New mosquito-repellent sandals offer summer protection without sprays
A French footwear brand has developed sandals embedded with mosquito-repellent compounds, offering an alternative to traditional spray-based protection for the summer season. The product, launched by Marseille-based company Cacatoès under the name Mosquitoès, integrates the active ingredients directly into the shoe material rather than requiring external application.
The sandals contain two repellent substances: citronella eucalyptus extract and IR3535, also known as ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate. IR3535 is a synthetic compound already used widely across multiple countries and carries World Health Organization certification. Because both substances are embedded within the sandal material itself, they remain odorless and invisible to the wearer. Laboratory tests cited by the manufacturer indicate the footwear provides up to 98.4 percent protection against mosquito bites, even in heavily infested environments.
A key selling point of the technology is its durability. Unlike spray repellents that evaporate with heat and wash away with water, the compounds embedded in the Mosquitoès sandals are described as resistant to water, heat, and repeated use. The sandals are also machine-washable, and the brand positions them as a practical daily-use solution for adults and children alike. They are sold through pharmacies and parapharmacies in France.
Despite the high protection rate cited in testing, health professionals emphasize that no single anti-mosquito measure provides complete coverage in all conditions. Standard preventive practices remain important alongside any wearable protection. These include eliminating standing water near homes, which serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, covering outdoor containers such as watering cans and plant pot saucers, and wearing long clothing during evening hours when mosquito activity peaks. In areas of significant exposure, or during travel to high-risk regions, using a dedicated topical repellent in addition to protective footwear is still recommended by medical authorities.
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