Sawyer
Jungle Juice 100 Pump Spray Insect Repellent
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Backcountry-grade 98% DEET, 6 to 8 hours for the buggiest conditions, in a no-propellant pump.
- Settled science and a clean safety read at this level.
Cons
- Pure DEET feels oily and damages plastics and synthetics, so handle with care.
The full review
Sold through REI, this near-pure 98.11% DEET pump spray is built for extreme conditions and sits at the top of our recommended maximum protection tier. The evidence is definitive, safety reads clean, and our model shows 6 to 8 hours of complete mosquito protection plus a real 5 to 7 hours against ticks. The label's "up to 10 hours" counts reduced biting rather than bite-free time, so the true benefit of this strength is durability against sweat and rain rather than a dramatically longer window. Transparency is a strong point because nearly all of the formula is quantified. The trade-off of going this high is material damage: it can ruin rayon, spandex, plastics, leather, and finished surfaces.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%97Mosquitoes: 6–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–7 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Mosquitoes: 6–8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 5–7 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%97DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 5 marketing claims audited: 3 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Safety15%96From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%75This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
How long it protects
Complete protection ends when the first bite gets through; partial protection keeps reducing bites as repellency decays. EPA label times are verified; the rest are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format.
Mosquito estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~14 h as repellency decays.
Tick estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~12 h as repellency decays. Ticks only: estimated against Ixodes scapularis (the US Lyme vector). DEET is notably weaker against the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and some dog-tick (Dermacentor) populations, and weaker on ticks than on mosquitoes. Anchors: Burtis 2024 (CDC), 25% DEET held >=97% skin repellency through 6.5 h; Buchel 2015, 20% median tick CPT ~4-4.5 h.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Only active ingredients are disclosed. The full ingredient list (inerts/carriers) is not published, so this may not be the complete formula.
- DEETActive
Active repellent · 98.11%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Can be applied to shoes, socks, and clothing for extra protection”
OtherModerateLabel-permitted use on cotton, wool, and nylon only; DEET at this concentration damages many synthetics and plastics.
“Also protects against chiggers, fleas, and gnats”
EfficacyStrongListed pests on the retail product page; high-concentration DEET is well supported against these pests.
“Up to 10 hours of protection against ticks”
DurationModerateWithin the partial-protection window: complete (bite-free) protection is ~7 h, with reduced protection persisting to ~12 h. The claimed 10 h is optimistic but plausible as partial protection.
“Up to 10 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~8 h).
“DEET 98.11% (Maxi-DEET maximum strength formula)”
EfficacyStrongConcentration confirmed by EPA registration data and REI/Sawyer product specs (listed as 98.11% on the retail page).
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Mainly from DEET.
Mainly from DEET.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
