Forgetting bug spray might seem like a minor oversight when you’re packing for a trip, whether it’s camping in the wilderness, hiking scenic trails, or simply relaxing in your backyard. However, as someone who learned the hard way, it’s an essential item you should always remember for any outdoor adventure.
During my time in Indonesia with the Peace Corps, I diligently took anti-malarial medication. Traveling around the Pacific afterward, I continued this regimen, mistakenly believing I was fully protected. Returning home to Chicago, I was unprepared for the wave of exhaustion, aches, fever, and debilitating headaches that struck me. These symptoms would vanish and reappear every other day for two long weeks before a trip to urgent care revealed the chilling truth: malaria.
That experience was a stark reminder of the importance of bug protection, even when you think you’re covered. Now, whether I’m venturing into a malaria zone or exploring tick-infested woods closer to home, I never leave without bug spray. It’s a crucial safety net. To help you choose the most effective and travel-friendly options, I spent ten weeks testing various bug repellents across the U.S., from the rugged landscapes of Wyoming to the coastal trails of Maine. Based on this extensive testing, here are the bug repellents, perfectly sized for travel, that I now consider essential.
Our Top Travel Size Bug Spray Picks
Best Overall Travel Size Bug Spray:
Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent, 3 oz at Amazon
Best Travel Size Bug Spray for Backcountry:
Ranger Ready Picaridin 20% Tick & Insect Repellent, 3.4 oz at Amazon
Best Travel Size Gel Bug Repellent:
Off! Clean Feel Insect Repellent Gel, 3.8 oz at Amazon
Best Travel Size Bug Repellent Wipes:
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes, 15 wipes per pack at Amazon
Best Travel Size Bug Spray with DEET:
Ben’s 100% DEET Tick & Insect Repellent, 1.25 oz Pump Spray at Amazon
Best Travel Size Bug Spray for Families:
Natrapel 20% Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent, 3 oz at Amazon
Why Travel Size Bug Spray Matters
When you’re on the go, whether navigating airports or backpacking through trails, space and convenience are paramount. Full-sized bug sprays, while effective, can be bulky and impractical to carry, not to mention potential TSA restrictions for carry-on luggage. Travel size bug sprays solve these problems. They are designed to be compact, lightweight, and TSA-compliant, ensuring you stay protected from insects without sacrificing precious luggage space or airport security hassles.
Benefits of Travel Size Bug Sprays:
- TSA-Friendly: Most travel-size bug sprays comply with TSA liquid limits for carry-on luggage, allowing you to stay protected from the moment you leave home. Always double-check TSA guidelines before your trip.
- Portability: Easily fits into backpacks, purses, day bags, and even pockets. No more bulky cans weighing you down.
- Convenience: Quick and easy application on the go. Perfect for hikes, camping, city tours, and any outdoor activity during your travels.
- Less Waste: Travel sizes are ideal for shorter trips, reducing the chance of product going unused and expiring.
Best Overall Travel Size Bug Spray
Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent (3 oz)
PHOTO: Amazon
$13 $11 at Amazon $9 at REI View on Sawyer.com
Why We Love It: The 3-ounce travel size is perfect for carry-ons, and the dual-cap design prevents messy spills while traveling.
What to Consider: The spray pattern is somewhat narrow, requiring you to rub it in for complete coverage.
For a reliable, effective, and travel-friendly bug spray, Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent stands out. Its 20 percent picaridin formula strikes an excellent balance between strong protection and a gentle feel on the skin, making it suitable for various environments, from backcountry adventures to backyard relaxation. I tested this travel size bug spray across diverse locations, including Wyoming, Maine, and my bug-prone home in Illinois. While others around campfires and patios were battling bug bites, I remained blissfully undisturbed. One friend even recounted watching a mosquito land on him, only to quickly fly away after encountering the repellent.
The pump spray is simple and easy to use, and the 3-ounce size is TSA-compliant, perfect for carry-on luggage. A standout feature for travelers is the double-cap design. With two separate caps, including one over the pump and another securing the entire top, spills are virtually eliminated. I can attest to this firsthand, having flown with it numerous times in both checked and carry-on bags without any leaks. Furthermore, unlike many potent repellents, Sawyer Picaridin has a light, pleasant floral scent, avoiding the harsh chemical odor often associated with bug sprays.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 12-hour protection | 3-ounce travel size
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox
Best Travel Size Bug Spray for Backcountry
Ranger Ready 20% Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent (3.4 oz)
PHOTO: Amazon
$21 at Amazon View on Vitacost
Why We Love It: The 3.4 oz size is travel-friendly, and the truly scent-free formula is ideal for backcountry use where strong odors can be disruptive.
What to Consider: The spray dispenses a generous amount, so be cautious to avoid over-application and drips.
For backcountry adventurers needing a reliable and scent-free travel size bug spray, Ranger Ready Picaridin 20% Tick & Insect Repellent is an excellent choice. Its 3.4-ounce bottle is TSA-compliant and easily fits into backpacks and gear bags. What sets Ranger Ready apart is its unique squeeze-style nozzle, which allows for easy, one-handed application. This is particularly useful when you’re on the move or need to apply repellent to hard-to-reach areas like your legs and back. The nozzle is designed to prevent leaks, even when the bottle is jostled in your pack.
Ranger Ready uses a 20% picaridin formula, effective against both mosquitoes and ticks, offering robust protection without the strong chemical odor of DEET-based sprays. Its scent-free nature is a significant advantage in backcountry settings where strong smells can be undesirable or attract wildlife.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 12-hour protection | 3.4-ounce travel size
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox
Best Travel Size Gel Bug Repellent
Off! Clean Feel Insect Repellent Gel (3.8 oz)
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PHOTO: Amazon
$10 $9 at Amazon $9 at Target $9 at Walmart
Why We Love It: The 3.8 oz tube is carry-on compliant, and the gel formula provides thorough coverage, ensuring no spots are missed.
What to Consider: Gel can feel slightly sticky, and hand washing is recommended after application.
Off! is a trusted name in bug repellents, and their Clean Feel Insect Repellent Gel in a travel-friendly 3.8 oz tube is a standout choice for those who prefer a gel application. While Off! offers various effective sprays, this gel provides a unique approach to bug protection. The gel format allows for precise application, ensuring you cover every bit of exposed skin, similar to applying sunscreen lotion. This is especially beneficial for travelers wanting complete protection without relying solely on sprays.
I tested several Off! products, and the Clean Feel Gel became a favorite due to its unique application and effectiveness. Sometimes, sprays aren’t ideal, especially in windy conditions or around food. The gel offers the same robust protection as traditional bug spray in a spreadable format. The 3.8 oz size is within TSA limits for carry-on liquids, making it perfect for air travel.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 8-hour protection | 3.8-ounce travel size gel
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox
Best Travel Size Bug Repellent Wipes
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes (15 wipes)
PHOTO: Anthropologie
$19 at Amazon View on Murphysnaturals.com $8 at Anthropologie
Why We Love It: Individually packaged wipes are incredibly travel-friendly and fit easily in purses, pockets, and fanny packs.
What to Consider: Wipes create trash that must be packed out, especially when camping or hiking.
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Wipes are a game-changer for travel bug protection, offering convenience and effectiveness in a compact wipe format. These wipes are incredibly portable, easily fitting into purses, pockets, and travel packs, making them perfect for on-the-go application. Throughout my testing, I became a huge fan of these wipes. While I also liked Murphy’s Natural Spray, the wipes proved to be just as effective and more versatile for various situations.
I carried these wipes in my purse throughout the summer and found them invaluable at an outdoor wedding in Wisconsin, where I shared them with other guests. They were an ideal solution, eliminating concerns about spray drift around food and other people. Made with a blend of essential oils including lemongrass, rosemary, cedarwood, peppermint, and citronella, these wipes provide a light, natural, and effective repellent solution. They are perfect for daily use, special occasions, and especially for travelers with children, offering a mess-free and easy-to-apply bug protection.
The Details: 2.3 percent lemongrass oil, 2.1 percent rosemary oil, 1.4 percent cedarwood oil, 1.4 percent peppermint oil, and 0.2 percent citronella oil | Travel size wipes, 15 per pack
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox
Best Travel Size Bug Spray with DEET
Ben’s 100% DEET Tick & Insect Repellent (1.25 oz)
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PHOTO: Amazon
$22 at Amazon $8 at REI $8 at Backcountry
Why We Love It: The ultra-compact 1.25 oz size is incredibly travel-friendly, and the high DEET concentration provides maximum protection in bug-heavy environments.
What to Consider: DEET can damage certain fabrics and should be applied carefully, avoiding direct facial spraying.
For travelers venturing into areas with intense insect pressure, Ben’s 100% DEET Tick & Insect Repellent in a 1.25 oz pump spray is the ultimate travel size bug spray for maximum protection. DEET remains an EPA-approved and highly effective ingredient, and Ben’s repellent delivers it in a concentrated formula. In fact, this is the very repellent provided to Peace Corps volunteers in Indonesia for its proven efficacy. Despite its potency, Ben’s travel size spray is designed for portability. The small 1.25 oz bottle fits easily into hip belt pockets of backpacks and even hiking pants pockets, ensuring quick access when needed.
While DEET is highly effective, it’s important to use it cautiously. Avoid spraying directly onto clothing or gear as it can cause staining. Apply it to your hands first and then carefully rub onto your face, avoiding eyes and inhalation. However, for situations demanding the strongest defense against insects, especially in a travel-friendly size, Ben’s 100% DEET repellent is unparalleled. Its effectiveness also means less frequent reapplication, conserving the product during longer trips.
The Details: 98.11 percent DEET | 10-hour protection | 1.25-ounce travel size
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox
Best Travel Size Bug Spray for Families
Natrapel 20% Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent (3 oz)
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PHOTO: Amazon
$26 at Amazon $5 at Backcountry
Why We Love It: The 3-ounce travel size is TSA-compliant, and it’s available in a pack of three, making it convenient for family travel.
What to Consider: The pump spray bottle cannot be used upside down or sideways, which can make it slightly challenging to apply to legs and backs.
For families on the go, Natrapel 20% Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent offers a travel-friendly and shareable solution. The 3-ounce spray bottle is TSA-compliant for carry-on luggage, and it’s available in a pack of three, ensuring the whole family is protected. Natrapel’s 20% picaridin formula is effective against ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects while being gentle enough for family use, including pets. It applies lightly with a fine mist that doesn’t drip, yet provides ample coverage.
The push spray design is compact and convenient for travel. While the bottle cannot be sprayed upside down, the lightweight formula and pleasant scent make it a good choice for families. The fresh scent is not overpowering, making it comfortable for everyone to wear.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 12-hour protection | 3-ounce travel size
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox
Choosing the Right Travel Size Bug Spray: Key Considerations
Selecting the best travel size bug spray depends on your specific needs and travel style. Here are essential factors to consider:
- Destination and Insect Type: Research the insect risks in your destination. Areas with high mosquito populations may warrant stronger repellents with DEET or picaridin, while natural options might suffice in lower-risk environments. If ticks are a concern, ensure your chosen repellent protects against them.
- Activity: Consider your planned activities. Backcountry hiking or camping in dense woods requires more robust, long-lasting protection. Casual sightseeing or backyard relaxation may be suitable for milder formulas or wipes.
- Ingredients: Choose between DEET, picaridin, or natural oil-based repellents based on your preferences and sensitivities. DEET is highly effective but can be harsh. Picaridin is a gentler yet effective alternative. Natural options are preferred by some but may require more frequent reapplication.
- Size and TSA Compliance: For air travel, prioritize travel size bug sprays that are TSA-compliant (typically under 3.4 oz or 100ml for liquids). Check TSA guidelines for the most up-to-date regulations.
- Type of Repellent: Decide between sprays, gels, or wipes based on your preference and convenience. Sprays offer broad coverage, gels allow precise application, and wipes are mess-free and portable.
Tips for Using Travel Size Bug Spray Effectively
- Apply Correctly: Follow product instructions for application. Generally, apply to exposed skin, avoiding eyes, mouth, and open wounds. For sprays, hold the nozzle a few inches from the skin and spray evenly. Rub in if necessary. For gels and wipes, apply a thin, even layer.
- Reapply as Needed: Reapplication frequency depends on the product and conditions (sweating, water exposure). Reapply according to label directions, especially after swimming or heavy perspiration.
- Store Properly: Store travel size bug sprays in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Ensure caps are tightly closed to prevent leaks, especially during travel. Consider placing sprays in a sealed plastic bag for extra protection against spills in luggage.
- Consider Clothing Treatment: For added protection, especially in tick-prone areas, treat clothing with permethrin spray (not for skin application). This provides a barrier against insects that land on your clothes.
- Use in Conjunction with Other Measures: Travel size bug spray is one part of an insect protection strategy. Combine it with other measures like wearing long sleeves and pants, using mosquito nets when sleeping, and avoiding peak mosquito activity times (dawn and dusk).
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Size Bug Spray
- Can I bring travel size bug spray on a plane? Yes, most travel size bug sprays under 3.4 oz (100ml) are TSA-compliant and can be carried in your carry-on luggage. However, always check the latest TSA guidelines before your flight for any changes or specific restrictions.
- Is DEET safe to use in travel size bug spray? DEET is EPA-approved and considered safe when used as directed, even in travel size sprays. However, some people prefer to avoid DEET due to potential skin irritation or fabric damage. Picaridin is a safe and effective alternative.
- How long does travel size bug spray last? The duration of protection depends on the active ingredient and concentration. Travel size bug sprays with picaridin typically offer 8-12 hours of protection, while DEET-based sprays can last up to 10 hours or more. Reapply as needed, especially after sweating or getting wet.
- Can I use travel size bug spray on children? Yes, many travel size bug sprays are safe for children. Choose formulas with lower concentrations of DEET or picaridin, or opt for natural, essential oil-based options. Always apply bug spray to your hands first and then gently apply to the child’s skin, avoiding their face and hands to prevent ingestion.
- What are the best natural ingredients in travel size bug spray? Effective natural ingredients include oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), citronella oil, cedarwood oil, rosemary oil, and peppermint oil. Natural travel size bug sprays are a good option for those seeking DEET-free protection, but they may require more frequent reapplication.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Taylor Fox is an editor at T+L specializing in outdoor gear. As an avid camper, hiker, and traveler, she has firsthand experience testing and selecting bug repellents in diverse environments. Her personal experience with malaria after traveling in Indonesia underscores the critical importance of effective bug protection. Taylor rigorously tests travel size bug sprays and other outdoor gear to provide reliable and informed recommendations for your adventures.
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Edited by Jasmine Grant :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JasmineGrant-c7aebf391faf4c1c8767a407a955548a.jpg)
Jasmine Grant
Jasmine is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, specializing in luggage and travel accessories. With over a decade of experience in lifestyle and travel media, she brings extensive expertise to product reviews and travel advice.
