If you’ve followed my adventures for a while, you’ve likely seen this gray hoodie many times. If I wasn’t wearing it, it was usually tied around my waist.
The Royal Robbins Bug Barrier Round Trip DriRelease Hoodie quickly became one of my favorite layers for hiking and travel. As a mosquito magnet, I’ll happily take all the protection I can get.
UPDATE 8/31/26: This hoodie is no longer in stock. The new updated version is Salathe Sun Hoodie L/S. It also comes in a men’s version. It provides 40UPF+ sun protection and MPT chemical-free mosquito protection.
Trail-Testing the Royal Robbins Hoodie
I tested the hoodie while hiking in Ouray, Telluride, Vail, Aspen, Grand Lake, Durango and Utah. Those adventures ranged from buggy river corridors to dry desert landscapes.
The fabric is incredibly soft and lightweight. It provides just enough warmth for breezy evenings or chilly mornings in the Colorado mountains.
The fit is comfortably fitted without feeling restrictive. Its sleeves are long enough to cover most of my hands when insects are particularly pesky.
I’m usually not a fan of kangaroo pockets. However, this sleek zippered pocket is handy for stashing my phone, keys and cards.
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Ouray Via Ferrata -
Piney River Ranch near Vail -
Grottos Trail Ice Caves near Aspen -
Durango
Insect and Sun Protection
The hoodie’s Insect Shield treatment helps repel mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. It also provides UPF 40+ protection from UVA and UVB rays.
That combination made the hoodie especially useful on long summer hikes. Even when it was too warm to wear, I often tied it around my waist.
The fabric also wicks moisture and dries quickly. That matters when I’m carrying a backpack and working up a sweat. I’ve stuffed the hoodie into backpacks and vehicles, yet it rarely wrinkles.
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Big Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park -
Cathedral Lake near Aspen -
Stewart Falls at Sundance Mountain Resort
Is the Royal Robbins Bug Barrier Hoodie Worth It?
The Round Trip DriRelease Hoodie delivered on its promises. It was soft, lightweight, quick-drying and easy to pack. The added sun and insect protection made it even more useful.
The exact style I tested is no longer available. However, Royal Robbins has the Salathe collection with clothing designed for sun and mosquito protection.
I became a fan of Royal Robbins last year when testing an outfit while hiking in Yosemite National Park. As of August 2026, I still wear my white Women’s Expedition Pro 3/4 Sleeve shirt I got in 2019 frequently, and have it in 3 other colors.
