Patrick Bardelli
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Butt’r for your bum – this chamois cream prevents chafing

Patrick Bardelli
29.5.2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli

Saddle soreness can ruin even the best ride. Even in high-quality cycling shorts with a chamois pad, chafing has a way of creeping up on you. Using a chamois cream can help.

Chafing «down there» is probably one of the most unpleasant things that can happen to you on a bike. Common symptoms of intertrigo, as it’s formally called, include redness, burning, itching and that raw, chafed feeling.

As you ride, your body weight presses down on the saddle, while the constant up-and-down motion of your legs creates friction – between your butt cheeks, shorts and thighs, no less. Moisture and sweat do the rest. Wrong kit, such as a saddle with excessive padding, can make thing worse. You sink too deep into a saddle like that, resulting in excessive pressure on your sit bones or perineum.

Poorly fitting cycling shorts can also exacerbate the problem. As a rule, dedicated cycling pants – that is, ones with a chamois pad – should always be worn without underwear. Any seams will just create additional friction.

A chamois cream can also help when applied to the saddle area before a long ride. You can spread it onto the chamois pad of your cycling pants or directly onto your skin.

Chamois Butt’r

There are many brands of chamois creams out there, for instance Assos, Muc-Off and Chamois Butt’r.

I’ve been getting on well with the latter lately. The company was founded in Kansas City, USA, launching the Butt’r in 1988. It’s a non-greasy skin lotion of which you apply roughly a walnut-sized amount to any type of cycling pants or directly onto your skin. The brand offers several versions of the cream, including one developed specifically for women.

Highlights

  • Free from artificial fragrances
  • No greasy residue
  • No staining on technical fabrics
  • Easy to wash out of clothing and skin
  • Provides immediate relief
Less is more: a walnut-sized amount is usually all you need.
Less is more: a walnut-sized amount is usually all you need.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli

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Patrick Bardelli
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Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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