Repel
Insect Repellent Sportsmen Max Formula 40% DEET
Spray · EPA-registered repellent (Reg. No. 121-88-305, a distributor registration of United Industries Corp. product 121-88)
Retailer links may earn us a commission. Scores are never affected.
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. The EPA-registered label backs 8 hours against mosquitoes, with our model putting real tick protection at 3 to 5 hours. Because that protection figure comes straight from the registered label rather than a marketing estimate, there is little daylight between claim and reality. The evidence pillar is near the ceiling, all 5 audited claims rate strong, and skin safety reads clean. The one 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%96Mosquitoes: 8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 3–5 h of complete protection. Protection times come from the product's EPA-registered label (a manufacturer maximum, capped to a defensible ceiling). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Mosquitoes: 8 h of complete protection. Ticks: 3–5 h of complete protection. Protection times come from the product's EPA-registered label (a manufacturer maximum, capped to a defensible ceiling). 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)
From the product's EPA-registered label (manufacturer maximum against mosquitos, treated as an upper bound). 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 ~9 h as repellency decays.
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”
DurationStrongEPA repellent search tool lists an 8-hour mosquito protection time for registration 121-88.
How to apply it
Hold the bottle about 6 inches from skin or clothing and spray with a slow, sweeping motion to slightly moisten the skin; use just enough to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not spray directly onto the face — spray on hands first and apply sparingly, avoiding eyes and mouth, and do not apply under clothing, over cuts or sunburned/irritated skin, or to children's hands. When using on children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child; frequent reapplication or saturation is unnecessary. After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water and wash treated clothing before wearing again. May damage some synthetic fabrics, plastics, watch crystals, leather, and painted or varnished surfaces.
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
