Darche have named Dirty Dee as their ultimate freestanding tourer in their range, and you can certainly see why. The Dirty Dee stands completely upright thanks to the clever pole trigger locking system, and it's as roomy as a small tent. You can fit you, your missus (or mister) and your dog in the Dirty Dee as it’s spacious with a lot of headroom, which is unusual for a swag.
The mesh covered windows are massive, so you can unzip the fly to catch a glimpse of your beautiful surroundings while you chill out in your shelter. One of the really great features of Darche swags are their mattresses – which are the kind that are actually comfortable enough on their own without the need to add extra padding for grabbing some shut-eye.
You can get the Dirty Dee ready for a good night’s rest lightning fast – so it’s perfect for the touring lifestyle. Over the years a swag can become like an old friend, who you’ve shared a long list of adventures with, so make sure you invest in a good quality shelter like the Dirty Dee to accompany you wherever you go.
Generous headroom
6 points of ventilation
Internal seams sealed
4 internal pockets
70mm hi-density foam mattress
Ridge pole system that locks into place
Carry bag included
Sleeping Capacity:
2 Person
Sleeping Area:
215L x 140W cm
External Dimensions:
215L x 140W cm
Packed Dimensions:
145L x 40W x 40H cm
Weight:
15 Kg
Max. Head Height:
85 cm
Mat Thickness:
7 cm
Material:
420gsm Poly Cotton Canvas
Inner Material:
Mesh
Floor Material:
PVC
Frame Material:
8.5mm 7001 Alloy
Waterhead Rating:
800mm
Warranty:
2 Year
Supplier Code:
T050801209A
Snowys Code:
136214
Staff tip:It's best practice to season your swag a few times, even if it comes seam sealed, pre−seasoned, or waterproofed. For more info, check out our blog post below.
I've just measured this one in store for you, and its around 95cm wide. Hope that helps!
Lauren - Snowys(3 years ago)
Can you sit up in this swag?1 answer
Noticed in your video re: 23zero bandit series that you said you cannot sit up in that swag. How does the height compare in the Dirty dee 1400...couldn't see in the specs sorry.
Julie - Macgregor, QLD(4 years ago)
G'day Julie,
The internal head height of the Dirty Dee 1400 is 85cm, which is a little shorter than the Bandit series. For most users, this will be too low to sit up in the swag.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Weight1 answer
Is the weight in the description known to be correct? Reason for my question is the comparable 23Zero is listed at 19kg
Tony - Bendigo, VIC(4 years ago)
G'day Tony,
At this point in time we don't have one to physically weigh and 'Snowys Verify' the weight. Darches supplied weight is 15kg, however it isn't uncommon for the actual products to weigh a little more than the suppliers specify. We'd love to get a verified weight on these, but getting stock has been a real tricky one this past year, so we've not been able to verify them.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Stretcher?1 answer
Is there a known suitable stretcher for the 1400 wide model?
Tony - Bendigo, VIC(4 years ago)
G'day Tony,
The Oztrail Easy Fold Queen Stretcher will just fit the Dirty Dee width-wise but is a little too short lengthwise. This is the closest fit we've got, so it's not an exact fit, but it is close. One thing to note is that there is a central bar on all double width stretchers, which can be a little annoying depending on whether there is one or two of you planning to sleep in the swag.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
What type of fly would you recommend for this unit. It looks great but is still only rated at 800 Waterhead... 1 answer
Also, I noticed the narrow version is offered as a skin only ie. without the 70mm mattress. Is this also available without for those who already have a good mattress?
Stephen O'Dell - Beenleigh(4 years ago)
G'day Stephen,
The waterhead rating is fairly standard for a canvas swag, however, if you're wanting to add a little more protection the 23Zero Segmental Dome Swag Fly should do the trick. Unfortunately, we can no longer get our hands on the BYO Swag Skins in the larger sizes.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Is the mesh midge proof1 answer
Im looking to use it up north
Paul - NORTH HAVEN(4 years ago)
G'day Paul
The mesh Darches uses is not "No-See-Um Mesh", which is the only completely midge proof mesh available. They use a heavier duty mesh which is fine enough to keep out most pesky insects, but midges are a different story and you may get the occasional one find its way through the holes. We'd recommend pairing it with some repellant to keep them at bay.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Does the swag fit into bag with bedding? 1 answer
I was just wanting to confirm, before I get 2 of these for my teenagers, that this awesome looking swag can roll up with its bedding (e.g. sleeping bag etc) and still fit into the swag-bag? Does the bag have plenty of room in it?
Nigel - Bairnsdale(4 years ago)
G'day Nigel,
The Dirty Dee can be packed up with some bedding inside of it, a sleeping bag will generally be ok, but a pillow will likely make the roll a little too large.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Entry both sides?1 answer
Just wanting to know if you can enter/exit the swag on both sides or is one a mesh only?
Callum - Perth(4 years ago)
G'day Callum,
You can get in/out of the Dirty Dee 1400 on both sides of the swag.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
mattress1 answer
Does this now have a 70mm high density foam mattress
Travis - Palm beach(4 years ago)
Hey Travis,
Yes, the Dirty Dee 1400 does have a 70mm poly/cotton covered high-density foam mattress!
Cheers
Caitlyn - Snowys(4 years ago)
Rolled up size with bedding1 answer
Looking at this for our 3 small kids. Realistically, could this be rolled up with 3 sleeping bags and small pillows left inside? Would it still fit back in the bag, or how much bigger would it get? I'm looking at this or the dusk to dawn 1400 - we want something that will be comfortable for 3 kids (they are small), roll up compact and be easy to setup pull down for when we are moving frequently - which swag would you recommend between the two?
John - Perth(4 years ago)
G'day John,
The packed size on both models is similar, with the Dirty Dee rolling a little larger than the Dusk to Dawn. Both models can be rolled up with bedding inside, however, this will make your roll bigger and may mean you're not able to get it in the bag. Pillows tend to be the thing that makes swags really bulky, so I'd suggest taking them in the car with the kids. The Dusk to Dawn will likely be slightly easier and a little more versatile for the 3 small kids to share.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Size when rolled up?1 answer
Hi,
How big is this swag when it’s rolled up? Trying to work out if it will fit on the roof racks beside a kayak.
Thanks!
Gemma - Canberra(6 years ago)
G'day Gemma,
The packed dimensions on our website are often the closest we can offer you regarding the size swags roll up to as we don't have every model on display. They might end up a bit 'rounder' as the mats are very compressed when they roll them in the factory, but it should give you a pretty good idea. The Dirty Dee 1400 is 120L x 36W x 34H cm.
Tim - Snowys(6 years ago)
Dirty Dee Mattress1 answer
It seems most reviews raise concerns regarding the comfort/quality of the 50mm mattress. Does Darche have a 1400 self inflating mattress or provide an upgrade option? The widest I can find is 1300.
Can you also advise the country these swags are made in.
Is the swag carry bag water and dust proof?1 answer
If I put this on my roof in the carry bag provided, will it get wet or dusty?
Jacob - Hobart(6 years ago)
G'day Jacob,
The carry bag for the Darche Dirty Dee 1400 is made from the same material as the swag itself. So it's pretty dust proof and will be fine in showers. If it's raining heavy all day long, then you might have some issues with water seeping through the seams but generally, you'd be pretty safe.
Ben - Snowys(6 years ago)
Swag shape and mesh type?1 answer
G’day, I’m wondering if the width of this swag tapers toward the foot end or is it square (rectangle) from head to toe? It doesn’t look as though it does but it is a little hard to be sure from the images. Also, is the mesh used by Darche on this swag “midge proof”? Cheers
Andrew - Kinross(7 years ago)
Hi Andrew, with regards to the width the Dirty Dee swag does not taper. I think that the way the top of the swag tapers downwards gives a perception that the width does also, but it is actually the same width throughout.
As for the mesh, the only mesh I am aware of that is midge proof is called 'No-See-Um Mesh", but this is not what Darche use in their swags. Instead, they use a heavier duty mesh which is fine enough to keep out most pesky insects, but midges are a different story and you may get the occasional one find its way through the holes.
I guess the trade-off for Darche was to either use a lighter duty mesh that would protect from midges but not last as long as the rest of the swag, or use a heavier duty mesh that will see out the life of the swag but not be quite as effective on midges.
I hope this makes sense.
Ben - Snowys(7 years ago)
window zips ??1 answer
i can see that the entry points have zips, but the end vent and the two smaller windows on each side look like they rely on velcro to hold down the canvas, might be an issue in really windy conditions as the swag ages , or do they zip up on the inside?
matt - 5039(7 years ago)
G'day Matt,
It doesn't look like the vent and windows can be zipped up on the inside (you can see what that looks like on the 6th image listed on the product description).
I guess anything is possible, but Darche does use high-quality materials so it's not something that we think you need to be too worried about.
Emily - Snowys(7 years ago)
Packed length shorter than setup width?1 answer
The packed length is listed at 1200mm where the setup width is listed at 1400mm. Do you roll or fold to pack up this swag? i.e. the is a difference of 200mm.
Simon - Perth(7 years ago)
G'day Simon,
You're 100% on the money there. The sides of the Darche Dirty Dee 1400 Swag fold over a little before rolling it up.
Ben - Snowys(7 years ago)
Does water leak into the windows? 1 answer
In the photos it looks like if the water ran off the top on the foot section (enclosed end) of the swag, it would easily follow into the side window (following the creases of the canvas)?
Matt - 2795(7 years ago)
G'day Matt,
You're safe on this one. All the windows of the Darche Dirty Dee swag have been built with storm flaps to prevent water penetrating or running off and into the swag. In regards to your specific question, if you look closely you'll see grooves on either side of the mesh which exists to redirect run-off.
Ben - Snowys(7 years ago)
Dirty Dee 14001 answer
I would like some awning poles for my this tent
Daniel Van Emmerik - Fannie Bay(8 years ago)
G'day Daniel,
A good option for your DIrty Dee would be the Swag Awning Poles from Darche which you can check out here.
Emily - Snowys(8 years ago)
Leaking/Pooling of water1 answer
This looks a great product. I am looking to upgrade as my current tent/cot leaks in heavy rains after the water pools on flatter top parts. Does this product have any issue with leaking or pooling in heavy rain?
Tim - Kalgoorlie(8 years ago)
G'day Tim,
So far we haven't had any feedback from other customers about pooling or leaking in this particular swag.
In general we find Darche swags to be very well made and designed, so if you pitch it correctly then you shouldn't run into any problems if you get caught in a drizzle.
The Dee certainly has all the features to prevent leaks as it's seam sealed, made from proofed canvas, has a welded PVC bucket floor, and awnings to close off the swag if you encounter wet weather.
