If you're the type of person who lies in their swag wishing for a little more room to move around, then the Darche Nebula 1550 will be a dream come true! It is freestanding and has the height and space of a small tent, but with the convenience of a swag setup.
You ‘ll have one less thing to carry as the Nebula comes with its own 70mm high-density mattress which, when paired with a cloud-like sleeping bag will make you forget that you’re not in your own bed at home. This is a four-season hybrid swag that comes complete with a flysheet that’ll get you through all weather conditions. From inside your swag, you can get Instagram-worthy panoramic 360° views – so you can leave the canvas windows unzipped and get a good view on warm summer nights.
And in the dead of winter, you can zip everything up and stay cosy and warm while Mother Nature does her thing right outside your door. If you need a new outdoor shelter that combines the best of what a swag and tent have to offer then you can’t go past the Nebula for your next trip or tour around this beautiful country.
Could you please confirm the mattress thickness & the description says 50mm & specification says 70mm. Thank you
G'day Sarah,
I have double-checked and all of our new current stock comes with a 70mm mattress, they have updated them recently as it used to be 50mm. I have got the web team to update this conflicting info!
Hi guys, I'm just wondering if the carry bag is waterproof. Travelling in winter, would the bag be okay on the roof racks? Thanks legends!
G'day Blair,
The carry bag is made of the same canvas as the swag, so it is water-resistant but not waterproof. Some people recommend putting a rubbish bag over the swag and then putting that in the carry bag so you have some weather resistance on top of the roof rack. Currently, we don't have a separate waterproof bag big enough to fit this swag, although the rubbish bag or another option could work to give this extra protection on the roof racks in winter.
Hi, I have an Exped mega matt 15 Duo and I would like to know would it be better to use this mattress with or without the 70mm supplied mattress in the swag?
G'day Sam,
It'd bet better to use it without the mat supplied. I'm not sure if you'd be able to successfully roll up the swag with both mats.
Hope that helps.
Can the hutch be attached to this swag?
G'day Amber,
It's not the right combination sorry! The hutch is designed to be compatible with hoop ended swags that have a flat head/foot wall. The Nebula has neither or those things, and is quite alot bigger - sorry!
There is a new Nebula with a built in hutch if thats helpful at all, you can find it here.
We have purchased a Darche Nebula 1550 & would like to know if there is a Stretcher available & if so how is it attached to the ground?
G'day Les,
Due to the size and shape of the Nebula 1550, there not a suitable stretcher that is compatible really. You could try using a standard double stretcher, but these are generally 140cm wide at the most, so the swag would overhang the stretcher area both in width and length.
Can the swag be used in the rain without the use of the flysheet or does it have to be on for it to be water proof
G'day Brody,
The Nebula operates like a normal canvas swag, so you can use it without the fly if required - just make sure you've given it a season first.
The fly helps with condensation, and protecting the canvas from things like bird poop, twigs and stocks, etc whilst also providing the option for an awning space, regardless of if you need your swag doors open of closed.
Hope that helps.
Does only one door feature eyelets? Wondering whether I can peg the opposite door out as an awning with a second set of poles to create another covered area.
G'day Richard,
The fly cap itself only has an awning piece off one side, but both of the physical canvas swag doors have eyelets in each bottom corner.
You could have the fly cap awning out one side, and the canvas door set up as another on the opposite side.
Obviously, if you skip the fly cap, you can set both doors up as awnings aswell.
Hope that answers your questions!
G'day I was just confirming that the swag comes with a mattress as per the description?
G'day Tom,
Yep, it comes with the swag mattress.
These are a unique shape, and can't be replaced by standard double camping mats.
Hope that helps.
Looking at buying this or the Outbreak. But I’m worried if you’re able to open any of the vents while it’s raining? Looks like rain would come right in all of them. Thanks!
G'day Ryan,
If you are setting the Nebula up fully with the fly and awning poles, you will be able to have atleast one of the large mesh panels open.
Grab an extra pair of awning poles means you can set up a verandah on both sides of the swag, allowing you to keep both of those large mesh fully open.
Any other mesh panels can potentially be opened in poor weather depending on how wild it is. Heavy rain and wind is a definite no, but light rain you might have some luck. It just depends on the conditions.
Hi was wondering if its possible to fit a zempire monsta mat double inside this swag base?
G'day James,
The shape of the Nebula 1550 is an elongated Octagon, so standard rectangular double/queen mats won't fit.
Any mattress longer than 144cm is going have to have its corners folded up & in, and will put a lot of pressure on the swag wall.
Darche Nebula swag could you buy a second 5cm mattress from Darche and use 2 on top of each other and still roll swag back up ok ?
G'day Mark,
We've never actually tried this, however with 2 people and a bit of muscle it should be achievable.
Is this swag free standing or do you have to peg it out?
G'day Tahl,
The Nebula is ultimately free standing, in that it doesn't have to be pegged out in order to be set up and used, however, each end would benefit with a couple of pegs to get the full shape of the floorspace.
will the Black Wolf 2D Mega Deluxe Queen Mattress be too wide for this swag? will you have room to access the swag to pump it up etc? Also, does the swag come standard with the fly?
G'day Julza,
The shape of the Nebula 1550 is an elongated Octagon, so standard rectangular double/queen mats wont fit.
Any mattress longer than 144cm is going to either have to have its corners folded, or will put alot of pressure on the swag wall.
In terms of width, the swag itself is 1.55m wide, so you'll have just under 30cm of empty floor space on the edge.
With regards to they fly, yes it is included!
Will an 110 all terrain mattress fit in the Nebula?
G'day Paul,
I'm not familiar with the Dorchester ATM 1100, but I'm assuming it's a 1.1m wide mattress?
If so, you should be able to use this inside the Nebula 1550 but you'll have a reasonable amount of floor space left over.
What does this weigh when packed up with all components except the mattress?
G'day Ellyn,
Darche have advised the mattress of the Nebula 1550 weighs 5.5kgs.
Therefore the rest of the swag weighs around 16.5kg.
Hope that helps!
Does it come with a carry bag
G'day Phill,
Yes, the Nebula 1550 is supplied with a carry bag.
what length awning poles are required for this guy
G'day Roslyn,
We'd recommend a set of Darche Swag Awning Poles, they're height-adjustable, so can be pitched up or down depending on the weather. Generally, you'd use them at around 100cm in height.
Hi, would the 70mm mattress from the 23 zero outbreak double swag 1550 work as a replacement mattress for this?
G'day Luke.
The Outbreak is a similar shape to the Nebula, but they're not exactly the same as far as we can tell (we don't currently have any stock to physically try this). We have recently found you can get replacement 70mm mattresses directly from Darche for the Nebula 1550, so if you're interested you can find them here.
Just wondering if the zipper on this is YKK?
G'day Julie,
We don't currently have a display model we can double check, however as far as we know the zippers aren't YKK. They are specified as size NO. 10, but not listed as YKK by Darche.
If i threw away the existing mattress from the Nebula, would the zempire king single mattress (10cm) fit in the Nebula?
G'day Jo,
You could use a Zempire King Single Mattress in the Nebula, however, it would only take up a little over half of the floor space, so you'd essentially use the Nebula as a tent, with a mattress in it, rather than the mattress filling the entire internal space.
How much for a replacement 50mm mattress? Would you still be able to roll up the swag with both 50mm mattresses and a sleeping bag inside?
G'day Joe,
We're not able to get the replacement mattresses for the Nebula, however, they are available directly from Darche. I think you'd probably struggle to roll it back up tight enough to fit with 2 x 50mm mattresses and a sleeping bag.
I've managed to roll up the swag with the darche standard 50mm with a 50mm queen size memory foam mattress topper with 2 sleeping bags. It takes a bit more effort but I do this regularly on interstate tours. Makes sleeping so much more comfortable too!!
What size oz trail mesh tarp should I get if I wat a foot print that is big enough for the swag and if I used two pairs of awning poles So both sides have the awning out?
G'day Eileen,
The smallest Ultramesh Tarp is 2.44 x 2.44m, and this will do the trick for the Nebula with both side awnings opened up.
Best to get something a bit bigger so you have some flooring at your entry and under your tarp to kneel on whilt getting in and out or putting on your shoes.
I'm tossing up between this swag and the 23Zero Outbreak 1550. Are you able to provide thoughts on which may be the better swag? Most camping will be in colder climates.
G'day Matt,
The Nebula and Outbreak swags are both great options. They have a similar design and shape, with both brands being pretty popular. The Nebula comes with a fly included, which is pretty handy in colder climates. The Outbreak has a slightly thicker mattress, so is a little more luxurious, but you do have to purchase a fly separately, which you'll definitely want so you can reduce condensation in colder climates. Overall, we think both options are great, with the Darche having a slight edge due to its reputation over a longer time.
If anyone else is debating this question- there is a design problem with the Outbreak which causes tension to be placed on the corners of the poles, pulling them out of shape. We’ve had endless issues with this swag- this is our experience anyway! Go the Darche Nebula not the 23Zero. We have now purchased the Darche and already seems a much better product. Wish it had the 70mm mattress though!!
Eg. Coleman AT single high queen Size: 198 x 147 x 20cm
G'day Eileen,
Unfortunately not, the Nebula is essentially a rectangle with the corners cut off, so you won't be able to fit a rectangular mat inside it without the mattress pushing against the corners, which could cause damage to the swag and/or mattress.
Hi would this fit in the 240 Nero bag? thanks
G'day Mat,
Unfortunately not, the Nebula is a little too long, and the bag isn't quite the right shape to be able to suggest it into the bag.
Hey guys, Would you recommend wetting the Nebula down before using or are they already waterproof?
G'day Bianca,
We'd recommend seasoning your new Nebula on arrival to ensure all of the seams seal up and keep you dry.
Can you roll up the swag with the mattress inside it
G'day Brent,
You sure can, the Nebula has been designed to be rolled up with the mattress inside of the canvas.
The pack down size is listed as 112L x 36W x 35H cm - is this right? How can the swag roll down to 112L when it is 155cm wide? Is it hard to get it packed down to that size? It also looks a lot longer than 112L rolled up in the video. Just want to check because space always a problem for my camping gear.
When the longer sides are extended (Annex’s) with the poles what would you suggest as a ground sheet. Or is it better to have a larger ground sheet under the whole swag
G'day Paul,
The base of the Nebula 1550 has a fairly robust PVC floor so you should need a groundsheet under it. You could pop a 2.44 x 2.44m Ultramesh Tarp underneath it if you'd like and then you'll have somewhere to pop your shoes on etc under the extended side annex.
Looking at the Nebula 1550
G'day Les,
Great question, we get a lot of great feedback on the Darche Nebula, Dusk to Dawn 1400 and Dirty Dee 1400. The Nebula is probably the most versatile as it comes with a fly, which can be helpful to reduce condensation. The reviews on our site point to the Nebula being a very popular model!
Like the swag, but we want to be of the ground.
G'day Terri,
Unfortunately not, the widest stretchers we've got come in at around 140cm. You could theoretically go for one of these, but it's not something we'd really recommend.
Hi, I’m a single female who has had very little exposure to the camping world but wants to give it a go. Will I be able to easily put up and take down this swag/tent? Thanks
G'day Jenni,
The Nebula 1550 Swag is pretty easy to set up and takedown. However, if it's just for you we'd suggest maybe checking out one of the single swags as they'll pack down smaller and be easier to set up solo. It would be worth having a look at the Dusk to Dawn 900, and Dirty Dee 900.
Hi, I'm considering using this swag to put on top of my trailer, so turning it into a roof top tent. The external dimensions listed (230L x 155W cm) do they include the little outriggers on each corner? If the outriggers are beyond the listed dimensions, can you please provide the size of them so I can adjust my roof top space accordingly. Thanks:-)
G'day Maarten,
The overall size once fully pegged out, including all the gusset tabs, etc is 172cmW x 268cmL
Hope that helps!
Interested in purchasing this swag and just wondering do i need to add anything under the mattress to reduce the cold coming up from the ground?
G'day Warren,
For the most part, you should be fine with the Nebula 1550 as is, but if you're regularly out it in super cold conditions theres a few things you could look at. The OZtrail Giga Earth Mat is a good option for those wanting a big more insulation under your existing mat. With the Nebula 1550 being 150cm wide, two Giga Mats side by side is a simple solution. The other option is to upgrade your mat entirely to a thicker mat that will insulate well on its own. A couple of options you could look at are: Zempire Monstamat Twin, Exped Megamat Duo, or the Black Wolf Mega Deluxe Double. All can be rolled up with your swag.
Would a mattress, sleeping bag and pillow roll up inside this swag? I do a 5 day traveling trip with my current swag from time to time so when set up for first night I put the bedding in and roll it up in the morning, put over back seat then roll out that night with the bed already made. It doesn’t have to go back in the carry bag until the last morning in which the bedding gets removed.
G'day Ross,
Generally, with most swags, you'll be able to roll your swag up with a little bedding inside it. There is quite a bit of length in the straps so it shouldn't be a problem to leave your sleeping bag and pillow in the swag when you roll it up.
How much is another mattress? would like a second one to make it 100mm thick.
G'day Luke,
Darhe do sell a replacement mattress for the Nebula 1550, but at this stage, we're not able to special order them. Your best bet will be to touch base with Darche and they should be able to sell you one directly.
Do you need to peg the swag out to use it? Will it hold shape without the pegs?
G'day Luke,
The Nebula 1550 Swag will need to be pegged out to hold its shape. You could get away with only pegging out two at each end though.
I have seasoned the swag and the canvas bag by soaking them in a bath of water overnight then putting them up to dry, then repeating this process twice. Should I do this with the flysheet also? Thanks!
G'day Amelia,
You won't need to season the fly for your new Nebula, they are a polyester material so they arrive all ready to go.
Is the Nebula waterproof without the flysheet attached?
G'day Charlotte,
The Nebula 1550 has sealed seams so it would be fine in rain without the fly sheet on. We'd generally recommend using the fly in heavier rain, and cooler weather to reduce condensation.
When you open up the sides are they able to be used like a awning? cheers
Sure can, Isaac. The flysheet has an awning and the canvas entry doors have eyelets so you can pitch them awnings too. You can see more information at about 2:15 of this video we put together about the features of the Darche Nebula 1550 - https://youtu.be/bHD2sOzsiXY
Does it come with the fitted mattress as shown in pictures and on description
G'day Rieley,
I'm wishing to purchase the "Sea to Summit, ground control tent pegs" and want to know how many will need to be purchased for the Darche Nebula 1550 Swag.
G'day Toby,
The Darche Nebula comes with 10 heavy-duty steel pegs which generously cater for securing both the swag and flysheet. In some of our images, we do have the awning set up using the optional Darche Swag Awning poles. These are lightweight alloy and can be found under the "You might also like" heading near the swag product description. This pole set also comes with pegs and guy ropes, so purchasing any additional pegs is totally up to you but probably not necessary. Cheers :)
Hi, Can you please tell me the size of this swag when it is rolled up? Thanks!
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 Nebula 1550 is 112L x 36W x 35H cm.
Can you get a replacement mattress for these?
G'day Gerald,
We can certainly special order a replacement mattress for your Nebula 1550 Swag. The best option will be to send us an email and we can let you know the cost and how much it will be.
I can't decide! RS1 or Nebula? please help :)
G'day Sarah,
Tough call, it probably depends on where and how you plan on using them. The RS-1 is a bit lighter and is going to be quicker and easier to pitch, especially if you're on your own. This will be handy if you're packing it down and setting it up night after night and it'll basically be for sleeping in. But the Nebula is going to be roomier and offer better ventilation if you're in humid areas. Probably a better option if you're staying in the same place for a while and would like a bit more 'living room' inside. I hope this helps mate!
I really like the look and reviews of this swag/tent however I've just read your article on "is my tent midgeproof", is the mesh on this as good as the no-see-um mesh? there is no spec anywhere online that I can find. Still deciding between this and the RV1 (same footprint) and pro's and con's for each.
G'day Rich,
Great question. Darche describes the mesh on the Nebula 1550 as superfine, which by all good theory is their version of a no-see-um style mesh. Visual comparison of the Nebula to an RV1
How long does it take to put up and how long and wide is the awning as my wife’s on medication which limits her to sunlight so awning size is very important to us
G'day Tony,
We're currently out of stock of the Darche Nebula 1550 Swag, so I couldn't check the exact length of the awning but had a chat with one of our staff members who owns one. He told me that the awning sits at about the 1-1.2m mark. He also said that the setup time is "about half a can". He said that it's not quite the 90 seconds that the box claims but that you should have it all
I am aware the poles are not included. Also do you sell thicker mattresses that can fit your Darche range of double swags including this swag?
G'day Danielle,
The Darche Nebula 1550 Swag does come with an awning, yes. As for the thicker mattress, we have a few options that will fit within the swag but none of them
G’day, Following Ren’s question regarding the Exped Megamat 10 LXWs, I was wondering if the answer would differ if they were two STS Comfort DLX SI LWs instead - considering their slightly narrower dimensions? Cheers
G'day Andrew,
I do like your thinking. However, the Sea to Summit Comfort DLX SI is still going to be a fraction too large if you tried using two of them in the Dache Nebula 1550 Swag.
Could two single exped 10 lxw mats be squeezed in instead of the existing foam mattress?
G'day Ren,
You'd be a little too wide using two of the Exped Megamat 10 LXW Mats inside the Darche Nebula 1550 Swag, unfortunately. You will be fine if you opted for an Exped Megamat 10 Duo Sleeping Mat though.
G’day, Apart from the overhang across its length, I was just wondering if you might be able to provide some info as to whether the width of this swag would fit nicely atop one of the Oztrail Easy Fold Queen Stretchers? Cheers
G'day Andrew,
The Darche Nebula 1550 Swag has quite a unique pole structure which makes it a really great swag but it also means that it struggles to stay upright if it's overhanging the edge of a stretcher. Given that it's a few centimetres too wide for the Oztrail Easy Fold Queen, it'll collapse a little and probably won't be ideal I'm sorry to say.
Hi, I have the Oztrail 4WD queen mattress (195x150). I believe the tent's sleeping area details are not accurate due to the tapered corners. Basically, the tent is not a perfect rectangle! Will my mattress still fit properly? Thanks!
G'day Chris,
We don't currently have the Darche Nebula 1550 Swag on display so I can't physically check, however, I would be of the opinion because of the length, that the corners shouldn't affect the fit of the mattress. It will naturally be a tight fit as everything will come down to the centimetre, but the Oztrail Queen 4WD Mattress will also make the best use of the space.