One of the Best Outdoor Products Ever Made - Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll
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- Опубліковано 15 сер 2024
- This is the Swagman Roll.
Very rarely is a product so versatile and at the same time, so well priced.
One of the Swagman Roll's key strengths is its balance between warmth, bulk, and weight. This multi-purpose piece of gear stands out as a prime example of efficient design in outdoor equipment.
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The best part of this blanket is you can use it for everything you would use a blanket for! You can lie on it. You can lie under it. You can wrap it around your shoulders. You can put it in your sleeping bag for extra warmth. Just like a blanket! Amazing! But wait, there's more! This blanket has a zipper! So it's also a sleeping bag, but sleeping bags don't unzip into blankets...do they? Never mind. Anyway, it is also a raincoat that isn't rainproof, except it only fits small heads! And only a bit more than double the cost of a wool poncho! AWESOME!
lol
it is NOT rainproof? the entire time that was the whole selling point of the poncho bit to me. i just assumed it must be. damn.
@@eccomi21 It's like a poncho liner, meaning you put it inside your actual rainproof poncho. It's a blanket shaped like a poncho. A blanket only rated for summer use.
Friend and I discussed this product and honestly for the same price you can get two woobies, a poncho and fairly good pair of rain chaps.
I was thinking similar as I watched the video. "Wow, an expensive wooby, that doesn't do anything well..."
I would like to see them design a winter model. Make it wider and longer, better hood opening, and rated to 0 degrees. Would also like to see the kangaroo pouch get an integrated organizer of some sort.
The hood opening is the biggest NO. I have found the Hill People gear equivalent a far superior product because of the hood zipper opening.
Awesome review, who else does a 3 year update review? You are the best Luke, thank you for taking the time to share. Glad you survived a rainy night in the chair, I bet you didn’t sleep much but at least you were warm. This product sounds great but my big head would never fit thru that opening, thanks to you I avoided wasting my money. Have a great day everyone.
Another informative review/update that reinforces a good product. As always, thanks, Luke! 😊
I am NOT trying to change your mind. I have a HUGE FREAKING NOGGIN (think size 8 hat) and I own a swagman roll. It fits like I'm putting on a turtleneck. It's not bad...
Just something to consider.
Have had mine a couple of years now and love it. I’m 5ft 3” (female), so it’s not too small for me and when I’m not using it camping I keep it in my vehicle. Got mine on clearance at SRO because it was unboxed. I think I paid $120 then. Well worth the money.
Having this for about 4 years now, I will also state that this is one of the few pieces of gear that I have retained, as I just dont think there is a replacement out there for it. I used mine as late as yesterday. Mine is primarily my hiking blanket. I keep it in my daypack, and use it whenever we go camping, so long as its not too cold out. I have never once tried to use it as a sleeping bag proper. I often simply zip up the foot box, then drape it over me.
If someone is still on the fence about getting one of these, just do it. It really is a great product.
I think the problem with this product is the unacceptable bulk to warmth ration. If the insulation was down-filled instead of a man-made filler it would result in additional warmth along with a more packable product. I just can't see paying $155 for this product which cannot be used (alone) below 50 degrees. I would rather use a Get Out Gear down blanket inside a light sleeping bag which would result in a smaller over-all package plus additional warmth. I did see your review of the Get Out Gear blanket and I agree with you that it's overpriced, but so is the Swagman Roll. I trust your reviews, while realizing that what you place emphasis on may not be where I place my emphasis. Thanks for taking the time to do your reviews.
Fair points and well expressed. Down loses most all of its insulating capacity when it’s wet. In this respect, synthetics are often chosen over down. As with anything it depends on your environment and usage case for the gear. I live just below a deciduous rain forest and often go to the ocean coastline. Down is not good in my environment 9-10 months of the year.
I own and enjoy the Swagman Roll and use it below 50 degrees quite comfortably because it’s part of my layering system, not my only source of insulation. The Swagman layered over a wool sweater and under a rain poncho is quite warm, comfortable below 40 degrees for sure.
Also, it’s a great “Swiss Army knife” type product that fulfills a wide range of uses in one garment. It’s a poncho liner, light sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner layer, a sleeping “quilt”, an under-blanket for a hammock, etc. It’s not the absolute best at any one function but boy does it cover a lot of functions adequately.
Very well said.👍
@@brawndothethirstmutilator9848 You make fair points, also. I suppose I want the best of both worlds: Down for warmth, weight and compaction and synthetic for the reasons you stated. I'm in the usually dry Southern California climate so I don't have to be as concerned about it getting wet. The other replies were also well said.
@lawrencefieselman3803 expanding on what the previous commenter said, it's good to note that Luke's ideal cqmping environment is one with constant rain/ harsh weather conditions. so it's likely he'll prefer these kinds of things that are heavier and bulkier but more reliable.
@@lawrencefieselman3803
I don’t know where they are being manufactured , I know it’s not Europe, I thought I heard once Non-democratic Asian country.
That said, I wish they would try a
Attempting to be democratic central American country. .
A modern version of a Great Kilt, very cool!
I'm glad and proud it's a Polish product. :-)
Made in Vietnam LOL I have lots of Helikon stuff and it's on the better end of the consumer-grade stuff though.
Everything I’ve ever bought from Helikon TX is extremely well made and designed. Top notch.
After seeing your previous review of the Swagman Roll I bought one, in the Flecktarn camo pattern. Really great piece of kit! Thanks for the great gear testing.
The greatest part of this product is when I get up just before dawn, I am not freezing my butt off while waiting for the sun to come up and the day to warm up. I can have breakfast and roll up my camp and only have the roll to put away while I wait for enough light to hit the trail. (I like to hit the trail as soon as I can see it and set camp early).
I've got 4! I use 2 at once for a sleep system in my hammock in the summer. The new reversible ones are pretty nice.
My Mum is 86 and we still have her knitting non stop, keeps her out of mischief
I really wanted one, and I tried a friends swagman roll.. I am 6'10 and it looked like a bib on me but I hope that one day they make a grown up size. Until then I use my bedroll of two wool blankets.
I'm big and tall and I wanted to like it more than I did. It's just too small for my 6'6" tall and wide body frame.
@@bubbaray_1968same height and big. thanks. saved me a try. ✌️
@@bubbaray_1968 yeah I tried a friends swagman.. first thought in my mind was HELL NO.. but I am considering to design my own version and eventually maybe even share with big bois
Funny my taller friends have no issue with it.
I am 1,80 m and have no problems at all with it. Fits like a glove.
I've been using the swagman roll for years and I love it. Best $120 I spent.
I have a few of these, the latest one I bought in January, and it has a much better hood now. It's larger and is a three piece design like most jacket hoods. I messaged Helikon Tex and they confirmed that late last year they changed the design of the hood, and going forward all swagman rolls will have this new hood design. Much improved.
It's still the same smallish overall size, though.
I love mine too. It's too small to use as a sleeping bag, but fine as quilt. Perfect inside a jerven. I've used a basic inside an advanced, or inside a bag and over a down quilt. I'd instabuy an XLwide version with poncho.
Looks pretty cool Luke I’ve got my woobie and poncho which I like too I may look into getting one of these thanks Eric.
I will buckle the buckles in sleeping bag mode and pass the buckles through the zipper string. This prevents the bag from unzipping while sleeping. I then use it more like a quilt so that the top is open and the bottom forms like a foot box. I've been trying to find compatible buckles to make a strap that I can instead run under my sleeping pad to make it more quilt-like.
I use it the exact same way, whether in my hammock or on the ground, it's a top quilt with a footbox.
My Swagman Roll has become part of my basic gear. That along with the Helikon Tex poncho and my Grayl Geo Ti stays with my day bag. Being in South Alabama, we have mild winters and my use is for a wearable item and a hammock underquilt. Anything cooler than 50° and I will swap to my quilted hammock.
The swagman roll is a rock solid piece of gear.
The Swagman roll is one of my most favorite pieces of gear! It's my go-to summer sleeping bag and I do a partial zip, quilt setup. It's warmer than a standard blanket and works very well as a hammock quilt. Should order a second.😂
Had mine for 3 years also and I am still loving it😊
I do like my Swagman, I camp maybe just four times a year here in the UK,always use my swagman, if below 10c I combine it with another summer weight bag. I’ve worn it in cold weather as a poncho and love it.
I've one in combination with a Helikon Tex Poncho and it fits well. A really good set for the summer! Helikon Tex is a really goof trademark from Poland. I love the products and and I'm from Germany. I've different camo variations of this set.
Love the post. I plan to get one when I go hiking.
had mine for just over 2 years and love it
I bought mine based on your reviews... I use it as two season sleeping system and a sit around garment ...
I’ve been looking at buying one of those for some time. All of the gear I have from Helikon is top shelf. 👍
It's fairly good. But it's not as warm as Luke seems to find it. I have an insulated poncho from Saltrock which is warmer, although less practical as it's not water resistant and doesn't come with its own compression sack (although obviously a dry sack would deal with that).
Appreciate the info.
I bought one of these on your recommendation about 2 years ago. Can confirm, it is fantastic for the conditions here all year round as a poncho and stand alone blanket in summer or extra blanket for winter (Perth, Western Australia). I also just wish that it was a bit larger. I am 6 foot 4 inches. If they brought out an extra large size, I would buy it straight away and give my current one to my girlfriend, she steals it and wears it as a poncho even when we aren't out adventuring 😂
Had mine a few years, always take it camping, still good as new. Yes it's more restrictive than a sleeping bag but you have to accept it for what it is. I'll take a sleeping bag liner as well just in case it gets too cool at night.
In summer, this saves me bringing a sleeping bag twice the weight and a jacket, at least 2Kg and a lot more room left in the pack.
I love my Swagman Roll. At 5'11" 190 my shoulders are tight, but I can sleep in it fine. I'm a Hammock guy too and it does it all. It's well worth the Money, awesome product. The fact that you said it's the best thing you've reviewed, on your Gear channel?... says it all
When hammocking, do you use it as a tarp, sleeping mat, under insulation or sleeping bag?
I love my swagman roll, I use it to increase the warmth of my sleeping bag in the really cold months,(I'm in Ontario Canada) I have used it ad an underquilt in warmer weather (my regular underquilt is quite warm for the warmer months) I've used it as my main sleeping bag or blanket or overquilt in the warm months, used it to warm up when it's chilly, used it to keep my friends little ones warm. It's such a good product, it may be a bit pricy compared to a traditional woobie but it does so much more compared to one.
That’s the key thing, what are you always reaching for most….this is the top thing I’m always packing for any overnight camp, and keep it in my truck most of the time for just in case.
I agree I’ve had mine for three years and it goes everywhere with me almost, some talk about price but if you look at the price compared to buying all the different things it can do separately its a no brainer, and the quality is excellent.
I love my ponchos too 😍 own 4 ❤ flecktarn, aqua blue, brown, coyote
I’ve had one for 3 years. I use it with a poncho and it has been very useful for me. You have to decide if it will work for you.
Great review!! Good for the truck camp and that’s it! 100% way to heavy and bulky to pack anywhere
I love TheOutdoorGearReview videos.
I think the price is a bit high for this product. For the price I think it should include a military style poncho. Speaking of which, is there a poncho that you would recommend for this product? If I can find a poncho and liner product that would be what I am looking for.
Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your videos and you do a great job and have done so for a while now- keep it up!
Watched this while doing the chicken chores this evening. I know two things now. 1) I’m going to buy this thing. 2) when my daughter takes care of them during the day there’s a 50/50 chance the bottom is going to go off the chicken waterer when I move it and fill my shoes with chicken water.
I've had a swag man for a couple years now, and I've used it with a cheap isomat down to the low 50s, and was warm enough... would highly recommend it.
Luke we field tested these in the Army and gave it glowing years ago some procurement officer override all of our opinions and decided to keep our vanilla poncho liners. Not throwing shade on the awesome woobie this is superior though in versatility
Luke: I bought one a few years ago on your recommendation, and have really appreciated it, at least in relatively mild weather (so far). Of course, being a poncho LINER, the effectiveness can be increased by using it with a poncho.
Had mine for about one month, i couldn't love it more than i do now!
Looking like a camping combat monk with it as a poncho.
Hi Luke!! Thank you so much!! For the review!! Love your work brother!! Stay safe out there!! We love your channel and content!!👍🏿💯❤️🇺🇸
When you consider, you can get one in camo and it can also be used as a blind since it's so large, it really is a great value.
I always carry a hot water bottle. It entirely changes the comfort factor when sleeping outdoors. It strikes me that a hot water bottle would be a great companion to this product.
My brother has been eyeing a Hazard 4 poncho, so when I saw this, I immediately wondered about the similarities. So now I’ll be looking up a comparison video of the two, as they are comparable in price. Thanks for sharing!
Here in NZ they are stocked at $370, but can pick up a US army woobie from a local army and outdoor store for $99..
For EU viewers, those are currently on a summer sale for 80€ in one of Polands biggest military stores that does send abroad.
Thanks for the notification. Could You give me some store names, please?
@@vandortabor3447 sure. I think antispam filters are removing it if i type it in directly. Store name is militaria, just add polish websites extension
Sure, store name is militaria, hopefully youll be able to find it through google
@@vandortabor3447 its militaria
@@vandortabor3447seems i cant post it. Im sure youll be able to google it though
Love mine, saving up for the orange version as I have the traditional camo one
One my favorite pieces of kit. Mine is often used as an under quilt for my hammock
Happy to hear it uses the excellent ClimaShield Apex insulation. The type and quality of insulation is key - as Wiggy's sleeping bags taught us. BTW, a 3-year review is great. Durable gear is a good thing. 😎
Love my Swag roll and poncho combo.
I have their poncho and it is fantastic! I'm going to buy one of these too
I missed the earlier reviews so I'm glad to know about this. I'm not getting out much now but if I do again this could be useful for me.
Holly heck.... the sneed from "Horton Hears a Who!"
Helikon is great. I've got a Pilgrim anorak, impregnated with spray wax, and I love it!
It is one of the best bits of kit I have purchased.
LOVE my swagman. I live in South Texas so I use it year round 🐈
No idea what that animal is or how it got there. Sorry.
Sold.
Though the yellow one..
I use my bushmen blanket (more of a cape than a poncho) in combination with my alpaca poncho.
You blanket is more poncho therefor better.
🔆
Thank you Luke for the video.
I have often seen vids where they say 'they're the best, you need one'. To which I say, do they have it in my size. I'm 6' 250lbs. There's very few of these of any make that fit. A 57" loop barely goes around my shoulders: at 56" around, a deep breath makes that tight. Thank you for helping us 'little' guys out!
I'm in the same boat, I've always just zipped the bottom to the first buckle, stuck my feet down in there and left the rest of the zipper open, it's pretty much a top quilt with a foot box. This works for me on the ground or in a hammock.
Thank you sir for this great review. I really like that you have made a third year review of products that you think are something special. We the consumers really appreciate the heads up.
OutdoorsGearReview = #1 place to go for reviews.
In Scotland we call it a 'Blanket'.
I want to get 3 of these but all 3 are all larger people and want the larger size. Looks like a great car emergency item for winter driving.
Sleeping in a chair is a clusterfork in itself.
Yes the color of the kisluxbag is beautiful and it is a great decision, maybe one day they will add feet and straps. It would be nice to have a bigger bag during the colder months when we have to store gloves, beanies, scarves, etc…
Looks like a variation of the great kilt.
Having camped in both, I wouldn't want to travel in thick woods wearing a swagman. I don't think it's durable enough for that, though I've hiked an open trail in a swagman. I think of the swagman more as camp insulation. Not quite as versatile as a great kilt, but it's more convenient.
@@eturnerx I'm just happy someone knew what I was talking about 😂
I've had mine for the same time! I absolutely LOVE it!
I have my own version of this where I roll up a bottle of vodka inside of it. I call the "swigman" roll :)
The lack of size options is possibly because it aligns with the size of the USGI poncho.
It's considerably smaller than a USGI poncho.
@@762M80It aligns with mine wonderfully. YMMV. 🤷♂️
@@Teddy12399 then either you have the only USGI poncho in the world that was made in a smaller size, or your poncho isn't USGI, because it's smaller than all of mine and everyone else's who has a legit USGI poncho.
I'm waiting for someone to say that $142 for a blanket is just not something they're interested in ...
$142 for a blanket is just not something I'm interested in. $141.99 however.......😂😂😂
Dude I'd have paid $1000 for my swagman roll and gladly. One of the best kit investments I've made.
I wouldn’t buy it that’s for sure but I use a nice tent and down sleeping bag so this essentially ads nothing useful to my kit and is too heavy for UL backbacking anyways.
Yup, I still got mine. It is small in sleeping bag mode. I got mine from SRO. I pd 130 for it. I haven't been able to find one since. It is worth it. It is one of these products that if it is available, get it.
I have a double camo version and it's an awesome product indeed. I'm 186cm tall and 96Kg and I don't have that much of a complaint about the width, though. Maybe the goretex Bivy I pair it with is already constricting everything :D
It also pairs well with that one xl jungle blanket
I’ve bought the honcho poncho basically he same but not as expensive & works great.
I've always loved the idea of the product, but much cheaper option on hand. If I have to rebuild my kit, it would be a prime choice,
Seems great for spring and summer outings, but bulky to have to carry on a backpacking trip if you have to also carry a sleeping bag.
I bought 2 rain gear ,for horseback ryders,that could be ziped togather to make a big tent.my thought was for ATVing,but never got to use them.
It's quite cute.... lol but I think I'll stick with my lavvu. It's a poncho, and a lean to, and a circular tent, and with a tarp an oblong tent. I've also used as a bedroll cover and leaned against a tree used it for cover against rain and wind. I've kept warm in one down into the 40s in rain.
Yes, at 3lbs, it is heavier, but I think it's much more versatile.
Another super review. I have three...the reversible DNC/chocolate chip is my favorite. I do wish they'd make a larger version.
Yeah this is one of my favorite bits of kit
I think I would like this product in conjunction with my wool blanket? Ultimate bedroll.
I love my Jerven Hunter too much
I use a swagman inside my insulated jerven. Super toasty.
@@eturnerx damn bro that’s toasty what climate is that actually comfortable in?
this is great thanks for pushing these reviews!
Sounds like a great 3 season product.
Reminds me of the Nordisk Jorund tech bivy that I use a lot
I want to try it. I would get the tarp. I backpack and I motorcycle camp. As a 66 year old lady I am tired once I get to my camp after a day of riding and touring. Same when I backpack. Just want something to quickly set up, cook my dinner, then very quickly take down in the morning.
I've had mine for 4yrs now and both are still in excellent condition
Great product!
I'm 6'6" with a hat size of almost 8 sooooooooo yeah I would need a XL-Tall version.
Why not get a big wool blanket? Retains its insulation when wet, flame retardent, etc....
How about Lengthen, and provide a buckle to prevent dragging the corner while in poncho/sport mode.
And put cordura on the out side shell. Well, I guess that would make it about 500 bucks. Nevermind.
Just cut 2 Flinstone foot holes in the bottom to get your arms in!
For the price , I'm thinking a poncho liner will do you just as well , with cash left over for something else . Just sayin . All in all , thats almost what that thing is .
Ok, I’m subscribed now. 👍
Swag Messiah.
Agree on width. If it was wider (and, maybe thicker) I'd get one. Maybe they should keep this '2-season' one and add a wider, thicker 3-season version...
I wish it came in different sizes, a lot of this gear comes up a little short, pardon the pun, for guys that are 6'4+.
Love this thing. It’s a super woobie