My Honest Review of Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way MAX Bar Soap

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When I first came across the Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way MAX Bar Soap, I was intrigued by its reputation among hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Marketed as an odorless cleansing bar that helps eliminate human scent, it’s designed for those who want to stay undetected in the wild. While I’m not a professional hunter, I do spend a fair amount of time outdoors, and I’m always curious about products that promise deep cleaning without harsh fragrances. Over the past few weeks, I used this bar exclusively to see if it really delivers on its claims. Here’s what I found—both the good and the not-so-good.

Packaging

The Scent-A-Way MAX Bar Soap comes in a compact, no-nonsense cardboard box that reflects its utilitarian purpose. It’s not designed to look luxurious—just practical. The green-colored bar inside is instantly recognizable, reinforcing the brand’s identity. At roughly 3.88 x 2.38 x 0.38 inches, it’s small enough to slip into a hunting pack or camping kit without taking up space. The box highlights performance-focused claims like “odorless” and “helps eliminate human scent,” clearly aimed at hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. It also clearly states Made in the USA, which is reassuring for buyers who prefer domestically manufactured gear. However, I did notice some listings include a California Proposition 65 warning due to the presence of DEHP, a chemical linked to reproductive harm. That feels like a concerning contrast to the brand’s “environmentally friendly” messaging.

Ingredients

The brand doesn’t publish a full ingredient list for the bar soap, but its liquid counterpart offers strong clues. The Scent-A-Way MAX Liquid Soap & Shampoo includes ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Aloe Vera, Honeyquat, and Saccharomyces Ferment (a natural enzyme from yeast). From what I’ve gathered, the bar likely shares a similar base. This mix of synthetic surfactants and natural additives creates a hybrid formulation. The good part is that aloe vera and honeyquat do help keep the skin soft, while the ferment enzymes neutralize odor molecules. On the downside, SLS and parabens (also found in the liquid version) can be harsh for people with sensitive skin. The brand promotes it as “natural,” but the formulation appears more synthetic than the marketing suggests. That said, the blend seems designed for performance and durability rather than organic purity—a practical decision for hunters who need reliability in different weather conditions.

Scent

Calling this soap “odorless” isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it’s the core of what makes it unique. The Scent-A-Way MAX Bar Soap is unscented by design, intended to neutralize odors rather than add any fragrance. For hunters, that’s crucial. Game animals have an incredibly sharp sense of smell, so even a trace of perfume could ruin the day’s effort. After using it several times, I found that it truly leaves no lingering scent on the skin. However, if you’re sensitive to chemicals, it’s worth noting that some masking agents may still be used to neutralize the base formula’s natural odor. From a purely sensory standpoint, this is not a “pleasant-smelling” soap—because it’s not supposed to be. Instead, it leaves you clean, neutral, and free from any noticeable aroma.

Lather and Application

Despite being labeled as gentle, the lather from this soap is quite rich—a characteristic that likely comes from SLS, a strong foaming agent. The foam feels smooth and spreads easily, giving the impression of a deep clean. I found it rinses off well and doesn’t leave behind any residue or slippery film. What I appreciated most is that, even with its deep cleansing power, it didn’t overly dry out my skin. The added aloe vera seems to balance the formula nicely, providing a soft finish after every wash. Some reviewers describe it as excellent for use as both a body and hand soap, which I found true. It doesn’t feel luxurious, but it feels functional, which suits its purpose.

Effectiveness

Here’s where opinions about the Scent-A-Way MAX Bar Soap become polarized. Among hunting communities, some users swear by its scent-eliminating ability, claiming it helps them get closer to game undetected. Others, however, call the entire concept of scent elimination a marketing exaggeration. Personally, I found that the soap does a great job of neutralizing everyday odors like sweat and dirt, leaving the skin feeling genuinely clean and fresh. Whether it truly “erases” human scent to the degree that wild animals can’t detect it is debatable—that’s something science hasn’t definitively proven. Still, from a practical standpoint, I can say it lives up to its promise of cleanliness and odor control for daily use or outdoor trips. One unexpected benefit is its mildness; even after daily use for over a week, it didn’t dry out or irritate my skin, which isn’t something I can say about most heavy-duty soaps.

Size and Lifespan

The bar weighs 3.5 ounces (about 99 grams), which feels compact yet sufficient for regular use. It’s not a large bar, but it’s the ideal size for slipping into a travel pouch or gear bag. I found that the soap lasts surprisingly long considering its small size—it doesn’t melt quickly or become mushy in the soap dish. After about two weeks of consistent use, I noticed very little shrinkage. The hardness of the bar and the efficient lathering both contribute to its longevity, making it a cost-effective option for anyone using it regularly during hunting season or camping trips.

Brand Reputation

Hunters Specialties has been around since the late 1970s, originally founded by sportsmen who wanted to create functional tools for hunters. Over the decades, the company built a solid reputation with products like scent-control sprays, camouflage accessories, and wildlife calls. However, it’s now part of GSM Outdoors, a large holding company that manages dozens of outdoor brands. This acquisition helped the brand expand its reach but may have also led to some inconsistency in product sourcing. The mixed country-of-origin listings for this soap (USA vs. China) might be a byproduct of that global supply chain. Still, the brand continues to have a loyal following in the hunting community because it’s known for delivering practical, affordable gear that performs well in the field.

Price and Value

At around $4.99 for a 3.5 oz bar, this soap sits comfortably in the mid-range category. Competing brands like Dead Down Wind or Wildlife Research Center’s Scent Killer sell similar bars for comparable prices. Given its longevity and effectiveness, I’d say the price is fair. You can also find it bundled in kits like the Scent-A-Way MAX Home Kit or Field Kit, which include sprays and detergents for a complete scent-control routine. If you’re committed to scent elimination, those bundles offer better value overall. However, if you’re buying the soap alone just to try it out, the standalone bar is still a solid purchase.

Availability

Availability is one area where this soap truly excels. It’s easy to find both online and in stores—available on the Hunters Specialties website, Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, and even smaller regional outdoor retailers. Its presence in big-box stores ensures that even casual users can pick it up without having to visit a specialty shop. I’ve rarely seen it out of stock, though smaller outlets may list it as backordered occasionally. There’s no travel-sized version or seasonal variant, but its steady year-round availability makes it a reliable staple for outdoor use.

Overall Rating