It Does It All - Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll and Poncho 

I’ve had mine for about three years. I’ve used it as a poncho liner, an underquilt, and as a blanket. I replaced carrying an old school wool blanket, it is warmer and much lighter. Works fine for me.

I’ve had mine for a few years now and it’s perfect multi use for warm tropical living it comes on every trip. Very happy with it and the poncho combination is on point

I've had mine for 3 years now and I absolutely luv it. I also have the Helikon-Tex poncho and I feel that the 2 together are UN-paralleled!

So far I've used mine as a poncho, blanket, and hammock underquilt. I love this piece of kit!

I bought the Swagman Roll 2 years ago. and love it, my grandkids use it as a sleeping bag, I've used it as an under quilt, but I've never used it as a poncho liner.

I have several Helikon-Tex pieces including this one. When I bought mine they were cheaper by quite a bit. It's woobie with a head hole so it can be worn under a poncho which is nice. Sleeping bag mode is good too especially as a liner to my regular bag. I am smaller so I fit well in that. I have come to like Climashield a lot too over the years. When I can I try to get it for my insulated items. Nice review Luke.

Most of the camo versions, look way cooler in person, than they do in pictures! This can literally be a life savior, in case your car brokes, or you sinply can't reach a shealter or home for any reason. It happened to me, in many different cases through my life, and I wish, I had this on any of those accasions. I almost froze to death one winter night, where my car was broken. I managed to find a deserted house, that didn't even have windows, so I still froze than night, and couldn't get any sleep. Sleep is a very important survival factor,especialy in these kind of scenarios.it's a matter of life and death sometimes. Since I got the Swagman Roll, I never had had such a scenario in my life, but I'm prepared for the next one.PS it' s suprisingly warmer than I thought it would. Hype is real guys! Cool stuff! Add their US poncho and you have a great system, with upgraded water air and sun resistance, since the poncho can also be used as a tarp! Also, it fits the Swagman Roll like a glove, when you use it ether for hikes or even as an extra layer when you use it as a sleeping bag system!!

Just bought one. Thank you so much for this review!!

I bought one about the same time you did and I still like it. I don't use it that much, but I keep it in my SUV for just in case. Great review as usual. Thanks!

Just a gentleman as always. Strength and Honor to you as well. Blessings

Great review, appreciate the objectivity. The various different uses of this product and its durability are impressive.

Alway enjoy and trust you're reviews. Thanks, Luke!

I've owned a Flek Tarn Colored Swagman Roll for about 4 years now. I use it for Turkey Hunting and Solo Camping. Using this thing as a sleeping bag, surrounding my hammock is amazing! It's in my BOB and perfect for picnics a well! I'm 6 feet tall and thin. Never had a problem fitting into the thing and I can pull it over my head. I bought a separate compression bag to store the Swagman. Though I am not sure how the compressed size would compare to other light weight compactable sleeping bags of the same down.

Thank you for this video. Great information, well presented, as always.

I've had one for about a year but only recently started using as my sole sleeping bag for when the low temps are above 50° F. Also used it to replace my fleece, which I found I only used at camp in dry weather anyway. I got the orange one so I could also use it as a signaling device if needed.

Once again, awesome reveiw, Luke. 👍

Love your neutral standpoint. Thanks for all your efforts!

I've got two. The first is Adaptive Green and when they released Desert Night Camo I had to have it. They are great items for many uses. I got inspired to get one after seeing it reviewed on Corporals Corner. Always like to see how people use them.

Great review as always. Thanks!

I've got a Snugpak Enhanced Poncho with arm sleeves with thumbholes. Love it for forecasted heavy rain and a Frogg Toggs Ultra Lite2 for the surprise rain event.

After Luke’s reviews, I went with the Onewind blanket poncho instead and as a large guy it fits way better

Super versatile for a lightweight kit. I carry it, poncho, eno hammock, SF bivy and add a jungle bag for a pretty decent grab and go set up in the winter too.

I've had my swag man roll for years now. I love it. I also have several of their bags for bushcrafting and they are good. Haven't bought any of their clothing since I think they are overprized and there are better alternatives out there. I am 6 feet 4 inches and it fits great.

I have used my swagman roll in every conceivable way, i’m a bigger guy and as far as the sleeing bag set up, yes it it tight but useable. I got mine about three years ago, used at that, for $100 with the matching poncho, I love my swagman roll, never go camping without it!

Well the saving grace for your two sets you already have, is that your wonderful Susie can use it easily as she is small enough. Nice review.

I got one of these, I also have the Onewind blanket that is similar, both are excellent, I think the Onewind is slightly warmer but for the spring and summer where I live either of those bags are great options, I love being able to wear the blanket around the campfire, very comfy on those chilly nights and when the weather is right they will be the only blanket I need. I will also often bring the swagman as a blanket for my dog, keeps him warm and snug.

Great job as usual, Luke.

Thanks for your review. I would probably buy it and use it on occasion. Have a great day Luke.👍🙂

I purchased mine two years ago and sometimes use it with my poncho. I like it’s versatility!

This is on my to get list i am really glad you did this review the price has held me up from switching from the old surplus poncho

As a recent poncho convert this may be worth a closer look. Thanks for the review

I purchased 1 for me and also for my wife. We have taken them camping with hammocks and also without. They are great there water repelling works really well as well on those dewy mornings or med to light rains while traveling on foot

I’ve had one for a couple of years and I love it. I’ve used it down to about 50°. Any colder and I thrown an extra blankie

I've had one for years, I love it, it is my go to sleeping bag

I absolutely love mine but agree on size. My shoulders are such that i cannot use most sleeping bags so an extra 6-8 inches would be great. A larger head hole would also be good. A 100+ gsm fill version would also be good for winter. As it is too narrow for me to use as a bag, i use it as a quilt, although in the same manner i use sleeping bags as quilts. Firs i zip up the bottom third, then put the mat into it. Sometime i will also use the upper buckle and cinch to hold it around me. One mod i am considering is fabric loops on the body for a mattress strap. It would be nice if they also added those to make it a full quilt

Well Luke I was watching a video on a can ceilliing light & immediately clicked on this for the Swag Man. I've never heard of it but tried the Six Moons Gatewood Cape--and it was amazingly nice as a poncho. Same thing for the Wilderness Innovation Poncho Hammock (the HD version survived & Perry never got back to me on the UL version I sent back). We shall see this rig. Thanks Outdoor Gear Review.🎉

Love my swagman roll best the crap out of it and it has held up. Great review thanks

Ive slept in the colorado rockies with the Swagman roll a thin seatosummit reactor liner , and my thermal base layers in temperatures below 20°f it wasnt ideal, i got a little cold at times, but i definitely didnt freeze. If your in a bugout situation and you need a compact versatile sleeping option you cannot go wrong adding this to your kit. It has its limits, but knowing your own and embracing proper techniques you will be amazed how warm this thing can be.

Great review and product 👌

I agree with you Luke, it needs to be bigger. Don't understand why manufactures don't produce these in a couple of sizes.

Glad I got one a few years ago. It's seen a lot of use! Works perfect as a sleeping bag for me. I will admit I'm 5'4" 120lbs and its a good fit for me, but probably not so much for a person with a larger profile...

I love this long outro :)

I found a way to work with the small size when in the sleeping bag setup. I have a Teton sports sleeping bag liner that I use. My shoulders are too wide to zip it up comfortably so I zip it up most of the way but the liner is wider than the swagman so it still covers me. the other plus is I just have to wash the liner regularly.

like these so much I have 2 as well!! Keep one in my walking ruck as an emergancy sleeping bag along with their poncho/basha as its pretty compact

I have a huncho poncho and liners. It was like $60 for both. I really can’t recommend it enough. Its like everything you would have changed about you military one. Definitely worth a look. I can’t see paying all that for the one he has.

still really like mine, it came in handy as an extra layer when we got a unexpected gold snap once and it saved my friend from being uncomfortable all night after packing light.

Looking buff brother! Home gym has been getting used. Hope all is well up in the mountains. It has been HUMID down here in the Peidmont.

Looks great love it

Thank you for your time.

I love this Helikon-Tex product. For a good part of three seasons, I use it, a military surplus poncho and my woobie for shelter and warmth. The Swagman Roll is four years old and in great condition. It is well worth the price.

Yea, I’ll use my military poncho and snuggle up with my poncho liner. Used them for many years.

7:28 😂😂You hold it in pretty good. Let it go 🤣🤣🤣

I have a swagman & love it!!

thanks Luke! Love you!

I bought this last year and used it for a couple of months sleeping in it each night. I completely agree it is way too small as a sleeping bag. I can't fit in it across my shoulders. Even when used partially unzipped, if you roll over in the night you are likely to get jabbed by a buckle due to its positioning. I have gone with the Snugpak Jungle Blanket XL and it has been awesome. I wouldn't recommend the Swagman Roll unless you are looking for something to wear around camp at night but even then, I would still wrap myself in the Snugpak Jungle Blanket. Too expensive and yet another buyers regret from Helikon-Tex.

I have one and really like it. I actually have both the standard swagman and the basic. I also have a Hill People Gear mountain serape, and two Wilderness Innovation Osni cloaks (yes, I need help). The Wilderness Innovation Osni is the best of the bunch, but more expensive, and take forever to get. That being said, they come in different sizes, as well as insulation weights. You can pick whet fabrics you want for both the inside and outside. At the end of the day, My Osni cloaks are what I find myself using the most.

Still happy i've got one!

Just got mine. Saw your Video back then and wanted to just share now my Opinion, even when it is a newer one rn. I am Impressed on the Genius of a Blanket, with a zipper and a Hole. I use mine as a Poncho, Liner, Tarp, Blanket and for summer now maybe as a standalone gear Item. It’s cool to have kinda one fits all purposes product. I also got the Wolfhound Jacket, the Hoodie and trousers. I really like them, of course I got all of them in the Fancy Tiger Stripes Camo :3

I've had mine for over 2yrs too. Absolutely love it. Archery elk/bear in CO mtns it's awesome. Yeah, if you've got a fat head too bad for you.

Hi Luke great review, manufacturers needs to understand people comes in various size, so they need to make products to accommodate everyone, stay safe

Excellent!

One of my most favourit pieces in my whole Equipment! i love to use it as poncho during the day, and in the night as additional layer in my sleepingbag. only downside: no chance to be near any fire. I would love to see like an bushcraft line witz a fireresistent Outsidelayer 👌 in Europe, the prices are between 80 and 110 €, so is has a pretty good value.

Yeah this thing is awesome, owned one for years. Only thing is when it's windy, like riding a bike, it gets a little loose, and the straps to keep it tight for me slide under the saddle.. But if you're not on a bike, it's hard to beat.

confirm Luke's comments regarding restrictive space. If you're a bigger person, esp with broad shoulders (sleeping bag mode) or with large muscular neck (it's a choker). Smaller folks - go for it.

I still have my U.S. Army Poncho and Poncho Liner and not only is way cheaper but, it also does all what this one does.

What a decent bit of kit

nice review question is that roll water tight for heavy rain or do you need an rain protection for it ? thx

"START HIGH AND WORK YOUR WAY DOWN"...🤭 dually noted!!✊️🔥✌️💚

I love my Swagman Roll, been using it for 5 years now. Great piece of gear, multi-purpose.

I like my swagman a lot. Versatile, rainproof. one fault is the chest pocket doesn't have a zipper protector, so rain will fill it up

Love my one wind top quilt / poncho liner absolutely love it , wish it had a hood but guess we can't get everything we like

I found 50F (10 C) to be the coldest temp to be on the ‘cool’ side of the comfort spectrum with this too and even then although my upper body was ‘warm’ my feet were ‘cool’ and this was wearing just a T shirt and boxers and I live in an area that never gets below freezing even in the middle of our winter so I’m more adapted to heat than the cold. I don’t like using it as a sleeping bag inside another sleeping bag though as it just get twisted up in it and can’t locate the zip in the dark to get out of it. In the future I plan to try wearing it as a poncho inside another sleeping bag, or just draping it over myself as a blanket when I’m inside another bag or securing somehow under the edges of my sleeping pad like a ‘quilt’ type set up, this way I can twist around inside a sleeping bag underneath the swagman roll which also tucks under my sleeping pad too 🤔

Nice night gown Luke!

Great review. I would also be interested in seeing a comparison with the Onewind or similar products, since this thing is probably the most expensive poncho on the market.

I went with the jerven extream expensive piece of kit but extremely nice and versatile.

Nice! Luke, really need to find the suction cups you used to Mount tarp to truck… looking to get some.

This would be good to keep in your car or truck for emergencies too.

Looks good, i just got a outback poncho and this might make for a good liner. Its cheaper than getting a outback jacket for a liner.

Hey buddy I bought some European mil gear at a store in Tenn. called Hammers there were 4 duffles full lol and there was 2 sleep bags in the mix that were like that a head hole with a hood arm holes and leg holes too and a full length zipper in the front !

Do you know if it works well for Hunting ? (Noise, stealth, water resistance, how easily accessible the gun sling underneath is)

I use Snugpak. I have two ponchos from them. A regular one and an insulated one. Never had any problems with them after 5-6 years so I'm not interested in this product. But thanks for sharing that information and review.

It’s great for an extra layer when it’s freezing and you are just sat around with already warm clothes on. But I find it tight around the neck because the hole is too small as you say. Move around a bit and it feel a bit like it’s choking you

Thats more or less my only gripe with it too. Im 170cm/85kg/size XL (most of the mass concentrated in the center) and i fit into it but its hard (but possible) to move your arms up and down when its in sleeping bag configuration. I have it in my bug out bag in combination with a foam sleeping pad, a Tyvekk bivy bag and a Poncho as my shelter setup without an addtional warm jacket or tarp to to save weight.

I have both. The Swagman Roll and the Onewind Poncho. Both are fantastic. For colder temperatures I would use the Onewind as it is bulkier. The Swagman Roll is fantastic in that it is a great 3 season item. However, I can't entirely agree on the comment on their clothing. I find their clothing to be quite good. I suggest Luke look into their Pilgrim pants and anorak. I would compare them to Fjallraven quality and durability. In fact in some cases, Fjallraven could take note on some of the Pilgrim pants and anorak design concepts that Helikon has incorporated into these items.

Great video. Have you done any reviews on hiking umbrellas?

Seems like a nice product. As a big guy, it's probably less useful for me, but I have some other helikontex gear that is top notch. That said, for some of us, we just have to improvise at times to make things work!

I wish cloaks would make a come back. Like Lord of the Rings style cloaks. Not everybody needs to wear them... just enough so that you can use one without being seen as a complete nutter.

I’ve got 1 in night desert camo I love it.

For most Australians, yank delivery and presentation does not work. You, my friend, are different and are welcome here any time. Absolutely love your videos 🇦🇺🇺🇲

I bought one and have no regrets

30!years ago I bought a tginsulate poncho liner for around 75.00,you could get a slit in center with Velcro to make wearable with poncho. They were 99.00

In Ukraine, we have long had a similar poncho that is widely used by the military. There are various variations, including those with insulation and without. The SLIMTEX insulation is a Ukrainian development that emerged during times of war. This insulation is designed for use in extremely damp conditions, such as flooded trenches or snow. Variations featuring OMNI HEAT (made in the USA) are convenient for use near a fire to better distribute warmth. All models come with WJ hardware and YKK zippers. There are military versions of the poncho that lack a hood or have a detachable hood for wearing with a military helmet. There are also versions without insulation, as well as simpler versions made from available fabrics. These are quite high-quality but more affordable in terms of price. As a travel blogger, I was recently sent another innovation, an ultralight version without insulation, weighing around 140 grams, but it's not yet available for sale. The manufacturer has been well-known in Ukraine for a long time, but the past year has been rich in rigorous tests for obvious reasons - the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It's known that some poncho variations are capable of stopping small fragments with low kinetic energy, such as glass shards. When used as insulation for sleeping, it's easy to get into and out of as needed. It can also be used as a groundsheet. Various camouflage variations are available. For example, the military version has snow camouflage on one side and dirt camouflage on the other, allowing for effective concealment in unstable weather conditions. Civilian versions come in natural colors. Variations with an OMNI HEAT lining help reduce visibility in the thermal spectrum. It's worth noting that the Ukrainian poncho features a more sophisticated attachment system, providing greater freedom of movement, improved ventilation, and the convenience of carrying a backpack. It also has a pocket for belongings and offers enhanced insulation. As a side note: I won't mention the brand to avoid advertising. However, if you're interested, you can leave a reply under this comment, and I'll get in touch with you to provide additional information.

I have a weird question, can you stuff this in the same compression bag with carinthia defence 1? If no, how small of does it compress on its own.

I've taken the swagman down to 32 Degrees Fahrenheit with combined liners and a really thick sleeping pad, it is doable at freezing but I definitly wasn't sleeping comfortably.

Part of my BOB, I love it

I believe the quality issue with HT is that they started by purchasing no-label whole sale products from China. You can find the exact same products from many different web shop based labels. All used the same whole sale products (some rainjackets, fleeces and softshells come to mind). How it works: They order a whole sale garment and simply sew their logo onto it. I own a HT rain jacket (and really wonder why I still have it)...it's so bad. BUT Heliko-Tex progressed and clearly changed over the past three, four years for the better. It seems like they developed unique and durable garments. They probably benefitted from the successful US launch of their products, really focusing their main marketing and product placement around the US tactical viral trend.

Love mine. But it is small for me as a sleeping bag. But I've been using it to cover my legs, then wrap a poncho liner over the upper half of me. And I've gotten down to about 45 degrees. Wish it was about 10 inches bigger, though.

Just found your channel [SUBBED/LIKED] Best wishes from South Wales [UK].

What temperatures would you recommend this for? For sleeping

I have one about 6 months and it works fine mostly for sleeping