This guide exclusively covers some of the best swags Australia has on offer, and more specifically, Australian made swags.
Why? Because these traditional swags are crafted right here in Australia using time honoured Aussie skills and high quality local materials. The are not mass produced.
Each and every Australian swag is made to the highest standards; meaning they will last you for years to come.
NOTE: There is unprecendented demand for Australian made swags. Almost all of the swag makers in Australia work on a 'made to order' basis. You put your order/deposit in to secure a spot in the queue. Some of the lead times can stretch out to months. Contact them for updates on lead times.
Moving right along, as they say. 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 swags 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.
The Best Australian Swags – Comparison Table
- Canvas treated to resist water and decay
- Generously roomy
- Equipped with sandfly mesh
- Detachable and washable full mattress cover
- Twin zips for effortless access
- Extended flap over the head area
- Backed by a 10-year warranty
- Available in both single and double sizes
- Composed of polyester/cotton blend for unparalleled durability
- Virtually of military-grade quality
- Resistant to rot, mildew, and shrinkage
- Covered by a 10-year warranty
- Ideal for warm, humid environments
- Complete zip on both sides
- Superb weather resistance
- Standard insect net included
- Top flap can be adjusted into an A-frame
- 12 oz polyester/cotton, fully resistant to mildew, rot, and water
- Base made of PVC Vinyl
- Large tooth zips with a cover flap to prevent dirt
- An additional 300mm floor space extends beyond the swag's head opening
- Features leather straps
- Includes large zip-up flaps
- A spacious and cosy swag
- Crafted from 15oz proofed cotton canvas
- Top-notch, handmade swag
- Fitted with a 70mm high-density mattress
- All fixtures are brass/stainless steel
- Fabric made from polyester/cotton - durable and waterproof
- Backed by a lifetime manufacturer's warranty
If you’re new to swag camping, then skip down to get all the good information on how to decide what will work best for you by clicking here.
If you’re all good with that, then read the full detailed reviews immediately below.
Best Australian Swag Reviews
Our Pick for the Best Australian Made Swags
Australian swag makers produce some of the best swags and outdoors products in the world.
All of the traditional swags here are ‘best of‘, and you can’t really go wrong with any of them. However, AOS Swags have been around for a long time, for very good reason. They are superb.
There’s a good choice in sizes and styles. Whether your are stickler for a traditional swag, or like the additional comforts of a dome swag, you’re covered!
This Australian-made AOS swag will not let you down with its great quality and durability.
It uses computer-aided design (CAD) and modern manufacturing procedures to maintain its excellent standards.
AOS Swags have a conventional, spacious Apex design cut so you have enough room with an extended head flap.
This swag features a sandfly-proof FineTex Mesh Window and a two-zip design that allows access from both sides.
It can also be configured in a variety of ways to maximize airflow as well as provide more protection.
This queen size swag is spacious for one, and might even be right for as a 2 person swag if you like it cosy.
But AOS swags also come in single and double sizes.
It's also backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Check out the various AOS Swags by clicking here.
- Water and rot proofed canvas
- Spacious
- Sandfly mesh
- Washable zip-off full mattress cover
- Easy access twin zips
- Extended head flap
- Australian-made 70mm Foam Mattress
- 10-year warranty
Here are a list of several other Australian made swags that we really like and want to support:
This range of Australian swags is considered one of the ‘best from the West‘.
They have been in business for over 40 years, and have continually developed and refined their products over that time.
A good indicator on the quality of the swag is the warranty on offer. These products are covered by a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty.
Again, like all the best Australian made swags, they are made to highest standards.
Comes in both single and double sizes, and is loved by generations.
Best of all, all Murchison swags are handmade with incredible attention to detail and you can really tell!
Check out Murchison River Swags by clicking here
- Comes in both single and double sizes
- Polyester/cotton for ultimate durability
- Basically military grade specs
- Rot/mildew proof, shrink resistant
- Stainless steel fittings
- 50mm high density foam mattress
- 10-year warranty
CC Swags make a range of traditional and innovative ‘cabin-style’ swags.
The latter style form into a rectangular shape with overhang to maximise the internal useable area and give great weather protection.
These CC swags can all be used as tent style swag, or flat.
They have Australian made polyester/cotton canvas for breathability and durability and high density foam mattresses with removable cover.
Insect nets can be used on its own for those hot nights as well.
Check out CC Swags by clicking here
- Perfect for hot, humid conditions
- Full zip on either side
- Excellent all weather proofing
- Insect net standard
- Choice of 6 colours
- Two sizes - 76cm x 198cm, 76cm x 210cm
Sunset canvas makes two styles of Australian made swags – Deluxe and Sunset. The Deluxe swag has a sown in foot-end, much like a sleeping bag while the Sunset swag has the top flap open both ends.
Both styles have a canvas top (12oz poly/cotton) and a PVC base and they can be ordered with a canvas base if you choose.
There is plenty of room with a generous top flap width allowing it to be pitched A-frame/tent style to give extra room.
Both styles come in three sizes; single, king single and double, so there’s plenty of choice to get the Sunset canvas swag that best suits you.
In addition to this you have a choice of 75mm/50mm high density foam mattress with cover and other options include insect screen, storm flap, and personalisation.
Check out Sunset Canvas Swags by clicking here
- Available in 3 sizes - Single, King Single, Double
- Top flap can be tied into A-frame
- 12 oz polyester/cotton fully mildew, rot and water resistant
- PVC Vinyl base
- Large tooth zips with cover flap to keep dirt out
- Choice of colours for base and canvas top
- Floor extension of 300mm past head of swag
An Aussie swag range through and through, they have two styles of Australian made swag on offer and both styles are available in two sizes – single and double.
Sar Major Ghan Swag
- Great weekender swag
- Value for money
- 63mm med-density mattress
- 15 oz proofed cotton canvas
Sar Major Deluxe Swag
- Leather straps, large zip-up flaps
- Comfortable, warm swag – ideal for extended outback travel
- 63mm med-density mattress
- 150z proofed cotton canvas
- Their best seller
Check out Sar Major Swags by clicking here.
- Leather straps
- Large zipup flaps
- Roomy and warm swag
- Two different styles
- Both styles come in single and double sizes
- 15oz proofed cotton canvas
The Saul Swags are one of the most simple Australian made swags on the market at the moment, because they’ve been designed to last for a life time. This is achieved by:
- Elimination of zippers, Velcro and press studs so nothing can really fail
- High quality materials – solid brass, marine grade stainless steel
- Australian made canvas and leather
This doesn’t mean comfort has been sacrificed along the way:
- Generous sizes – with the option of an extra long version at 235cm
- Saul Swags come in both Single and Double versions
- 70mm high density mattress in the single swag version.
- And all Saul Swags come with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
Check out Saul Swags by clicking here
- High quality hand crafted swag
- Standard size - 100cm (W) x 210cm (L)
- Extra long size - 100cm (W) x 235cm (L)
- 70mm high density mattress
- All fittings brass/stainless steel
- Polyester/cotton fabric - strong and waterproof
- Lifetime manufacturer's warranty
Features and Benefits of The Best Australian Swags
Types of Swags
Traditional swag or Bedroll Swag
The single biggest benefit of a traditional flat swag is they are quick and easy to set up; for a traditional swag set up all you need to do is 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 of the traditional canvas swag cover off your face if you need to snuggle down during the night. Some users are OK with this, others find it off-putting.
Dome or Tunnel Swags
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.
Air Swags
These are very quick to setup, stable and still provide all of the benefits of a dome swag.
Swag Sizes
- 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 traditional swag for your needs, take into account your height and weight. Pretty simple really.
Materials
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.
Climate Rating
Other Features
Water Proofing Your New Swag
This process may have to be repeated a couple of times. Refer to the instructions that come with the best Australian made swag of your choice.
This causes the cotton stitching to swell and make an effective waterproof seal. Otherwise it isn’t completely waterproof!
Best Swag Mattress
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 .
