28-04-2025
Elite Athletes Share Their Tried-and-True Tips for Preventing (and Treating) Chafing
Sometimes, wearing the proper attire to prevent chafing is not an option — whether that's because a required uniform doesn't offer coverage or because it's too hot out to wear layers. So many athletes like to use anti-chafing creams and balms to provide another layer of protection. Violet Wolff
Dubin swears by Megababe Thigh Rescue, an anti-chafing balm that acts like a friction shield for your skin. It comes in a convenient stick form (similar to deodorant), so you can swipe it on without any mess. The balm goes on clear, and it doesn't stain uniforms or feel sticky or greasy.
This anti-chafing balm comes in stick form (similar to deodorant). It goes on clear and feels light on the skin, but you might have to reapply it frequently, depending on the intensity and duration of your activity.
Some find that the soothing relief from Megababe Thigh Rescue — though effective — doesn't last long. Marathoner Martinus Evans, founder of the Slow AF Run Club, said he liked the Megababe anti-chafing stick but had to reapply it often during runs. He's had more long-lasting luck with Body Glide Original Anti Chafe Balm, another anti-chafing stick recommended to him by his running community.
Beloved by runners, this balm doesn't feel greasy or sticky on the skin, and it lasts longer than other anti-chafing sticks on the market. Like the Megababe balm, it comes in stick form, for mess-free application.
Evans said he slathers himself in Body Glide before heading out for a run. He rubs it over his feet (the tops, sides, and heels), his thighs, the backs of his arms, around his waistband, and even between his butt cheeks (he said he uses two separate sticks). 'The first thing I tell people who want to start running is to get two sticks of Body Glide, and label one 'body' and the other 'booty,'' he said in a phone interview. 'That way you're not putting the thing that you put on your booty on your body, and vice versa.' Desiree Rios for The New York Times
Then, for extra fortification, Evans combines the Body Glide balm with Squirrel's Nut Butter, a thick salve made with beeswax that provides excellent anti-chafing coverage. He slathers the salve between his toes, around his shirt collar, and even on his nipples. 'I haven't experienced the wonders of a bloody nipple myself, but I've seen them, and ouch,' he said with a laugh.
Evans said he especially likes that Squirrel's Nut Butter comes in a compact tin, which fits nicely in his fanny pack. So he can carry the tin with him, in case he needs to reapply at any point during a run. Though the waxy balm can be harder to spread in cold weather, it provides a slick barrier that holds up even in the rain.
This thick salve — made from beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and vitamin E oil — comes in a portable tin, so you can tuck in a pack when you're running or biking. Its anti-chafing properties are long-lasting, but this salve can be hard to spread in cold weather.
Rain-soaked clothing can exacerbate chafing, particularly when combined with the friction from carrying a pack. For athletes seeking reliable chafing protection in wet conditions, ultramarathoner Valerio recommends Trislide Anti-Chafe Continuous Spray. Designed with triathletes in mind, this silicone-based spray provides a lasting, waterproof barrier that withstands the rigors of swimming, cycling, and running.
'If I'm running a race on a rainy day, I tend to chafe all over my entire back,' she said, adding that she packs a bottle of Trislide in her pack on race day, just in case she needs to reapply. Valerio said she appreciates that she's able to easily spray it on her back, so she doesn't have to awkwardly twist around to rub balm into her chafed skin.
Intended for athletes, this anti-chafing spray creates a long-lasting, waterproof barrier, so it's perfect for rainy days or particularly sweaty sessions. Because it's a spray, it's easier to apply to hard-to-reach areas (like on your back), but it can feel slippery on your skin.
Valerio notes that though Trislide's anti-chafing spray is long-lasting and effective, it is noticeable on your skin even though it goes clear. 'It's not like MegaBabe, where you apply it and it's like it's not there. You can feel [Trislide] on your skin. It's a little slippery, but it works. It does the job.'
