Few things are more relaxing than a night under quality canvas like the ARB Swag. After an evening by the fire, it’s time to kick back and star gaze as another good night’s sleep beckons.

So let’s take a look at the ARB Swag. The two spreader poles hold up the three hoops and make this a freestanding dome swag. In extreme weather, it’s possible to peg and guy rope it out to withstand the elements. We’ll often tuck them under an awning in heavy rain.

In the rain, dew and cold, the canvas entrance zips closed. There is plenty of shoulder and head room, which makes this swag a comfortable place to be. There are handy hooks for lights and pockets for things like keys and phones.

The mesh panels at the foot, entrance and head allow for a flow of ventilation on hot nights, and keep the bugs where they should be.

On many trips we remove the foam mattress and use a compact inflating one instead. This allows the swag to roll up to a fraction of the size. It’s a bit of a trade off – slightly slower to set up – but it means we can fly with them, or pack them on trips when we are travelling with our tent and are tight on space.

The foot and head vents have canvas covers both inside and out. In the rain it’s possible to peg out the covers to allow waterproof ventilation. If the outside vent is open and it gets cold during the night, it’s easy to zip up the inside cover to keep warm.

The ARB Swag has premium YKK zips, 11mm aluminium poles, 500 gsm water and rot proofed canvas and a bombproof 970 gsm tubbed PVC floor and is solidly built.

ARB Swag

For more information visit ARB. To read more similar reviews head over to our Rooftop Tents or Ground Tents & Swags categories.

Mike Collister

Founder of Adventure Curated, Mike has spent his life outdoors. He has represented Australia as a slalom kayaker, guided whitewater expeditions in Nepal, and taught outdoor education and wilderness medicine. He’s paddled the Kimberley’s Fitzroy River in the wet season, across the Bass Strait and has explored many of Australia’s remote areas by 4x4.