The Darche Eco Dirty Dee is a single-person swag designed for outdoor use, offering a blend of durability, comfort, and ease of setup. It is part of the Darche ECO SERIES, emphasizing its environmentally conscious design and materials. The swag is designed and tested in Australia for Australian conditions, reflecting its robust construction and suitability for diverse outdoor environments.
Function Description:
The Darche Eco Dirty Dee serves as a portable, self-contained shelter for camping and outdoor adventures. It provides a comfortable sleeping space with integrated mattress support and protection from the elements. The design allows for quick and efficient setup and pack down, making it ideal for individuals seeking a reliable and convenient outdoor sleeping solution. Its structure incorporates a series of composite poles and spreader poles to create a spacious and stable internal environment. The swag is equipped with various openings, including zips, door covers, and window flaps, to facilitate ventilation and ease of access.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Swag Type: Eco Dirty Dee swag (single person)
- Mattress: 70mm high-density foam mattress, designed for comfort and support. It is compressed for transport and requires expansion before first use.
- Pole System:
- 1 x Composite swag pole pack (9 sections that make up 3 poles: Head, Centre, and Foot poles). These poles are designed with specific lengths and labelling for correct placement.
- 2 x Trigger lock spreader poles, which tension the swag into shape and lock into position.
- Accessories Included:
- 1 x Carry bag for convenient transport and storage.
- 8 x Pegs for securing the swag to the ground.
- 4 x Guy ropes for additional stability in windy conditions.
- Floor Material: PVC floor, designed to be durable and resistant to sharp objects.
- Ventilation: Features zips, door covers, and window flaps that can be partially opened to allow airflow and minimize condensation.
Usage Features:
- Setup Process:
- Preparation: Unroll the swag onto a flat, well-drained area free of sharp objects. Remove the mattress from its compression sleeve and allow it to expand before first use.
- Pole Assembly (Head Pole):
- Identify the HEAD pole bundle, consisting of 2x END section poles (with an aluminium sleeve on one end) and 1x MIDDLE section pole (with angled aluminium sleeves on both ends).
- Feed the angled MIDDLE pole through the sleeve on top of the swag and centre it.
- Assemble one END section pole into one end of the MIDDLE section's angled pole sleeve.
- Insert the aluminium-sleeved end of this assembled pole onto the base pin located on the swag.
- Assemble the second END section pole into the other end of the MIDDLE section's angled pole sleeve.
- Place your palm under the pole end, push upward to create a gap, and insert the second base pin.
- Pole Assembly (Centre and Foot Poles): Repeat the same assembly process for the CENTRE and FOOT poles, ensuring each composite pole is correctly positioned according to its length and labelling.
- Clipping the Swag: Clip the swag to the composite poles. A recommended technique is to alternate clipping from one side to the other (e.g., top left, top right, second left, second right, etc.) to ensure even tension and centralisation.
- Spreader Poles: Insert the trigger lock spreader poles into the centre eyelets. Extend the poles by releasing the trigger and insert them into the end eyelets. Tension the bar to stretch the swag into shape and lock them into position.
- Securing: Use the provided pegs and guy ropes if required for additional stability, especially in windy conditions.
- Pack Down Process:
- Preparation: Partially close all zips, door covers, and window flaps, leaving them slightly open to allow air to escape during rolling. Remove any pegs and guy ropes.
- Disassembly:
- Release the trigger of the spreader poles and remove them from the eyelets.
- Unclip the swag from the composite poles, one at a time.
- Disassemble all poles. A tip is to leave the MIDDLE poles in their sleeves for easier setup next time and stow the END pole sections alongside them.
- Rolling:
- Lay the swag flat and bring any overhanging material and ropes into the centre.
- Starting from the head end, roll the swag as tightly as possible to expel air and achieve a compact roll. Using knees or having two people can assist in this process.
- Just before completing the roll, place the retracted spreader pole between the fabric and continue rolling to the end.
- Securing: Bring the two compression straps together and loop them through the double D-rings. Do not overtighten the straps.
Maintenance Features:
- Cleaning:
- Remove dirt with a soft brush and cold water after use.
- DO NOT clean with soap, detergent, petrol, oil, or solvents, as these can damage the material.
- Drying:
- Allow a wet or damp swag and any bedding inside to dry thoroughly before packing down.
- If immediate drying is not possible, unroll the swag as soon as possible upon return and allow it to fully dry out before re-packing and storing.
- Storage:
- Ensure the swag is completely dry before storing.
- Do not store directly on concrete floors. A dry shelf in a shed or cupboard is recommended.
- Leaving the swag rolled too tightly for extended periods may cause the mattress to take time to bounce back. To mitigate this, open the swag a few days before your next trip to allow the mattress to expand.
- Mould Prevention: If spot mould is visible, brush it off with a stiff bristle nylon brush and vacuum the area to remove any residual spores.
- Condensation Management: Condensation is a natural occurrence in confined spaces like swags/tents, especially in cold weather, due to body moisture. To minimize condensation, it is recommended to slightly open a window to enable airflow on cold nights.
- Spare Parts: A full list of available spare parts can be found on DARCHE.COM.AU.
The Darche Eco Dirty Dee is a well-thought-out product designed for the discerning outdoor enthusiast who values comfort, durability, and ease of use in their camping gear.