Swag or Tent?

A question often asked; do I need a swag or a tent?

Well to be honest I think you should have both for different situations.
 I remember the days before I purchased my first swag I used to pitch a tent everywhere I went, which was no big deal if I was staying for a few days.
 I would look at some of my mates that had swags, and while I would be still getting my tent and bedding out of my truck, they would be all setup, sitting by the esky watching me.
 I’d say it may take me a bit longer but I will be a lot more comfortable in my tent than you lot in those little swags!
 But in the early mornings of the Victorian High Country the bitter cold frost would settle and I would be freezing.
 I would have by this time piled on layers of blankets and a beanie on my head, plus wearing most of the clothes from my bag. While outside all I could hear were my mates snoring in their swags warm as toast with only one sleeping bag or doona.

That was the last time I slept in a tent.  I purchased my first swag before my next trip away! I was a sceptic! I thought this thing is like a coffin I’m sure I will get claustrophobic. I’m a big fella there won’t be enough room to move. I’ll be too cold, what if it rains I will get drowned.

Well I have been using swags for many years now and can tell you I wouldn’t sleep in anything else on a camping trip. My fears of claustrophobia were soon overcome the first time I slept in my new dome swag.
 I did however find that it did get a bit stuffy; to combat this I opened up the shooter entry just a little bit to let some fresh air in which I still do to this day.
Also thinking I would not have room to move was untrue, obviously you can’t do somersaults in there, but I do like to toss and turn and not feel restricted. This is why I never sleep in a sleeping bag.
 In my swag I use a doona as I can’t handle the restriction of a zipped up sleeping bag. There is no need for any other blankets and I mainly use my swag in the colder weather.
 To answer the question you might ask no I haven’t had to put on my old beanie, I sleep like a puppy warm as toast.

If it looks like it might rain I don’t worry any more after spending many of nights in varying kinds of rain, as long as I have set my swag up correctly and checked that water won’t pool under the swag I’ll be fine.
Nowadays for ease of getting in and out of my swag in the rain I always carry one of those cheap tarps you can buy at the hardware or camping store.
I peg the two corners of one side down to the ground, and the two corners of the other side, I tie up two a couple of trees or poles, then pitch my swag underneath.
 This is also helping prevent bird droppings and sap on your swag.
 
If you are on a trip that you don’t stay in one place for too long the swag is the perfect choice, it only takes a minute to set up and pack up so you can be back on the road in no time. And all your bedding is stored in the swag so you can throw it in the back of the Ute or on the roof rack of the 4x4 and not worry about it getting wet or dirty.

If I’m going to stay in one place for a week or so that’s when I’ll pitch my trusty tent so I have a bit more room to get changed and keep my clothes and stuff. But don’t think I have left my swag at home! I just throw it in the tent; it’s too warm and comfy to abandon it.