I hate mosquitos. Like, really hate them. I don’t know if it’s my genetics or my propensity for sweating, but I can rarely walk out of the woods without a million bites covering my body. I’ll watch my husband and daughter frolic along the trail without a care in the world while I trundle behind them like a junk show, swinging my arms and slapping my legs to keep the pterodactyl-sized bugs away. The mosquitos even bite me on my face, which is about as insulting as it gets.
But you know what else I don’t love? DEET. It’s sticky, it smells and I don’t love the idea of layering chemicals on my skin. I’ve tried slathering myself with the safer alternatives and they just don’t work for me, which means I have to fall back on DEET during the hatch in the Colorado mountains. Fortunately, I discovered a new tool that does work for me: the Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller. I received it in the mail last year and promptly put it on a shelf in the garage where it gathered dust over the past 12 months. But when a friend invited me on a backpacking trip this past July — smack in the middle of the high country’s mosquito hatch — I brushed it off and threw it in my pack.
End result: this gadget is amazing. I’ve since taken it on every overnight trip this summer, always finding space in my backpack or bikepacking bags because bringing it is a non-negotiable for me. Let’s chat about the details.
At just four ounces, it’s light enough to justify the added weight and small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. It’s compatible with most gas canisters and doesn’t require any charging. Most importantly, it works.
What we liked about it
Thermacell makes a host of mosquito-repellent products, so it’s no surprise that they’ve thought of something as small as the Backpacker. And truly, gadgets are only great if they work. The Backpacker Repeller has a permanent place in my kit thanks to its size, functionality and all-around usefulness.
It fights mosquitos like a champion
We can talk about portability later, but let’s get to what matters: the Thermacell Backpacker works. Paired with a fuel canister from your backpacking stove (more on that below) and one of its repellent mats, Thermacell claims the Backpacker will give you a 15-foot zone of protection from bugs. I set out to test this claim on our July backpacking trip, and Thermacell wasn’t lying. I had inadvertently buried the Backpacker beneath my tent so I wasn’t able to assemble it immediately after arriving at camp. As a result, the mosquitos mowed on me while I pitched my tent.
But, I did get it set up afterward and it took roughly five minutes before the three of us realized the miracle: no bugs. We sat in a circle around the Backpacker, almost as if we were sitting around a campfire. To either side, we could almost see the invisible wall as mosquitoes would come careening in and then struggle at this same magical line. As soon as they hit the Backpacker’s bubble of protection, they’d flip a U-turn and go elsewhere.
The Backpacker works in a similar fashion to other Thermacell repellers. A fuel source (in this case, it’s the gas canister) heats the repellent mat, causing it to emit allethrin. Allethrin is a synthetic version of pyrethrum, a naturally occurring extract found in some types of chrysanthemums. It doesn’t kill the bugs; it just repels them. It’s invisible too, so you won’t see a stream of chemicals shooting from the Backpacker. You may see a faint, smoke-like cloud. And yes, it’s people and pet-friendly.
Also, I swear this isn’t a placebo effect. In the morning, we set up the repeller while drinking our coffee and we were able to sit comfortably for an hour. But once I packed it up into my backpack, the bugs returned in full force. I had seven bites before we even left camp.
It takes less than 30 seconds to assemble
I’m the sort who throws the instructions in the trash upon opening a box, so easy assembly is a must for me. The Backpacker comes with a small carrying bag that fits the Backpacker itself, as well as the repellent mats (you get four mats with your purchase, and each mat claims four hours worth of repellent).
Once you get to camp, all you have to do is screw the Backpacker onto your gas canister. If you need a new repellent mat, you can slide a fresh one into the slot near the top (or continue using an old one if there is repellent left). Turn the switch to ‘On’ and let the gas flow for at least five seconds. Then, you push down the piezo igniter and you’re all set.
I’ve seen some online reviews claiming the Backpacker doesn’t work, but I think it’s a misunderstanding. Thermacell’s instructions say that the Backpacker is on when you see a light at the top. As a result, I think some folks expect a more dramatic reaction, similar to when you turn on your backpacking stove and hear a loud noise or see immediate flames. When you click the ignition, you’ll probably hear….nothing. You’ll have to look closely inside the black box at the top. If you see a tiny orange light — similar to what you’d look for to check the pilot light on your water heater—then you know it’s on. Plus, once the Backpacker is pumping out repellent, it can take up to 15 minutes to establish the mosquito-free zone.
Small enough to fit in my backpack
Unlike other Thermacell products, the Backpacker is actually small enough to take with you on any trip. It fits in the palm of my hand, so it’s easy to throw in my backpack lid where it won’t get swallowed up by larger gear. And, I even brought it along on a recent bikepacking trip where space is at an ultimate premium with bikepacking bags. It fit in my frame bag without any issues (and continued to chase the bugs away at camp).
If you’re an ultralighter who cuts your toothbrush in half, it may be bigger or heavier than you want to deal with. After all, it does weigh more than a small bottle of bug spray. But for me, the bug-free evenings at camp sans sticky bug spray are more than worth the added weight penalty.
What we didn’t like about it
By now, I’m sure it’s clear: the Backpacker comes with me on all of my adventures. But there are a few use cases that should be understood.
You can’t hike with it
The Backpacker is designed to create an invisible bubble of protection for you, but that will only work if you’re not moving around. This means you can’t carry it while hiking along the trail (which would be especially weird since you’d also be carrying the gas canister in your hands). If you need bug protection while on the go, I’d consider using traditional bug sprays or even head nets. Many brands also make mosquito-repellent clothing, such as ExOfficio’s BugsAway Vianna Pants or BugsAway Lumen Hoody.
You need a gas canister
Most backpackers and bikepackers will be bringing a camp stove (like the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 or a JetBoil Flash) that requires a gas canister, so it’s a no-brainer for this crowd. However, if you’re a hiker who prefers a minimalistic culinary approach at camp, you may want to consider if the Backpacker is your best choice. If you’re not already bringing the gas canisters, that’s a lot of added space in your backpack.
On our backpacking trip, the three of us brought two gas canisters so we were able to cook while simultaneously running the Thermacell. If you only have one, you’ll have to trade the canister between Thermacell and cooking. Pro tip: watch your gas. Thermacell says that a full gas canister will run the Backpacker for 90 hours, but most of us aren’t taking full canisters on the trail. Be mindful of what you have left in the canister so you aren’t left with raw food — or a buggy camp.
How it compares
Honestly, I’m not aware of anything similar to the Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller. If you don’t want to bring any type of gadget, you can opt for mosquito repellents such as DEET or Sawyer’s Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion. If you really want a gadget that works without the gas canisters, consider the Thermacell MR450 Armored Portable Mosquito Repeller. It’s bigger and heavier than the Backpacker, but it operates on fuel cartridges instead of gas canisters.
Bottom line
It may be dramatic to say I love the Backpacker but….I love the Backpacker. Its small size and featherweight design easily fit into my lifestyle with human-powered endeavors, and it’s affordable for what you get. Most importantly, it actually keeps the dang mosquitos away from my tender flesh. That alone is enough for me to call it fantastic.