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Camping Showdown: Tents VS Swags VS Roof Top Tents
Camping setups may be a debate that lasts until the end of time. Everyone has their preferences and requirements such as retractable awnings, foldable tables, portable showers, fire pits and so on, but none are debated more than your individual sleeping experience.
We are, of course, talking about the big three: tents, swags and roof top tents.
So, being camping fanatics and testing all three in different environments, we thought we might shed some light on the pros and cons that come with each sleeping preference.
So, get comfortable and discover which portable or fixed shelter is the best for your next getaway.
Tents
These come in a variety of sizes and styles ranging from 1-person dome tents to massive 16-person family cabin tents! So right away you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to portable camping tents. They also offer quite a lot of legroom and headroom so you can spread out and get comfortable with ease.
Tents are a great cost-effective sleeping solution when it comes to camping (or roughing it), won’t take up a lot of room in your car, are typically lightweight and designed to combat wet conditions without trouble.
A big con, however, typically comes with the setup. Sometimes the box will say easy-setup or set up in minutes, but if you aren’t too savvy with tents or it’s your first time using this new 4-person or 6-person tent complete with awning, setup can be a real pain. And if the weather isn’t exactly in your favour, with searing heat or if it’s absolutely bucketing down overhead, this can make or break a camping getaway.
You’re also going to be sleeping flush with the ground, so even after you’ve cleared your area of rocks or sticks, you’ll still need an air bed or padded mattress to lie on. This is doubly true if the ground is cold or wet because, trust us, you’re going to feel it. In addition, sleeping in tents means you are prone to potential washouts. There’s also the possibility of having a few unwanted six or eight-legged guests waking you up in the morning.
Pros
- Travel-friendly and won’t take up much room in the car
- Lightweight and easy to tow around
- Typically comes with onboard storage
- Lots of legroom and headroom
- Cost-effective sleeping solution
- (Typically) weatherproof
Cons
- Sleeping on the ground can be uncomfortable, an air bed is required
- Airflow can be a problem without proper ventilation
- Without proper covers, heat builds up really fast
- Pegs and tie-downs are essential in even slightly windy conditions
- Setup and packing away can be troublesome
Swags
Swags have come a long way in recent times since their inception in the 1960s, and have since exploded in popularity in the camping world. Initially seen as a quick and simple single-person camping solution, swags have evolved in both style and design, can fit 2 people with ease, and can be a great camping option – for certain campers that is.
Now, there are two common swags you’ll come across around the campsite, and they are the Traditional Swag and the Dome/Tunnel Swag. The traditional swag is where it all started. Effectively, it’s not much more than a mattress covered in a canvas pocket rolled up with a strap around it. The Dome/Tunnel Swag, however, is the most common swag you’ll see today. It’s like a mini tent with poles and ropes, with a canvas shell that covers a mattress. However, the setup in both cases is literally a breeze with a swag.
What it says on the box, ‘setup in seconds’ is pretty accurate as it’s as easy as rolling it out, inserting a couple of poles and you’re done. All of your bedding and mattress can be rolled up/out too, saving you heaps of time and storage space.
However, the major pro of a swag? You can place it absolutely anywhere. They don’t take up too much room around your base camp, they sit nice and low so it’s easy to keep them shaded, and if the ground is a little bit uneven it’s not a problem for a swag – providing you sleep with your head uphill.
Another major pro would be the canvas material that the majority of swags are crafted with, including the . It’s purpose-built for almost any sort of weather you find yourself in, and the best part, it’s naturally wind-resistant. Combine this with its unique shape and low-profile, and you’ll find it’s much better at managing and dealing with wind and inclement weather than its roof top or portable tent counterparts.
As for cons, there aren’t too many, and for the cons that there are, they're largely from a logistical point of view more than anything. Firstly, swags are quite big, bulky and they can weigh a lot. Although, if you’ve got the storage and correct GVM setup, this won’t be a problem. The same can be said if you’re simply setting up your base camp and not hiking with a swag in tow.
Secondly, is the lack of space. Now, again, if you’re happy to just have your swag for sleeping and using the portable shelters and awning equipped to your 4x4s, then this con won’t apply to you. But if you don’t have these facilities and it’s pouring down with rain, even just changing clothes in a swag can be a real headache.
On the topic of rain, if your swag gets wet, then consider that canvas soaked for effectively the entire trip. Even though you’ll stay warm and dry inside the swag, wet canvas can take a long time to dry and you could be packing away a soggy swag by the end of the getaway.
Pros
- Simple setup – exactly as it says on the box
- Free-standing design
- Cost-effective sleeping solution
- Can be rolled up with bedding
- Can be placed absolutely anywhere
- Easier to stay nice and warm
- Made with all-weather canvas
- Almost effortless to transport
- Wind just isn’t a factor
Cons
- Big, bulky and quite heavy
- Takes up heaps of room in the car
- You’re on the ground with the elements (raised swags can minimise this)
- Once your swag gets wet it’s a nightmare to dry
- Tight for space, only good for sleeping
- If your poles go, you’re effectively stuffed
Roof Top Tents
And finally, we arrive at roof tops. The relaxation king of any campsite. Getting a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors is easy with a roof top tent. Why? Well, firstly, they’re made to give you the space, both in leg room and headroom, of a normal tent, plus the outstanding comfort and protection you need from the elements just like a swag.
However, that protection doesn’t just stop there. Being above your 4x4, you’re protected from any potential washouts and from wildlife finding their way to your campsite and interfering with a good night’s sleep. Privacy is also virtually guaranteed, as you’ll be 2 metres above everyone and everything else in your own little pocket of space.
The majority, including our TJM roof top tents, also come with a foam mattress and, just like a swag, you can keep all your bedding essentials in the roof top tent making setup and packing an absolute breeze. It also means you can park and camp absolutely anywhere. Wherever your 4x4 can go, you can camp there as well!
They’re seriously customisable too. Take the & for example. Both of these spacious, weatherproof roof top tents come with an aluminium retractable ladder for easy access, and a pull-out veranda as standard. But for even more space and outback luxury, you can also add an optional zip-on annexe whenever you like! And lastly, the tranquillity experienced is incomparable. Sitting roughly 2 metres high, you’ll have an incredible view of wildlife and picturesque lakes, and with the , even the night sky as well!
The newest addition to our market-leading camping range comes with several large mesh covered windows on almost all sides of the roof top, but the real highlight is the novel stargazing window overhead. Now, you can lie on your back in total comfort, sheltered from the elements, with the night sky as your exclusive TV channel.
So, just that in itself is an abundance of pros! But what about the cons? Right off the bat without any customisation, you are going to need a GVM upgrade. Roof top tents can weigh between 60kg-100kg, and when you add your gear and the combined weight of all passengers, it’ll be a miracle if you’re not over your GVM.
That being said, if you’re already going off-roading, you’ve probably already upgraded your GVM. If you haven’t, you should definitely do so as soon as possible. Check out our latest blog post about a GVM upgrade here to discover why it’s essential for every off-roading fanatic.
Another con would be the setup time. They can take a while. Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’re going to be staying at that campsite for an extended period of time. If, however, you’re simply stopping off for a quick 8-hour sleep ready to be on the road again by morning, the setup time compared to a swag is night and day.
This becomes even more apparent if you’re planning on tackling 4x4 tracks with the same vehicle, when you have to constantly pack down the roof top tent just to be mobile again. We recommend having another 4x4 vehicle with you, so you can leave your roof top tent set up at base camp, tackle those tracks and return for a good night’s sleep.
Having a roof top tent also means that you can forget about having a roof rack. That extra storage up top is now taken up entirely by your roof top tent. It also adds extra height to the clearance of your vehicle and can chew up extra fuel, similar to the extra amount consumed when towing a trailer.
Pros
- Most of them are easy to set up (hard shell)
- Bedding and gear stays stored inside
- Off the ground – don’t worry about getting flooded out
- Usually pretty comfortable
- Weatherproof design
- Park and camp absolutely anywhere
- Can provide additional storage if it has a roof rack built-in
Cons
- Definitely need a GVM upgrade as they can weigh a lot
- Soft shell roof tops take a while to set up and pack down
- Can typically be out of reach when on a 4x4 – ladder required
- Roof top tents are not good for base camp if you want to go exploring
- Heaps of extra weight on top means more body roll if you’re off-roading
- Can chew up more fuel due to wind block
- Replaces a roof rack entirely
- Vehicle clearance can be compromised
At the end of the day, choosing between a tent, swag and roof top tent will depend on your individual camping needs. If you’re heading off for a couple of days for a casual weekend away full of fishing and walks, you can’t go wrong with a tent or swag. If you’ve also got some additional comfort such as a pergola or an awning fixed to your 4x4, the swag would be our choice.
If, however, you’re heading on more adventurous expeditions in the 4x4, and find yourself sitting idle for long stints at a time, you really should be using a roof top tent. The comfort, ease of setup, knowing it’s right there when you need it and the modification benefits to suit your individual camping experience are second to none.
