Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. If you’ve ever finished a ride and felt a bit sore afterwards, chances are that some good chamois cream could help alleviate that problem. How Chamois Cream Works This is a common belief among beginners, but in reality, chamois cream benefits all levels of cyclists. Anyone riding for extended periods can experience friction or discomfort, and this is where chamois cream comes into play. There is also a women's specific version, which aims to cater for "women’s more neutral skin pH" - however, neither of our two female testers have had issues with the unisex formulas, so whilst nice-to-have this isn't a product we feel is a 'must have' for women, based on our experience. Buyer's guide to chamois cream What is a Chamois? The liner in cycling shorts is these days made from a sandwich of very clever foams and synthetic fabrics, designed to sit against your skin and keep you comfortable. The outer layer in particular is designed not to chafe your skin and to move with you as you pedal.

The aim of chamois cream is to reduce the friction or chaffing between your cycling shorts and your skin. Step 6: Pull on your shorts and ensure they’re fitted properly, with no areas creased or bunched up. Tips for effective application

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This method of application can still be a great one to try. However, many people opt for applying directly to the problem areas once they have their kit on. With huge experience, they're really well placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.

Reduces Friction. You probably don’t feel it in the beginning, but there is a lot of friction between your skin and the chamois as you ride for hours. Imagine if you average 90rpm and ride for an hour, that’s 5400 pedal strokes already! The chamois cream provides a layer of skin lubricant to prevent chafing and saddle sores.Remember, choosing a chamois cream is a personal choice highly dependent on individual preferences and skin type. Proper application of the chosen product ensures a comfortable ride. Importance of Cleanliness and Hygiene Diapers. Chafing can affect babies, too. Diapers that are too small, wet, or tight can cause skin chafing. Chamois cream is a specialised cream that reduces friction and prevents skin irritation caused by cycling. It’s applied directly on the chamois (the cushioned insert in your cycling shorts), and sometimes directly onto the skin. Hygiene: Chamois cream often includes antibacterial or antifungal ingredients that can help prevent infections. It’s a crucial element, especially for long-distance cyclists who spend hours on their bikes. DZ Nuts Pro Chamois Cream: This cream includes anti-bacterial properties and is popular among professionals. It also contains evaporative cooling ingredients.

Chamois cream will usually also have anti-bacterial properties which may help prevent saddle sores developing or getting severe. Should you always use chamois cream? Not necessarily, but if you're unsure it's best to err on the side of caution. Women's specific chamois creams are designed with a different pH to male (or 'genderless') ones, as upsetting your pH balance can lead to an increased risk of vaginal infections. Should I always use chamois cream? Chamois creams also contain anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ingredients to help reduce the likelihood of skin infections. Basic hygiene helps too — get out of your shorts and get showered as soon as possible after a ride; always wash shorts between wears — but an extra line of protection against the dreaded saddle sores can’t hurt. Mailler EA, et al. (2004). The wear and tear of 26.2: Dermatological injuries reported on marathon day. DOI:Probably one of the better-smelling chamois creams out there, although generally, you can’t smell any of the creams whilst riding. Slightly pricier than some of the other options but is probably closest to the Rapha chamois cream I mentioned before. Morgan Blue Soft Chamois Cream We like the dry spray feel that blended seamlessly into our skin during testing. Even in hot, humid weather, it provides solid protection for multiple hours of wear. Completely waterproof and sweatproof, it also holds up in the pool or ocean. Whether we went on walks, did yard work, or went for a swim, we found it lasted longer than other chafing creams we tried. We also love that it’s fragrance-free for sensitive skin and doesn’t leave any kind of residue behind. It’s safe to say that there are often misconceptions as well as confusion over where chamois cream should be applied. With the old school leather chamois, the cream was best applied directly to the chamois. Built with BetterFlex Technology™, a special blend of polymers that give this foundation flexibility so it moves when you move and smiles when you smile. Non-creasing, non-caking, non-settling. Just all-day second-skin comfort. DZ Nuts Pro: Endorsed by professional cyclists like Dave Zabriskie, it’s both an anti-chafe cream and a chamois conditioner. It has a slightly tingly feeling due to the presence of tea tree oil.