Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.

If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation.

I took the best bug sprays and repellents camping across the country from Wyoming to Maine.

person spraying bug repellent on arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure/Taylor Fox

These are my top picks.

While serving in the Peace Corps in Indonesia, I took anti-malarial medication every night for two years.

When I left Indonesia, I continued to travel around the pacific and take medications.

sawyer-products-20-picaridin-insect-repellent

Credit: Amazon

I thought since I was taking anti-malarials, I didnt need to also apply bug spray.

Every other day, the symptoms would disappear and I would feel fine.

Having malaria was one of the more frightening and certainly the most draining experiences Ive ever had.

A hand spraying Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on an arm outside

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Here are the bug-repellents I wont travel without.

We wish the spray had a wider range so you dont have to rub it in.

Bug-repellents with 20 percent picaridin formulas seem to have the perfect balance between effectiveness and a gentle feel.

A hand holding the Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent in front of a camping tent

While others got bug bites sittingaround a campfire, I did not have any bugs around me at all.

A lot of repellent comes out per spray, so be careful to avoid drips.

Plus, the nozzle doesnt leak even if it ends up falling upside down in your bag or pack.

A bottle of Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on a railing outside

Best Gel

Off!

Clean Feel Gel

The spreadable gel ensures youll get all of your corners.

It can be a bit goopy, so you should wash your hands after utility.

A hand spraying Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on an arm

is a household name when it comes to bug repellents, and for good reason.

I tested five different Off!

sprays for over two months.

A bottle of Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on a railing outside

While they were all effective, the Off!

Clean Feel Gel was my favorite for its unique design.

You will need to pack them out if you are camping or hiking.

A hand spraying Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on an arm outside

I became quite obsessed with these wipes throughout my two-month test.

For daily use, special occasions, and forthose with children, these are my new go-to bug repellent.

DEET is an EPA-approved ingredientand some campers think it is absolutely essential to go out using DEET-based bug spray.

A hand holding the Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent in front of a camping tent

Still, DEET can stain fabric.

Since its so effective, you also dont have to reapply as often, which conserves the spray.

It cant be sprayed upside down or sideways, making it tricky to get hard-to-reach areas.

A bottle of Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on a railing outside

It comes in an aerosol can or push spray bottle, depending on your needs.

I will note that the push spray bottle cant be used upside down.

The initial purchase comes with only two repellent refills; youll have topurchase extras separately.

A hand spraying Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on an arm

My family absolutely loved this little gadget.

The protection time is not specified, but the brand does recommend reapplying hourly.

The bottle is easy to use and doesnt leak when packed.

A bottle of Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent on a railing outside

However, since its oil-based, it can be quite drippy when you spray it on.

Its best to rub it in to avoid getting oil on your clothing.

While many of them offered hours of protection, there were some features that we liked but didnt love.

Ranger Ready Insect Repellent with Scent Zero

Credit: Amazon

It has a wide program but is quite wet, which makes it prone to spills.

So you’ll definitely want to rub it in to avoid it getting on your clothing.

Clean Feel Insect Repellent II Spritz:This spray is just as effective as other Off!

A person spraying Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray on their arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

products, but its very drippy and needs to be rubbed in after tool.

You would have to use quite a lot of them for a whole evening outside.

After one hour, I examine each arm to determine if I had any bug bites and how many.

A person’s arm holding a bottle of Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray in front of a camping tent

If you are in an area prone to ticks, verify you also select a spray that offers tick-protection.

Think about packing

Many bug sprays stain and can leave greasy messes.

I personally find that picaridin has a more gentle feel when sprayed directly on my skin.

A bottle of Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray on a white surface

Most bugs and insects dont like the smell of peppermint, citronella, lavender, and eucalyptus.

Sprays containing Picaridin can last between three and five years.

No, you should actively avoid putting human bug spray on dogs as it can be harmful to them.

A bottle of Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray in the packaging, open on a white surface

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Taylor Foxis an editor at T+Lspecializing in outdoor gear.

A lifelong camper and hiker, she used her first person experience when selecting and testing various bug-repellents.

A person spraying Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray on their arm

A person’s arm holding a bottle of Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray in front of a camping tent

A bottle of Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray on a white surface

A bottle of Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray in the packaging, open on a white surface

Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent

Credit: Amazon

A person applying Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent on their arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

A person squeezing Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent onto their hand

A bottle of Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent on a counter

A person applying Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent on their arm

A person squeezing Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent onto their hand

A bottle of Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent on a counter

Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes

Credit: Anthropologie

A person applying A person opening a pack of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes to their arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

A person opening a pack of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes

A person holding a package of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes

A package of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes open on a white surface

A package of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes on a white surface

A person applying A person opening a pack of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes to their arm

A person opening a pack of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes

A person holding a package of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes

A package of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes open on a white surface

A package of Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes on a white surface

Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent

Credit: Amazon

A person spraying Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent on thier arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

A bottle of Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent laying in the grass

A person spraying Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent on thier arm

A bottle of Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent laying in the grass

Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent

Credit: Amazon

A person spraying Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent on their arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

A bottle of Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent laying on rocks

A person spraying Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent on their arm

A bottle of Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent laying on rocks

Thermacell Mosquito Repellent

Credit: Thermacell

A person pressing the button on the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

A person holding the liquid container to the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent

A person holding the lid to Thermacell Mosquito Repellent

Thermacell Mosquito Repellent on a counter

Thermacell Mosquito Repellent in the packaging

A person pressing the button on the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent

A person holding the liquid container to the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent

A person holding the lid to Thermacell Mosquito Repellent

Thermacell Mosquito Repellent on a counter

Thermacell Mosquito Repellent in the packaging

Wondercide Cedarwood Natural Insect Repellent

Credit: Amazon

A person spraying Wondercide Cedarwood Insect Repellent for Family With Natural Essential Oils on their arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

A person holding Wondercide Cedarwood Insect Repellent for Family With Natural Essential Oils in front of a camping tent

A bottle of Wondercide Cedarwood Insect Repellent for Family With Natural Essential Oils in a mesh tent pocket

A person spraying Wondercide Cedarwood Insect Repellent for Family With Natural Essential Oils on their arm

A person holding Wondercide Cedarwood Insect Repellent for Family With Natural Essential Oils in front of a camping tent

A bottle of Wondercide Cedarwood Insect Repellent for Family With Natural Essential Oils in a mesh tent pocket