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Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Treatment
#2 — Best Clothing Treatment

Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Treatment Review (2026)

Kills ticks on contact, lasts 6 washes, odorless — the tick prevention layer most AT hikers skip

★★★★★
9.0/10
Reviewed by William • Updated May 2026 $17

Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Treatment is the most underused layer of tick prevention. Spray on hiking clothes and gear before the season, let dry 2-4 hours, and it kills ticks on contact for 6 laundry washes. Odorless when dry. Combined with Picaridin on skin, this two-layer system outperforms skin repellent alone. I found 2-3 crawling ticks per trip before using Permethrin. Zero attached ticks after three seasons of consistent use.

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$17 retail
TrailCraft Score

What I Liked

  • Kills ticks on contact before they crawl to skin
  • Lasts 6 laundry washes — one treatment protects for weeks
  • Odorless and undetectable when dry
  • Works on tent walls, sleeping bags, and gear

Limitations

  • Must be applied in advance and dried completely (2-4 hours)
  • Clothing only — never apply directly to skin
  • Breaks down in direct sunlight when off the garment

At a Glance

ActivePermethrin 0.5%
ApplicationClothing and gear only
Duration6 washes or 42 days
Odor when dryNone
KillsTicks, mosquitoes, flies on contact
Format24oz pump spray

Score Breakdown

Tick Killing Effectiveness
10.0
Duration
9.2
Ease of Application
8.5
Value for Money
9.2
Synergy with Picaridin
9.6

Field Notes

Applied to AT hiking outfit each season — shirt, pants, gaiters, boot uppers. Ticks that land on treated clothing die before crawling to skin. Three seasons of Permethrin plus Picaridin: zero attached ticks. Without Permethrin previously: 2-3 crawling ticks per Virginia section.

Kills ticks on clothing before they reach skin, lasts 6 washes, odorless — the missing layer most AT hikers skip

Who This Is For

Sawyer Permethrin is right for: anyone hiking Lyme disease country, hikers who find ticks despite skin repellent alone, and anyone wanting the most comprehensive tick prevention.

Note: Prices are current as of May 2026. Some links are affiliate links.

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Common Questions

How to apply Sawyer Permethrin?
Lay clothing flat outdoors. Spray evenly until lightly moist. Dry 2-4 hours completely before wearing. Treat both sides. Store treated clothing out of direct sunlight.
Does Permethrin wash out?
About 6 laundry cycles. Rain and sweat do not remove it — only laundry washing.