I Tried 7 Ways To Prevent Chafing While Running And This Is What Actually Worked

Courtesy Alison Feller

Runners sweat. We also grunt and sometimes cry—and then, when we’re finished with our hot, sticky summer runs, we want nothing more than a glorious, cool shower…until you feel the water drip down your skin. You may not have realized you were chafing during that run, but the minute you step into the shower, you’ll know. And you’ll probably shriek in pain.

Nothing ruins a post-run shower like chafing—which is why you have to prevent it at the source. In my seven years as a runner, I’ve developed actual scars on my body—specifically my back and my underboob area—from on-the-run chafing. It’s painful, unattractive, and, well, unnecessary. In the spirit of preventing any further chafing scars and sad showers, I set out to test every chafing mechanism I could find. Here’s what worked—and what didn’t.

Courtesy Alison Feller

1. The Anti-Chafe Strategy: Body Glide

Body Glide is a balm that creates a protective barrier on top of your skin to help reduce friction against other skin and/or apparel. This is the wonder product. It’s not greasy, it comes in mini versions, which is great for traveling, and it’s super reliable. There are loads of versions of Body Glide, but I stick to the basic stuff and it works like a gem. I have liberally—and unabashedly—applied Body Glide: my inner thighs, my underarms, my butt crack (yup), my underboob area, my upper back, my lower back, my shoulders, and my feet.

The verdict: This stuff is my jam—just apply it liberally. My friend always says, “If you love it, lube it.” So don’t be shy about lathering yourself in Glide—which rolls on like deodorant—before you run. You can find Body Glide at your local running store. If you don’t have a local running store (sad!), Aquaphor is similar and also works well. I go through a stick of Body Glide at rapid speeds and should probably become an investor in the company. I love you, Body Glide.

2. The Anti-Chafe Strategy: Vaseline

If you’ve ever run a marathon, you’ve probably seen spectators around mile 20 holding up sticks with Vaseline on them. Those are great, probably, for the dudes whose nipples have gone bloody and are in serious pain. But how would Vaseline hold up on an everyday, non-blood-nippled run?

The verdict: At mile 20 of a marathon, you are desperate for relief—especially if you’re one of those bloody dudes. But for an everyday run, I found Vaseline to be mostly just a greasy alternative to Body Glide or Aquaphor. It’ll work for you in a pinch, but it was too slippery and slimy for my liking.

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