Image: Sawyer · source
Sawyer · Budget
Sawyer's 24 oz trigger-spray permethrin treatment goes on clothing, footwear, tents and other gear, never on skin, and Sawyer says one application protects against mosquitoes and ticks for 6 weeks or 6 washings.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
A railfan day often means standing still in grass at a public viewpoint, walking a rail trail or camping before a long journey, and ticks and mosquitoes reach people who stay put. A permethrin treatment works differently from a skin repellent: it is sprayed on the fabric of shirts, jackets, pants, socks and shoes, and Sawyer says it repels or kills ticks, mosquitoes and more than 55 other kinds of insects. Sawyer cites a University of Rhode Island study in which people wearing permethrin-treated shoes and socks were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than people wearing untreated footwear, which is the clearest reason to treat the boots and socks you wear on an outing. Sawyer also says the product bonds to fabric fibers and is odorless once dry. The spray is a bug repellent only. It says nothing about where it is safe to stand, and a railfan stays on platforms and in public areas whatever is sprayed on the clothes.
Sawyer's directions start with preparation: pick a well-ventilated spot protected from the wind, shake the bottle well because permethrin tends to separate, and lay items out or hang them up. Do not treat clothing while it is being worn. Hold the bottle upright 6 to 8 inches from the fabric and use a slow, sweeping motion, treating each side of a garment for about 30 seconds, until the fabric is well dampened without dripping. Sawyer gives about 4.5 oz per complete outfit of shirt, pants and socks, so one 24 oz bottle treats 5 outfits. Items must air dry for at least 2 hours, and Sawyer says drying takes 2 to 4 hours depending on humidity. Do not put wet items in a running dryer; Sawyer says you can warm an empty dryer, switch it off and leave the items inside, because heat helps the bonding. Protection lasts up to 6 weeks of sun and air exposure or 6 washings, whichever comes first, then the item needs retreating. Sawyer suggests storing treated clothing in black plastic bags between uses to protect it from air and sunlight. Sawyer adds that U.S. Army studies found about 20 to 30 percent of the treatment came off in the first laundering and then 3 to 5 percent per cycle.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 24 oz (liquid volume) |
| Style | Trigger spray |
| Weight | 28.9 oz |
| Coverage | About 4.5 oz per outfit; treats 5 outfits |
| Longevity | Up to 6 weeks or 6 washings, whichever comes first |
| Shelf life | 10+ years if stored cool and dry, away from direct UV |
| Drying time | At least 2 hours |
| Kit includes | One 24 oz trigger spray bottle |
Someone who spends long stretches outdoors on a rail trip, in tall grass at a public viewpoint or in a tent, who wants protection built into shoes, socks and clothing, and who is willing to treat items outside, let them dry and retreat them on Sawyer's schedule. It is a poor fit for a household where treated items might be handled while still wet around cats.
Sawyer's Picaridin lotion, the SP564, is a skin repellent; it does the opposite job from this spray, and Sawyer itself suggests pairing a permethrin treatment with its picaridin topical repellent for the skin. The same permethrin treatment is also listed by Sawyer in 4.5 oz and 12 oz sizes and as an aerosol, which suits a single trip better than a 24 oz bottle.
Image: Adventure Medical Kits · source
Adventure Medical Kits · Budget
A compact, injury-organised first aid kit for one or two people on a day or a weekend outing, with a wilderness first aid guide and a small set of over-the-counter medications.
Expert pick · OutdoorGearLab, May 2023
Image: Black Diamond Equipment · source
Black Diamond · Budget
The Black Diamond Astro 300 is a one-button, 300-lumen headlamp that runs on three AAA batteries or on Black Diamond's rechargeable BD 1500 battery.
Image: Black Diamond Equipment · source
Black Diamond · Mid-range
The Black Diamond Spot 400 is a 400-lumen headlamp that runs on three AAA batteries, included, or on the optional BD 1500 rechargeable battery, with an IPX8 housing and a red night-vision mode.
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