear that’s just right for you.

If you’re looking for a rooftop tent, a camping fridge, a camping generator, a camping stove, a swag/sleeping bag, a gazebo or perhaps a camp oven, then take a look at our latest Camping Gear Buying Guides