Outside of the various rodents, they're the most pesty beasts up there. They're only intolerable on those still, sweltering dog days and you're partially dressed, or swimming. When you smack them on your socks, they're going for your head. They don't seem to be bothered by DEET.
I wear puffy clothes, hat, thinner wool socks and bandannas. The style of the 17th-early 19th century. The puff in the garment allows unsticky freedom of movement, it's cool and the bugs can't poke deep enough to get you. There' always the puffy mosquito head net. I've worn them at night to keep from being eaten and sucked dry. It's like sleeping next to a running chain saw though; there's so many the buzz is deafening.