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Doc’s All-Natural Chamois Cream–A Review

12.20.2011 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

What do you use down there? Guest poster Jeff Hemmel has some stuff you might not have heard of.

I used to ride sans anything slippery in my shorts, then followed my local bike shop owner’s suggestion to try chamois cream as I began to put in more and more miles. Now, spending a LOT of time in the saddle every month, I’m a believer in that weird glop known as chamois cream.

I’ve tried quite a few, even did a little “chamois cream shootout” for this blog a year or two back. But my new favorite is a lesser-known brand dubbed Doc’s All-Natural Chamois Cream (www.docscycling.com).

All you Texans will probably appreciate the fact that Doc’s is actually made in the Lone Star State, but what I liked about it is that Doc’s is made by, you guessed it, an actual doctor. A practicing physician who is also a Cat 2 racer, this Doc wasn’t thrilled by the price and questionable effectiveness of chamois creams he found on the market, so he decided to whip up his own. Doc’s All Natural Chamois Cream lists no artificial or petroleum-based ingredients like so many chamois creams, but instead relies on stuff like Witch Hazel and a strong concentration of Tea Tree Oil to fight grunge, and Aloe and Coconut Oil to prevent chafe and keep your skin happy.

I found Doc’s while looking for a product similar to Dave Zabriskie’s DZnuts, which I like but find too expensive for regular use. Doc’s follows a similar all-natural route, but gives you an 8-ounce jar for about $20, less than half the price of DZnuts and on par with bike shop standbys like Chamois Butt’r. At first glance Doc’s product seemed just a tiny bit thinner in consistency than some lubes, but after months of use I’ve had no problems with saddle sores, even at the height of the summer, so guess I’m a believer.

Yes, I realize there are cheaper alternatives, from Bag Balm to Aquaphor. But I like the natural ingredient idea, particularly on something I use often, and appreciate that Doc’s appears to wash cleanly out of my shorts. A jar has also lasted me quite a while, so my “cost-per-ride” has been pretty cheap.

Currently the product seems to be available at a few Texas bike shops. If you can’t find it, there are plenty to try out at Amazon.

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Categories // Accessories, Review Tags // chamois cream, Review

Vaseline — For Down There?

05.05.2011 by Ray Niekamp // 5 Comments

I don’t use chamois cream when I plan to ride only and hour or less. When I do use it, I’ve gotten pretty good at really making it last. Those small packets of Chamois Butt’r that often show up in goody bags at organized rides look like they’ll last for one application — but I can make them last for four.

So the other day I was horrified to start a longer ride and discover that I was all out of chamois cream. I had squeezed the last little bit out of the last packet I had, and I’d forgotten to get over to the LBS to get some more.

What to do?

I rummaged around in the cabinet below my bathroom sink, and came up with what seemed to be a good, if temporary answer: Vaseline.

A lot of cyclists don’t like to use Vaseline. It’s gooey, compared to the lighter chamois creams. It’s more viscous. It oozes through riding shorts and coats the saddle with a thin, greasy sheen.

But it worked well for me. And since then, I’ve found some old information that bolsters the case for using Vaseline as a bottom lubricant while biking.

Dr. Bernie Burton, described as a “cycling dermatologist” on the Rivendell website, recommends Vaseline as the top choice for chamois lubricant. Why? It’s pure, he says, and non-allergenic. In fact, he claims it’s so good that if you keep your bottom clean, you can smear Vaseline all over the chamois pad of your shorts every day and wear them for two weeks without washing them(!).

Dr. Burton suggests coating the chamois pad with Vaseline. I prefer to coat my skin with it.

If you do get a saddle sore, he says, apply Bag Balm to the irritated area right after your shower and the problem should clear up overnight.

I’ve used Bag Balm before, too, and I know it works as a chamois lubricant as well as a saddle sore treatment. Maybe Bag Balm is the way to go — you get the best of both treatment options, before and after.

But in the meantime, I’ve still got this half tub of Vaseline in the house. It occurred to me that I bought it years ago, when I was still jogging. A pre-run ritual for me was to coat the insides of my thighs up near the crotch so that area wouldn’t get raw from rubbing during the run. If it worked for jogging, why not for biking? I might as well revert to the trusty old pale yellow glop until it’s all used up — then I can figure out what I’ll do for lubes from here on out. I’ll still use chamois cream if I get freebies at rides. But for the price, I think Vaseline is hard to beat

Product Suggestions for Chamois Cream

If you’re looking for dedicated chamois creams to enhance your riding comfort, here are a few popular options:

  1. Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream: This is a go-to for many cyclists. It’s non-greasy, easy to apply, and helps prevent chafing and irritation.
  2. Assos Chamois Cream: Known for its high quality, Assos cream is designed to reduce friction and keep your skin cool and comfortable on long rides.
  3. DZ Nuts Pro Chamois Cream: Formulated with natural ingredients, DZ Nuts offers anti-inflammatory properties and is designed to protect your skin during intense rides.
  4. Bag Balm: Not only good for saddle sores, but Bag Balm can also be used as a chamois lubricant. It’s versatile and provides excellent protection and healing.
  5. UNDRBUDR Chamois Cream: This cream boasts a unique formula that ultra-conditions the skin, feels weightless, not greasy like other creams.

So, whether you stick with trusty Vaseline or opt for a specialized chamois cream, keeping your rides comfortable is key. Happy cycling, and here’s to fewer saddle sores and more enjoyable miles!

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Categories // Odds 'n ends Tags // chamois cream, saddle sore

Do You Need Chamois Cream?

09.26.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

After cycling seriously for three years now, I like to think that my bottom has HTFU’d with the best of ’em.  But that isn’t always the case.

Earlier this month, I got rides in on Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday — a rare occurrence for me.  And as I was getting dressed for the rides, I noticed that our trusty tin of Bag Balm was empty.  What the heck — I’ve HTFU’d — I’ll just ride without lubing my bottom.

The results were great.  Never had any rubbing while on the bike.  In fact, I never thought about my posterior contact point.  I figured I’d now be able to ride all the time without any kind of chamois cream, or bottom lube, or whatever you prefer to call it.

Three days later, things changed.

I woke up with a saddle sore.  Yes, one of those pimple-like things in the crotchal zone.  Irritating beyond belief.  Jeff Hemmel discussed them about a year ago.

I’ve had these things before, and they’re no fun.  But this time, I was lucky.  I put on some bike clothes and went for a ride, and it didn’t bother me at all.  So, it wasn’t the result of rubbing against the saddle itself.  When I got home, however, I sure knew it was there.

So for several days, I had this weird situation.  I could ride and not be bothered, but in street clothes — zing!

It went away in a few more days, and — knock wood — hasn’t been back.

And I still haven’t replaced the empty tin of Bag Balm.

How about you?  Are you tough enough to ride without lube?

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Categories // soreness Tags // chamois cream

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