Alton Walkabout Swag- The Best Bivy on the Market?

Introducing the Alton Walkabout Swag/Bivy.
altongoods.com/products/walka...
The team at Alton and myself have been collaborating on the Walkabout Swag (a swag is an Australian term for a bedroll/bivy sleep system) for the last couple of years, and after many samples we are stoked to finally share what we feel is the best bivy on the market!
We wanted to design a bivy/lightweight swag that was specifically design to handle a variety of conditions. Something that was just as comfortable to sleep in the mountains, forests, tropics or the snow. It’s made from Nanopore, which is an extremely breathable and waterproof material (we wanted to go for the best material possible), and the large bug mesh allows for plenty of ventilation while keeping the creepy crawlies away (it even has room to store your pack).
We also wanted something that was versatile and would speak to a variety of bush users; whether you're a hiker, hunter, bike packer, motorcycle camper or even a 4wder. This swag/bivy has you covered (Pun intended 😉)
We’ve also designed it so that if you wanna save weight, you can leave the poles and pegs at home and just run the bivy by itself, by utilising the tie outs at the head and foot end.

[@ScottysGoneWalkabout]

Hey guys, I thought I would clarify a few things as there seems to be a few common questions, especially regarding the price. As stated in the video, this swag/bivy utilises a material called Nanopore, which is a cutting edge 3 layer fabric that has a hydrostatic head rating and breathability rating of 20,000mm each. This material is just as good/ if not better than gortex, and unfortunately this comes at a cost. We could have gone for a cheap generic ripstop nylon/polyester material like other bivy’s on the market, but then we would be producing an inferior product that wouldn’t meet our strict design specifications. We set out to create the best design and high performance bivy on the market, and we feel we have done that. But unfortunately this comes at a higher cost. If you compare the price to other 3 layer fabric bivy’s, on the market, you’ll actually find the price is consistent with what else is out there. We were aiming for quality, not quantity with this product. As for the comments regarding weight, yes the total packed weight is on the higher end for a bivy, but that’s because we included extra pegs and a ground sheet (something that most brands don’t do so they can keep the weight down). But as I said in the vid, you can opt to simply take the bivy by itself (which weights 925g) or with one or two of the poles to save weight. We also made this a very generous sized bivy. A few of the comments are comparing ultralight tents to this bivy. Ultralight tents can get away with using incredibly lightweight material as they don’t have to worry about breathability. Using a 3 layer fabric unfortunately increases the weight. Lastly, tent camping and bivy camping (or bivy and tarp combo) are two very different styles of camping. Both have their pro’s and con’s. I personally love the bivy/ tarp combo as it gives you so much more space when it’s raining compared to being cooped up in a tent. Also the ability to set up a bivy in tight spots is great when exploring off track. Hope this helps clear some things up. Thanks legends

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

The weight seems on par with other goretex material hooped bivy. It isn't a lightweight material.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

That is a neat project indeed, comparable in weight to pretty much any other goretex type hooped bivy that was/is available today.

[@Jim-yk9zw]

​@@turtlewolfpack6061They need to toughen up and hit the weights if they can't handle carrying a few extra grams of material.

[@patrickschlauch6638]

Compare it with other 3 layers bivvy, yes. Like Defcon 5, which is nearly one third of the price and comes with military standards. Poor argument for this rip off, which is also lacking ventilation openings. Should be common sense, that breathable materials work only in perfect conditions (no dust or dirt, low air humidity, no freezing temperatures) where the humidity can be transported through the fabric.

[@nb6175]

@@patrickschlauch6638 Get a mil spec bivy then, Karen.

[@laurencetilley9194]

Congratulations Scotty, you and the guys from Alton have created a brilliant Bivy/Swag perfect for motorcycle touring and tinny camping to. I really like the ease of access and the substantial mesh top. I love the fact that there is room for some gear inside the bivy, backpack, helmet, your clothes, hat and boots. It's a winner for sure.

[@jackhammer4720]

Hi Scott, all good ,but what's the price please,

[@dayforit1750]

Its so good to see this Bivy come to life after you dropping hints about its development over the past year or two. Great job to yourself, Sam and the rest of the Alton crew!

[@thegingerpowerranger]

I was already a huge fan of Alton. The fact that you helped design this makes it a no brainer for me to buy.

[@Ian..]

You can see immediately that this has been designed by people who know what they’re doing. From the big mesh, big entrance, zip covers and most importantly, nanopore fabric. It took me about 5 minutes to decide to order one as I’ve been looking to upgrade from my nylon bivys for ages. Well done Scotty and Alton. 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@ScottysGoneWalkabout]

Great to hear mate. Hope you get some good use out of it.

[@igitha..._]

This channel is such a breath of fresh air to me. Scotty you kept me going these last few years, you're one of the greats. I've been researching tents and swags for weeks now! I like the look of the Darche Dirty Dees but they're so dang heavy! You've done such a great job wow, What a great little bivvy! And lightweight! Will the range be expanded? Any other suggestions for stealthn?

[@simonbecker748]

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! After days of frustrating research I have finally found a product that does everything I need. Lightweight, breathable, watertight, Moskito netting, easy access, good headroom and the option to leave the tent poles at home while still providing the headroom. Awesome product!

[@dorknuckle]

How are you? I do hope you're well, you're a bloody legend dude. I have loved all your videos - shared them with my friends and been inspired. I am a 60 year old granny but stuff it I'm getting out there. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos, it's noticed and appreciated.

[@kurts64]

Remember a few years back when you first started talking bout a hiking swag, great to see it come to life! Looks like a sweet design. Congrats Scotty, and Alton, good stuff! 👍👍👍

[@TaleW.I.P]

Ive been waiting since then, finally the day has come!

[@antonreyment8945]

Great job Scotty, Alton products are great and glad to see this finally come to fruition. Should be a great addition to a lot of motorcycle tourer’s kits as well.

[@aussiebush]

Looks good Scotty , the size, material and colour. I think height of the arches on the bivy should've been the same at both ends. You'll notice when you turn to the side your hip will touch the top of the bivy as the bivy slopes down. Had it been the same height as the head part of the bivy you'd avoid that problem.

[@primussecurity2942]

Yes but the rain doesn't run off as easily and would pool in the middle. Problem with all tents / swags with same sized hoops....

[@markwilkinson3903]

I can absolutely see the value in this. My usual use case is bikepacking. I have used a hoopless bivy (aka - a body bag) for a 3 week tour and that convinced me that a Hooped Bivy was a must. My current hooped bivy is 'similar' to this one, but a much cheaper fabric and I accept that ventilation /condensation management is my one ongoing issue. So this Alton Bivy was already on my radar (and my future gear list) and the magic of the YT algorithm brought me to this video. Thanks for the thorough run through.

[@theresabassemier9901]

Awesome to hear that it’s finally completed. Congratulations and best of luck on sales.

[@Nurr0]

Looks fantastic, great job developing it!

[@craigbellofatto5808]

As a Floridian I am really glad to see another four season shelter come out. There 4eally arent many that are quality products. The similiar climate conditions (subtropical) are one of the reasons I started watching your channel in the first place. Nice work and thank you!

[@moniquevincent2488]

Nice work Scotty! Looks awesome!

[@YonderingYowies]

Not much of a bivy person but having built a small amount of gear myself I can definitely appreciate the time and effort that’s gone into this, amazing work!

[@rhondachapman3688]

Looks good Scotty. I love that it’s made especially for our Aussie conditions 💜💜

[@_Caffeine_1]

Fantastic!! Love Alton products!

[@naturalist7022]

Big congratulations, Scotty! I have been thinking about this for a while now wondering how it's been coming along. It's fantastic, love the design, you've done a brilliant job, the price is great too! Wishing you all the best, you certainly work hard and deserve it!

[@Timothy_K_photography]

Congratulations Scotty, That's an awesome looking swag! It might just be what I've been looking for to get back into the camping game!

[@liamsaunders7851]

This is awesome! Well designed and very practical and such an easy setup! Thanks mate for your hard work along side Alton with bringing this out! Keep smashing it up! -Liam 🇦🇺 🤙🏿

[@kurtbennett4930]

Congratulations Scotty, I remember watching one of your much earlier vids and you saying you wanted to design a light weight swag. Good to see you got it done. Cant wait to see one of your adventures using it. 👍👍

[@lukewarm2075]

Finally it looks awesome 😊 huge amount of space I've only ever used the slide in bivy. This is luxury 😊

[@nektiap2738]

Love it mate. Thanks for all the awesome gear recommendations too. It’s so good to have a source I can trust has tested gear well that gives advice.

[@LonelyPurpleCat]

Looks like an awesome ultralight swag. I can see how much thought and care has been put into this product, good on you Scotty!

[@zander_williment]

Had a chance to check this out in the flesh over the weekend. Thing is sick. Packs down to the size of a sleeping pad. Great design dude

[@Stevej2013]

Hi Scotty, great work with your input in making this swag. I love my hammocks and don’t lay on the ground anymore. I shall keep my options open though.

[@standard8888]

Nice work Scotty... You got me onto the Alton range and have heaps of Alton gear now. Looks fantasic and look forward to more of your videos. Hope you're feeling better and know we are all out here for you and get back out into the bush for more great content. Come back out to Narrabri and more than happy to give you a base out here close to the Pilliga Scrub..

[@ERIKOFFTRACK]

Super cool Scotty, not sure its for me at this price point and weight range - but as a gear nerd, i loved seeing / hearing all the design considerations and features. Im sure it will tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people.

[@openbarcampingadventure8889]

Awesome setup. Thanks Scotty

[@dianneroenfeldt5282]

Love that you’re finally sharing and hopefully getting money for your endorsements…… coz i have always checked out what your using and buying it……. Thanks

[@WakuahOutdoors]

Congratulations mate. stoked for you. very nicely thought out bit of kit. I'm kinda digging the breakaway from the Alton signature green. I'd like to see that colour as an option for their other gear.

[@RyanWorsman]

Looks great Scotty, it was worth the wait. Hope I can pick one up soon.

[@jerrywright932]

Well done Scotty. I like the rain flaps and the large opening. I have worked on a bivy with 48” zip ties to keep the bivy off my face. Didn’t work great. Now I just need one of these. And I’m glad you are using olive drab for all of the pieces. It makes me want to collect the entire set

[@CraigHenneberry]

Love this Scotty & Alton! On the wish list 👌

[@dissonant_a]

This looks amazing mate. Seriously considering getting one of these to complement my hiking setup. You’ve done well!

[@VRCommy]

Stoked to see it 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@embahbornolaparn]

Congratulations Scotty .. right over the target 🎯🎯🎯

[@russhay422]

Nice! Congrats on the product release. 🍻👏👏👏

[@creativeminded79]

Fantastic Scotty!

[@swanieswanepoel7845]

Finally, looks great Scotty. Hope to see you soon utilizing the bivy during an outing. Would like to see how the bivy holds up to rainy conditions.

[@ozecotours]

Didn’t even wait for the vid mate 😂 knew it would be bang on. More excited about this than anything I’ve bought in decades 😅

[@woodnugget1301]

I absolutely love my carinthia observer and I really think is looking like the swag it’s up there in quality and features but at a sensibly price and weight. It’s gone straight on my wish list for Christmas good job Alton and scotty 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍😀

[@kayakcobber524]

Use the observer plus for many years as I do long-distance walking projects months in a row. Hard to beat!!! Special as it has more ventilation in the front than the swag. But seems like a nice bag...

[@travelingtailsadventures]

Looks awesome. Definitely on my wish wish.

[@Two_Names]

I'm not even mad about the price; if it lives up to the 20k water & breathability, that's *well* worth it. Honestly, this looks to be the best bivy design for my uses that I've seen, including the Helium that I was just about to buy. The gameplan was to have a thin foam pad from Mountain Laurel Design cut to fit and have a lightweight top quilt already in the bivy so that everything rolls up into the bivy's stuff sack and is ready to go as soon as I unroll it.

[@MishyDeSalmont]

Can’t wait to use this set up!

[@paulkennedy5021]

I have been using and loving hooped Bivys the last 6 months and you seem to have hit a lot of sweet spots with that design Scotty. Side zip (if you can keep it waterproof) is great. I think the foot poles are a good idea as well as it creates space for your sleeping bag to loft in if you are winter camping, if it’s summer you can leave it at home. Sometimes gear seems to be designed by the marketing and accounts dept and not by people who spend time outside. Some might complain it’s a bit expensive but you don’t get quality for £$€200 anymore. in my experience it’s only crap that’s cheap and sometimes even it is expensive. Good luck with it mate 💪🏻

[@davidgould3409]

Great stuff Scotty

[@littledarkcollege]

great design, love how you can look up at the stars

[@Lizzie47]

This looks incredible!! Man I have been hoping someone would design something like this for soo long! Will definitely be ordering one 🙌

[@Cpc333]

Great job 👏🏽 I have my pathfinder hammock with full bug net , same color and fantastic quality and this bivy will be great for when I want to ground camp making an awesome duo with all basses covered in what I look for . Happy for ya mate

[@ronaldwhite5670]

A Alton produce excellent quality gear. Well presented Scotty.

[@kimberleydreaming]

Looks awesome Scotty! Great design and features for sure. Would love to see how it goes up here in the Kimberley, both wet and dry seasons. Well done

[@OnCountryWithMick]

Looks like a great option mate. Nice and compact and light weight. I noticed you mentioned the Swags the 4wd community use and I agree they are massive and take up so much space. I did a video a few years back comparing the size and set up time of a Double Swag to my tents. I could hide my 10p & 5p tents along with a green size inflatable mattress & a single inflatable mattress behind a simply double swag. Storage wise they take up way too much space for zero versatility, This would save the space problem that is for sure. I also like how they have thought about storing your pack inside., very nice option.

[@dianneroenfeldt5282]

Love it!!!!!

[@JasondenHollander-qj5hp]

Go well Scotty. I’m a fly fisherman looking to start bike-trekking into more remote places and this will be perfect. Well done to one of the good guys

[@lukefeain1836]

What a fantastic product. The best of both worlds in terms of bivy and swag. Great price given the quality. The best bit is it has heaps more room than my snugpak s/forces bivy and has the mesh to keep bugs out

[@Hawkie67]

Thanks Scotty. Love Ya Work

[@shaddonaghue]

That’s fantastic mate, well done 👍.

[@daviddilley8310]

Looks like another great Alton product. I have been slowly replacing older gear with Alton products (hammock, mattress, bug tent...etc) and am yet to regret it.

[@directionoverland9397]

Looks awesome. Well done. Looks like it will be great for my motorbike set-up

[@smokesignals_5424]

Congrats mate your a legend. Cheers 🍻

[@benw5691]

Ive become a fan and have brought a lot of gear from Alton since watching your videos.

[@juliee9516]

Thumbs up from here. A while back now when you mentioned designing a new take on the swag. Looks great. Can see myself using one being lightweight and easy as to assemble. Hope you are getting royalties from sales.

[@rmw250]

Great work mate.

[@Judemay01]

That's the first bivi bag I've seen that I've actually wanted to use. Might have to buy myself a birthday present!

[@kevanne3230]

Such an interesting set up thank you Kevin NZ

[@kevinkitchen3351]

Nice job, Alton & thx for the review Scotty. I don't think I'll change out from my MSR Hubba yet which I found is fantastic for hot humid nights. My concernvis as a side sleeper, with a bag, the top material will be on my topside so the breathability might be compromised. Possibly include an extra ridgeline loop on the mesh and the fly to enable lifting it a little higher. I've got Alton products & all are top quality. Look forward to watching the bivy progress. Cheers Kev

[@banksiaspinulosa7442]

This looks like a game changer!

[@danielparsons2859]

The design looks amazing. This will accelerate the comeback of the Bivy.

[@nickh843]

This will be a new goto for Military too. I’ve had my bivibag since ‘92, which opens in a similar manner. The ability to use hoops would have been great when overseas. I’m now a little older and using a canvas swag. Which is the biggest item for my base camp, and I’ll definitely have to look at adding this as an option to my Alton shelter.

[@ollvebranch]

I’ve checked this out on your UK website. It compares well to the mighty Carinthia bivvys and then some! I buy first for quality & performance and then for price. Price wise yours is £200 - £300 quid cheaper. I’m impressed! I’ll be doing a Pilgrims Way bike/hike sometime this year with my daughter and looking for a second bivvy for the trip. This is now on my kit list!

[@JoeHart6]

just bought one a few days ago love it mate 👌👌

[@ScottysGoneWalkabout]

Awesome to hear mate.

[@smellybearc7411]

If it was either cheaper or lighter, I’d buy it. For the price and weight, I could get something a lot more livable. It’s a cool bivy nonetheless. I like the hooded design.

[@Jimmcgregorphotography]

Awesome product

[@donzie13]

Awesome design!

[@kevinho9544]

Nice design. Really appreciate your passion to design a modern and lightweight Aussie bivy. I like it has enough head room and the way it rolls the outer fabric down to your toes. Great design for seeing a starry night! It would be great if it can have two poles at the head section, like Carinthia Observer, so that it can really free standing. Besides, it would be perfect if it can have a ventilation near your head. I think the head section of Observer is really excellent. Keep it up!

[@saggot420son]

Looks great

[@Hyphae]

looks really good!

[@JarocoOutdoors]

Got myself on the waiting list fully ready to pay for one of these. As a 6ft4 bloke, this seems perfect for me. Hopefully, it won't be too long till it's restocked again

[@conexaooutdoor616]

Parabéns pelo equipamento, excelente explicação. 👏👏

[@Jondantic]

Nice Scotty. Actually looks quite unique and designed for Aussie conditions

[@raynewman4904]

Well done mate plenty of headroom.

[@rikkim4818]

Good one Scotty.

[@snipsdraper7537]

Set mine up in living room being it's raining flooding and in December. All looks great feels great and at 6 foot tall 200 lbs plenty o room for my pack inside. Weighed in at 3.5 pounds on kitchen food scale. Well done!

[@atvcampingadventures1728]

Nice mate I’m buying one for sure 👍👍👍

[@SuperMeiMei]

I got Alton bug net, tarp, and some other small stuff~ I absolutely love them!!!! top-notch quality, aesthetic design (especially like the color), everytime I went out backpacking, I can't stop talking about how great Alton goods are to other hikers~ hahaha ~true craftsmanship! Keep up the good work!!! I was wondering if this bivy can fit in a regular wide rectangular air mattress inside it?

[@budget-adventure]

Great job it looks fantastic. Might have to wait and see if Santa will get it for me

[@jesseockers4378]

Great setup

[@699hazard]

Bloody awesome design! I'm really interested in buying one but bit expensive.

[@MrRplo]

Just ran across this video. Probably the best designed bivy I have seen. I camp off my motorcycle and a bivy is perfect for that with packed volume being as important as weight. Purchased a Rab Ridge Raider (which is the only bivy I know of that is even close to this one) a couple of weeks ago. If I would have known this bivy was out there and available in the United States, I would have purchased the Alton. Damn!

[@Hikingjoe383]

Great video

[@chriskirkman5425]

Well done...having a go 🎉😊

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

I own a Snugpak Ionosphere and I think it's the best bivy ever. Completely waterproof and plenty of room for me and my 65L pack inside. The low profile and olive drab green color also make it a very effective, stealth-camping tent. This Alton Walkabout Swag is nice but smaller inside yet much easier to get in and out of than the Ionosphere. I'd like to see a real storm test to see if it's actually waterproof and what's it's like in windy conditions. $454.00 USD is a lot of money for a 1 person bivy, tbh and there's many 1-person tent alternatives that might make more sense, depending on your needs.

[@ppmppm7010]

Couldn't agree more too claustrophobic for me.

[@astol87]

Excellent swag but $700 is extreme!

[@ScottysGoneWalkabout]

It's on par with similar quality bivy's, such as Carinthia (which are more expensive) and Big Agnes. Unfortunately the material isn't cheap.

[@the1adrenalinerush]

You only gotta buy it once. I just bought a $800 hiking tent. Use it 8 times and it's paid off.

[@spencerwilson1886]

$700aud is super affordable compared to so many other high quality tents that are this light and compact

[@Sharkdog11b]

Buy once cry once that’s my motto

[@snipsdraper7537]

Not 700 in USA 400 I think

[@zarkan88]

I wish the head part would open as well. A bit like the carinthia explorer, creating another opening for airflow and having the possibility to use a scope or camera from the concealment of the bivy.

[@erroleabrown4317]

Your a legend thank you

[@JJamahJamerson]

I was totally gonna get one, then I saw the price, looks amazing, but I can’t justify it.

[@ScottysGoneWalkabout]

Yeah the material isn't cheap. It's just as good/if not better than gortex. And if you have a look at other bivy's that use gortex, such as Carinthia, they all retail for $700-$900. Even the Big Agnes bivy is $600.

[@JJamahJamerson]

@@ScottysGoneWalkaboutthink I’ll save up for an x mid 2p instead, but can’t wait to see you use this in the future.

[@igitha..._]

I can't believe some tents and swags sold on the market aren't even made properly @@ScottysGoneWalkabout ! There are some that aren't heat-sealed seams and others that aren't even waterproofed, it's whack!

[@franksteenhuisen7223]

Spot on mate. X mid 2p cheaper, lighter, packs smaller, fits 2 people and much more comfortable when setup. This swag is well designed, but priced crazy in comparison

[@seankelleher4222]

@@franksteenhuisen7223an X-mid doesn’t need breathable fabric. That’s what pushes the price up.

[@mikeyb6737]

great idea