Repel
Insect Repellent Sportsmen Max Formula 40% DEET
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Long-lasting 40% DEET, a full 8 hours on the label with all five claims verified.
- EPA-registered and fully disclosed for serious bug pressure.
Cons
- Strong DEET feels oily and can damage plastics and synthetics.
The full review
Built for heavy bug pressure, this 40% DEET pump spray earns a recommended in our maximum protection tier, and its standout is durability. Our model puts complete protection at 6 to 7 hours against mosquitoes and a substantial 5 to 7 hours against ticks, enough to carry a long day in the field. The evidence pillar sits near the ceiling, all 5 audited claims rate strong, and skin safety reads clean. The lone knock is transparency, held back because the inert ingredients are not fully accounted for. As with any strong DEET, it feels oily and can damage plastics and synthetics.
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 5 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 0 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: 5 strong, 0 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.
“Also repels no-see-ums”
EfficacyStrongOfficial brand/ChemExpo functional-use listing for 121-88-305 lists no-see-ums; not in current claims.
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit the Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses”
EfficacyStrongEPA-registered label claim; repellency does not guarantee disease prevention.
“Also repels ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers and fleas; designed for extreme conditions”
EfficacyStrongEPA-registered pest spectrum for 40% DEET.
“DEET 40%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed by EPA registration, SDS, and label.
“Up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~7 h).
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.
