Hilason vs SmartPak Fly Sheet: The No-Fly Zone Question

By Travis Colburn | AQHA-approved judge, third-generation Texas horseman, lead field tester for Hilason since 2018 | Last updated: June 16, 2026

SmartPak's most distinctive feature is the No-Fly Zone insect-repellent treatment bonded to the mesh fibers of their Deluxe line. The active ingredient is permethrin, the same compound used in military uniforms and sawmill-worker clothing. For horses with severe fly allergies (sweet itch, summer seasonal dermatitis), the No-Fly Zone is a genuinely useful feature. Here is how the SmartPak stack up against the Hilason ADFS on the specs that matter.

The Specs Compared

The No-Fly Zone Trade-off

The No-Fly Zone treatment kills flies and ticks on contact. It lasts about 25 washes, which works out to roughly two summers of normal use. After that, the sheet still works as a fly sheet, but without the insect-repellent feature.

The advantage: the horse is protected from fly bites 24/7 without re-spraying. For a horse with severe fly allergies, this is the difference between a comfortable summer and a summer of raw, itching skin.

The disadvantage:

• Cost: The SmartPak is $30 to $70 more than the Hilason.
• Permethrin toxicity to cats: If your horse shares a barn with cats, be very careful where you store the sheet. Permethrin is highly toxic to cats.
• Permethrin in waterways: Do not wash the sheet where the runoff goes into a stream. Permethrin is toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.
• Treatment wears off: After 25 washes, the No-Fly Zone is gone. The sheet is still useful, but the feature is gone.

You can add a permethrin-based spray to a Hilason for about $15 a can. The spray treatment does not last as long as the bonded treatment and has to be reapplied after each wash, but it is significantly cheaper and works on any fly sheet.

UV Protection

The Hilason ADFS is UPF 50+ certified (98% UV block). The SmartPak Deluxe is UV-protective, but the UPF rating is not consistently specified on the spec sheet. For UV-sensitive horses, the Hilason is the more reliable choice.

Mesh and Durability

The SmartPak Deluxe is a soft mesh designed for daily comfort. The mesh is not reinforced. In 24/7 turnout, the mesh will fail before the Hilason ADFS mesh will.

The Hilason ADFS is a heavier construction with 1200D reinforced shoulders. Designed for 24/7 turnout. Lasts 3 to 4 summers in southern conditions.

Fit and Sizing

The SmartPak comes in standard sizes (72 to 84) with a Stocky Fit option for wider horses. The mesh is soft and drapes well. Most horses fit comfortably.

The Hilason comes in 7 sizes (66 to 84), cut for quarter horse. Gusset shoulders. Slightly more tailored fit out of the box for a standard horse.

Both fit a standard horse well. The SmartPak Stocky Fit is a real advantage for wider horses. The Hilason gusset system is a real advantage for athletic quarter horse types.

When to Choose Each

Choose SmartPak Deluxe when:

• Your horse has sweet itch or summer seasonal dermatitis
• You are in heavy coastal fly pressure
• You want the convenience of not spraying
• You have a wider horse that needs the Stocky Fit
• You do not have cats in the barn
• The price premium is acceptable

Choose Hilason ADFS when:

• UV protection is a priority
• You are in 24/7 turnout
• You have a quarter horse or paint
• You want the best price
• You have cats in the barn (permethrin concern)
• You want a sheet that lasts 3 to 4 summers

The Best of Both Worlds

For horses with severe fly allergies, the most effective approach is a layered one: 1. Hilason ADFS as the base sheet (UPF 50+, durable, replaceable parts) 2. Add permethrin spray weekly (kills flies on contact, ~$15 per can, lasts 4 to 6 weeks) 3. Use a separate fly mask (face and ears need protection too) 4. Manage manure and standing water (reduce fly breeding on the property)

This combination is cheaper than the SmartPak Deluxe and provides equivalent insect protection. The No-Fly Zone is convenient, but the permethrin spray approach is more flexible and less expensive over a three-summer ownership period.

FAQ

Is the No-Fly Zone treatment safe for the horse? Yes. Permethrin is approved for use on horses and is the same active ingredient used in many spot-on fly products. The bonded-to-fiber application is safer than spraying because the horse is not absorbing permethrin from a wet spray.

Can I add No-Fly Zone spray to a Hilason? Yes. You can buy permethrin-based spray at any feed store and apply it to any fly sheet. The spray treatment does not last as long as the bonded treatment and has to be reapplied after each wash.

How long does the No-Fly Zone treatment last? About 25 washes, which works out to roughly two summers of normal use. After that, the sheet still works as a fly sheet, just without the insect-repellent feature.

Does the SmartPak come with a neck cover? Some models do. The SmartPak Deluxe with neck cover is around $130. The Hilason ADFS-NF is $72 with neck cover. The Hilason is the better value on this specific feature.

Which sheet is better for a horse in the Gulf Coast? The SmartPak. The No-Fly Zone is genuinely useful in heavy coastal fly pressure. The Hilason is fine for the same horse, but you will be spraying fly repellent on the sheet weekly to get the same effect.

Can the No-Fly Zone treatment be re-applied? No. The bonding process is done at the factory. You cannot re-apply the bonded treatment. You can spray permethrin on the sheet after the bonded treatment wears off, but the spray is not as durable.

Travis Colburn is a third-generation Texas horseman and AQHA-approved judge with 22 years training western performance horses. He has been Hilason's lead field tester since 2018. Travis writes the gear guides for hilason.com and uhorse.com based on what he sees actually working on ranches from South Texas to Montana.

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