Chafing

[Osiris]

For chaffing on the backside I have found baby wipes, the non alcohol type, work well for preventing any discomfort. The problem with some chaffing is the build up of salt crystals from sweat. If you are going to sit after a long sweaty hike then take a moment to find some place private to, well... "Wipe" away the sweat with a couple of baby wipes. While this might be a bit of a hassle it to me is much easier and more comfortable then having a "greasy bum" I found that twice a day seems to keep away the chaffing. Once before lunch and once before dinner. I am still pretty new to long hikes tho and have found that with time, and I assume toughening of my skin that I can go much longer without chaffing.

[renais]

I found that bag balm and body glide worked well, but did not care for the residue if I was going to be out for a long time. Anti Monkey Butt powder does an excellent job at both preventing chaffing, and healing, and it does not leave a residue. For me, keeping clean is the key, followed by 9 inch boxer shorts. If needed, the powder is the last line of defense.

[wcgornto]

Ex Officio boxer briefs. Pricey but fantastic. The only underdrawers I wear.

[shelb]

..... body glide hands down. Use it for this and on my feet......

Body glide is great to prevent blisters on feet, but if I get a blister - I have found that duct tape works way better than mole skin.

[TrailMate]

Tinactin powder works well.

[nickfusco89]

Under Armour Boxerbrief Originals 9" is the gold standard for underwear as far as I'm concerned. It will stop chafing from your thighs.

If you chafe on your backside Desitin is your friend.

These are definitely the best. I don't own any other underwear anymore.

["Atlas"]

Of note about Compression Shorts. The Inseam length. I have found that the longer ones are the only ones that really work. The short ones by Under Armor are just too short. I bought three pairs for the Trail, all of them are longer ones and have served me well.

[moldy]

Diaper rash cream, works better than anything else. It's thick so it stays with you, it has an antibiotic and a pain killer so the baby stops crying and me too...

[gsimp18]

Gold bond and desitin saved me on my thru hike this past year

[leaftye]

I bet most of the people here aren't qualified to respond. That is, I think most folks in here are skinny and really have no idea what chafing is like for big folks. This guy is 288 lbs and 6'1". I'm 250 lbs and 5'10", although I usually start section hikes at 225 lbs.

[TheBigHiker]

The problem is that I'm fat. The fat at the top of my legs rubs together in a place where compression shorts don't ever go. When they do go up there, I found out over the last couple of days, that I chafe from the shorts faster than if I just use a drying powder. I tried bag balm and that helped a little. I'm going to keep giving this a whirl. I may enlist my Dr. on this for suggestions. I'll keep you posted.

This is what I'll try now: diaper rash cream, gold bond and desitin.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I'll keep going and figure something out!!!

[TheBigHiker]

I bet most of the people here aren't qualified to respond. That is, I think most folks in here are skinny and really have no idea what chafing is like for big folks. This guy is 288 lbs and 6'1". I'm 250 lbs and 5'10", although I usually start section hikes at 225 lbs.

That's true. I don't chafe down my legs. I can walk an easy 8 miles without any problems except at the very top where my legs turn into my perineum (aka taint).

["Atlas"]

This guy WAS over 375 lbs! I know about chaffing. I lost the weight and got in shape so I could join the Army. I am still a big guy. I must admit I dont like the feeling of the body glide or powders. The shorts worked so go for me that it is all I use long compression shorts.

[ChinMusic]

This guy WAS over 375 lbs! I know about chaffing. I lost the weight and got in shape so I could join the Army. I am still a big guy. I must admit I dont like the feeling of the body glide or powders. The shorts worked so go for me that it is all I use long compression shorts.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

[TheBigHiker]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Your point is...? I really don't get what you're saying. I've tried long compression shorts and I chafed. I may just have to deal with it.

[leaftye]

That's true. I don't chafe down my legs. I can walk an easy 8 miles without any problems except at the very top where my legs turn into my perineum (aka taint).

I've had that before. It is surely weight related, although the last time I experienced that was when I weighed less. I'm not sure I'd call it chafing though. It was more of a grinding of the taint. Like an indian burn. Lube might be able to help with that, but I'm not so sure. Thankfully mine went away after I took some time off. I started using Bag Balm after this.

You mentioned you tried Bag Balm. I use a healthy dollop of it. It feels disgusting, like I suppose it would if I sharted. It's worked though. Perhaps try taking some time off to heal and for the swelling to subside, then try again with even more lube. It may feel disgusting, but it'd be worth it to me if it allows me to do day hikes without that pain.

[ChinMusic]

Desitin works well in this area too.

[ktest]

Tights.

No, seriously. If all else fails, try tights / panty hose. You're looking for the kind with thicker fabric at the top, I think they're sometimes called control top. They're thinner and stretchier than compression shorts, so they'll fit into all the, ahem, nooks and crannies better. Plus, the fabric is much less likely to actually cause chafing. Hopefully you won't have to go so far, but there you have it, if none of the other remedies here work.

[TheBigHiker]

No, seriously. If all else fails, try tights / panty hose. You're looking for the kind with thicker fabric at the top, I think they're sometimes called control top. They're thinner and stretchier than compression shorts, so they'll fit into all the, ahem, nooks and crannies better. Plus, the fabric is much less likely to actually cause chafing. Hopefully you won't have to go so far, but there you have it, if none of the other remedies here work.

Thanks! I'm willing to give anything a go.

[bfayer]

No, seriously. If all else fails, try tights / panty hose. You're looking for the kind with thicker fabric at the top, I think they're sometimes called control top. They're thinner and stretchier than compression shorts, so they'll fit into all the, ahem, nooks and crannies better. Plus, the fabric is much less likely to actually cause chafing. Hopefully you won't have to go so far, but there you have it, if none of the other remedies here work.

I meant is seriously.