The Best Anti-Chafing Creams for Every Type of Rider
Say goodbye to saddle sores for good.
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It's no secret in the cycling world that choosing a good anti-chafing cream can make or break your next ride. Chamois creams come in several different scents and styles, and while some riders may prefer a menthol-scented, thick formula, others may be on the lookout for something with soothing botanicals or a lightweight texture. Fortunately, we’ve tried them all, and rounded up a few of our favorites for different needs. Keep reading to not only find the right one for you but also what not to use.
Remember, with any chamois cream, a quarter sized amount is all you need—more than that may actually make friction worse, not better! And you can apply it directly to your skin or straight to the pad. Most cyclists find applying it to the skin is more comfortable than slipping on cream-smothered shorts, but you do you.
Chamois Butt'r Original Anti-Chafe Cream For New Riders:
One of the OG chamois creams out there, Butt'r is ideal for new riders just getting the hang of application thanks to its thick, creamy texture that doesn't drip. Plus, you can buy travel-sized packets, so it’s easy to test it out before you drop cash on a full-size version. The formula is mild, though a menthol and witch hazel-infused version is available for those who prefer the clean, tingly feel of Euro-style creams.
Made by, tested by, and created for women, this creme has a subtle pomegranate scent and a silky smooth texture that makes putting it on feel luxurious, not icky. Unlike some unisex chamois creams, there’s no menthol or tea tree oil in the formula, so you won’t end up with tingly nether regions.
Who doesn’t want a chamois cream with a hilarious name? While the name might make you laugh, this cream is serious business. A blend of synthetic ingredients plus natural botanicals including tea tree oil are combined to offer an antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-friction mixture that soothes and can even help begin to treat saddle sores while you ride. That said, skip if you have sensitive skin as tea tree oil can be irritating to some.
Mad Alchemy Pro Plus Chamois Créme For Fans of Euro-Style:
This anti-chafing cream has the classic Euro-style texture that’s a bit more liquid based than many on the market. It’s smooth, goes on feeling blissfully cool, and the scent is fresh and clean. Bonus: It’s vegan and hand-crafted in New Hampshire.
While Mad Alchemy's foray into chamois cream has been a smash success, the brand is best known for making gorgeous-smelling embrocation, a gel-like cream that heats up when it contacts skin, and is used on your legs for cyclocross or cold-weather riding—but it definitely shouldn’t go anywhere near your nether regions. So if you have both, don’t mix up your jars! You've been warned.
Assos Chamois Cream For Touring Cyclists and Gravel Grinders:
Assos’ chamois cream isn’t just for use with Assos bib shorts. This chamois cream has creamy, milky texture (think: Grandma's Noxema for anyone familiar with that old-school face cream) and even has a similar cooling sensation when applied. The reason it stands out though is due to its lasting power: One application is all you need, even for century rides, long gravel grinders, or the unavoidable friction that comes from long days of bike-touring.
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Chafing in other places? If you're a multi-sport athlete and finding that friction is happening between your thighs, under your arms, or beyond, grab some Body Glide. A longtime triathlete staple, this stick-based product slides over your skin, stays in place even in humid or wet conditions, and is wet-suit safe. It's as convenient as a deodorant, so you can even stash one in your transition bag and quickly reapply midrace.
Another Euro-style cream, the Rapha Chamois Cream is one of the most natural formulas out there. The base is made of moisturizing shea butter, while the intoxicating scent is a blend of Atlas Cedar (a tingling astringent), lavender (a natural antiseptic), and lemon (naturally antibacterial), among other notes—all inspired by the natural flora found in the Mount Ventoux region of Provence. Plus, you won't be hiding this one deep in your bathroom drawers. With the brand's signature high-design aesthetic, it looks chic on your countertop.
What Not to Use:
Before chamois creams became popular, riders used a few different products available in pharmacies, but while they may have provided temporary relief, they were definitely not optimal solutions. Skip these options:
Petroleum-based products: The petroleum base actually damages the anti-microbial properties of your chamois and doesn’t entirely wash out in warm water, which can ruin your expensive chamois shorts.
Diaper cream: It might be soothing for a baby’s bottom, but zinc-based creams are actually drying agents, not friction fighters. They’ll feel good for the first part of the ride but do more harm than good overall. (You can, however, use diaper cream to soothe rashes and friction spots post-ride, if your bottom needs some TLC.)
Generic lotion: It’s just not meant to do what you’re hoping it will do, and runs a serious risk of clogging your pores and creating a bacteria-friendly environment in your chamois.
Molly writes about cycling, nutrition and training with an emphasis on bringing more women into sport. She's the author of nine books including the Shred Girls series and is the founder of Strong Girl Publishing. She co-hosts The Consummate Athlete Podcast and spends most of her free time biking and running on trails, occasionally joined by her mini-dachshund.
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