Is it a swag or tent?

In recent times the humble canvas swag has become not necessarily the most simple or cheapest camping accomodation option, as evidenced by super-swags like the Jet Tent Bunker.

But now tent specialist Darche has gone a step further with the new Nebula 1550, a new product it describes as a “two person freestanding canvas hybrid”.

“It’s very different to any other swag on the market. We call it a hybrid as it’s in between a tent and a swag,” explained Justin Kerley from Kangaroo Tent City, which had one on display at the NSW Caravan, Camping & Holiday Supershow.

Made from single skin 420gsm Ripstop canvas, the Nebula 1550 has a larger in-built mattress than most other swags on the market, while the peaked frame roof and vertical walls provides a bit more space inside.

“Most swags are 900, 1100 or 1400mm wide; this is 1550mm wide, so this is larger than a queen size mattress,” Kerley said.

The framework unclips like a dome tent, keeping set-up time to around 90 seconds, and it comes with a separate tropical fly/awning to provide extra protection when needed.

Other features include four-way entry, PVC bucket floor, seam-sealed internal seams, alloy poles and two storage pockets.

The whole thing rolls up and slots into a large canvas carry bag, with a total weight of around 20kg.

“In testing, we’ve actually had families sleep in this: two adults and two kids,” Kerley claims.

“For someone who wants that extra comfort, extra airflow and that luxury, this is the top end of the swag market."

He said the swag market had changed a lot over the past two decades.

“Twenty years ago we were selling swags that were just a mattress with a canvas flap over it and no frame. They’ve evolved to being dome shaped, to bigger domes and now stepping out to this…”

“The swag market is unique. I deal with people overseas and they’re fascinated by the Australian culture about swags, because they don’t get sold anywhere else in the world.

“Bivy (lightweight tents) are kind of close, but it’s more of a hiking market than throwing one in the back of the car or the ute and travelling to the fishing spot… ??

“They can’t get their head around a really heavy, rugged product that’s low profile and has a mattress in it. It’s one of those great Australian icons, isn’t it?”

Pricing for the Darche Nebula 1550 is a tent-like $799, from kangarootentcity.com.au