We bought leech socks before we went. Paid the about the same as we would have paid at the BRL. So the BRL is not price-gouging on leech socks.

The leech socks at BRL are not $$. Maybe US5$. They are shaped like the outline of a Christmas stocking, no elastic to conform to the shape of your foot. DH and DD wore their leech socks with their kampungs and did not find them uncomfortable and no one got blisters. Our guide wore barefeet, but did pluck out a juicy leech on one occasion.

I wore knee high nylons that had a small amount of lycra so was quite comfortable in my kampungs. I had to be careful with the DEET as it ruins the lycra component in anything.

These rubber shoes provide good traction and are easily rinsed out, which is their best feature, as you can imagine it does get muddy. The downfall of the rubber shoes is that you have to be a bit careful with the shoelaces or just wear them loose and untied , which is fine too, as the rubber is not that strong and tears if you pull too hard.

The Kampungs are available in all sizes. We saw them ALL OVER, really, in KK. Several shops near our hotel ( Hyatt). Go in any cheap looking open air store, little shops. They are not fashionable and are against the walls, though saw some displayed just outside small kiosks. I only saw black, but the guides wear white. We did not bargain on the Kampungs - think they were $US 2. Get them!

We left our leech socks and kampungs at the lodge for them to reuse. The tevas would work for Plan B.

Excellent info. Thanks.

Wow -- thank you guys for SUCH great answers! I feel so relieved!!! I did buy some extra long leech socks for my husband and I from an outdoor store in the UK that ships to the US. They secure both at the knee and the mid-thigh, which will cover gaps in my husband's pants where they zip off to become shorts. They were pricey, though, I must admit. I'm planning to buy the kids the BRL leech socks, which I'm guessing will hit their mid-thighs, too.

. . . And what a great thing to know about the Deet and lycra -- I had no idea! For myself, I am packing my workout/yoga clothing that I already own (and is almost all quick-drying), and I think a lot of it does have at least some lycra in it! I'll have to be careful!

I did run across something today as I was buying a few travel-related items on amazon (power adapters, those little laundry sheets, etc.) -- take a look:
http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-0563-...9446777&sr=8-1

I am not packing long-sleeved shirts for all of us to wear because a) they'll be hot, and b) I don't already own any that would be quick drying, and I refuse to go out and spend a ton of money on clothing we won't wear again). But, I saw this "bug jacket" (it comes in adult sizes, too), and wondered if it would provide any kind of barrier against the leeches that fall down on you from the leaves? If so, we could just throw this on over whatever we're wearing, and we'd still stay cool (well, relatively). . . It's cheap, too. Would it work?? What do you think?

Oh No! A sauna, for sure. It is incredibly hot in Borneo - at least it was when we were there in Nov. We wore short sleeves or sleeveless. I think the leeches were mainly on the ground anyway. The quick dry clothing dries quickly and smells quickly. I was truly more comfortable in cotton. The leeches were not worth worrying about. IMO, 100% prevention of a leech episode is rare.

BTW, I thought I might be able to rinse out the clothing in the sink or shower, but tried a few items and they took on a mineral smell and an orange hue. Better to get things laundered on your way out of KK. Kathie and Glover found laundry service near their hotels.

Please be careful with the DEET! It really makes the lycra swell and it will never return to the original shape.

Agree with Rivet, 100% prevention of leeches is probably not possible. We flicked a few off sleeves before they latched on and started "drinking." But we each had one latch on in places not predicted, that is - husband took off his shirt and had one very busy under his arm pit. And I discovered one at work at my hairline just in back. It was just a big ew, nothing more. Now it's true we did suspect that maybe we got them when we were "off trail" for some time (with our guide) checking out an orangutan... but really who knows? We had on our leech socks, hiking shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirts, etc. We all worry too much.

OK! I'll pass on the "bug jacket"! ;-)

While you want to do what you can to prevent leeches from latching onto you, don't spend too much time ruminating about it. In preparation for our trip, I spent some time reading about the medical uses of leeches, which I think was helpful in feeling more matter-of-fact about the leeches.

Insect repellent clothing and deet do not repel leeches. But really, I wouldn't worry about them too much. Chances are, unless you are going between oct. and march in the monsoon season, it won't be so wet and you may not have a big problem with them. We only had a problem on the really rainy days. They avoid dry days as lack of moisture kills them. If it is not raining hard, the trails are fairly easy to walk on.