MAUL Sport hiking clothing with insect protection

Summer, sunshine, the urge to get outside. Then reality kicks in: mosquitoes at the edge of the forest, ticks in the long grass, a sweat-soaked shirt after the first climb and trousers that pinch with every step. The right functional clothing will not solve every problem on a tour, but it gets rid of the avoidable ones.

That is exactly where MAUL Sport from Munich comes in. The brand builds comfort, freedom of movement and targeted protection such as Insect Shield and UV 50+ straight into its clothing. No extra sprays or creams: the protection sits in the fabric itself.

The current collection covers three areas: hiking trousers with stretch, zip-off legs and security pockets, shirts and blouses with built-in insect and UV protection, and T-shirts that control odour and dry quickly. Here is what sets each model apart and who it suits.

With Insect Shield, the active ingredient permethrin is bonded permanently to the fabric fibres using a patented process. It protects against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, mites, ants and flies, and according to the manufacturer it lasts for the entire life of the garment, not just a few hours like a spray.

The difference from repellents is that Insect Shield never goes on your skin. It is part of the fabric. According to the manufacturer, that makes it odourless and gentle on the skin, which appeals to families who would rather avoid putting insect repellent directly on their skin.

Worth knowing: Insect Shield does not give 100 per cent protection. In areas with lots of insects (the tropics, wetlands), extra protection on your skin may be sensible. For hiking in Central Europe and travel in temperate regions, though, protection in the fabric is a very practical solution, especially during tick season from spring to autumn.

MAUL makes four trouser models, each with its own focus, from tough mountain trousers to trekking trousers designed for travel and insect protection.

The Eiger Alpin (men’s) is a tough pair of mountain trousers for demanding terrain. The bi-elastic polyamide gives with every movement, whether you are scrambling over boulders or on a long descent. The comfort waistband sits well even after hours, without pressure points.

The Oakville Ultra (women’s) is all about versatility. The T-Zip function turns the long trousers into Bermuda shorts without taking your boots off. Sounds like a small detail. On a tour, when the temperature suddenly climbs in the afternoon, it makes a real difference. 5 to 6 zipped pockets keep your phone, map, snack bars and keys safe.

Both pairs are built for comfort over long distances: soft waistbands, stretchy fabrics, nothing that holds you back. For insect or UV protection, however, you need the SP models.

The Quebec SP (men’s) and Montreal SP (women’s) are the protection specialists in the collection. UV 50+ protection and Insect Shield give you double protection on sunny hikes and in areas with lots of insects, without extra sprays or creams.

The cooling outer fabric with 4-way stretch keeps you comfortable in warm weather and moves with you. The 5 to 6 zipped pockets are a typical MAUL feature: travel documents, phone and valuables disappear safely into compartments you can close.

That makes the SP models the first choice for long-distance hikes, trips to warm regions and tick season in Central Europe. If you need neither UV nor insect protection, the Eiger Alpin or Oakville Ultra will cost you less.

The same idea continues on your upper body. The Andaluz SP (shirt) and Hochhalm SP (blouse) combine UV 50+ protection and Insect Shield in a single garment, so you carry one item less: sun and insect protection are already in the fabric.

The MDS fabric with 4-way stretch feels comfortable and does not restrict you, even after hours. You can roll up the sleeves, air flows through, and they still look smart enough to go straight to a restaurant after your hike.

For a day hike on an overcast day with few insects, a simple functional shirt is enough. Andaluz SP and Hochhalm SP come into their own when sun and insects strike at the same time, which is typical of summer hikes, long-haul trips and tours through woods and meadows.

The T-shirts have different priorities from the trousers and shirts: all-day comfort, quick drying and odour control. Polygiene technology reduces odour in the fabric, which you notice most on multi-day tours, when travelling light and during hard efforts.

For men: Grinberg, Waldwind and Mike Fresh. For women: Ridnaun, Bony and Eifelsteig. All of them dry quickly after sweat or rain, are lightweight and work as a base layer or on their own on warm days.

The T-shirts have no built-in insect or UV protection. That is the deliberate difference from the SP models. If you need both, pair a T-shirt with the Andaluz SP shirt or go straight for the Insect Shield combination.

MAUL Sport is an outdoor brand from Munich that specialises in functional, comfortable clothing for hiking, trekking and active everyday life. In 2024 the brand won a German Brand Award and was named best outdoor brand by SAZ Sport, recognition for its value for money and its consistent focus on function.

The core idea: clothing that works outdoors without you having to think about it. Comfort waistbands instead of belts that dig in, stretch instead of stiff fabrics, Insect Shield instead of an extra spray. Simple enough, and on tour it makes a real difference.

MAUL deliberately does not present itself as a hardcore alpine brand. It kits out nature lovers, families and keen outdoor people who want comfort and function at the same time.