Caravan and Camping Guide

Guides and Tips

New Swag Buyer’s Guide

Swag tent camping

The best swags offer all-in-one camping convenience without sacrificing comfort, quality, or durability. It’s a heavy-duty tent, with a bed mattress and other creature comforts, all in one package that you can roll up to stow on your roof rack. 

Of course, not all swags are created equal. The size of the tent, the material it’s made from, and the thickness of the mattress pad are all critical factors. Some swags can be customized to give you all the comforts of home.

To find the best swag you need to understand all your options. Luckily, we’ve broken all of that down for you and reviewed some of the best of the best swag out there in our article: The Swag You’re Looking for is Right Here – Unbiased Swag Reviews You Can Trust.

What To Look for in a Swag Tent

There are several important criteria to keep in mind when searching for the best swag to meet your needs. The type of fabric the tent body is made from, the type of structure that supports the thickness of the swag mattress pad, the mesh netting, and the floor design are all important factors.

The Type of Swag Tent: Traditional vs Free-Standing

Traditional swags are a little bit smaller and lighter, which makes them attractive if you have limited storage space. They also tend to be a little faster to set up. The biggest drawback with a traditional swag tent is the small amount of interior space. Some feel like you’re in a canvas kid’s blanket fort. They also don’t have as much interior space for creature comforts.

A free-standing swag usually has structural poles, and guy lines that you need to stake down. This adds to the weight and size, but you get a lot more interior sleeping space. It’s also easier to customize a free-standing swag with hanging fans and lights. Some even take advantage of the additional structure to secure awnings and other exterior swag accessories.

If storage space isn’t a problem or you need to sleep more than one person, then a free-standing swag tent is usually the best way to go. If you need to travel as light as possible, to hike or bike into your campsite, then a traditional swag is the better way to go.

Swag Size

A single swag is just fine for one person. This is the common size for nearly all traditional swag tents. If you want to sleep with a partner or co-sleep with a young child, the wise move is to get a free-standing double swag tent.

Tent Material

When choosing a swag tent, you want waterproof material, and it has a reputation for not leaking at the zippers and seams. Bonus points should be given to a swag tent that has storm flaps, as they let you get a little air even if it’s raining out.

Canvas

For canvas swags, you want to look at the GSM (Grams per square meter) which tells you how thick it is. You want a GSM of at least 280, but 400+ is even better. A lot of canvas swag tents need to be “Seasoned” to the manufacturer’s specs for them to be properly waterproof.

Ripstop Polyester or Polycotton

Ripstop materials are engineered to be durable and breathable. They often come imbued with waterproof treatment, which reduces some of the seasoning requirements.

Tent Floor

The best swags have a waterproof tub floor that comes up at least 10cm. The best floors are made from PVC fabric or treated with a PCV coating.  Not only does this help keep your swag mattress and bedding dry if it rains. It can also help reduce heat loss to the ground, which is a bigger factor if you’re camping in cooler weather. 

Mattress Type & Thickness

Swag mattresses come in many forms and thicknesses. There’s a definite tradeoff here, as a thicker mattress pad will be more comfortable, but the swag will be bulkier when it’s rolled up for storage. 

When choosing a swag mattress, you need to think about your camping style. If you always stick to caravan parks with smooth surfaces, you can get away with a 50mm mattress pad. If you go camping in the bush or at rustic caravan sites with rough ground, then you a thicker mattress of up to 200mm

Pro Tip: If storage space is at a premium, you might want to look for a swag with an extra inflatable mattress. The swag mattress itself can be thin, to reduce the space it takes up when rolled. When it’s time to set up your swag, you inflate it to give you more cushion when you need it. This compact strategy maximizes where and how you can use your swag when space and weight are at a premium.

Best Swag Camping Accessories

A waterproof swag bag is a must-have accessory if you’re planning to transport your swag on the roof rack. It keeps it safe from rain, dust, and damage from road debris. Most popular models have a companion swag bag that’s big enough for the swag and your bedding. 

An Exterior Tarp Floor

A mesh tarp gives you a waterproof, puncture-resistant base that comes in handy. The tarp gives you a clean place to take off your shoes. It also lets you crawl in and out of your swag without touching the bare ground!

A Swag Stretcher

A swag stretcher gets you up off the ground. This helps with heat loss through the mattress pad as well as letting you sit up when you get out. It’s a must-have item for anyone with mobility issues who still loves swag camping.

Just check the swag stretcher’s weight rating. You want to add the weight of the swag and the honest weight of the person sleeping in it. The rule of thumb is for that total to the 80% of the swag stretcher’s maximum.

An Awning Accessory

An additional awning flap on your swag gives you a little bit of an exterior roof without having to invest in a second structure. It’s great for bush camping where saving space and weight matters most. The accessory awning gives you a sunshade for times when you want to lounge in your swag. It can even give you a little protection against light rain on a hot day when you want to leave your screens open. 

A Portable Canopy, or Tarp

A portable canopy gives you an additional roof to protect your swag from the rain and sun.  Even the best swag zippers that are supposed to be “Waterproof” will eventually leak in heavy rain.

Having an extra surface above you prevent this common problem. It also gives you a little bit of a shaded spot to sit out and lounge when you don’t want to lay around in your swag.

Pro Tip: If you’re camping in the bush or a hike-in campsite, you can use a tarp and some bungee cords to create a separate waterproof roof over your swag. It’s a lot lighter than a popup pavilion, but you might have to get creative if there aren’t any trees around to anchor the bungees.

Portable Fans

A clip-on fan is a great camping accessory to add to your swag kit. Not only does it help keep cool on warm nights, but it can also help keep bugs off your face if one gets in when you do. It’s a must-have accessory if you’re the type of person who likes to sleep with a fan running at night.

Portable Lights

Clip-on lights come in handy when you want to see something quickly without searching for your phone or your flashlight. It also gives you a convenient reading light on rainy days. A portable camping light with LED fixtures is the most energy-efficient option to make the most out of your batteries. Some even run on USB rechargeable batteries.

Conclusion

A free-standing swag is likely the best option if you’re blessed with plenty of storage space in your car, and you camp at caravan parks with drive-up campsites. If you need to sleep with a child or a partner with you, then a double swag is always nice. If you do a fair bit of bush camping, or you need to travel as light as possible, then a traditional swag is going to be your best option. They’re easy to pack on your back or on a motorbike, and you can set them up quickly. However, they’re only really suitable for one person.

Whatever type of swag you choose, make sure to consider the mattress thickness. The thicker the swag mattress the more comfortable you’ll be, but the more space it will take up when rolled. In a pinch, an inflatable mattress adds a little extra comfort.

Ready to buy a new swag? Check out our article: The Swag You’re Looking for is Right Here – Unbiased Swag Reviews You Can Trust

Share Post:

Join Our Caravan & Camping Guide Community