Coolkin Biker Swag Tested
Big comfort in a touring roll
I’ll put my hand up: I was a tent guy.
Most of the motorcycle swag I’ve tried was forced to make similar compromises. They were either heavy enough to impact the bike, or so compact that they cramped me on the mattress making a proper night’s sleep impossible.
Then Trev sent me Coolkine Premium Biker Swag to test, and I did a complete 180.
There are still trips where I’ll take a light tent – mainly tough adventure rides where I don’t want any luggage being placed on top of me or behind me – but they’re the exception now. For tarmac, gravel roads, and regular 4WD tracks, the Coolkine has become my favorite slip system.
It packs with lightweight bedding in a roughly 60 x 30cm roll, sets up in minutes, offers real room to move and, most importantly, uses a hybrid air-and-foam mattress that’s far more comfortable than I’d expect from motorcycle swag.
This may possibly be the best camp bed I have ever slept on.
I talk about swag a lot my latest tuareg videoThat’s at the end of this review, but let’s look at some specifications first.
Coolkine Premium Biker Swag Dimensions
The Coolkine Premium Biker Swag has a packed size of approximately 60cm long x 30cm diameter with your sleeping bag – I also included an extra camping pillow and it still packed in this size.
- weight
- Swag + main carry bag: 7.9 kg.
- ~1.1-1.2 kg as mentioned above with bedding: around 9.0 kg in total.
- It comes with a handy secondary gear bag that attaches to the swag cover bag and can be useful for things like a tarp and extra ropes if you want to set up a simple lean-to: ~230g (empty).
- swag footprint
- At 215 cm long x 95 cm wide, this is where it starts to stand out among the competitors. The sleeping footprint is huge – the Coolkine offers more than double the quoted 45cm sleeping width of the Darche Ranger Solo+. The trade-off is that the narrower darch is lighter and includes a separate storage hutch, while the Kulkin prioritizes the comfort of a sleeping room and mattress.
- Due to the sloping ends it is suitable for riders up to about 200 cm tall. Not only is it long enough (this allows you to throw some gear over your feet if you’re not a giant), but that width is important for comfortable sleep, allowing you to turn over and move around a bit.
Coolkine Premium Biker Swag Mattress:
hybrid air/foam
The hybrid air/foam mattress takes comfort to the next level. It consists of a layer of foam of varying thickness on top of a 40mm air layer: 20mm foam under your shoulders/back and 40mm foam under your butt.
The air layer extends below the head area to approximately 110 mm of air, which can double as a pillow for some sleepers. I opted to include a compact hiking pillow as well, but you can easily throw some clothes or a towel in there for a little extra height if you prefer.
Kulkin recommends using a high-volume, low-pressure air-mattress pump and specifically warns against using a motorcycle tire inflator, which is designed for high pressure rather than high volume. During testing I inflated the mattress by mouth and it worked fine for me.
Coolcoin Materials and Hardware
- canvas:High quality 230 GSM canvas for the swag body, which feels like a sweet spot between weight and durability.
- land: 280 GSM PVC flooring with hot sealed corners for waterproofing.
- carry bags: Heavy-duty PVC with waterproof rated YKK zip. To be honest I haven’t tested it in proper rain on the bike, but with the Swag Roll with waterproof zips and PVC flooring on the outside, I’m confident your sleeping bag will stay safe and dry on the inside.
- attachment point:Four good-sized D-rings on the swag cover for attaching to the bike, plus four strap points on the top for attaching additional gear bags.
I’ve tested Swag several times on both solo and group trips, and it’s stood up every time. I’ve traveled on some medium-difficulty trails and you can definitely feel the weight there if you’re not used to it, but it’s not something you can’t deal with.
You just have to be more thoughtful about how you lean the bike (and what you do with your body weight) at slow speeds.
Culcoin Swag Setup Process
The setup process could hardly be simpler.
- Take the loot off the bike and into the cover bag.
- Unroll it, then unwrap those handy clips that help you fold the edges to the right width when rolling it back up.
- Connect the final hoops and clip them at each end.
- Take the center pole, unlock it, and stretch it between the end hoops, separating them.
No need for extra tent pegs and ropes to tie the ends back – nothing to slip off. That’s it, your work is done. Put it down if you want; It was never windy enough during my travels to warrant this.
Why am I a fan of Culkin Swag now?
First and foremost, it is the quality of sleep. This is easily overlooked when looking for the smallest, lightest possible sleep system – but it should arguably be our number one priority. Being able to get a good night’s sleep can make or break a trip. Driving while tired is a sure shot way to make mistakes and get hurt.
In terms of getting good sleep, the Coolkine Premium Biker Swag is a resounding yes. That hybrid mattress is really comfortable, and you have actual room to move during the night. This is a huge victory.
So this is a big win for the feature. one bag. Everything in it, including your sleeping bag and pillow (even throw your thermals in there if you want). Safe. It’s set up and ready to sleep in about 10 minutes, including blowing up the mattress. That central pole that keeps the ends out means there are no tedious ropes and pegs to go in to keep the end hoops up.
The Coolkine is no ultralight solution, but the comparison comes close once the tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag and pillow are all included. The main difference is that a tent system can be divided between several bags, whereas a kulakin consists of a shelter, mattress and light bedding in an approximately 60 x 30 cm roll.
While it’s true that you can pack some of those things into separate carry-on bags if you want, it also means diving into multiple bags to organize your accommodations and unpacking everything halfway through—which, quite frankly, can be a pain in the ass. And that extra time can be a problem if you just want to lie down, or if it’s going to rain and you need to rest.
Travel Style: Where Swag Fits Best for Me
The final realization for me was about the type of trips I’m regularly doing: I’ll drive to a camping destination on easy-to-moderate trails, unload swag and set up base camp, then tackle more difficult trails without the extra load on the bike, returning to the same camp every day.
This way I’m just carrying a backpack for more challenging trails. Then, only when it’s time to go home after a day or three of riding, grab the luggage and luggage and get back on the bike for the return trip.
Even if you’re doing a multi-camp ride, the speed and ease with which you can set up your swag is far beyond any tent setup. This means more time to relax after a day in the saddle.
Could Coolkin Biker Swag Get Any Better?
The only thing I would really like to add is the option for an external storage compartment at the end (or at both ends). Something that you can use to keep your belongings and supplies out of the elements, and any associated scents away from your sleeping area. That might actually fit nicely in the spare bag… would be happy to help test that idea too.
The side flaps of the Swag can also be attached to the motorcycle and used as small fly-over riding gear or luggage. This provides some protection from the weather, although it is not the same as a completely closed storage compartment that can remain attached to the swag. Or a tarp and a quick tilt-to solve that problem—just not so cleanly.
decision
Coolkine Premium Biker Swag will not be suitable for every motorcycle trip. At around 9kg with the bed inside, it’s heavier than a minimalist tent system and puts all that weight in a relatively large package.
However, for the kind of riding I do, the convenience and sleep comfort justify that compromise. It erects quickly, is really roomy and provides a better night’s sleep than any motorcycle-oriented swag I’ve used before. The biggest compliment I can give is that I started this test as a committed tent user and ended it wondering how many times the tent would now leave the cupboard.
Price and availability of Coolcoin Premium Biker Swag
Coolkine is an Australian family business, with products designed and developed right here in Australia. Premium biker swag is available through the Coolcoin website as well as several retailers, which you can find through their website: https://www.culkyne.com.au/.
The Swag is currently on sale for $459, which represents solid value considering the materials, the hybrid mattress, and the fact that it becomes an all-in-one sleep system for the bike.
Coolkine Premium Biker Swag at a Glance
Pack size: about 60 x 30 cm and about 1.1 kg bedding inside
Set-up footprint: 215 x 95 cm
Swag and main bag: 7.9kg
Approximate travel weight: 9.0 kg with bed
Mattress: Hybrid air and foam construction
Canvas: 230 gsm
Floor: 280 GSM PVC with hot sealed corners
Maximum recommended height of rider: about 200cm
Price: $459
