@@TAOutdoors Great video... Jax is a proper character... He's a real superstar .... Thanks for including him , ..much appreciated... The swag is superb btw... Great design...
Traditionally in Australia these are stored on the tray of your 4wd and when you stop to camp you just roll it off and set it up right next to your car. They are also usually rolled up with a duvet and sheets on the mattress that's why the storage bag is so much bigger.
Swags are for clueless car campers only. They are completely and utterly impractical in every situation other than those with large 4WD/SUV's etc. to cart them to the camping location, and those who have never heard of an inflatable sleeping pad and can't fathom more than 60cm of headroom...lol - I cannot wrap my head around the fact they even still exist in the 21st century given the technological improvements we've made to tent design and sleeping pads etc. since the 1970's. You'd literally get 5x the space and comfort from a 3x3m DD Hammocks Superlight tarp, a ground sheet and a basic sleeping pad. The swag he shows in this video, packed up, is literally the size of a 5m radius glamping bell tent for 6 people...lol
Great to see you use a swag mate. Traditionally, in Australia, swags were carried by swagman who moved across the country looking for work. They were very simple. Just a sheet of canvas that you wrapped around yourself with a wool blanket inside. A mattress was usually made out of leaves. They would then roll up the swag with all their belongings, sling it over their back and carry on. Nowadays, modern swags are huge and mainly used by 4wders. I've done a couple of semi-traditional swag camping videos on my channel if you'd like to check them out. I reckon you should try and do a traditional swag camp in a future vid, I think it would make for a very interesting video. All the best mate.
Thanks for the info man! I’d definitely be interested in doing a traditional swag camping trip. I’ll check the videos on your channel. Keep up the great work mate!
A swagman was a transient labourer during the 1890's and during the great depression of 1930 in Australia. A swag was a shelter and bed for the swagman that he carried on his back. Love the video sir.
Thanks for your comment! I completely agree, having a great companion like a dog can make any camping trip even more enjoyable. By the way, if you're looking for reliable outdoor gear and power backup solutions, I'd highly recommend checking out Segway's Portable PowerStation Cube Series. It's packed with features like massive capacity, powerful output, and fast recharging, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts like us.
Lay the poles in the middle of the swag before rolling it up, it will protect them from being damaged if u chuck it in the back of ur Ute. Tip from an Australian Swagman
My dog is exactly the same when we're wild camping - sat next to me, on edge and "shivering". Yet he loves the outdoors and he's fine before dusk, and once we're in the tent and going to sleep... I guess after thousands of years evolving to sleep in buildings, they're probably overwhelmed by all the new information they're receiving in the dark!
Swags tend to leak at the seams when new. Best practice is to wet the whole swag down before first use. Some people also use wax sticks on the seams to be safe.
Hi from Australia! Love that you’ve discovered the beauty of a swag. We only ever camp in swags, with my husband and I and our two young kids. It’s the best way to camp.
I have camped everywhere in North America pretty much. I have slept in mud puddles and with tornados dancing overhead. I also had fun in motorhomes, campers and trailers, owning each as needed. I built my own tree houses, hideaways in sheds and bug outs in the base of fallen trees. I took my time enjoying boat life with a good size living arrangement and took week long trips in a two man sailboat. I have enjoyed five star accommodations and food as much as I enjoyed a tarp and a can of tuna. Now, I am too old to trek into the desert and swim to a pea sized island. So, I have created a place to go in a meditation so when I want fast sleep or to hang out and continue the story in my mind of land owned in the Northwest that includes a cave, a small river and some marsh land....I know I have a place to calm my nerves or work like I did when I was 20. Remember this major factor about life....your health is the most valuable asset you have, never take it for granted and always smile when you wake to enjoy another day. No matter the weather or duty that day, you have one more day to make a memory from. Waste that or your health and you will never get that time back so do your best! Don't end up disabled at 62 or you too could be living vicariously or memory.
I enjoyed that . I camp out too with my dog .She likes to explore , so I keep her in a bright red jacket sometimes with reflective tape ( doggie Hi-vis ) . Keep on camping , take your children , teach them . That is so much more than a short holiday . It`s life skills. Skills are no burden , they`re carried in your head and last a lifetime .
Enjoyed the video. I bought a Rockhampton canvas Swag 900 a few years ago, which I find is a great piece of kit. My first camp in it surprised me, It was wintertime, and I didn't know just how it would perform. Inside of the tent, it was between 13° c and 15°c but when I went outside for a leak, the tent was covered in frost, which was really surprising. The comfort sleeping on the mattress was superb. I've only camped out in winter with this tent. I do like the room you have in yours, though. Thanks for sharing the video 👍
The flap at the door is not for your muddy boots. Muddy boots stay on the (muddy) ground. That flap you keep clean so you can stand up when you leave the tent (and put your muddy boots on).
Mike, good to see Jax again. Was concerned that something had happened with him. Good to hear about your family and the kids reaction to the coming holidays. Another great episode. Enjoyed the new product reviews.
Great video mate! So you need to season them, they do come pre seasoned but it’s worth soaking it completely then letting it dry slowly so the fibers in the material contract and makes it water proof. I’m from Australia and have about 3 of them can’t beat a good swag! Great option to get the kids started as well!
LOL!!!!!! I saw the size of that bag and thought this was gonna be a tent big enough for a small family! 🤣 You got it assembled and I thought, " _Well that'll do for your dog. Where's the real tent for yourself?_ " That's not much bigger than a Slumberjack bivvy. But to each, their own. Here's what you do: leave the tent and mattress at home. Just take the bag. Sleep in it.
Swags are for clueless car campers only. They are completely and utterly impractical in every situation other than those with large 4WD/SUV's etc. to cart them to the camping location, and those who have never heard of an inflatable sleeping pad and can't fathom more than 60cm of headroom...lol - I cannot wrap my head around the fact they even still exist in the 21st century given the technological improvements we've made to tent design and sleeping pads etc. since the 1970's. You'd literally get 5x the space and comfort from a 3x3m DD Hammocks Superlight tarp, a ground sheet and a basic sleeping pad. The swag he shows in this video, packed up, is literally the size of a 5m radius glamping bell tent for 6 people...lol
@@Funkteon I travelled from NY to CA in my car and saved a metric crap ton of money by keeping a swag in my trunk and putting that up on truck turnoffs and free campgrounds. "I cannot wrap my head around the fact they still exist-" Well, the 1911 Handgun became obsolete as soon as autoloaders with more than 7 rounds were widely available, but people still use and love them. To each their own. Clearly you enjoy dirt holes more than other people.
@@Funkteon Swags are Australian and that’s not a swag that’s a bivvy a swag is basically a wool blanket with all your gear rolled into it and then thrown over the shoulder
@@alexb.acevedo5344 well, started with a wool blanket, then someone though a bit of tarp to keep the rain off would be nice, maybe an old vulcanised rubber sheet to lay on, then maybe something soft to lay on... A few more feature creeps and well. That is what you end up with. You heard of Stone soup? Its a bit like that. 😜
Tip from an aussie that's been using a swag like this for years. Use your spreader bar and polls as a pinch roll point when you start roll up the swag.
Yes swags are Australian. When you first buy a swag you need to soak it with a hose to seal all the seams and stitching. Once you have done that it wont leak.
One thing about Swags for anyone interested, the canvas is waterproof but the seams are not. Unless its seam taped, you can get water coming through in heavy storms. When you first get one, you have to season it. Basically, either soak it in water like in your bathtub or take it outside and hose it down really well and than let it fully dry in the sun. You have to do it 2 or 3 times from what I read. Doing that causes the canvas to swell up in all the small holes where needle and thread go through sealing them. Swags are grest and theres a few really good videos on RU-vid about them. I did a lot of research before I had bought 5he one I did.
It's great to see Jaxx back in the limelight love watching outdoor vids with the dogs in them because it's what I do,I like watching 902 with Boomer aswell,just got the one Tigris Conifer hot tent so that's me off to my woods Wednesday for 3 nights in Yorkshire also looking for some woodland in the cairngorms if anyone nos of any it's for snowy camping the more remote the better
I made a mattress cover out of a queen sized flat sheet for the mattress in my husbands swag. They are a very common piece of camping kit here in Australia. The original swags were an oiled canvas ground sheet with a couple of wool blankets. They were used by "Swagies" intinerate workers who would walk between farms looking for any work.
DANG! That bag is big enough to double as a room addition for the tent! Took a break from editing my own video and saw you uploaded so I decided to watch yours! GREAT UPLOAD!
Absolutely. I'm not too concerned with being "Ultra-light" rather, I'm interested in having fun. I'll drag a couch into the woods if that's what it takes. All the best to you!@@TAOutdoors
Just a little tip. The woven plastic re-useable veg/fruit bags with a drawstring are really handy for keeping stuff, like your wood wool firelighters. Most supermarkets sell them for pennies to reduce single use plastic waste. That way you bag won't be full of broken bits of firelighters.
@@TAOutdoors Can you imagine: You've been stuck driving in a hot vehicle all day and you get into bed and it's TEN cms of mattress AND a potential double cross breeze?!! Ugh that'd feel like actual heaven.
Brilliant dog, and I enjoyed the video again. I love how you give Jack bits of attention throughout. One massive bugbear from my guide days, please roll the door under rather than over, especially when it's upwards. If any rain hits, it gets the inside of the door wet (increasing consendation later) and, in that position, you also get water pooling where the roll-up is. One minor bugbear is that you don't peg out the base of your tent first, as well. First world problems, but the rolling of tent flaps the right way will help. You said "boule" perfectly.
When you come prepared you really do a good job you've got great equipment really like how your dog is so well behaved and just having a good time together real peaceful
This is something I'd use in my house so I could sleep without getting blinded by the sun.... Plus it looks like a fort and I love it. 😁👍❤️ Good choice to bring Jax along... Watching him trying to navigate the woods w/ those little legs is adorable. 😂😍
There's a clever new invention called curtains, they appear to block out much of this light you speak of. Worth a look, unless you get this tent then you can use the bag as a window covering.
@@curlysmurf275 - I know that but they also have this new thing called *An autistic child* that doesn't give a crap about the purpose of a curtain and only sees it as a thing that's blocking their view of the street so it gets pulled down every morning around 7am so unless I want to put the bag over my head, I'm not going to get good sleep..... 🤣
I used Julius k9 with my border terrier. Was well designed and comfortable for him. I highly recommend them, having tried so many others. Sadly I lost him 18 months ago, fond memories.
Outhouse makes some really good stuff. Our dog does the same thing-halfway between a squirm and a wiggle, therefore a squiggle. I grew up with heavy duty oiled canvas military tarps and they sure did keep the water off. Enjoy the fall and winter.
Really cool I’m catching this when am, as at the weekend I met an Australian family friend who was describing a swag which her son in the outback uses. So great to see in action
The weather in your videos always seems really nice, as a lad from Manchester I can confidently say that it's been raining here everyday for the past month or 2 without fail. Loving the videos mate, looking forward to some winter content soon
This is basically an Australian ARB Skydome swag, I have had one for around 5 years! They are very heavy duty canvas and floor, its the type of swag you buy for life. Around $700AU new in Australia. You need to season that canvas, wet it down with a hose on a sunny day
I really really like that tent.. ❤ I love the idea of being able to get airflow thru the tent because most tents can get really muggy and hot.. One of the main reasons I don't like tent camping..
I am from Oz, and have a similar but slightly more simple design and I rarely need to use pegs as the weight of the mattress inside holds the unit in place. The mattress is also normally rolled up inside the swag, and if setting up each day I also leave my sleeping bag inside and roll the lot, so much less hassle to set up and pack up.
I have the 1500 and it’s like home from home i have been out in snow and storms all sorts not a bit of condensation at all it’s insane best thing if you haven’t got to walk far !
I use a swag when camping with a dirt bike, remove the mattress and replace with a inflatable sleeping pad, roll all poles and not readily accessible gear inside it, have taken it like that bushwalking with reasonable success using a small pack, depending on the style of swag some are very traditional(in Australia) which are basically a giant canvass sack with a D-Ring on one end to tie a line to a tree
i have a very similair swag . i was told before using , to set up in garden and give it a good dousing with hose . something to do with closing up pores on canvas . well i did it,and ive camped in torrentiol rain and have remained bone dry . just a tip i was given . swags are awesome . enjoy .
I am pleased to see you cast a wider net than just the 'go-light' equipment. The older I got, the more I appreciated a bit more room and a bit more sturdiness. This item is a bit too much of a bivvy for my preference. The spreader bar is truly needed in this style of shelter. I made my own with PVC pipe.
Recommend you season your swag before you go out again, esp if going out in rain. Just submerge in bathtub or soak with hose. The idea is to soak the stitching to make it swell and seal. Roll up your swag with the poles in it.
Jaxx looks comfy! Nice to see you out and about and I hope you do more episodes on your living fence around your woodland. It looked like a good start and I'm dying to see how it progresses over the next few years.
That looks great, the mattress looks so comfortable. Ideal for solo + dog camping. Not many campsites in England where you dont end up on a pitch with your car. Dont think I'd want to carry it far though if I was gonna try a wild camp.
Awesome yet again Mike. Met the Outhaus crew at the bushcraft show, i love the concept but a bit too pricey for me. Loving the look of the TA hatchet 👏🏻👏🏻 laters dude. 👍🏻🔥🙂
The last tent I camped in was a 16x16 Marquee with mudflaps and it had a wooden bed inside. Bad knees & even when I could sleep on the ground I was the Princess & the Pea.
I like all your videos. It’s good to see you and Jacks out in the outdoors again . I can’t wait to see how your channel progresses in the future as your children grow . Wish you and your family the best from America . 👍🏼
I like the look, the size and the thought that went into it. Would I buy one? Probably if I had a way to get it somewhere. Jax, you good boy. Thanks Mike for bringing the little fella out, it was nice to see him again. 😀
A section of green wood resting on the lid, will prevent the handle falling in to the flame. Unfortunately I don't take my own advice, and just automatically picked the handle up and gave my self 3rd degree buns of my billy pot...ooouch...lol
Pretty well everyone I know has a swag in Australia. I have 2 myself, a king single for myself, and and king double for myself and my wife. Camped in driving rain, frosty ice, and 40 Celsius weather. I usually spend about 30 nights a year camping. Just pull up, roll it out and done in a few minutes, then crack a beer 👍🏻
To keep the handle of the pot up , you can either find a stick with to prongs , you put the handle in-between the prongs and then put the end into the dort or you can just get a strong stick and rest ond end up against the handle and the other end in the dirt so it is holding the handle up .
I was literally looking at this exact tent the other day as i went camping with a friend and he had something of a similar design and i thought it was cool. Cheers for the video man 👍
Definitely a Jack Russell thing around food Mike. I have my second one and both he and my previous Jackie done the exact same as Jaxx. Wonderful loyal dogs 🐶 ❤
That's brilliant to see you out with the dog, he almost stole the show from that great looking tent 😎I've always thought that Jack Russell trembling was nervous excitement for things to come🤔
