I use chamois cream on rides over ~8 hours as an additional preventative. For me, chafing happens when I get a damp undercarriage from sweat/rain/whatever; keeping myself dry is key. Loose shorts and underwear allow some airflow and work well for me. The chamois cream also seems to help keep it at bay, but it does make it feel like you pooped your pants.
I switched to the no-chamois camp after a 33-hour ride last year where my diaper got soaked in a thunderstorm and I had the _worst_ chafing I've ever experienced. Think "hard to sit in a car seat to drive 400 miles home" bad.
July 23, 2021, 7:09 a.m. - TristanC
I use chamois cream on rides over ~8 hours as an additional preventative. For me, chafing happens when I get a damp undercarriage from sweat/rain/whatever; keeping myself dry is key. Loose shorts and underwear allow some airflow and work well for me. The chamois cream also seems to help keep it at bay, but it does make it feel like you pooped your pants. I switched to the no-chamois camp after a 33-hour ride last year where my diaper got soaked in a thunderstorm and I had the _worst_ chafing I've ever experienced. Think "hard to sit in a car seat to drive 400 miles home" bad.