Best Swags in Australia – Reviewed & Compared

Planning on doing some camping in Australia’s glorious outdoors? Good on you! While you’re out exploring everything this amazing country has to offer, your swag will be your home away from home.

But how do you know which one to get? Well, in this article, I have reviewed and compared the best swags Australia to help you work out which one is right for you!

Let’s take a look at them!

Best Swags Australia

23Zero Bandit Swag 900

In my opinion, the 23Zero Bandit 900 is the best swag in Australia. It is widely loved by swag users for it’s rock solid build quality that won’t let you down no matter the conditions.

It is constructed from thick 400 GSM canvas, but the really awesome part is that all of the seams in the swag are fully sealed from the inside. This means that the swag is fully waterproof straight out of the box (no seasoning required).

Waterproofing can be a major headache for canvas swags and tents alike, so having this all sorted before you even buy it is a huge relief.

There’s 4 doors that also double as windows, plus 2 additional windows, 1 at each end of the swag. This makes access super easy and also means that you’ll have enough ventilation to keep you cool or prevent condensation buildup.

The 70mm mattress is nice and comfy. The whole thing is backed by 23Zero’s excellent 2 year warranty.

14kg is pretty heavy to carry by yourself, so make sure that you park as close to your campsite as possible.

It comes in 900, 1100 and 1400 sizes.

XTM 4x4 Single Swag

If you’re on a tight budget but still need a decent swag to get you through your next trip, look no further than the XTM 4x4 single swag!

This is a surprisingly solid piece of kit that gets the job done for a very low price. It’s made from 400 GSM canvas and is sized similarly to the other swags on this list.

It’s got decent quality seams, has plenty of internal pockets to help you organise your gear at night, plus it packs down to a very small volume, so it won’t hog the whole boot!

The included 50mm mattress is alright, but not as good as some of the other, thicker mattresses, such as the 23Zero Bandit one.

The 65cm head height is also quite low and a bit of a disappointment. It makes the swag feel quite claustrophobic.

If this doesn’t bother you, then the XTM 4x4 swag is definitely a solid option at a very low price.

For more info, check out our XTM 4x4 swag review!

Oztent RS-1 Swag

The Oztent RS-1 is an absolute beast of a swag. It has a very spacious interior, with a 215cm long and 105cm wide sleeping area. Combine that with the 100cm internal ceiling and it feels more like a small tent than a swag!

It has an included awning to give you even more space and some external shelter.

It is made from polyester rather than the traditional canvas, but don’t let that deter you. It uses high quality Ripstop canvas with a waterproof rating of 1,500mm, so you will be dry even in heavy rain.

Unfortunately, the polyester and design with few windows means that ventilation can be an issue at times. It would be nice if Oztent added a few extra windows to their design.

The bulky size and hefty weight when packed are also a negative. This is not a very portable swag, and it will take up a bit of space in your boot or on the roof.

If you would like to add a little more comfort to this swag, consider pairing it with the Oztent RS-1S Stretcher! As well as added comfort, you also keep cool off the ground and won't get insects trying to find their way into your swag!

AOS Bushman Deluxe Single Swag

Aussie Outback Supplies (aka. AOS) are the producers of some of the highest quality swags in Australia. They proudly manufacture all of their swags in Australia, which makes purchasing an AOS swag a great way to support the Australian economy and jobs, while getting a top notch product.

(If buying Australian made sounds good to you, check out my list of the top Australian made swags!)

The Bushman Deluxe Apex swags are made from high quality canvas and come with a sturdy swag carry bag, 4 steel pegs and even 2 sand pegs for soft ground.

It has a 70mm mattress, and the unique design allows you to enter the swag from either side. As it is a traditional swag, the head height is lower and slightly more claustrophobic than the other dome swags on this list.

The best part about this swag is that it is covered by the AOS 10 year guarantee! If a manufacturer offers a 10 year guarantee on their product, especially something as hard-wearing as a swag, you know it must be good quality.

It even comes with a built-in bottle opener!

Available in single, king single, double and queen sizes. If you are quite tall, definitely consider going for the king single, as this will give you a bit of extra space.

OZtrail Mitchell Expedition Single Swag

The OZtrail Mitchell Expedition swag is an affordable yet very well built swag. It is loved for its excellent protection from the elements, keeping you warm and dry no matter the conditions outside.

It has a wider mattress than other models, although the internal ceiling is a bit lower.

Speaking of the mattress, the included one is a bit thin and uncomfortable if you will be using it for trips longer than a few days. Considering replacing it with a self inflating swag mattress or similar if you need some extra comfort.

Otherwise, this is an excellent swag that holds up really well in a variety of weather conditions, for an excellent price.

It comes in single and double sizes.

Darche Dirty Dee 900 Swag

Another solid option is the Darche Dirty Dee range of swags.

Much like the other swags in this list, it is a well-built canvas swag that you can expect to get plenty of use from. It is built with plenty of doors and windows for ventilation.

Many users have reported getting 5+ years of use out of this swag and say that their unit is still going strong.

Unfortunately, others have reported that the swag leaks water readily and is not particularly waterproof. This may be due to a lack of seasoning, it is difficult to say.

It seems that the build quality on these units is a bit hit-and-miss.

In any case, the swag is covered by the Darche 2 year warranty.

It comes in 900, 1100 and 1400 sizes.

For more info, see my Darche Dirty Dee swag review.

Kings Escape Deluxe Single Swag

The Adventure Kings Escape Deluxe is a decent dome swag that is probably best for the so-called weekend warriors who usually head away for a couple of days at a time.

It is approximately the same size as the 23Zero Bandit, and it is made from the same 400 GSM canvas. However, there have been a number of complaints about the quality of the waterproofing on this swag. Many people have found that this swag readily leaks water at the first sign of rain.

This may well be a seasoning issue, however, as this swag does need to be seasoned properly before it will be waterproof. Check out this article on how to season your swag.

Another slight niggle is that the included mattress is not particularly comfortable. For short trips this won't be an issue, but for longer trips, consider investing in an extra swag mattress.

Otherwise, the fast setup and low price make this a very popular swag.

It is available in single and double sizes.

Check out my full Kings Escape Deluxe review!

Honourable Mentions

The Darche Dawn to Dusk range are great all-rounder swags in my opinion. There is nothing particularly special about them that other swags don’t have, but the features that they do have are well executed.

The sleeping area is wide and long enough for everyone and includes a decent 70mm thick mattress.

Thick polycotton canvas combined with a robust design makes this a solidly waterproof swag. Many have commented on how well this swag performs in the rain.

A nice feature are the dual entries which can open up completely, giving you full ventilation and a view of the stars. If you purchase some additional poles, you can also set these openings up as awnings.

Unfortunately, a few people have mentioned that their poles snapped while they were using their swag - often on the second or third use. This is quite disappointing and is hopefully just limited to a few defective units.

Thankfully, the swag is covered by the Darche 2 year warranty, so you should be able to return the unit if you encounter any issues.

It comes in 900, 1100 and 1400 sizes.

Find out more in my Darche Dusk To Dawn swag review!

BCF Wanderer Contour Single Swag

The Wanderer Contour single swag by BCF is another solid option. It uses thick 450 GSM canvas and the waterproofing is reportedly excellent.

The included mattress seems comfortable enough and the internal area of the swag is on par with other models on this list.

The only real downside seems to be the internal head height, which is very low at just 68cm. This gives the swag a slightly claustrophobic feel.

If that doesn’t bother you, then this is a decent option. Keep in mind, though, that you can pick up the 23Zero Bandit for a similar price, so I tend to recommend them over the Wanderer swags.

Anaconda Dune 4WD Barwon Swag

The Dune 4WD Barwon by Anaconda is another reasonable choice. It’s decent enough, although it doesn’t offer anything new or particularly groundbreaking.

It’s fitted with decent canvas and has similar length and width to the other swags on the list. Much like the BCF swag, the head height is very low, in this case it is just 65cm.

If you are a club member and can access the lower price, then I think it’s not a bad option, although I certainly wouldn’t recommend it without this discount, as it is far too overpriced at RRP. If you aren’t a club member, look at the other swags in this article and go with one of them instead.

What To Consider When Purchasing A Swag?

Your swag is your protection from the elements while you’re enjoying Australia’s great outdoors. It keeps you off the ground, out of the wind and rain, as well as safe from any insects or animals.

It pays to spend a bit of time to make sure that you get the right swag for your needs.

Swag FAQ

Are swags waterproof?

Swags are almost always made out of polycotton canvas which, when seasoned properly, are waterproof in all but the wettest of weather.

Are swags comfortable?

Swags come with an included mattress - the comfort level of your swag will largely depend on the mattress type and thickness.

Many of the swags recommended here are open cell type mattresses with thicknesses ranging from 40mm to 70mm.

While thicker mattresses will be more comfortable, they will also be larger when packed, which makes them less portable.

What are swags made from?

Swags are almost always made out of polycotton canvas of varying thicknesses (usually denoted in GSM - grams per square metre, of oz - ounces per square yard).

Are swags warm in winter?

The thicker the canvas of your swag, the greater the insulation and the warmer it will be in winter. In saying that, canvas is designed to be more breathable than polyester, which means that canvas is not a fantastic insulator.

If you want to stay warm in winter, investing in a better sleeping bag will have a bigger impact than trying to make your swag warmer.

Are swags heavy?

Being made from cotton canvas, swags tend to be heavier than regular, polyester tents. Swags typically range in weight from 8 kilograms to about 17 kilograms.

How do you waterproof a canvas swag?

The process of waterproofing a canvas swag is known as seasoning, and you can follow the instructions here to find out how to do it properly.

How do you stop a swag from sagging?

Quite a few of the cheaper swags out there have issues with bowing or sagging on the sides.

There’s no simple way to fix this, although a number of people have started putting together simple plastic frames (made from electrical conduit or PVC piping) that they place inside their swags to prevent the bowing.

Conclusion

There are dozens and dozens of swags out there on the market, which makes your job of finding the right one pretty tricky. Thankfully, I’ve done all of the research and boiled it down to my list of the best swags in Australia.

For me, the winner is the 23Zero Bandit 900. It is built incredibly well, with full canvas construction and internally sealed seams, making it waterproof straight out of the box.

The 4 doors/windows make access and ventilation a breeze (pun intended) and the 70mm included mattress is comfortable enough that you won’t need to replace it with something thicker.

If you are on a budget but still want a decent quality swag, check out the XTM 4x4 single unit. It is a great balance of price and quality.

The Oztent RS-1 is great if you want a fully-featured, very spacious swag. Otherwise, the Darche Dusk to Dawn and Dirty Dee are solid options.

If you are more of a traditional swag kind of person, then I highly recommend the Australian made AOS Bushman Deluxe range.

I hope this has helped you figure out which is the best camping swag to buy! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help you out.

PS. Looking for a children's swag? Check out my list of the best kids swags in Australia!