Keen on upgrading your swag setup by adding a stretcher underneath? By keeping your swag off the ground, you will be cleaner, drier, cooler in summer and more comfortable.
But which stretcher should you get? Well, I’ve made a list of the best swag stretchers in Australia below to help you figure out the one that best suits you.
Keep in mind that as your swag already has an included mattress, you can often get away with using a fairly basic stretcher that wouldn’t be particularly comfortable on its own as a stretcher bed.
However, you need to make sure that the size of your stretcher matches your swag fairly closely. Laying your nice, big swag on a tiny, narrow stretcher won’t make for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Of course, you might also prefer to get a dedicated stretcher tent which is a combined swag and stretcher all-in-one. If you already own a swag, however, it's a waste of money to go out and buy this, so read on to find out which stretcher is best for you.
Anyway, let’s take a look at some of the options out there.
Best Swag Stretchers in Australia
OZtrail Easy Fold Stretcher (Single & Double Options)
Our Pick
The OZtrail Easy Fold is my pick for the best of the best. It is comfortable, super simple to set up and also very affordable.
The jumbo single size and the queen size are sized perfectly for most single and double swags respectively. I wouldn’t recommend getting the regular single size as it is too small for a swag & stretcher setup.
Other stretcher models are more heavily padded, but that is only necessary if you are using it as a standalone bed. Because we are tossing our swag on top, the included mattress in the swag plus the comfort provided by the stretcher will be enough.
Note: Be aware that the queen size does have a middle bar running lengthwise down the stretcher. This is to stop 2 people sleeping on it from rolling into the centre.
However, it does make setting up a double swag on top more difficult. You can alleviate this issue by putting a swag mattress on top of the stretcher.
The other thing to be aware of is that the queen size model is only rated for a capacity of 200kg, so it may not be suitable for heavier couples.
Oztent Gecko Stretcher
Runner Up
The Oztent Gecko is another affordable yet high quality swag stretcher. It is narrower and shorter than the OZtrail Easy Fold, which means that it isn’t great for tall people and that your swag may overhang the stretcher slightly.
On the plus side, it has 10mm thick padding which will definitely lift the comfort level. It is built by Oztent, which means that the quality is excellent and that it will last for a long time.
It is backed by a 5 year warranty. To ensure that your unit is eligible under the warranty, you need to complete this registration form.
Oztent RS-1S King Single Stretcher
Runner Up
Designed especially to fit the Oztent RS-1 swag, this large single swag stretcher is a very high quality unit.
Built to support up to 200kg, this unit is rock solid thanks to built in anti-sway stabilising bars. The anchor straps to attach your swag to the stretcher itself are also a nice touch.
It is large enough to fit pretty much any single swag. It is covered by the Oztent 5 year warranty. Again, you will need to complete the registration form after purchasing to be eligible for this warranty.
The main downside of this stretcher is that it is quite heavy at 15kg. This can be a pain if you already have quite a heavy swag.
Darche XL100 Stretcher Bed
Runner Up
The Darche XL100 is another potential option. It is wide and long enough to suit most single swags and comes with a smart looking carry bag.
Unfortunately, a number of people have commented that despite the higher price of this unit, the quality is not fantastic. The undercarriage support is underdone and this leads to sagging in the middle, plus wobbling and swaying as you move around.
Others have said that the support rivets pop out easily and that the unit is prone to getting damaged easily.
In saying that, many others are very happy with their purchase of this unit and don’t have a bad word to say. Personally, I think that you are probably better off with one of the other units on this list.
Zempire Twin Speedy Stretcher Bed (Double)
Runner Up
This twin stretcher from Zempire is a comfortable, high quality and affordable option. The undercarriage is well supported, meaning that it doesn’t sway or move around, even when two people are tossing and turning.
The padded headrest area and carry bag are nice bonus features. Compared to the OZtrail Easy Fold queen size unit, the Zempire is smaller and lighter yet cheaper.
Like the Easy Fold, it has a middle bar running lengthwise down the centre of the unit to prevent sagging. This makes it more difficult to set up a double swag as it will straddle the middle bar. However, you can alleviate this by adding a simple swag mattress on top of the stretcher to dampen out the bar.
Key Points To Consider When Buying A Swag Stretcher
A swag stretcher can make a big difference to the quality of your sleep while you’re away, and therefore a big impact on the overall enjoyment of your trip! So it pays to spend a bit of time to make sure that you are buying the right unit for your setup.
Stretcher Size/Dimensions
As we will be putting our swag on top of our stretcher, we need to make sure that the size of both of them marry up nicely. If your stretcher is far narrower than your swag, it will be uncomfortable and unstable at the edges, which isn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep.
If they are similarly sized, then you will sleep well and any rain that falls onto your swag will run off the edge of the stretcher without pooling in the centre.
If you find getting out of bed tricky in the morning, go for a stretcher with a decent amount of ground clearance. This will make it much easier to get into and out of your swag.
Weight Rating
Most single stretchers are rated to support up to 150kg. The exception is the Oztent RS-1S King Single, which can support 200kg.
Most double swag stretchers can support 200kg in total. If you are a heavier couple, keep this in mind when buying.
Comfort & Stability
Some stretchers come with additional padding or a 10mm mat built in for extra comfort. This is important if you are using it as a standalone bed but if you are using it as a base for a swag it’s less important.
We already have a mattress built into our swag, so that, combined with the comfort provided by the stretcher, will be more than enough for a good night’s sleep.
Also try to make sure that your stretcher has good cross bracing to prevent wobbling or swaying at night when you are changing position. The Oztent RS-1S King Single is one of the sturdiest options out there.
You can always upgrade the comfort level by adding a swag mattress if necessary.
Packed Dimensions
Swag stretchers can be quite bulky when packed, so double check that it can fit comfortably in your car. The ones on this list are about 1-1.2m when packed up.
Weight
The units tend to be quite heavy, with most of the singles weighing about 10-11kg, and the double units weighing 14-15kg. Try to park as close as possible to where you will be setting up for the night, as they are heavy and a little awkward to carry.
Setup Time
If you have been out hiking, fishing or otherwise enjoying the great outdoors all day, the last thing you need is a long and arduous set up process when you reach your rest stop. Thankfully, the stretchers in this article all set up very quickly , even if you are by yourself.
Be aware that there are some double stretchers out there that have quite complicated set up processes with multiple small pieces that all need connecting together.
Warranty
A warranty lets you sleep easy knowing that your tent is covered if it is defective in any way. It is also a good sign that the manufacturer has faith in the quality of their product, and that they stand behind this quality.
The Oztent Gecko and the Oztent RS-1S both come with 5 year warranties (provided you register the product with them). The other options in this article all come with 1 year warranties.
Build Quality
Poor build quality means that your swag stretcher is more likely to sag in the middle, sway and wobble at night while you try to sleep and be prone to damage. Cheaper units naturally have poorer build quality, as the manufacturers cut corners when it comes to material and workmanship to keep costs low.
A number of users have commented that the Darche XL100 build quality is not the best.
Conclusion
There’s plenty of options out there and it can be difficult to know which one to go for. Personally, I think that the OZtrail Easy Fold are the best swag stretchers in Australia. They are affordable yet comfortable and easy to set up.
The jumbo single and queen models are sized perfectly for single and double swags respectively.
The Oztent Gecko is probably built better than the Easy Fold, yet it is narrower and shorter. It’s particularly not good for tall people. Otherwise it’s a very solid option and the 5 year warranty is nice.
If you are looking for a big, beefy single stretcher, then look no further than the Oztent RS-1S. It supports 200kg and has anchor straps plus anti-sway stabilising bars to make it one of the sturdiest swag stretchers out there. It also has a 5 year warranty.
The Zempire Twin Speedy stretcher bed is another decent option. It is very comfortable, yet light and inexpensive for a double.
Did this guide help you figure out which is the right option for you? Let me know which one you decided to go with in the comments below!
Don't have a swag to go with your stretcher yet? I've got you covered, with this list of the best swags in Australia!
This article may contain affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you choose to purchase a product or service after clicking on my link. This helps pay for the cost of running the website. You will not be disadvantaged in any way by using my links.
Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.
