If I could, I would wear the best tick repellent clothing pretty much every time I went outdoors, regardless of the setting or time of year. That’s because ticks are nasty (controversial opinion, I know). They’re teeny-tiny, they can hop on and bite you without you knowing it, and they can transmit Lyme disease and other dangerous illnesses.
So, I’d very much like to avoid these creepy-crawlies while enjoying my time outside—but I don’t want to dress like a beekeeper in order to do so. Luckily, the options for stylish hiking gear, insect- and arachnid-deterring fabrics, and effective bug repellents have only gotten better this season.
“There is definitely a multi-pronged approach when it comes to warding off ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies,” Stephanie Barker, a sales specialist at REI Louisville, tells SELF. Meaning, you need to dress strategically and pack the right products if you want to keep ticks, biting insects, and other bugs away. We asked experts and outdoor-savvy SELF editors how to check both of these boxes, and they had plenty of recommendations and tips to share. Shop our picks for the best tick repellent clothes, sprays, and fabric treatments below.
Our top picks
- Alo Weekender Bucket Hat, $58
- Nike ACG Orb Weaver Dri-FIT ADV UV Long-Sleeve Shirt, $135
- The North Face TNF Easy Wind Pants, $90
- Eddie Bauer Guide Trex Leggings, $80
- Hoka Kaha 3 GTX Hiking Boots, $240
- Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent, $11
- Ranger Ready Permethrin Spray, $17
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How to dress
Coverage is your friend when it comes to preventing tick bites. “If I’m hiking in an area where ticks are common, everything gets tucked in,” Maggie Peikon, manager of communications at the American Hiking Society, tells SELF. “I opt for light-colored long pants, shirt, socks, and a bandana so ticks are easier to spot. And yes—long socks are a must!” Here are our favorite pieces to wear in the great outdoors, from head to toe.
It’s always a good idea to wear a hat when you spend time outside—and if your headwear just so happens to be stylish? That’s another bonus. Bucket hats, like Alo’s top-rated Weekender, offer throwback appeal and genuine sun protection (check out that wide brim). And if you haven’t scoped out Snow Peak’s incredibly clean hiking apparel and gear yet, let the brand’s convertible cap be your introduction. Made with Insect Shield fabric that’s treated with the EPA-approved pesticide permethrin (more on that below), it has a removable mesh panel in the back to cover your neck.
Bandanas and buffs are some of the most versatile items you can toss in your pack. They add coverage around your neck and make cute accessories to an otherwise simple ensemble (“it’s a win-win,” Peikon says). And, in the case of the ones featured above, they’re also made with Insect Shield materials.
Wearing lightweight, long-sleeved shirts when hiking in tick country will limit how much skin is exposed and won’t turn you into a swampy mess in the heat—even if you tuck your top into your pants, as Peikon recommends. Nike ACG (which stands for All Conditions Gear) makes some of the coolest gorpcore clothes out there, like the Orb Weaver button-up. It has five chest pockets and a mesh vent in the back to keep air flowing. Plus, it protects you from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
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