Cutter
Cutter Sport Insect Repellent
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- A sweat-resistant 15% DEET built for active days, 3 to 4 hours of solid cover.
- Fully disclosed and reliably effective.
Cons
- Moderate runtime, so reapply on long outings, plus the usual DEET care around plastics.
The full review
Aimed at active use, this 15% DEET aerosol lands a clear recommended. DEET's definitive evidence and clean skin safety carry the verdict, with all 4 audited claims holding up. The mid-range concentration gives a solid window: our model reads 3 to 4 hours of complete mosquito protection and a longer 4 to 6 hours against ticks, enough for a workout or an afternoon outdoors before reapplying. Effectiveness on the mosquito side and transparency are the main limiters, the latter because the inert list is not disclosed. The sweat-resistant build is the real draw for sports rather than any unusually long window, plus the usual DEET care around plastics.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%88Mosquitoes: 3–4 h of complete protection. Ticks: 4–6 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: 3–4 h of complete protection. Ticks: 4–6 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 4 marketing claims audited: 3 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 4 marketing claims audited: 3 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 ~7 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 ~11 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 · 15%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya”
EfficacyStrongDEET at 15% is fully dosed and EPA-registered (305-48-121) against mosquitoes that may transmit Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya.
“Repels mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, chiggers and fleas”
EfficacyStrongPest list printed on the EPA-registered label.
“Sweat-resistant formula with a refreshing, clean scent”
OtherModerateManufacturer marketing claim about feel/scent.
“DEET 15%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed on manufacturer page, SDS, and EPA 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.
