Chamois Butter and shorts!!

[OakLeaf]

I don't think infection is an issue with chamois cream in particular. Infection is just an issue that some women have with long hours in the saddle - whatever you do generally to fight yeast infections (assiduous cleanliness, getting out of wet clothes as soon as your workout's over, a diet that helps acidify the vaginal environment, etc.) is doubly true on the bike.

I think the differences between women and men, in terms of what chamois creams we might use, are (1) irritation and (2) possible greater absorption and/or greater sensitivity to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

I would hesitate to use a petroleum-based lubricant like A&D or Aquaphor on a foam chamois. That's just an instinctive thought, not something I read anywhere. (1) It would basically be impossible to wash out and (2) it might degrade the foam. Anything designed as a cycling lubricant should be safe for all chamois.

I use Beljum Budder. I'm not entirely thrilled with it - it does tend to migrate inside, and it can be irritating there (I don't get any irritation from it on external parts, as long as it stays there). It's the best I've found so far. But, after hearing so many people's glowing reports of Body Glide and finally reading an ingredient list, I'm going to try that as soon as I get to a store that stocks it.

[ZenSojourner]

I wear whatever shorts are on sale (read: cheap) and the only time I tried to use chamois cream it was a greasy mess.

I don't slide around in my shorts - unless I use chamois cream.

A nice length ride for me (when I'm sorta in shape) is 30 to 50 miles.

I'll do 75-ish (for the MS-150) but it's sorta painful. Possibly because I haven't been in what I would consider to be REALLY good shape since I got back on the bike a couple of years ago.

Just sayin'. I ride longish rides several times a week (or did pre-shoulder hurt) in cheap shorts with no problems.

Is there a problem you're having that you're thinking of trying the chamois cream?

[ASammy1]

Anything over 50 miles and I have to use chamois cream.

+1 on the Assos cream. Just an FYI though... it has a cooling effect in it and I know some people don't like that.

For shorts, I wear Exte Ondo bibs or PI Sugar shorts.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just use some hypo-allergenic hand lotion. Works fine for me and lasts on rides over 50 miles. It's light and water-based, not greasy, so it washes right out in the laundry.

I always think it's funny that they call that grease stuff 'chamois butter'....like we're slathering it on Kaiser rolls or something?

[roadie gal]

I don't use any sort of lube. I don't like the feeling.

As for the shorts, I've worn Aerotech Designs Top Shelf shorts and liked them a lot. You certainly can't beat the price.

[mtbdarby]

I've tried chamois butter and a couple other and ended up using bag balm. It's cheap, works and washes out. You can get it at the drug store and it comes in a green tin.

[Norse]

I've tried chamois butter and a couple other and ended up using bag balm. It's cheap, works and washes out. You can get it at the drug store and it comes in a green tin.

+1 on the Bag Balm, and that's after a lot of experimentation. You can't beat the price either. If it's a hot day, I also use corn starch. For shorts, I am using PI Ultrasensors right now. They breath better than their Microsensors and have less of a diaper.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just so people know, Bag Balm ingredients are: petroleum jelly (same as Vaseline), lanolin, and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (an antiseptic).

[OakLeaf]

Kaiser rolls

Oh! I knew we needed a new euphemism!

[ginny]

I used Chamois butt'r on a tour last year. I rubbed it onto the shorts specifically where there were seams and if the thread had been doubled back. I didn't have any issues at all on that long ride. I don't generally use it on a weekend ride unless I have been riding a lot and feel some chafing coming on... an aside, I don't generally have infection issues, so I may not be the best resource here. Also, I made a point of changing out of my shorts just about the second I stopped riding on that tour (this was on the advice of a more experienced touring girlfriend of mine).

[katluvr]

I think the theme here is "what works for you".
I uses Udder Creme (cheap) when I worry about long rides or have had multiple days in teh saddle and I worry.
Otherwise I wear SheBeast shorts and never need it.
Me and my riding buddy have a theory...$20 shorts = 20 miles, $100 = 100 miles. And most of the time it works that way.
But everyone is different. Seat plays a role, too.

I have friends that use destin link creams since they have a lot of chaffing issues (related to the moist environment).

I have heard or used most of the creams mentioned here...all seem comparable. When you find one you like...you will swear by it!

Happy riding!