SWAG REVIEW: ARB v KINGS v BURKE & WILLS v OZTENT v 23ZERO v JOLLY SWAGMAN 

Excellent job guy's well done and thanks for the review's , i myself have had several swags over the years i love them . My personal favourite for adverse conditions and a shitload of rain would have to be the dune 4x4 king single , i have been in that swag in some wicked storms and even the edge of a tropical cyclone and still didn't leak one drop of water . Cheers guys i appreciate the content . ✌️👍👌

As always Brothers, great vide, great information & loads of detail. Will be such great value for anyone in the market for a swag.💚💚💚💚💚💚

Nice one boys. With so many options on the market you covered a great range of swags.

Have had a Kings Big Daddy Deluxe for about 8 years now and it’s never let me down, I got the older version which came with the oversized canvas bags and better quality canvas hoops, and seam sealed, unlike some of the new ones that aren’t apparently. Served me well for years but have recently upgraded to a 23zero bandit 1400 and looking forward to giving it a go

I use the kings swag. No problem, no leaks, zips are fine. Very happy with my budget swag 👍

Have slept in the Jolly swag in pelting rain, on a stretcher, and I was just fine. Back in the early nineties all swags we’re like that. The Bush Tucker man made them popular. His swag was just a big sheet of canvass folded into thirds with a couple of woollen army blankets and a pillow.

Great episode lads. One of the first camping experiences I had was with the jolly swag man, down at The Prom out of the boat. I got eaten alive by sand flys and my mate didn’t even have a sleeping bag in his good time’s 😂😂😂

Used to camp in the jolly swagman growing up in the NT. Absolute nightmare lol can’t believe I kept it for so long!

Great vid boys👍 I run the Sahara Vagabond king single swag.I absolutely love this Swag, very similar to the Burke and Wills, but opens at both ends and the bootbag/mat is sewn in. The pole and peg pouch is also sewn into the bottom off the pvc as well. Keep up the good work lads

Ive had my jolly swagman for over 15 years now. Love it.

Love my Jolly Swagman swag, had it for about 25 years and still as comfortable as ever

Just learning about swags here in the states and have been debating between the Darche dusk to dawn 1100/1400 or the 23zero Dual swag 1100/1400. Great video!

I used a hand me down Jolly Swagman for the year of camping before I could afford a new swag. Never had a dry nights sleep:D

Still got my jolly swagman in the shed, had it 34 years & woken up many a time satched. Can't wait to give my young fella the same memories 🤣.

Last swag I've called a bed roll for years. I have my grandfather's. Made with canvas. I wax it every couple years so it stays waterproof. Best thing I own. Great for a motorcycle.

Excellent video fellas, I just got a Burke and Wills XL (red), my mates called it a 'My little Pony' swag, looks like that's what it's called from now on, I set it up last week in Cape York near the Jardine and it was the most comfortable nights sleep I've had in a swag, Happy days

I used the burke and wills swag for a year and hated that it wasn't freestanding. In hard ground it was really hard to setup because the pegs wouldn't go into the ground, the flynet got small holes in it because i rolled it up with the poles inside. but the nice part was watching the stars on a dry night. I'm wanting to get a crashpad single swag or just the classic one for super simple camping.

Thanks for a great review. I agree that the Kings Big Daddy Deluxe swag is a tight fit and is hard to get it in its bag. I certainly found this to be the case when I first bought mine, but it gets better when you master your packing skills after a week on the tracks. If this is still is a concern for you, Kings now make an oversized swag bag for $59. The ARB Skydome Touring review says that the 2 doors offer a versatile opening. They don’t look as wide as the Kings Big Daddy Deluxe, which has much wider full-length door on both sides, making it easier to get in and out. The 23Zero Bandit review says that entering is quite easy with its four doors (two on each side). I would think that the Kings Big Daddy Deluxe would be easier to enter (and get out). Even though the Kings Big Daddy Deluxe has just one door on each side, it’s a larger full-length door rather than 2 smaller doors, so getting in and out of the swag is easier than having 2 doors on each side with a canvas partition and pole in the middle. I agree that the Kings Big Daddy Deluxe sags a little, but it’s not as bad as swags with no spreader bar at the top. Those swags with a middle hooped pole would be better to overcome this sagging issue, but the downside is that they are harder to get in and out with a centre hooped pole. The review says the Burke & Wills swag is the only one that comes with sandfly mesh. The Kings Big Daddy deluxe swag also has this feature.

I have the jet bunker that looks to be a newer model you have as mine doesnt the pockets for ropes. Otherwise fantastic i do roll with a self inflating mattress in it but have camp in high country snow no dramas. woken up with a massive puddle on it and dry as on inside besides condensation. Last trip i used it one of the bolts came out of the frame luckily found a skinny enough tent peg to get me through the long weekend

I've got an ARB Dual Swag. Love it, but it is pretty big and heavy. I'm contemplating on getting a single swag, either the crashpad or Burke & Wills Redgum.

Got a single Bourke and Wills Biker swag and a single swag like your Jolly Swagman. Both do the job well. Just added a Oztent Geko king single stretcher to make both more comfortable. I have a permanent rolled out double swag and sleeping bag in back of canvas canopy of 4x4 that the bed base is a tray of drawers for camp and recovery gear that is no set up. Climb in and sleep. So many ways to skin a cat.

Great vid boys, I came back to the vid because I’m about to pull the trigger on getting a new swag.

pretty basic the last one hahahha thanks for the video, this is exactly what I was looking for. cheers mates!

Wish these were more common in the states, combines a tent and mattress which makes setup easy

i own a kings swag and love it, awesome swag but is a little big for when im camping in the tinny so looking for something a little smaller at least when packed up

Thanks Lads. Well informed.

In the early 80’s I had an even more basic one than that.. no buttons, zip etc, just folded canvas with a good mattress. Lol.

It would be the 23zero for me....comfortable sleep & waterproof - the 2 most important features if you ask me!

I’ve had to replace my Kings swag twice because of major leaks and poor build quality. Ended up getting and XTM and never had an issue

I don't understand why anyone needs a swag bag unless the swag isn't waterproof. I've never used a swag bag and my swag has always stayed dried on the inside the transported on roof rack. Thanks for the content lads. Cheers

Very well done, great video

I got a Jolly swag it don’t get any easier put a decent mattress in and ya good to go, I’ve got others that are like tents to assemble

I have had the simple canvas swag for over 40 years and will never part with it. Have slept in this in all seasons, conditions and locations all over Australia. All i can say is set it up with a good self inflating mattress and then sit back watch all your mates struggle rolling up their massive swags.

One big advantage of the Jolly apart from setup time is you can sit-up in it without hitting your head lol

My dad has a swag that's similar to the most basic one at the end of the video. I've spent a few nights out in the cold in it when I was younger, and had probably some of the worst nights sleep I've ever had! Looking to get the 23zero bandit soon though.

Jollie swagman is the best the rest are tents with mine didn’t get stollen hard to find a non tent swag. God bless

If your looking at the ARB or in that price range, Darche are worth a look

Great video boys, Im tossing up to get crashpad, WANDER, burke or ARB, which would you recommend? I want it to be open so I can see the stars but good and reliable.

Cheers guys!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

great vid boys

Jollyman swag- Best for going out bush in the military so much better than sleeping on the ground. Weight and space is an issue so its perfect

I am getting my jolly swagman swag modified otherwise it is a thick canvas first night i slept in it it rain and barely leeked

I'm stuck deciding between The Kings Big Daddy Double Deluxe that is currently on sale at around $238 or the Burke & Wills that I saw on your video.... Im after waterproof, warm, and good mattress. If you had to pick between them, which would you lean towards and why?

Thanks for doing this vid. The kings will lose all that sag if you run a line from half way up one hoop around your peg and back to the opposite side. Big and comfortable but a pain to roll up on your own.

The old Jolly swagman format is what my father and grandfather used all over WA, NT, QLD outback hunting crocs and buffalo. If you set them up right you will not get wet. But yeah not the most comfy thing ever. But better than the stories of some of the old fellas that used to just dig a hip hole in the sand in the desert and sleep with no swag.

Had an xl basic swag since I was 16. Packed it on multiple camps, musters, anywhere, love it. Shared with the missus recently... now I'm up for a double 😅 looking at a darche nebula 1550 any comments?

Ive got the basic one had it for about 30 years dont use it anymore, you have to get pretty drunk to have a good night sleep in it

Great review guys.. have you used the Oztent in really cold conditions.? My understanding is that it does not insulate as well as a traditional swag .. especially from the ground as cold air creeps into that area of the bunker

Burke and Wills Redgum King size - cannot go wrong, season it well and you will have it for life.

Ive had some cold nights sleep in the old Jolly Swagman better then straight on the ground with sleeping just

Well done boys and thankyou it helped me decide

good job boys!

awesome video guys. Now I dont feel bad owning 7 swags hahaha

From the USA, all I sleep in is swags( arb one). Good reviews mate

Great tent review guys…quite like your tent pegs…where can they be purchased from…?

I'm in the middle of making a swag purchase so really glad to come across this video - thank you guys 🙏🏽🙏🏽 I'm tossing up between the ARB and Burke and Wills (single Grampian one though vs the redgum in your video). The guy in my local camping store mentioned them no longer being manufactured in Oz, but you guys thought the quality still looked pretty good? (Don't worry I won't gold anyone to it, just wanting to hear peoples experiences with the new models) I just can't find a lot of reviews on them 😟

Arb with a cot bit expensive but totally worth it

Cracker video - What are those pegs you guys are using with the battery drill and where do you get them?

Yeeeeew boys bloody rippa video! Even chuckin on the humungous tradie voices for the boys pure classic ya mad knts yeeww. Only thing is should of kept the tradie voice when ya were explaing solo. But loving the vid fellas, ya seem like a bunch of sik knts. Get some rum in ya boys making straya proud. Smash some Bundis n country music for the boys just fkn yeeeew legends

Where do u get those screw in pegs ? I’ve got some cheap screw in ones but yours look heaps better

I am saving up for a Darche.

Yep had one and slept in one when I was younger; I wouldn't own one again, though with so many better options.

should look at the wingman toucan

Good video

Yeah all depends on where you are living and camping I guess hey.....up here around Darwin airflow is a huge consideration....you want full airflow.

Good overview, Sauls of Tawonga are Aussie made would be good to see a review, all but the traditional style are just canvas tents. Get a tent with a PU coated nylon floor that’s quick to pitch would be better than these over complicated ‘swags’, the concept of the swag was light and transportable, these could go about 15m from the Ute before people would give up. Traditional swags are the go.

I can't afford these so I'm going to pitch some canvas over a cheap tunnel tent inner

With the big daddy Dulux they have fixed the sagging

I am looking to buy a swag. Any chance for a 2023 update

What brand Tent pegs are you using

I have had a jolly swagman since the late 80's. Never had a problem with it although I mostly had it on the back of a Ute or a in a boat. I think those bows and hoops would give me the shits as well, that's why I didn't get a tent.

those 3 hoop swags like the arb, bandit no good for older blokes to get into or out of when on a stretcher, on the ground its doable but on a stretcher no way, one big opening 2 hoops center pole tensioner way easier, should be on your cons

19:05 The Saul Swag is a nice-looking swag. If you'd like to test that one out.

Every review of the Kings swag seems to indicate it leaks. But it's biased towards those with motivation to review, which, if you're happy with a product, you probably won't do. Anyone have any experience with the Big Daddy in the rain?

so which is your favourite. i currently have the mitchell double bt ive been considering a free standing as it gives better clearance andyou can sit up in them. ive been looking at buying the 23zero great vid by the way

Could you guys check out the Sahara swags? I’m curious about what you think

I used the Jolly Swagman from Perth to Darwin, through Pilbara and Kimberley. No rain was a plus. I combined it with a Cot1 stretcher to keep me off the ground. A down sleeping bag inside kept me snug on cold nights. I LOVED the ease of set up. I loved the simplicity. As a 70 year old female I found this ideal. I couldn’t be bothered with the bulkier more complicated swags. I have since upgraded to an Oztrail basic with insect netting at the head. Again instant set up. Lightweight, inexpensive, bug proof. On hot nights I use the net dome only of the Oztrail Tasman tent and my stretcher. Lightweight, easy set up bugproof. I don’t get the complicated camping style but each to his own. Having looked at these swags I would prefer a popup tent with Cot1 stretcher and sleeping bag. More options, more room. Great summary

Not sure if I’ve asked the question... what are the “pegs” that you are using?

Whats the go with the drill ??

Dunno why you wouldn't try to get a Darche swag to put in here

What tent pegs are those please?

Could someone please explain the attraction of modern swags? They weigh too much packed, they take up as much if not more space than a 4-person tent in the car, they’re bastards to roll up, just as involved to set up as a tent, I could go on. Oh and you can’t stand up in a swag like you can in a tent.

Should do one on sleeping bags

I spent 20 years in the Australian Army sleeping under a hootchie, give ma a Jolly Swagmen anytime…….

no crashpad boys?

Main comment being that the Big Daddy is the only one that the Missus can join you. The rest are singles.

Where’s the darche swag..... one of the biggest sellers of swags in Australia?

Have a jolly man swag and its seen better days

i have one for 30 odd years.

The Jolly Swagman- no, no, no and no. Does that answer all your questions?. Lol

Only have the basic swag, 25+ years old. Never use it anymore 😂

I’m sorry I absolutely hate the kings swags there too cheeply made, mine broke in about 5 different places and I didn’t have it for more than 8 months and it would leak water every time getting my pillow and mattress wet

Where's CrashPad?

Would be a pain to dry some of these out

Can you please move Kings rubbish away from the ARB swag what an insult to such high quality lol

PLASTIC BUCKLES BREAK - YOU WANT D RINGS

YKK zips otherwise forget it...

why would you name a peice of camping equipment after the most famous camping failure of or history, why not the gallipoli swag or the somme swag,

Swags are not useable in Europe or in any wet environment. Do not see the value. They are bulky and expensive compared to a normal shelter with more room, much lighter and cost a fraction of a swag.

You young blokes have no idea , I am 63 yo and have swag camped more times than you have had Sunday dinners . Why would you not include the best aussie swag THE CRASHPAD