Mosquitos like me. It may be my deliciously sweet blood, or perhaps my hesitancy to reapply layer after sticky layer of smelly, Deet-infused insect repellent.
So, as someone who tends to attract every bug within a 5-mile radius of my camp, bonfire, picnic or stargazing spot, I know as well as anyone how much an itchy bug bite can ruin an otherwise memorable travel experience.
Enter Pang Wangle, a New Orleans-based, woman-owned clothing company that specializes in natural and sustainable lightweight leggings, wraps and scarves with a built-in Insect Shield bug repellent (permethrin).
Upon receiving my 6-foot-long Essential Wrap in “Faded Denim” prior to two trips with a heavy emphasis on the great outdoors (a hike in Joshua Tree National Park and an evening of stargazing in Julian, Calif., just outside of San Diego), I was excited to try out the product on the unsuspecting insects of Southern California.
The first thing I noticed? The wrap was lightweight and soft (it’s made from natural and renewable fibers of silk, organic recycled cotton and Tencel), which combine to create a perfect eco-friendly fabric blend for hot days and buggy nights. There was no residue from the permethrin, and I didn’t need to pack the wrap separately from my other clothing.
And despite Pang Wangle’s claim that its Insect Shield stays intact across 70-plus wash cycles, the cloth was completely scent-free — not to mention quite fashionable, to boot. It’s also safe to use for infants, children and pregnant women. The wrap specifically targets mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, chiggers, ants and midges (no-see-ums), and retails online for $58.
It was only after I used my wrap successfully on both trips that I learned that the phrase “pang wangle” means “to go along cheerfully, despite minor misfortunes.”
I think it’s safe to say I made sure to pang wangle my way back home, nary a bug bite in sight.
The Details
Pang Wangle
www.pangwangle.com
