Go Gear / Outdoor Gear

Royal Robbins Hoody with Bug and Sun Protection

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ve likely noticed a grey hoody showing up repeatedly in pictures. If I’m not wearing it, the hoodie is likely tied around my waist. The hoody is part of Royal Robbins’ Bug Barrier Collection. As a mosquito magnet, I was all it to try it out. I’ll do anything to keep those pesky boogers away!

The Bug Barrier Collection uses Insect Shield technology. The clothing is treated with “long-lasting, effective and convenient insect protection.” After perusing the collection, I zoned in on the Round Trip Drirelease Hoody in asphalt heather. It comes in three colors but I decided that color was best for multiple wears while traveling and hiking. Insect Shield repels mosquitos, ticks and other insects that may carry disease.

When it arrived, I couldn’t believe how soft the eco-conscious fabric is. It’s buttery soft. I’ve trekked on trails in Ouray, Telluride, Vail, Aspen, Grand Lake, Durango and Utah to put it through different settings from buggy riverbeds and waterfalls to desert landscapes.

It’s light enough for breezy evenings at the beach or lake. It’s also great as a layer piece on a chilly summer morning in the Colorado mountains. The fit is what I could call comfortably fitted. The sleeves are long enough to cover your entire hand if you’re in a super buggy spot. I’m normally not a fan of kangaroo pockets, but the front pocket on this hoody is sleek. I’ve used it several times to stash phone, keys and cards. With the bug protection, even if it’s too warm for me to wear it, I usually have it tied around my waist to keep mosquitos and other insects away.

There are a couple of other big bonuses with this hoodie. It’s also has UPF of 50+ to block UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the fabric. Buying clothes with sun protection has become really important to me and if I can get clothing that provides sun and bug protection that’s super enticing to me. Two other features are key for me – wrinkle resistant and quick drying. I’ve crumpled up the hoody, thrown it in my car and stashed in my backpack. It doesn’t wrinkle. I typically get a sweaty back while carrying a backpack, which I’ve experienced while wearing hoody. The quick dry promise hold ups. It dries fast.

This piece of clothing came with some big promises – bug protection, sun protection, quick drying and wrinkle resistant. It tested better than I expected on all of those and is an incredibly soft fabric. I’m ordering a second one, I like it that much. More items in Royal Robbins Bug Collection are on my wish list too. They have a men’s collection, including the hoody.

Author Jennifer Broome gear tests a lot of products for travel, road trips and outdoor adventures. She became a fan of Royal Robbins last year when testing an outfit while hiking in Yosemite National Park.