Clothing as a mosquito repellent: Royal Robbins is naturally mosquito-proof

Small, but infinitely annoying – and in certain parts of the world, they transmit dangerous diseases. Mosquitoes can ruin a beautiful summer evening and even your entire holiday. What can help fend them off? One option that’s been available since spring 2025 is mosquito-repellent clothing from the US outdoor brand Royal Robbins – and it doesn’t use any chemicals in the fabric. Mosquito Protection Technology (MPT) is woven so tightly that mosquitoes can’t bite through it. This means that the functional shirts and outdoor trousers do not contain any chemical additives or biocides.

Chance for change

This is a bold step for a company that has spent years making strong sales from permethrin-treated clothing. CEO Erik Burbank joined the company in 2023 – his first official act was to ban the harmful insecticide from production. ‘Studies have shown that permethrin is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and pollinators and that it poses potential risks to human health. We could not and did not want to ignore this, so we immediately looked for a better solution. MPT offers at least the same level of protection against mosquitos, has no expiration date, also protects against UV radiation and is takes both people and nature into account.’

Mosquito-proof clothing with no expiry date

In cooperation with the company Vector Textiles, which is specialised in developing and testing chemical-free textiles, MPT was tested in the laboratory. Royal Robbins employees also tested out the products themselves in the great outdoors. The result: MPT prevents 92 percent of mosquito bites. When chemicals are not used in outdoor equipment, both people and the environment benefit, as they no longer come into contact with chemicals and therefore avoid any potential negative side effects. In addition, the mosquito protection remains active for the entire lifespan of the dimensionally stable garments, as it cannot be washed out. And, although the clothing is so tightly woven, MPT is lightweight and breathable, meaning it is comfortable to wear in warm and humid environments where mosquitoes are particularly common.

MPT’s clean approach fits perfectly with the brand’s philosophy of ‘adventurers and travellers leaving a small footprint’, whose founding couple Royal and Liz Robbins were adamant supporters of ‘clean climbing’. In the 1950s and 1960s, Royal Robbins attracted attention with several (first) ascents at El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite, among others. He made sure to leave as few traces as possible in nature, and used nuts rather than pitons when climbing. He and Liz Burkner met while climbing. They quickly became climbing partners, spouses and even business partners.

The idea for their joint company came to them – of course – during a climbing trip. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Royal’s first ascent of the Northwest Face of Half Dome, the first grade VI route in the USA, the couple climbed the route together in 1967. Liz was the first woman to complete the ascent of the Half Dome and a route of this difficulty. A photo taken afterwards shows the couple in cut-off jeans and faded t-shirts – and inspired them to found their brand. The focus on robust, functional and good-looking climbing gear was a novelty at the time.

Where did the journey take them?

Royal and Liz first imported clothing and equipment to the United States. However, the perfect climbing trousers just didn’t seem to exist. So, as a newcomer to the field, Liz designed some trousers herself, supported by her friend Susie Tompkins, co-founder of the brands Esprit and The North Face. The now legendary ‘Billy Goat’ trousers enabled the long sought-after freedom of movement – and, unlike other sportswear, was made from high-quality natural fibres rather than pure polyester. As outdoor people, this was just as important to Liz and Royal as function and appearance.

The couple’s personal lifestyle and beliefs shaped the orientation of their company, especially their love of nature and the outdoors. They brought ideas and inspiration from their adventures all over the world. ‘Liz and Royal were never satisfied with the status quo. They were always looking for new, better solutions. We remain committed to this legacy to this day,’ says CEO Burbank about the current direction of Royal Robbins.

In 2000, Liz and Royal sold their company. Their vision of aesthetically pleasing, durable and functional outdoor and travel clothing that minimises the impact on nature and the environment continues to shape the Royal Robbins. In addition to saving and offsetting CO2 emissions, its ambitious sustainability measures include protecting employees – particularly in production – and carefully selecting raw materials. Many of the multifunctional, timeless designs use natural fibres such as wool, cotton and hemp or bio-based materials such as sorona (corn-based) and modal (cellulose made from beech wood). The wool has been sourced from entirely from RWS-certified production since the end of 2024. The Responsible Wool Standard guarantees that the sheep are kept in an appropriate manner and that the pastures are managed responsibly and sustainably. The wood used to produce modal comes from sustainable forestry. Other strategies include the use of recycled synthetic fibres and the reduction of environmental toxins. Since 2020, no PFAS, or ‘forever’ chemicals, have been used. In 2025, 86% of polyester was recycled. The biocide-free MPT line is also made of recycled polyamide or polyester.

For Royal Robbins, the mosquito protection completely free of toxic ingredients is a milestone on a long and steady path towards maximum sustainability. True to the motto of the founder, who died in 2017, ‘When it’s been a long day of climbing and I feel like I can’t go any further, I concentrate on the next three feet, and then the next three feet. Pretty soon, I’m at the top.’