Bug Protection?

Hey Fellow North East climbers, looking for some beta on bug protection.

How do you protect your calves/ankles while climbing? I usually wear some bug spray and it helps minimally, and sun hoodie which helps somewhat for the upper body, but my ankles around my shoes get completely wrecked by mosquitoes and black flies (I know this time of year is particularly bad for black flies).

I think that .... no bug sprays work well enough.. the only way to stay "unbitten", is to cover all exposed skin (including hands), then wear a "bug mesh" over your head. Keeps you safe from tick bites as well.

If you’re against socks in your shoes, you can always cut out the toe and heel of a pair and wear them over your climbing shoes like leg warmers. I do this in the winter to protect against cold. Should be fine with a thin pair and some bug spray. 

Climb Onwrote:

If you’re against socks in your shoes, you can always cut out the toe and heel of a pair and wear them over your climbing shoes like leg warmers. I do this in the winter to protect against cold. Should be fine with a thin pair and some bug spray. 

This is it. This is the answer that was right in front of me. I'll just cut the feet off some old socks and have them as ankle covers.

Too itchy to think straight and come up with a solution haha. Thanks!

Joey Touchstonewrote:

This is it. This is the answer that was right in front of me. I'll just cut the feet off some old socks and have them as ankle covers.

Too itchy to think straight and come up with a solution haha. Thanks!

Happy to help!

You may want to leave a piece of the arch in place to prevent them from riding up. I’ve never had an issue with it interfering with my footwork. Of course if you’re crack climbing, it’s probably a bad idea. 

Climb Onwrote:

Happy to help!

You may want to leave a piece of the arch in place to prevent them from riding up. I’ve never had an issue with it interfering with my footwork. Of course if you’re crack climbing, it’s probably a bad idea. 

Good idea. Just bought some cheap mid calves at walmart, I'll try leaving the arch in and see how that goes. Thanks again. You've saved my skin and anyone I spend time with from having to look at my nearly leprous ankles.

Ranger Ready picardin unscented bug spray is hands down the best for the NE. Black flies, ticks, and mosquitoes all seem to hate the stuff. Been using it since it came out for trailwork, hiking, climbing, etc. Just don’t get it on your soft goods!