Gear / Accessories
Anti-Chafe Balm
— Worth it if you chafe. Cheap, lasts ages, and prevents a genuinely miserable problem. Thighs, underarms, anywhere skin rubs, this fixes it.
How useful for a beginner
Worth it
High value for anyone who chafes, near-useless for anyone who doesn't, so it depends on your body and your distances. Once runs get longer or the weather gets humid, chafing catches out most people eventually.
What it does
Anti-chafe balm is a waxy or silicone-based stick or cream you apply where skin rubs skin or fabric, such as inner thighs, underarms, nipples and sports-bra lines. It creates a slick barrier so friction doesn't turn into raw, burning skin over a long run.
Do you need anti-chafe balm for running?
Only if you chafe, but most runners do once runs pass 30 to 40 minutes, especially in heat. A single stick costs little and lasts months, so it's worth having on hand before you find out the hard way.
When should you get Anti-Chafe Balm?
When your runs start getting longer or hotter, or the first time you finish a run with raw skin. Plenty of beginners never need it on short cool runs; keep it in mind for when distance and summer arrive.
Who are Anti-Chafe Balm best for?
Anyone running longer than half an hour, anyone running in heat or humidity (hello, Queensland), and anyone who's experienced chafing. Larger thighs and longer distances raise the odds.
The catch
Petroleum jelly works short-term but sweats off faster and can stain clothes. A proper balm lasts a full long run.