I'm a few months into my 3rd year of post adolescent biking and working through my 2nd 10,000 miles, all without chamois creme or even a need for it---until now. For a few weeks I've been nursing a, I guess saddle sore comes closest to describing it. I've been trying to deal with it by immediately showering after and powdering liberally before and after a ride and that was holding it at an irritating but non-critical level. It's not infected, just raw skin (or lack of) but now to the point of painful distraction. Gotta do something before I ride again (tomorrow).

I'm looking for recommendations on chamois cremes and, until I can get some, a temporary substitute that will work as a friction reducer.

PS: I always use biking shorts and have several pair. There have been no recent equipment changes. I think the cause is the recent temperature and humidity increase here in Florida and the resulting huge increase in sweating. The shorts feel saturated after 20 or so miles.

I use Bag Balm. Normally it is found in Drug stores and is less expensive than things line Butt Butter and such. But there are others that can reccommend what they use as well.

When needed, I use Bag balm as well. It doesn't smell as per-fumy as the high price stuff but it works great. The smell isn't bad, kind of smells like a farm.

I have ridden regularly for forty years and never had a need for any chamois cream...until just a couple of years ago. I guess I've gotten a bit soft. I'm cheap, so I also use bag balm. Just rub a bit onto the junction of the thigh/buttocks and all will be well.

I found out about my newfound softness when I brought an old pair of shorts with a leather chamois on a bike tour a few years back. There's nothing quite like having an open wound adhering to a piece of leather while you ride. I found myself wishing for more hills along the coast so I would have an excuse to stand up.

+1 on the Bag Balm. If you can't find Bag Balm in a local drg store try a farm merchandile/feed store.

I use Bag Balm , Equate triple antibiotic (Walyworld) and Lanacane Anti-chafing Gel @ $6.00 per ounce (1 tube) . Betadine Solution on sores. It stains clothing and will toughen skin. I stay away from powders.
I experimented with using a car chamois on the bike saddle with good results

I also use Bag Balm and after a ride I swab down with alcohol to kill germs.

I've recently began to feel a bit of tenderization myself after about 35 or so miles , yesterday I got some Assos chamois creme (can't afford any of threir
other products). I also chuckled at the names of some of the other brands such as DZnutts , BuTTonhole and of course Hoo-Hah ride glide

If I'm planning to be out for more than an hour I use chamois creme. Tried the warming cremes (like DZ nutts), but just didn't like the feeling. When I get back home I take a shower and then use a baby wipe with lanolin on the area in question. Been doing this for a couple of decades now and have never had a skin issue pop up.

Another vote for Bag Balm and DZNuts (be ready for the gentle warming sensation, though.)

Bill

Thanks for the heads up on Bag Balm, just the suggestion I was looking for + The local drugstores carry it. Can't say I was looking forward to paying over $20 for a few oz of creme.

As you know, we get all the warming sensation anyone could possibly want starting shortly.

You use these mixed together or singly on an as-needed basis?

Tom, All this time I was afraid I needed Depends. It was just the humidity you and I so enjoy here!

Bill

All these recommendations for Bag Balm are good to hear, since we keep the stuff around for other things anyway, like cracked skin on the soles of my feet. My doctor suggested it for that.

I use Creamy Petroleum Jelly from Dollar Tree. $1.00

https://www.dollartree.com/Creamy-Pet...3396/index.pro

I use Seat Saver and it's worked very well for me. Haven't tried anything else.

Bag Balm is good for an irritation until it heals. I use Chamois Buttr for any ride 25-30 miles or longer.

Another vote for Bag Balm, however I've used Chamois Butt'R and it works almost as good as Bag Balm. Most bike shops carry Chamois Butt'R whereas I have to hunt a bit to find Bag Balm.

Either one works, but when I have a choice I go for the Bag Balm.

Rick / OCRR

Bag Balm is the longest lasting of any of the many products I have tried. Another I use is Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Creme, available at WalMart for about $5 for a big tub.

I love ASSOS Creme. It's more expensive than others but doesn't stain, washes out well and feels really good (methol!) going on. I've tried the others but keep going back to Assos. A little, goes a really long way.

BTW the only time I use any lubes is on long tours. For some reason I don't ever need it on short, day rides. I think good shorts and a nice chamois help out with that.

I have used various creams, DZ Nutz, Asssos, and recently, Century riding cream,....and all seem about the same,...which is to say,..they are mildly comfortable for shorter (30 miles and less)
rides. BUT, if as the OP stated, I begin to develop an actual sore,....I immediately begin using a triple antibiotic cream applied liberally directly to the spot before each ride. That seems to
eliminate the budding infection.

Good Luck!
Rich

D'z Nutz(yeah, great name) works well for me. Used it on a century and didn't think once about the "area". I think that speaks volumes. But, as always this is a personal preference thing.

Chamois Buttr also has a EuroStyle. not as much menthol as Assos, but is not bad. I like that it is in a tub vs a tube.

I use DZ Nuts, reminds my rear end of the old Assos creme.........aaahhh

I've never actually used any kind of lube before, since it's very rare for me to develop any sores. It only happens to me if I have multiple 50+ mile days without any time off the saddle, and that only happens once or maybe twice a season, if then. I'll keep the Bag Balm in mind for that. But single-day rides of any length have never been a problem for me.

I was given a tube of 'Aussi Butt Cream' in Australia a month ago.

Its advertising on the package says -' for the use of cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders...
For the comfort down under'

Can't say I've found it any better or worse than alternatives, except its advertising line makes me chuckle every application