I Had Malaria, and These Are the Bug Repellents I No Longer Travel Without
Bug spray can easily be forgotten when you’re camping, hiking, or even lounging in the backyard, but it’s really one of those items you should be sure to stick in your bag before every outdoor adventure.
While serving in the Peace Corps in Indonesia, I took anti-malarial medication every night for two years. When I left Indonesia, I continued to travel around the pacific and take medications. I thought since I was taking anti-malarials, I didn’t need to also apply bug spray. That was until I returned home to Chicago and started feeling tired, achy, and feverish with headaches that required me to lie down in the dark for hours. Every other day, the symptoms would disappear and I would feel fine. It took two weeks of this on-and-off pattern before I was rushed to urgent care and was quickly informed that this pattern is malaria’s calling card.
November 1, 2024
Taylor Fox
Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years.
Chunguza Maudhui Zaidi
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari
The Sawyer Mini can filter up to 100,000 gallons—yep, you read that right—and fits in the palm of your hand.
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari
A favorite of ultralight hikers, backpackers, bikers, and travelers, the Sawyer Squeeze filter is the gold standard in water filters for anyone concerned about weight and universal compatibility.
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari
This popular repellent from Sawyer has 20% Picaridin, which protects against a wide range of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers and sand flies.
Kutoka kwa kikosi
Mazungumzo ya Campfire na jamii yetu, kutoka kwa Wanachama wa Squad na Mabalozi kwa Washirika wa Brand na timu ya Sawyer.
