Since introducing the 23ZERO selection of swags to our range earlier in the year, our phones and emails have been blowing up, with campers left right and centre wanting to know – “What’s the difference between the Darche and 23ZERO range?”
With the heavy-hitter Darche in one corner, and the newbie 23ZERO in the other – we’re going to break the products down for you to help you discern which brand of shelter is going to suit your adventures.
Darche are known as making leading high-end outdoor gear. Image: Darche
Introduction to Darche
The Darche name and the Australian Outback go hand-in-hand. Starting out back in 1991 in regional Victoria, the Darche made a name for itself when they introduced the dome swag to the camping world almost three decades ago.
The Darche moniker is a combination of the founder, Darren O’Dwyer’s name, mashed together with his wife, Cheryl – and together those names create DAR-CHE. Darren sought a shelter that was practical, easy to stow and quick to set up, so he created the prototype for his dome swag design. Along his trips, he found that his creation caused quite a stir with other campers, and so he took that idea and ran with it.
Utilising superior quality materials and through continual product development and technologies, Darche continues to be leaders in the camping and 4×4 market.
23ZERO has a quarter of a century of expertise making outdoor gear. Image: 23ZERO
A bit of background on 23ZERO
23ZERO was founded by a band of keen outdoor enthusiasts, with a background of 25 years of experience manufacturing high-quality outdoor gear. The name is based on the coordinates of Alice Springs – which is one of the toughest locations in the world and is also the centre of Australia.
Designed in Australia, with teams in both the USA and Australia, so that the gear can be tested in the right conditions, the brand strives to make gear that inspires people to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Using the best materials, and tested thoroughly to go the distance, 23ZERO is a brand for outdoor enthusiasts, made by outdoor enthusiasts.
Darche swags feature superfine mesh. Image: Darche
How does the mesh compare on the Darche and 23ZERO models?
Both 23Zero and Darche use superfine mesh, which is going to provide protection from a range of insects and creepy crawlies while also allowing for ventilation in your shelter to prevent condensation.
This doesn’t however, included protection from midges. For more details on choosing a midge proof shelter, head here.
The mesh on both brands are very similar. Image: 23ZERO
What’s the difference between the Darche and 23ZERO mats?
All the 23ZERO models come standard with a 70mm high-density thick foam mattress with a protective cover.
Darche models, on the other hand, come standard with a 50mm breathable open-cell foam mattress with a cover that can be removed for cleaning.
However, Darche do have a BYOS range, which provides you with the option to build your own swag. This just means you can choose your desired swag skin, and then select either a 50mm or 70mm thick mattress depending on your preference, so a 70mm mat is an option.
Darche also manufacture an All-Terrain self-inflating mattress, which is 10cm thick and perfectly sized for their range of swags if you want to upgrade to something even more luxurious.
The standard thickness of mats differ unless you choose the BYOS Darche range. Image: 23ZERO (left) and Darche (right).
Is there a difference in quality between the canvas used?
The main difference between the two brands really comes into play when comparing the canvas used on the Darche and 23ZERO swags.
23ZERO use a quality 400 gsm Poly/Cotton 65/35 canvas with a PU coating, while Darche use a 420gsm Ripstop Poly/Cotton canvas with a PU coating that provides an 800mm waterproofing rating.
Both of these are very heavy-duty fabrics, and the difference in feel and durability between 400gsm and 420gsm is going to be minimal.
However, Darche use canvas which has ripstop woven into the canvas, which in the event of a tear or hole, will stop it from spreading before you’re able to get it repaired.
However, you would have to work pretty hard to put a tear in either brand of canvas, as they’re both very hard-wearing and designed for use in harsh environments.
The floor materials are basically the same. Image: 23ZERO
What are the similarities in floor materials?
Darche and 23ZERO manufacture their swags with heavy-duty PVC floors, which provide plenty of protection from any sodden ground that you might be camping on.
Do they both come with bags for storage and transport?
Both brands supply their swags with a carry bag, which is great as you don’t have to purchase one separately. Darche and 23ZERO also manufacture swag bags as separately available items, should you lose or break yours.
Both brands supply a canvas carry bag with swags. Image: 23ZERO
Is there a difference in pole strength?
Both Darche and 23ZERO use strong anodised alloy poles that are 9.5mm in diameter, so they’re lightweight, rust-resistant and manufactured to last the distance – so almost identical in quality.
What about the price point?
There’s a slight price difference between the brands, with the 23ZERO range coming in slightly under Darche, but this can fluctuate based on the prices set by the manufacturer.
Either brand of swag will serve you well on your expeditions. Image: 23ZERO
In summary: which one should you buy?
Even though Darche make fantastic swags and rooftop tents amongst other gear, 23ZERO has impressed us so far with their quality – and they’ve started to gain plenty of positive traction from our customers as well.
Whichever shelter you choose, you’ll be comfortable and protected from the elements for many years to come.
What’s the best swag you’ve ever used?
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Bought a 23zero 900 swag, swag itself is a good quality easy to pack and unpack. Happy with the swag, however one design fault with swag bag, the closing flap of the bag does not overlap and cause water to pool and leaks into the bag thorugh zip joint, while on the car roof. Can solve the issue by putting the bag upside down, but hey, could have desinged an overlapping flap as most $150 swags have already sorted this.
I have both a Darche and a 33Zero. And I have to say that the 23Zero is a better swag all round. It’s more water proof (despite the canvas difference from Darche), it’s more comfortable with the thicker mattress, and I find it easier to put up. I wish I had just bought 2 24Zero swags.
Thanks for this, tp, we are commonly asked which is better and we don’t have a definitive answer, it’s good to get feedback direct from users.
The pro’s to the Darche are their poles appear more robust and less likely to break (I had an end pole break after one use on 23zero, but they replaced it for free and changed the shape) Also, I can sit up in the Darche, where you can’t in a 23Zero. Pro’s for 23Zero are as above, plus they also have end windows that zip up (Darche you can’t unzip the end mesh & ca nvas flaps, and only 2 entry points open, where 23Zero you can unzip all, which appears to provide a more water tight swag and more air options) But overall comfort is the 23Zero, ease of use, 23Zero and waterproof in heavy rain, 23Zero. This is just my opinion.
Thanks for your insight here, tp 🙂
Im tossing between Darche and 23Zero dome swags. Are either (or both) manufactured in Australia?
G’day Rivmasta, Aussie owned and designed, however, both are manufactured abroad.
I’ve been doing a lot of research and stuck between the Darche Nebula and 23 Zero outbreak.I recently bought a Zempire Monstamat Twin and was wondering if I could fit the mattress into either of those swags,as I find it extremely comfortable??
G’day Janet, the Monstamats are very comfortable aren’t they?! Your Twin measures 201cm x 132cm so you shouldn’t have any issues fitting it in either the Nebula or the Outbreak. However, at 10cm, the Monstamat is thicker than the foam mattresses in each swag and you might find that the height of your mat encroaches upon the zips and mesh of the swag where it exceeds the protection of the PVC bucket floor. Depending on the weather conditions in which you’re camping, this might not be an issue but it could create damp spots with rain and condensation. Hope that helps!
Looking for advice. I’m settled on the 23 zero. Just unsure on the bandit or the dual. I live in south east Qld so it’s stinking hot and humid in summer and also down near zero in winter.
I like the more solid roof and set up of the bandit looks more winter friendly but I prefer the bigger windows on the ends with the dual so I’m just stumped would love someone to help.
I’m also after the 23 zero husky 100 stretcher but can’t find one anywhere in stock. I’m going camping in two weeks and was hoping to purchase soon.
Thanks
Jase
G’day Jase, I really hope you got in touch with our Customer Support to talk this one through as unfortunately, we’ve been unable to monitor our blog comments the last few weeks. If you’re still needing some help, please feel free to give our Customer Support a buzz on 1300 914 007 or shoot them an email, service@snowys.com.au
Purchased two 23 zero 1100mm swags for my boys to take to Fraser the hoop end poles broken on the first night, two day later the opposite end pole broke on both swags. Really disappointed as was a dampener for a trip to Fraser Is. Canvas was good quality poles are C@%p !! Wouldn’t recommend unless they improve their poles
G’day Rob! Sorry to hear about the poles mate, that’s really disappointing. Assuming you got the swags from us, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Warranty Team if you haven’t already done so. Cheers
https://www.snowys.com.au/warranty
Is the 23Zero canvas actually PU coated? I thought only Darche had the extra waterproofing.
G’day Michael! Yes mate, they sure do. All the 23Zero swags are made with a tightly woven 400gsm poly-cotton canvas that’s got a polyurethane (PU) coating that gives it about a 1000mm waterhead.
Just bought the 23Zero Bandit 1400 and absolutely love it, fantastic quality and lots of other features and benefits, certainly equally as good as Darche
Good on you Kirk! That’s great to hear. Cheers
So after a lot of research on swags available it came down to 2 for me. The darche dirty dee or the 23zero bandit.
I ended up running with the 23zero for a couple of main reasons.
First up, and the biggest one, the sides on the darche are only velcroed down in 4 places verses zipped all around on the 23Zero.
And secondly, I really like the gusseted ends on the 23zero.
Both of these features are practical upgrades to the darche and I feel will serve me well in testing conditions.
The thicker mattress as standard is also a bonus.
While I was at it, I also picked up a fly and awning kit for one opening, as well as the 23zero Alaska Black sleeping bag that fits perfectly inside. Now all I need is for the snow season to kick off!!
I’m totally stocked with my decision and can not recommend the set up I have highly enough.
Yes I purchased the 23zero for exactly the same reasons and am very happy with my purchase. Only one night in it so far but very impressed with the quality and value of the bandit swag.
The only thing holding me back from buying from either company is the amount of broken poles. They both appear to be excellent swags otherwise.
Think I’ll buy a Murchinson River swag and never have that problem.
Why have you not declared (hidden) that both brands are owned and imported by Charles Parsons. They are not competing. Just two brands at different price points zero23 being introduced to stave off lower priced Companion group products. You’d be doing us a great favour as customers representing the truth.
Darche and 23ZERO produce very similar products, so we can see where that idea may have come from – which is the main reason we created this blog post so we could help our customers decide which swag will be best for their adventures.
However, I have just checked with the representatives for 23ZERO here in Australia, and they’ve confirmed with us that 23ZERO are their own independent company that are not owned by Charles Parsons. Darche however is definitely owned by Charles Parsons.
I hope this clears any misconceptions up for you, Peter.
Hmmm odd this is what I was clearly told by one of your in store reps when they first came in. Not distributed by CP then?
I do apologise if there was some confusion when you came into the store Peter, but that’s not the information we’ve received from 23ZERO, and we have a lot of confidence in their team. We work directly with 23ZERO in regards to the distribution of their gear, so I hope that instils more confidence in the brand for you.
Definitely some similar DNA between the two companies – either 23Zero is a direct descendent, or imitation is the sincerest form of flattery….
Darche make top quality gear, I have the Panorama 2 and it is an impressive product. I expect 23Zero will have similar target margins so perhaps materials, finish, quality control etc will be lacking. Or they could be pricing to challenge. Or indeed just a different PP from the same corporate mothership, as alluded to.
My cousin recently bought a 23zero Outbreak and it came with Darche paperwork in the box…
I recently bought the 23 zero 900 dual swag (from Snowys) and really love the quality, I’ve only spent one night in it, I had both ends well ventilated and also had my dome fly on but did get a bit of condensation under the mattress, I’ll provide more ventilation next time and hopefully this sorts it, also can you confirm that 23 zero swags do/don’t need seasoning as Ben says on the YT video that they don’t,
Thanks ??
G’day Wayne, you’re all good mate and what you heard from Ben in our YouTube video is correct. Most swags these days, including your Dual 900, are pre-treated so you can skip the seasoning process. Cheers, Xan from Snowys
The Darche appears to have a fly and the 23Zero not. Is this correct?
Neither brand of swags have models that come standard with a separate fly Doug, though some have the option to peg out the canvas door as an awning. 23ZERO do sell a separately available dome swag fly and arch dome fly as well which creates more shelter for your swag set up.