Discussion: chafing solutions

I've noticed that some AP users dislike any anatomical discussion. If this is you, please jump across to another thread. I recommend the greenhouse gas one

In the past I've never had chafing issues as a runner, however recently it seems that I'm suddenly making up for lost time, and can't go for any length of run without the upper thighs getting at least a little bit raw. This is proving to be a bit of an impediment when I'm trying to get back into habitual training after a series of consecutive injury and health issues over the last year. So asking those who have always suffered at least a little bit, do you have any tricks up your (so to speak) sleeves you'd like to share for avoiding/managing this? Does the Vaseline theory work? And if so can it continue to be used once the abrasions start?

I'm guessing to have suddenly developed, it's a symptom of changing body shape. While that points to possible long term solutions, I'm more worried about the two weekends of multiple sprint races I have coming up - would rather not be doing the good old cowboy walk right from the beginning!

I usually use some sort of cream to stop blisters on my feet, can usually find something decent in a bike shop. In NZ you should be able to get butt butter which I've found really good
https://www.sweetcheeksnz.co.nz/products/butt-butt...

I used to suffer quite a bit from thigh chafe. I've tried vaseline, various bike lubes etc. But since switching to Ex Officio underwear quite a few years ago, haven't really had any issues since. My tights still wear out in the crotch before anything else (so rubbing still happens), but at least I no longer have chafing issues.

https://www.rei.com/product/891941/exofficio-give-...

Sort of related but since I've gotten back on the bike this year I've found I'm getting butt rub too, which I used to only get if I racked up 100s of km per week over multiple weeks (nowhere near that at the moment). Makes it hard to go riding although hasn't affected my running at the moment.

I've found Bodyglide helpful for underarm chafing and you should be able to get it in NZ: https://www.kiwimultisport.co.nz/store/tag/body-gl...

I use bodyglide for chafing of all sorts of areas, but for between the thighs, nothing is as effective for me as a pair of spandex shorts that are long enough that the skin doesn't rub skin.

+1 Alex

Yep, I now almost always wear short tights instead of running shorts for runs, and if I do wear loose shorts I make prodigious use of BodyGlide.

+1 Alex!

I wear 2-in-1 shorts with 7” inner tights, like these BOAs, as I don’t prefer the ‘tights only’ look for myself. I haven’t chafed since then, even in some pretty long, hot/humid races—although my chafing may tend to be a bit anatomically north of yours.

https://www.runningwarehouse.com/BOA_Mens_1_Stretc...

But lots of tights options, too: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catpage-MRPANT.ht...

And if the run is > ~2 hours, a slather of Vaseline can be soothing. And ohhh the magic of talc baby powder in my socks!

WD-40 is my personal favorite...

You live in a city known for its adventure racers and multisporters. But maybe they would provide too many options.

Thanks all! And to think, I was dreading the responses this might generate...

No-one has mentioned mental solutions. I recommend 5 minutes a day thinking about the medals.

If in the US and particularly New England try Bag Balm. Comes in small cube cans, or gallon cans if you’re a farmer treating cows’ udders.

I have *always* had thigh-chafing, it drove me nuts until I found the right combination of gear. 2XU make some very good (and sturdy) short tights, albeit rather expensive unless you find them on special.

For anything longer than a standard run, Bodyglide is the Good Stuff for everything from butt-chafe to foot blisters.

Chafing is hell. Absolute hell.

Bodyglide. Long tights ++++1

And if you already have some really bad chafing - arnica cream feels nice seems to make it heal faster. Wear soft fabrics and try to avoid too much friction while the skin repairs.

I rank my o-tops by distance-to-bloody-nipples. [The dreaded response?]

For foot blisters, I like to put duct tape on that spot so then the shoes rub the tape, not the skin. Only do this before the blisters have formed and definitely not if the blister has burst! This works well for heels and arches, at least.

Edited to say heels instead of toes.

I’ve done the same on my heels using Leukotape P. It could also work on thighs, I guess. I use the stretchy Leukotape K to prevent backpack chafe and bottom-of-bra chafe in ultra runs.

I used to suffer from similar upper thigh problems but now use tight lycra running shorts all the time and have no issues. These shorts are often now sold as compression running shorts. These vary in price enormously, but cheap ones in similar style will probably work as well.
Example of (expensive) ones are 2XU COMPRESSION RUNNING SHORTS

That's because it costs 2 X what U'd hope to pay for something of that standard.

I always run in thights, I have a thick pair for fall/winter night-O and regular/thinner for the rest of the year and have never had any chafing problems on my legs.

I do get foot blisters and/or bloody nipples if I run multi-day races in hot weather and marginal washing options for my socks & O-top.

Well, there's always 'The Bro':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS8nXc3X-6k

But I find Mr. Nipple works great:
https://www.amazon.com/Nipple-Protect-System-piece...

Snazzy packaging too...

Plain old Nexcare tape for the nips works great. Alcohol wipes to pre-clean before applying day 2 tape.

I'm also finding a rubbing on the inside of my biceps with my Swedish O top - lovely to look at - horrible to wear. Probably because I don't put my elbows out to hustle people away - they are long gone.