Most swags sold these days are actually a variety of swag known as dome swags. While this style is very popular, many still prefer the traditional swag design, ie. a mattress between two pieces of canvas.
However, there are quite a few different options out there, so it can be difficult to know which one to get.
Below, I have assembled a list of the best traditional swags in Australia, to help you figure out which one is right for you!
| AOS Bushman Deluxe Apex Single Swag | OZtrail Cooper Expedition Single Swag | Darche Traditional Single Swag |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Pick  | Best Value  |  | |
Cell | 4.65 ★ (see 6 reviews on Snowys) | Cell | |
200 (L) x 71 (W) cm | 200 (L) x 75 (W) mm | 215 (L) x 75 (W) mm | |
--- | 28 cm | --- | |
8.7 kg | 4.0 kg | 7.6 kg | |
104 L | 34 L | 31 L | |
475 GSM | 230 GSM | 16 oz | |
70 mm | 50 mm | 70 mm | |
10 years | 1 year | Lifetime | |
Best Traditional Swags in Australia
AOS Bushman Deluxe Apex Single Swag
Our Pick
Aussie Outback Supplies (aka. AOS) are the producers of some of the highest quality swags in Australia. All of their swags are entirely Australian made, which is becoming increasingly rare.
The Bushman Deluxe Apex range are made from high quality canvas and come with a swag carry bag, 4 steel pegs and even 2 sand pegs for beach camping.
It has a 70mm mattress, and the unique design allows you to enter the swag from either side.
The best part about this unit 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!
The Australian swag is available in single, king single, double and queen sizes
PS. If you like buying Aussie gear, check out my full list of Australian made swags!
OZtrail Cooper Expedition Single Swag
Best Budget Option
The OZtrail Cooper Expedition swag is a great option for those who are on a bit of a budget.
Despite being more affordable than the other options, this is still a high quality option made entirely from 230GSM canvas, so you shouldn’t have any issues with waterproofing provided that you season the swag beforehand.
This swag is much lighter than the AOS and Darche ones at just 4kg. You’ll have no trouble carrying it from your car to wherever you plan on setting up for the night.
Unfortunately, the included mattress is only 50mm thick and not particularly comfortable. If you decide to replace this mattress with something else, consider whether the cost savings on this model are actually worth it for you.
A 28cm internal ceiling also makes this quite a tight swag, so it might not be for you if you get a bit claustrophobic.
All in all, it’s a solid option at a great price. It comes in single and double sizes.
Darche Traditional Single Swag
Runner Up