Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Comparison - September 2025
Our Top 3 Picks
Here are the top 3 recommended products with more information to help you find the right product for you9.7
1SawyerSawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents, Trigger Spray, 24-Ounce
Why we love it
Long-lasting protection up to 6 weeks.
Effective against over 55 insect species.
Reduces tick bite risk significantly.
Main highlights- Sawyer Permethrin stays effective despite sweat or water, degrades via UV exposure or washing machine agitation; each 24-ounce trigger spray bottle treats 5 outfits (EPA now reconmends 4.5 ounces per outfit consisting of shirt, pants, and socks)
- Reduce likelihood of a tick bite by 73.6 times by treating shoes and socks with Permethrin (University of Rhode Island study - 2017); maximize protection by pairing with Sawyer Picaridin topical repellent for the skin
- Permethrin spray bonds to fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings (whichever comes first) won't stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or outdoor gear; fragrance free
- Ideal for backpacking, backyard BBQs, hunting, and other outdoor activities, it's effective against more than 55 kinds of insects — from disease-spreading ticks (Lyme) and mosquitoes (West Nile & Zika) to chiggers, spiders, mites, and more
- Add a layer of protection to your clothing and gear with Permethrin insect and tick repellent spray — perfect for use on shirts, jackets, pants, socks, shoes, boots, sleeping bags, tents, netting, when outdoors, camping, hunting, or on travel
9.6
2SawyerSawyer Products SP564 Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin, Lotion, 4-Ounce
Why we love it
Non-greasy and dries quickly.
Long-lasting protection up to 14 hours.
Safe for sensitive skin and family use.
Main highlights- Very comfortable to wear on your skin, it's ideal for all your outdoor adventures, from camping, backpacking, hunting, and fishing to backyard BBQs, sporting events, days at the park, and more
- Top rated bug repellent by WireCutter/New York Times (May, 2020); maximize protection by pairing with Sawyer Permethrin tick and insect repellent spray for clothing and gear
- Safe for use on the whole family, long-lasting insect and tick repellent lotion deters a wide variety of pests — up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against flies, gnats, and chiggers
- Non-greasy, fragrance free, odorless; Dries quickly and won't damage plastics or synthetic coatings — safe for use on clothing, backpacks, watches, sunglasses, fishing line, firearm finishes, and more
- Fragrance-free topical insect repellent with 20% Picaridin — more effective at repelling biting flies than DEET; repels disease-spreading ticks (Lyme, tick-borne encephalitis) and mosquitoes (West Nile, Dengue, and Zika viruses), chiggers, and more
9.5
3Sawyer22% OffSawyer Products 20% DEET Premium Family Insect Repellent Controlled Release(Pack of 2 )
Main highlights- Twin pack of convenient 4-ounce lotion bottles
- Odorless, non-greasy, and perspiration resistant lotion; compatible with use of sunscreens - including Sawyer SPF 30 Stay-Put Sunscreen
- Family-friendly insect repellent formula with 20% DEET; effective against ticks and all mosquitoes (including those that carry West Nile virus)
- Encapsulates DEET in a protein that dissolves slowly, releasing DEET over a longer period of time -- up to 11 hours
- Combine with Sawyer’s Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents to create an effective insect barrier.
Our ranking system
At BestChoice.com, our team curates a selection of top products from a vast array available online, using a sophisticated ranking system based on carefully defined criteria.While traditional hands-on testing has its merits, our use of AI technology offers distinct advantages. AI allows us to process and analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view that goes beyond what manual testing can achieve. This approach enables us to deliver insights that are aligned with current trends and consumer preferences, ensuring our reviews are both relevant and up-to-date.