Best non-permethrin bug proof pants

Just get some nylon or polyester woven trekking pants. Look starting about 20 min into THIS VIDEO and Andrew does a quick explanation. They don’t need to be fancy HERE is an example. This is from Andrew’s blog

“The shirt and pants are made of woven nylon or polyester fabric, which serves as a physical shield against a mosquito’s proboscis. In contrast, mosquitoes easily bite through knit fabrics. Most athletic apparel (e.g. running tops and base layers) are made with knit fabrics; woven fabrics are typically used for “travel” and lifestyle shirts.”

Unfortunately, woven fabrics have two major drawbacks versus knits:

1. The weave’s tightness limits breathability, and its uniformity hinders the wicking and evaporation of moisture. Therefore, to improve moisture management, I look for venting options: a generous chest zip or full-length snap-front, roll-able arm cuffs, zippered mesh baffles, and a looser fit.

2. Woven fabrics do not have any natural stretch. Therefore, to improve range of motion, especially for my legs, I prefer a pant fabric that contains about 10 percent spandex or elastane.

Mosquitos don’t seem to bite through the REI Sierra pants. Never had a problem with breathability either, but my legs never really feel cold or hot except during extremes of temperature.

To gauge how tight the fabric weave is, I hold a piece of the fabric over my mouth really tight around the edges and try to suck air through the fabric. If it’s really hard to pull air through, then it’s a tighter weave, and mosquitos should have a harder time biting through it. For years the Sierra pants were harder to suck air through than most other pants I’ve tried (including Exoficio), and so far they have worked against mosquito bites just fine.

It’s not common, but fabrics can be woven to have some stretch.  But generally knits are inherently stretchy.

I over heat easily, so i don’t like very tightly woven clothes in general during warmer temps.  I find as long as i’m moving, most bugs don’t bother me even with more loosely woven or even knitted fabrics.  Any period of stopping or resting is another matter.  For camp, baggy mesh clothes can be worn over shorts and still provide a good amount of protection as long as they are large/baggy enough.

I wore some baggy mesh clothing in some truly horrendous mozzie conditions in Alaska a few Summers ago (i’ve seen nothing like it before or since) and despite wearing shorts, i was pretty protected.  It was also unusually hot when i was there and the extra venting was appreciated.  Obviously mesh isn’t good for bushwacking, but fine for most trail and camp use.

If you make your own mesh clothes out of .67 oz/yd2 nylon noseeum mesh, and don’t put zippers and other unnecessary things on there, you can make it very light weight.

Thx for the very good ideas an answers. Maybe we could talk a little about specific models or brands. I´m thinking of Arcteryx Palisade, Prana Stretch Zion, Montbell Stretch Light. -Are they bug proof at all?

I´ve been wearing Fjällräven, they are extremely durable, but they weight to much and aren’t that comfortable, and i would like to go lighter.

Otherwise i´m thinking about the Exoficio, Salomon or the White Sierra, but what do you use?

Specifically, I use these: http://www.ems.com/ems-mens-camp-cargo-convertible-pants/1285082.html#start=2

They weigh in at around 14oz, depending on size… They are bug proof, and baggy so they are easy to use in summer.  They are convertible so I often rinse the legs in streams or use them for shorts. They are 100% nylon so you can add permethrin easily, just dipping in a 1% bath and letting them dry, or, not. (Make sure to rinse them outside and rewash them after drying. Dispose of the excess by pouring left over liquid into a sun bath. UV degrades the permethrin rapidly.)  I keep an emergency blanket, map, lighter, and food bars/lunch in the cargo pockets. They also fit .5L or .75L water bottles.

I have two pair over ten years old and used constantly. (Well, with minor re-seaming.) They hold up well and are good pants for yard work, too. Mosquitoes cannot bite through these. Better than RailRiders, lighter thread but denser weave without a ripstop. And about 1/3 the cost.

Been using Arcteryx Rampart for years.  Great lightweight pant that still allows you to use your own belt.  Never been bit through the pant, though choosing a lighter color pant does help with most insects / bugs as they like darker areas.  These pants are crazy tough for how thin and light they are. I constantly slide down rocky slopes and I have had no issues at all, love them.

Only issue which these are that they leg opening is a bit wide if you wear trail runners so you may have to have it taken in to compensate.

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