A sun hoody with insect repellent built into the yarn. This is the one to wear when the mosquitoes come off the willows at dusk and you would rather not put chemicals on your skin.
How BugStopper actually works — because nobody explains this properly
The repellent is Insect Shield, and Simms is clear about the method: a long-lasting, EPA-registered insect protection that's built directly into the fabric. Not sprayed on. Not something you wash in. It's there from the start. The active ingredient is permethrin, and it is bonded at the yarn level before the garment is ever made.
That is the important distinction. It is not a coating that rinses off. Simms's own claim is that it is designed to last the life of the garment — no reapplication, no drop off after a few washes. You will see a “70 washings” figure quoted around the internet; that number comes from Insect Shield, not from Simms, so we will attribute it that way rather than put it in our own spec table.
What it repels: mosquitoes, ticks, no-see-ums and biting midges, ants, chiggers, and biting flies.
Specifications
| Fabric | 92% polyester / 8% spandex, single jersey knit |
|---|---|
| Weight | 143 gsm — lightweight |
| Sun protection | UPF 50+ |
| Insect protection | Insect Shield, permethrin bonded at yarn level, EPA registered |
| Finish | HeiQ Fresh anti-odor |
| Hood | Knit, with a non-corrosive enamel ring snap front closure |
| Hands | Envelope thumbholes plus a center finger loop for back-of-hand coverage |
| Pockets | None |
| Sizes | S–3XL |
One correction worth making. Simms's own page metadata says UPF 30+ while the spec block says UPF 50+. The 50+ figure is correct — this hoody uses the SolarFlex knit, which is the UPF 50+ platform. The plain BugStopper Hoody, a different garment, is the UPF 30+ one. If you have seen conflicting numbers, that is why.
Sizing
| Size | Chest | Sleeve |
|---|---|---|
| S | 36–38" | 33–34" |
| M | 39–41" | 34–35" |
| L | 42–45" | 35–36" |
| XL | 46–48" | 36–37" |
| XXL | 49–51" | 37–38" |
| 3XL | 52–54" | 37–38" |
Body measurements, not garment measurements. Current pricing is on the selector above.
No bugs where you fish? The plain SolarFlex Hoody is the same UPF 50+ idea without the Insect Shield, and it has a vented hood. Also stocked — but note Simms warns that one runs small, and this one does not carry that warning.
Care: machine wash and dry. Skip fabric softener; it coats the fibers and dulls the anti-odor finish. The insect protection does not need any special handling.
Ed's Fly Shop, 432 E Main St, downtown Montrose, Colorado.
