Craghoppers NosiLife Adventure II women’s hiking shirt review: a stylish biter-beater

A flattering utility shirt with an added superpower – the Craghoppers NosiLife Adventure II is treated with permanent insect repellent to keep biters at bay

Craghoppers NosiLife Adventure II shirt
(Image: © Craghoppers)

Advnture Verdict

Fend off pesky mosquitoes in the Craghoppers NosiLife Adventure II, which offers permanent insect repellent protection as well as keeping you safe and comfortable in the sun.

Pros

  • +

    Repels insects

  • +

    Looks great

  • +

    Tough, hardy material

Cons

  • -

    You may need to size up

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Craghoppers NosiLife Adventure II: first impressions 

The Craghoppers NosiLife Adventure II has a trick up its sleeve. Actually, not just its sleeve. If you happen to be heading to a climate or region where mosquitoes and other biting nasties may lurk, a hiking shirt impregnated with insect repellent can be a very clever shout (and this wasn’t the only biter-battling shirt on review in our best women’s hiking tops buying guide).

The Adventure II also comes in no less than 10 smart neutral colorways, and we think they all look surprisingly urban and ready to go from trail to town (the pecan and the moss stand out as they don’t show dirt or sweat), although you may need to try a size up to get an unrestrictive fit. A short-sleeved version is also available.

Specifications

• RRP: $81 (US) / £60 (UK)
• Materials: Main 100% polyamide Trim 100% polyester
• Weight: 185g / 6.5oz
• Sizes available: 8 / 10 / 12 / 14 / 16 / 18
• Colors: Desert Sand / Brushed Lilac / Toasted Pecan / Mineral Blue / Seashell Pink / Amalfi Rose / Soft Moss / Soft Pistachio / Sea Salt / Mushroom
• Compatibility: Wear for trails where biting insects may be an issue

Craghoppers NosiLife Adventure II: on the trails 

Craghoppers quite rightly call their NosiLife Adventure II a ‘travel standard’. This smart shirt looks good, feels great to wear and boasts a hidden super power – it’s made with Craghoppers’ own-brand NosiLife material, which has an insect-repellent treatment woven into fabric to provide permanent protection from mosquitoes and other biting insects. 

The effect is meant to be permanent – and on test we definitely noticed that Spanish mosquitoes kept well away from our top half (time to buy some matching trousers!). 

The fabric may offer insect and sun protection (though we’d still advise checking out How to choose sunscreen: advice for runners and hikers) but it’s also impressively breathable in hot and humid weather. The NosiLife fabric also feels pleasingly durable and difficult to rip or damage – ideal for more adventurous hikes. 

There are plentiful pockets, including a hidden zipped pocket for stashing valuables such as keys, as well as utility loops handy for hanging sunglasses or a multitool. 

Sian Lewis

An award-winning travel and outdoors journalist, presenter and blogger, Sian regularly writes for The Independent, Evening Standard, BBC Countryfile, Coast, Outdoor Enthusiast and Sunday Times Travel. Life as a hiking, camping, wild-swimming adventure-writer has taken her around the world, exploring Bolivian jungles, kayaking in Greenland, diving with turtles in Australia, climbing mountains in Africa and, in Thailand, learning the hard way that peeing on a jellyfish sting doesn’t help. Her blog, thegirloutdoors.co.uk, champions accessible adventures.