TLDR: Sawyer's 20% Picaridin spray is a highly effective, non-greasy, and virtually odorless DEET alternative. It provides up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, is safe for clothing and gear, and comes in a convenient, travel-friendly 3-ounce pump bottle. I purchased the Sawyer Picaridin spray for an extended backpacking trip, specifically because I wanted a highly effective repellent that would not damage my synthetic gear or have the harsh odor of DEET. The 20% Picaridin formula is the star here. It's a synthetic replica of a natural compound found in pepper plants and is widely recognized as one of the best alternatives to DEET. The performance against mosquitoes was excellent; they seemed to simply avoid landing on my skin. The protection is advertised to last up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against biting flies and gnats. While heavy sweating might necessitate a lighter reapplication after several hours, I found the initial spray held up remarkably well throughout the day's hiking. The spray is non-greasy and has a virtually unnoticeable, mild citrus scent that quickly evaporates. This makes it far more comfortable to wear than oily, strong-smelling traditional repellents. Crucially, it is safe for use on all clothing and gear, including synthetic fabrics, backpacks, and plastics, eliminating the worry of damaging expensive equipment. The 3-ounce pump bottle is TSA-friendly for travel and easy to pack. Pros Long-Lasting Protection: Effective for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and 8 hours against biting flies, gnats, and chiggers. Gear-Safe Formula: Will not damage plastics, synthetic fabrics, or other outdoor equipment like DEET can. Comfortable Wear: Non-greasy and has a very mild, virtually odorless scent that quickly dissipates. Highly Effective: 20% Picaridin is a top-rated, proven ingredient comparable to DEET in efficacy against a wide range of pests. Travel-Friendly Size: The 3-ounce pump bottle is ideal for carry-on luggage and is easy to store. Cons Reapplication in Heat: Heavy sweating may require reapplication sooner than the stated 12 hours. Tick Efficacy: While effective against ticks, some users prefer to pair it with Permethrin for clothing for maximum tick defense. Verdict This is a clear 5-star winner for outdoor enthusiasts. The Sawyer 20% Picaridin spray offers superior protection without the drawbacks of traditional repellents—no harsh smell, no greasy feel, and no damage to gear. It’s perfect for long days on the trail, fishing, or camping, and the twin pack of 3-ounce bottles makes it excellent for travel and ensuring you always have a backup. It is the definitive modern choice for insect defense. Read more
I love this brand. Doesn’t smell like others and doesn’t leaving your skin have that gross feeling of other repellents. I travel a lot and have used this in jungle and humid environments. Works well. Dont know if it will work in the Amazon. Those mosquitoes are on a different level! I would probably go with the highest deet level there. But for all other uses, this is my go to. Read more
Keeps unwanted insects away, I've been using it for a few months now and I've only gotten bitten once or twice while using this and the bites were in areas I didn't spray. It smells surprisingly really good, though it is a little on the oily side. Regardless this has saved me from being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Read more
Best bug spray hands down. No DEET and actually works! Read more
I swear by this stuff. Never been bit when i use it even as others around me are. I swim outdoors where mosquitos and no-see-ums are prevalent. Deet based products stink, are greasy, and damage synthetic materials such as those in bathing suits. This product avoids all those criticisms. I keep a bottle at my front door (having been assaulted on the way to my mailbox), a bottle in my car (will apply before even opening my car door prior to a hike), and a bottle in my swim bag. This is more than just preventing itchy bites; the risk of a mosquito borne illness is real. West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitos and not uncommon in my mid-atlantic states locale. It also repels ticks which can carry a multitude of illnesses including Lyme disease (which i had and suffered dearly due to the difficulty of getting accurately tested). Read more
I fly kites (and hike and other stuff) and sometimes that takes place in fields which have tall grass. I figured it would be good to apply some insect repellent on my legs to minimize bug bites -- since my kites are made of nylon and polyester -- I thought it would be better to get something that's safe for plastics. This product does seem safe for plastics and the reason I believe this is because I got the item, firmly screwed on the pump top, snapped the small cap on top and snapped the larger cap on top of that. I then put the bottle in my kite backpack and the next day, when I reached for an item in my bag, I wondered why it was wet. I quickly discovered that it was wet because the bottle had leaked onto the item. :( I don't know how much of the repellent leaked out, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect that such a bottle will be upright 100% of the time, so maybe Sawyer needs to take a second look at their cap/closure so that doesn't happen to others. As it stands, I removed the bottle, cleaned up the spilled repellent (which got on a nylon bag and does not seem to have caused damage to it and better a nylon bag than an expensive kite), and set the bottle (upright!) on the garage floor and hope I remember to apply it before I go out. The couple of times I used it, I did not get any bug bites on my legs, so it probably works fine, but it's kind of expensive to lose some unknown quantity to a spill because of some cap/pump issue. And hey, maybe I somehow failed to secure the pump or cap (although I think that's very unlikely because when I noticed the spill, I checked everything to see if I had cross-threaded the pump cap or something and I had not) and the blame is on me, but even if that was the case, I have to imagine that there are clever engineering approaches which will prevent such outcomes, like installing the pump at the factory. Read more
Works wonders! not greasy and the smell doesn't bother at all. It does works against mosquitos Read more
