Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1467328
SWAGMAN ROLL Swagman roll is a hybrid of two legendary pieces of US Ar- my's issued gear with few new features. It is a combination of Rain Poncho and Woobie – liner for the said poncho. It can be briefly described as a poncho made of ma- terial similar to that from Woobie but more modern. The design was made by Survivaltech, which is not surprising, as they were using rain ponchos and woobies for years and finally came up with combin- ing them… Swagman is made of the exact same materials as Wolfhound so two layers of thin nylon with Cil- mashield Apex insulation between. The outer layer is DWR treated obviously so it has basic rain and snow resistance. It is a piece of size of 200x145cm and three edges have a zipper sewn on so it can be transformed into the type of light sleeping bag. In the middle is a hole for the head and insulated hood with a draw- cord sewn around the face hole. If we want to use it as a liner for a hammock, rug, sleeping bag or as an underquilt, the hood can be fold- ed and stored in a small pocket which is secured with a piece of Velcro. There is a big outer pocket closed with a zip- per, below the small one, and it can be used to keep gloves, map, compass or o t h e r r a t h e r heavy ob- jects. In- side of it, near the top, is a band loop that can be used to secure a n y t h i n g from losing. This pocket is also a so-called "selfpack" so the whole Swagman can be rolled into it, then closed with a zipper if we do not want to carry a transport bag which is included with the swagman. If it is worn as a cape, it can be fastened with buckles on bands so it won't flap as a classical poncho but will fit snugly and won't con- strain movement. After fastening we get a "cape with sleeves" which looks like the one Rambo made in the "First Blood" movie. ag out of it, the top edge can be tightened with a shock cord with stoppers. The second shock cord is on the opposite side and paired with the first allows you to adjust the shape of the Swagman to fit with the hammock if used as a liner. Theoretically shock cords can be used to tighten the bottom if used as "over the head "option but it will hinder the wearer's movement If you still have an old American poncho, Swagman can be used as a liner for it – it can easily pin into poncho's eyelets with little loops with plastic pins, placed at corners. Swagman Roll is available in single size and following color op- tions - Alpha Green, Taiga Green, Coyote, Black, DNC, Shadow Grey, Flecktarn, Pencott WildWood, Tiger Stripe and Woodland – camo ver- sions are one sided only. Swagman is a typical survival/ outdoor piece of gear and if used with other purposes it works… mod- erately.. You can shoot wearing it but it is a hassle, even with buck- les fastened but during a break between training sessions on cold days it is a fantastic thing to have as it can be worn over the gear and even with the rifle on the sling. We appreciated it at the very first winter range training when during a meal or reloading we could just throw it over and be warm. All types of jackets, even those extra warm www.fragoutmag.com