Swag Pros:
- All-in one (bedding mattress and sleeping bag can be rolled up inside)
- Variety of options for different price points
- Comes in single or double
- Super quick set up
- Very durable
- Weatherproof canvas
- Dome swag options are insect proof
Swag Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
- Quite small inside, only room for occupants to lay down
- Can be hot in warmer climates
Hiking Tent Pros
- Light weight, small and compact. Takes up very little room for the whole assembly when combined with an inflatable mattress
- Spacious, even single person tents can have occupants sitting up or crouching over in the event they are sheltering from weather not sleeping.
- Allow gear to be stored inside
- Weatherproof
- Simple to erect
- Versatile, can used for hiking trips as well as one off camping adventures
- Insect proof
Hiking Tent Cons
- Not as durable as swag
- Slightly longer set up time
- Requires additional purchase of bedding
As you can see there are far more pros than cons for both options, so ultimately the decision will come down to personal choice. For people who might enjoy the odd hiking trip then hiking tent would be a better fit, whereas if you were never going to need to carry it on your back and were looking for something that will last a lifetime then a swag would be the go. Regardless, having both options at your fingertips means you’ll always get the product to suit your needs.