Cutter
Cutter Backwoods High DEET Insect Repellent
Spray · EPA-registered
Retailer links may earn us a commission. Scores are never affected.
Pros
- Backcountry-grade 40% DEET, a solid 6 hours that shrugs off sweat, with 5 of 6 claims verified.
- Everything disclosed and EPA-registered.
Cons
- Strong DEET feels oily and can melt plastics and synthetics, so keep it off your gear.
The full review
A high-concentration 40% DEET aerosol that lands a clear recommended for heavy-exposure outings. DEET's definitive evidence and clean skin safety anchor the verdict, and 5 of 6 audited claims hold up. Our model puts complete protection at 6 to 7 hours against mosquitoes and 5 to 7 against ticks, a dependable window helped by the sweat-resistant formula. The main deduction is transparency, strong on the active but silent on the full inert list. At this strength DEET can affect plastics and synthetics, so this is a deep-woods tool rather than an everyday spray.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%97Mosquitoes: 6–7 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: 6–7 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 6 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 1 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 6 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 1 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 ~12 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 · 40%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit Zika, West Nile, Dengue & Chikungunya”
EfficacyStrongofficial/Amazon
“Repels mosquitoes that may carry Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya”
EfficacyStrongEPA master label 121-77
“Long-lasting protection from mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, gnats, chiggers, no-see-ums, sand flies, deer flies, fleas and biting flies”
EfficacyStrongPest list from the EPA-registered label.
“Up to 6 hours of protection against mosquitoes and 3 hours against ticks”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~7 h).
“Sweat-resistant, non-greasy formula”
OtherModerateManufacturer marketing claim about feel and durability under perspiration.
“DEET 40%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed on manufacturer page, SDS, and EPA registration data.
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.
