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Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Wicknit shirt

WicknitWhen the boys of summer leave, they will likely take with them many mosquito bites. Me, I prefer chemical warfare. Deet, Off, my own urine, I really don't care as long as it scares skeeters.

Ex Officio's BUZZ OFF apparel is an effective weapon for mosquito self-defense. The Wicknit hooded sweatshirt is a nice little combo piece that not only wicks moisture effectively, but is treated with an "insect shield" that helps repel bugs and lasts for up to 30 washes. The hood is a nice touch, and it fits snugly for extra protection.

It's no more foolproof than any other means, but in my unfortunately extensive experience with nasty Alaskan mosquitos the BUZZ OFF treatment appears to cut down on bites. The shirt has a kangeroo pocket in front, a zippered security pocket inside and long sleeves with thumbholes. Nice for moving through mozzie country, and packs down small for travel.

$48.27 (on sale from $68.95) at Backcountry.com

January 02, 2007 in Clothing base layer, Ex Officio | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Ex Officio Buzz Off hat

BuzzoffAnother mandatory piece of gear for extended outdoor activities is a sun hat. This one does the job well, with the added benefit of being treated with Buzz Off insect repellent. As if my B.O. wasn't enough.

It's super-light and fast-drying, made of thin but fairly durable nylon. The brim is solid, and there's a drawcord in back for snugging up the fit. The cape has a button to secure it in front of the neck. It would be nicer if it were a snap, but that's easily changed.

The nicest touch is that the cape wads up inside without any trouble, making a seamless conversion to a normal (i.e. non-dork-looking) baseball-style cap.

$28.00 at REI

June 29, 2006 in Denali Approved, Ex Officio, Head | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)