Hi Trev. I am using a kathmandhu one I bought on sale for $80, it's RED. It's not their thickest, but from memory it's around 7.5 or 8 cm thick. They colour-code the sizes eh. I also have an ALDI one, and it's BLUE. it is also around 7.5 to 8 cms thick, and cost less than $30. Aldi only sell one size, but you have a choice of 2 colours, BLUE or black from memory. So, RED and BLUE, now all I need is something WHITE (no rude suggestions you lot ). Go the Doggies.
Old thred revival!! I used to hike, so I have gone from hiking tents to lightweight fly only, thermorest's. Also do camping, done the foldover canvas, to the expensive swag and now to the bike swag. Like Oldfatbeerman, I would say the best solution is a swag with a tarp, however my tarp is a lightweight fly. These days, all I camp in are swags. They are just too easy. Most times, I just roll it out and use it as a mattress. I currently have 2, one for the 4wd and one for the bike. I prefer the modern ones with a vinyl bottom, because in the rain they dont get damp. In rain, I will put up the flysheet, but the ground always gets wet, so the plastic bottom is a good thing. Worst case, the canvas is generally pretty watertight, but will still get damp. The other bonus with vinyl bottom is its easier to clean leaves/sand/dirt off as you are rolling it up. Here is a few tips for swag purchse: In an area with no mozzies or insects, you want to leave it open (unless its really cold). When there is mozzies, you need a fine mesh. If you have mozzie mesh, then you need to either have poles or hoops or the ability to tie to trees, cause the mozzie mesh is useless if there is not a separation between you and the mozzie's blood sucker tube. In cold, you just want to zip up the swag and stay warm, in rain, you want it zipped up but you need to breath. Consider one that has a window near your head. In hot you dont want any canvas, just a matress and probably mozzie mesh. The swag I have for the bike is close to what I want. Not sure of the brand, but I am yet to find better. Its mass manufactured one, so probably oztrail.
Dave, I will measure mine tomorrow for you. With my metzeler thermal rest and Vango Ultralite 900 sleeping bag inside the swag, rolled up it will fit inside my 30 litre watertight Seak bag.
I use the exped synmat 7 delux which fits perfectly in the swag it is 197 x 65...leave mine in the swag deflated for packing on the bike, makes the swag very economical to carry.
loosley rolled up mine is 230mm wide and a bout 440mm long with light sleeping bag and deflated exped inside
I have a Darche biker swag and very happy with that. I put my Exped synmat in it and it rolled up quite compact. However inflating and deflating the mat in the swag is a PITA, a bit self defeating in terms of swags being quick and easy. Last trip I reverted to the foam mattress that came with it and was still quite comfortable
I've got a Mr Swagman Biker swag. No problems here. http://www.mrswagman.com.au/camping-swags-for-bikers.shtml
Took out the mattress, replaced it with a 3/4 Blue Kathmandu self inflatar, mummy style sleeping bag with cotton liner and Black wolf self inflating pillow. Threw it on the scales. 7.7kg:eek1. May go back to tent etc!
Self inflating full length mat from anaconda. Goretex bivvy from US army.water proof, breathes. U can find one on Amazon or eBay.look for one made by tennier industries Don't get a copy.they don't breathe.weighs about 1.5 kgs or less.
i havent read the rest of the thread, nearly outta battery on the laptop and got an appoinment to make with a few friends in like 10 mins, but center canvas in alice springs makes brilliant swags. im getting me a nice big king single extra thick mattress when i get back from him good prices and fucking awesome quality.
I have a old WW2 canvas shell {wool lined}, & a wool mummy bag that fits inside it. 70 years old, & still working.
Wow, that is almost as good as my Ukranian Army great-coat that I simply wrap myself up in and throw myself down on the ground to sleep. Never failed me yet and it is 71 years old as far as I know...
x 2. I've got a CCAS single swag (I got it second hand) and it's tough as nails. Standard 50mm foam mattress + 3/4 length thermarest + sleeping bag + pillow + some clothes and it rolls up to about 250mm diameter, and just a bit wider than my shoulders. My only dislikes are the lack of bug netting (Bug-off keeps 'em out), and they're not real crash hot in the Victorian rain - I string up a tarp over it if it's raining. Just got back into riding though, so haven't tried it out on the bike - only the last 5 years of 4x4'ing.
yeh in rain they are alright for an hour or so in steady rain, not drizzle, drizzle all night and no seepage, he makes bloody awesome swags at good prices, they arent a fancy swag, its a good old fashioned one but will last for ages.
Canvas normally needs to be waterproofed by soaking in water first to pre-shrink it, if the finished product wasn't already made from pre-shrunk material. A classic example is the Andy Strapz pannierz (saddle-bags made from canvas). They work fantastically once soaked and dried... Check stitching/seams on items you might like to purchase, as doubled back seams are more waterproof, and stitching needle-holes are a possible point of water ingress.
I worked in the camping industry for a while, and that's my 640 used for the promo photo's. I have a swag for touring in the Landcruiser, but on the bike I use a Hennessy Hammock.