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This EPA-approved picaridin formula is safe and effective, and it comes in a bottle that’s better than competitors’ bottles at spraying evenly and accurately.

Sawyer’s picaridin formula is safe and effective, and it has hardly any odor. It’s EPA approved and just as effective as DEET, with none of the downsides.

This repellent is used on clothing, not skin. And it provides long-lasting protection against ticks.

BabyGearLab

Sawyer Insect Repellent is a versatile picaridin spray recommended by the Center for Disease Control &#40;CDC&#41; as safe and effective for most people. Our testers liked the evaporating smell and how the spray feels once it dries. Our tests showed it was effective against various bugs, and testers thought it worked just as well on gear as it does on skin. It comes with two lids to help prevent accidental leaks, and the bottle is petite enough to fit almost anywhere.  

Sawyer Insect Repellent is a versatile 20% Picaridin spray that is easy to use and comes in a handy size smaller bottle for transporting. We like the smell, which disappears when dry, and the insects it is effective on are vast. We find Sawyer effective against most creepy crawlies, and it is suitable for skin and gear. It has a double-lid system container to help prevent leaks, and the smaller bottle fits almost anywhere, i.e., cup holder or backpack. 

Best for Most

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For clothing and gear (but not skin), Sawyer Products’s permethrin repellent is as effective as similar formulas at repelling ticks and mosquitoes, and its trigger spray is easier to control.

Upgrade Pick

expert-review

Why We Love Sawyer Permethrin Premium Insect Repellent

Just as effective as our other picaridin-based picks, Proven’s spray comes in a convenient transparent bottle, but it has only a single cap and limited sizes.

Budget Pick

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Insect Repellent Buying Guide

Cutter’s Backwoods Tick Defense uses a slightly lower concentration of picaridin. It has the same repellency but doesn’t last as long.

Natrapel Repellent Wipes is similar in look and feel to a moist towelette you might get with BBQ food &#40;minus the delicious food&#41;. But, these towelettes contain bug repellent instead of a lemon-scented cleaner. This useful, travel-sized wipe won't leak in your pack and can be used anywhere as it isn't airborne and won't annoy innocent bystanders. This feature is a plus for anyone with breathing issues or spray sensitivities. We like the simplicity of the design and found that one wipe will work for the average person wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The packets can tuck in your pocket, and children will definitely find them useful at camp or in situations where they need to care for themselves.

Repel Insect Repellent Sportsmen Max  has a higher percentage of DEET indicated for use in areas with known insect outbreaks or for pre-treatment gear and clothing. This option is good for spraying hats, backpacks, shoes, socks, pants, etc. It can deter bugs from crawling up your shoes or dropping on your hair. It worked well in our tests, and we didn't experience any staining.  

Repel Insect Repellent Sportsmen Max  can be considered a must-have product if you want to layer your levels of protection &#40;and you should, If possible&#41;. This higher percentage of DEET is not traditionally recommended for use on skin or with children. However, you can apply it to clothing and gear to create an extra layer of protection from pesky insects. We believe the ability to layer and increase your protection without upping your skin's chemical load is a very good thing. During testing, layering our protection by spraying our gear did, in fact, decrease the number of bugs and bug-related bites we encountered. We like that this product sprays evenly and is straightforward to use. 

Another worthy 20% picaridin formula. Also available in a pump spray.

powerreviews

DEET formulas work and are widely available—but they aren’t more effective than picaridin (they tend to smell bad and feel oily, too). Cutter Backwoods Dry, with its even aerosol spray and locking cap, is the best DEET repellent we’ve found.

Ranger Ready’s protection from ticks and mosquitoes equals that of the other picaridin formulas. We had trouble with the bottle’s pump spray, but we appreciated a variety of size and scent options.

Insect Repellent Comparison