Patented permethrin treatment — long-lasting, odourless protection against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies.

Insect Shield remains effective for 25+ washes. Stored correctly, lasts several years.

COOLMAX + Tencel wick moisture — cool on warm nights, slight warmth in cold.

HeiQ Fresh bio-based polymers refresh with every wash — no chemical smell.

Knitted fabric fits any sleeping bag shape, with exceptional freedom of movement.

Ideal for malaria zones, tropical climates, summer trips with high mosquito pressure.

Insect Shield® is a patented process that binds permethrin (a synthetic insect repellent derived from chrysanthemum flowers) to fabric fibers at the molecular level. Protected against: - Mosquitoes (including Aedes — dengue/zika carriers, Culex — West Nile, Anopheles — malaria) - Ticks (including Lyme disease carriers) - Fleas - Flies - Other biting insects Properties: - Odorless — permethrin is invisible and odorless when dry (unlike DEET which has a strong smell) - Long-lasting — stays effective through 25+ washes (per STS FAQ) - Bound to fibers — doesn't rub off on skin like spray-on repellents - Several years shelf life when stored correctly (no expiration under normal use) Safety: - Permethrin is synthetic pyrethroid — modeled after natural pyrethrins (chrysanthemum) - Approved by EPA for use on clothing/gear - Safe for adults, children, and pregnant women (skin-contact approved when used on fabric) - Distinct from DEET — DEET is applied to skin, permethrin is applied to fabric

Insect Shield (permethrin on fabric): - Bound to fibers of the liner - Odorless when dry - Long-lasting (25+ washes vs needs reapplication) - No skin contact — repellent stays on fabric - No application — factory applied DEET (spray on skin): - Applied to skin directly - Strong chemical smell - Needs reapplication every few hours - Possible skin irritation - Possible damage to synthetic fabrics (degrades nylon, spandex) Why choose Insect Shield? - Set-and-forget (no reapplication needed) - No skin reactions - Odorless - Works through clothing you wear - Especially useful for malaria zones, leech territory, tick-heavy areas (Lyme disease), tropical climatesNote: Insect Shield is NOT a substitute for antimalarial medication in malaria zones — it's an additional layer of protection.

Choose Insect Shield version for: - Tropical climates (Asia, Africa, Central America, Amazon basin) - Summer camping in buggy areas (e.g., Adirondacks in June, Pacific Northwest in summer) - Malaria or Zika zones (in addition to prophylaxis) - Tick-heavy areas (Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever zones) - Areas with biting flies, midges, no-see-ums - Leech territory (permethrin also repels leeches) - Travel to Amazon basin Choose standard Breeze for: - Cool dry climates without heavy insect pressure - B&B/hostel travel (no insects inside) - Indoor sleeping - Use as a pure moisture-management liner Cost difference: Insect Shield version is ~$5-10 more than the standard Breeze — small premium for bug protection.

COOLMAX® EcoMade = recycled COOLMAX. Properties: - Wicks moisture away from skin - Quick-drying - Lightweight, breathable - EcoMade = recycled polyester (post-consumer bottles) - Maintains thermal comfort in warm conditions

Tencel™ Lyocell = biobased fiber from sustainably sourced wood pulp. Properties: - Biobased (plant-derived, renewable) - Soft, smooth feel (silk-like) - Moisture-absorbing (vs wicking) - Naturally breathable - Antimicrobial - Closed-loop manufacturing (99% solvents recycled) 70% Polyester (COOLMAX), 30% Tencel Lyocell — same fabric as standard Breeze.

HeiQ Fresh = bio-based odor control technology: - Bio-based amino sugar polymers absorb and neutralize odors - Wash-refreshed — every wash releases trapped odors, refreshes the polymer - OEKO-TEX certified (safe for skin contact) - Different from silver/zinc-based treatments (which wash out)

The Breeze uses a stretchy knitted fabric (vs woven): - Fits any sleeping bag shape - Exceptionally stretchy - Knitted structure traps more air than woven = adds slight warmth Per STS FAQ: "Any additional layer traps insulating air, and the knitted structure of the Breeze liner traps more air than woven liners, adding a small amount of warmth." Side benefit: Stretchy fabric prevents cracking or flaking of the Insect Shield treatment — permethrin is bound to fibers but doesn't compromise fabric stretch.

1. Machine washable? "Yes. The Breeze liner can be machine washed with standard detergent. Avoid fabric softeners, as they reduce wicking performance. Machine dry on a cool or low setting without dryer sheets, or air dry." (Note: Insect Shield is not degraded by washing — survives 25+ washes per FAQ) 2. Keeps you cool? "Breeze liners use COOLMAX fibers that wick moisture away effectively. While they do not actively lower temperature, they help prevent a sweaty or clammy feeling in humid conditions." 3. HEIQ-Fresh mechanism: "Treated with bio-based amino sugar polymers that absorb and neutralize odors. When washed, odor-causing compounds are released and the polymer is refreshed for future use." 4. Adds warmth? "Yes. Any additional layer traps insulating air, and the knitted structure of the Breeze liner traps more air than woven liners, adding a small amount of warmth." 5. Insect Shield durability? "Insect Shield remains effective for at least 25 wash cycles. When stored correctly, it can remain effective for several years."

Important safety notes about permethrin-treated gear: - Cats are highly sensitive to permethrin — keep treated gear away from cats (especially wet-treated gear, which can be toxic). When dry and bound to fabric, permethrin is generally considered safe around cats but consult your vet if concerned. - Do not apply additional permethrin spray on top of the factory treatment - Bee-friendly — permethrin is highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates but only mildly toxic to bees; not a major bee concern - Aquatic concern — do not rinse permethrin-treated gear in lakes/rivers/streams — rinse at home only or far from waterways - Skin reactions rare — permethrin is approved for skin-contact fabric - Pregnancy — generally considered safe; consult OB/GYN for travel to malaria zones Per STS FAQ: "When stored correctly, it can remain effective for several years." Store dry, in a clean bag, away from direct sunlight.

Insect Shield does NOT protect against: - Stinging insects (wasps, hornets, bees) — permethrin targets biting insects (mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, flies), not stinging - Stink bugs, bed bugs — permethrin is not effective on these - Skin-against-fabric contact areas (e.g., arms out of sleeping bag) — only protects where fabric contacts skin Combined protection recommended: - Use Insect Shield liner + DEET or picaridin on exposed skin - Use permethrin spray on outer clothing (jacket, pants, socks) - Use mosquito nets in heavy mosquito zones (especially at night) - Take antimalarial prophylaxis when traveling to malaria zones (consult travel medicine specialist) Insect Shield is one tool in a layered defense, not a complete solution.