Fair warning, I’m going to use the C word a lot in this post. I know it’s a word that makes a lot of people cringe and feel uncomfortable but in a post like this, it just has to be done. I’m talking of course…about chafing.
Most people with an average body size have come face to face…er…thigh to thigh with the infamous chub rub. Thighs that rub up against one another with every step can cause a redness and a burn that will ruin your day. Travelers especially are susceptible to bad chafing, due to all the walking involved in exploration. If you’re a traveler and you are facing the dreaded thigh burn, here’s how to deal with chafing while traveling.
STORY TIME!
I’m one of those people that is constantly hit with a stream of ailments. Colds, rashes, tummy troubles, joint pains, blisters the size of China, random infectious tropical diseases, you name it. So when it got to the point where I was ready to saw my own legs off in Europe, I wasn’t entirely surprised.
I have a weird-shaped body and finding any pants that truly fit me is next to impossible. I generally just have to settle for pants that mostly fit. And on my third day in Belgium, I got so sick of hoisting my pants back onto my mountainous hips that I finally gave in and just let them be where they wanted to be. This, of course, resulted in the mid-seam of my pants resting right in the spot where my thighs meet.
At the end of that day, I felt an intense stinging while I showered and was concerned to find itchy red patches on my thighs. But I figured it would be healed by morning and moved on with life.
Enjoying the views in Ghent, while ignoring the burning pain on my legs
Over the next few days, the red patches got worse and I found myself checking out the small pharmacy section in a Belgian corner store. I found some large bandages that I could layer to cover the painful bits of my legs and found some relief when walking.
However, I quickly ran out of bandages and the process of peeling them off my itchy red thighs at the end of the day got very painful. By the time I got to Romania, I found myself in a pharmacy asking for an anti-itch cream and a new solution to the sticky bandages. By this point, the patches had spread to cover the majority of my thigh area, and my skin was raw, red, and very inflamed.
As I thought about other options, I ended up buying one of those long bandages similar to what you’d use to wrap a sprained ankle. I wrapped each upper leg in layers of the fabric and found a lot of relief from the pain. However, these bandages lost the battle with gravity and by the end of my day exploring Timisoara, I had a ring of bunched up bandage sitting above my knees, and no coverage on my stinging thighs.
Love these pants, but they don’t love me back 🙁
I googled how to deal with chafing while traveling, and didn’t find much help there either. I managed to get through the rest of my trip using the anti-itch cream and the large sticky bandages, but it took a lot away from my experiences. I would have had the drive to do so much more in Germany if I wasn’t wincing in pain with every step.
Fast forward to a year later, and I find a super cheap flight to the city of Merida in Mexico. I had never been to Mexico before, but I knew one thing for certain: it would be hot. And hot weather meant shorts and sweaty thighs.
I was so scared about repeating the Great Chafe of 2017 that I began doing hours of research on some of the best anti-chafing products out there. Determined to really find the best one, I gathered a whole collection of products and tested them all while in Merida. Here’s what my dedicated research found.
Yay research!
How to deal with chafing while traveling:
The Products
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and purchase one of these items, I will get an itty bitty commission at no cost to you! This little extra helps keep Archives of Adventure on the internet 🙂
Body Glide for Her
Much of what I had read online listed Body Glide for Her as one of the best products to prevent chafing while traveling. I gave Body Glide for Her a try on my first day in Merida. I spent the day exploring the city under the hot 90-degree sun.
Body Glide for Her essentially feels like Chapstick for your thighs. It’s slightly sticky but basically coats your thigh skin so it can’t get irritated by the friction. I wish I would have brought the stick with me as I explored though, because about 2 hours later I could no longer feel the glide of the Body Glide for Her and was beginning to feel the familiar burn of chub rub.
Body Glide for Her is one of the less expensive products I found, and would, therefore, make a great addition to the bag of a budget traveler. You just may want to keep it on you when you go out, in case you need more!
Pros: Lightweight, Packable, Very affordable
Cons: Needs reapplication after 2 hours, A bit sticky feeling
Find Bodyglide for Her on Amazon
Good Old Fashioned Baby Powder
This stuff has been used for decades for absorbing unwanted sweat and oils from the human body! Another traditional way of preventing chafing while traveling is to use baby powder on your thighs. I gave baby powder a try in Merida while going out for dinner one night. I don’t know if I just didn’t put enough on, but it only worked for about an hour. I was also self-conscious about having white powder on my legs, and the residual powder on the edges of my shorts.
Baby powder is a good idea if you suddenly discover you need some help with your thigh area, and you need some relief while you’re abroad. I’m pretty sure you can get this stuff anywhere. It works as long as you don’t mind multiple reapplications and smelling like a freshly diapered baby.
Pros: Affordable, You can find it pretty much anywhere
Cons: Smelly, White powdery mess
MegaBabe Thigh Rescue
MegaBabe Thigh Rescue is a very similar product to the BodyGlide, in that it feels like rubbing Chapstick on your thighs. This Chapstick, however, feels very moisturizing and not very sticky. I slathered it on for another day of sightseeing and sorbet eating in Merida. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease at which my thighs would slide right past each other. My coating of Thigh Rescue lasted between 3-4 hours before needing more.
The one thing I did notice was that the thigh rescue was a bit more visible on my skin when wearing it. It would leave streaks of white which I would then have to rub in my hand.
Pros: Stays on for a good amount of time, Feels nourishing to the skin
Cons: Pricier, Have to order online, Can leave residue
Find Megababe Thigh Rescue on Amazon
Bike shorts
If you’re in a pinch and you’re not sure about using products on your thighs, you can always opt for wearing a tight pair of bike shorts under your clothes. These babies are skin tight and offer a protective barrier for your thighs that will not wear off through the day.
However, bike shorts are best when worn with dresses or skirts. Trying to stuff a second pair of shorts inside another pair of shorts can be uncomfortable and lead to overheating in warm climates.
Pros: Doesn’t wear off, Can buy at local clothing or sports shops
Cons: Can’t wear with shorts/pants, Not much breathability, Takes up more packing space
Bandelettes
These bad boys take the win for the most effective product for dealing with chafing while traveling. These are little bands you wear around your thighs to prevent the skin from making contact. They are lightweight and silky smooth, and they feel great to wear. I was worried that they might not stay in place, but after a few hours of wear, they were still perfectly placed.
There was just one downfall with them. My Bandelettes are made of a soft, silky lace, and lace is often associated with a more risqué vibe than I generally try to convey. I tested them under a pair of running shorts while grabbing lunch and doing some errands in Merida, Mexico. In a country where I already get a good amount of unwanted male attention just for having lady parts, it certainly did not help to also have lacey fabric sticking out of my shorts.
While they were magical for preventing chafing, I felt self-conscious and anxious while wearing them in Mexico. I would recommend first giving them a try in a less conservative setting, or wearing them under longer shorts/skirts.
They do make a pair that are made of a more solid fabric, instead of the lace. I will be investing in a pair of these ASAP. But hey, if you’re a lady that can rock lacey thighs, definitely give these a try!
Pros: Silky and soft, Don’t fall off or need reapplication, Very packable
Cons: Pricier, Lace may not always be the best option
Find Bandelettes on Amazon
Pants/shorts that actually fit
I suppose this is the most obvious solution. When your pants fit right, odds are you won’t have to deal with chafing while traveling. As with shorts, for females, it can be difficult these days to find shorts that don’t cut off right below your butt cheeks. I love these shorts from Eddie Bauer, because they’re long enough to cover my thighs, but not so long that they look unfeminine. They’re also made of a comfy stretch material that fits my weird body really well.
Pros: Don’t have to pack extra stuff, Effective against chafing
Cons: Why don’t more companies make pants and shorts that fit me?!
Just because your thighs like to get all cozy up on each other doesn’t mean you should have to deal with the uncomfortable consequences. Employing a combination of these products can really help when dealing with chafing while traveling. So pack your bags and don’t let a bit of chub rub spoil your adventures!
Note: Thanks to BodyGlide, MegaBabe Beauty, and Bandelettes for providing me with samples of their products. All opinions expressed are 100% my own!
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67 Comments
Jockey makes these spandex-y type shorts made from moisture-wicking fabric called Skimmies that I am in.love.with. I wear lots of dresses in the summer, and these things absolutely save my thighs! They’re not as tight as Spanx, but also help suck things in a bit, which is an added bonus. I haven’t tried them under shorts, but they come in a few different solid colors, so they might be a better option than the lace!
Oooooh! I’ll have to go try some of those on my next trip!
You have so many great tips here for chafing! No one’s got time to deal with that while you’re traveling. Who knew there were so many products and options?!
Oh, I love this! Thanks so much for doing the research and sharing all these options with us! I feel your pain – have definitely suffered from chafing before. Ugh…not fun.
OMG YES. This post is life. Thank you for sharing the real struggle!!!!
Chafing does suck. Had this happen in Italy when I decided to wear a cute sun dress and my legs were a mess at the end of the day. Try the GoldBond Friction Defense. Works wonders.
Oh! I haven’t heard of this product. I’ll have to check it out 🙂
Yes baby powder totally wears off after about an hour. But it smells so lovely! I only wear men’s cargo shorts because I look stupid in any shorts so why not be comfortable and they are reliably long enough to cover my otherwise-prone-to-chafing thighs effectively. Oh the trials and tribulations of being a woman!
Oh my gosh, this is one of my top issues when traveling. It drives me insane! I carry a few pairs of spandex shorts with me so I can’t get away with wearing skirts occasionally, but I’ll have to try some of your other tips here. Thanks!
This is SO REAL. Thanks for sharing all your trial and error ❤️
I must admit I learned a few things reading this. sent the link to my daughter, good advice here.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS THIS POST IS WAYYY TOO REAL OMGGG hahah I loved it
I thought it was just me that suffered from chaffing on my travels. I’m going to try some of these things. I have talc from all over the world but it doesn’t last long.
The c word. Haha unique post but it’s great you’re not afraid to address a common issue. You’ve offered a lot of great tips to avoid it! So smart!
Johnson’s work for me too. It makes me feel fresh. Yes it can be powdery but it cools the skin. It comes with different scents too. I like lavender.
Poor you, I’m really sorry you had to go through all this. I appreciate the fact that you’ve kept your humor along the way 🙂
As for the solutions, the Bandelettes seem nice to wear even when not facing chafing.
Ha haaaaaaaa, as a large lady, I know the chafing problem way too well! I only really ever had a problem when wearing skirts and dresses, and back when I still wore those, I simply wore a pair of what you’ve called cycling shorts — the skin-tight stretchy fabric — underneath. Sorted.
I’ve never had a problem when wearing trousers though, I do find it hard to get trousers that fit at the waist as they need to be big enough for my lardy arse, however it only takes a couple of minor adjustments with a sewing machine or needle to bring the waist in with little pleats and we’re sorted.
I find long cotton trousers more comfortable than shorts, so I don’t actually have any shorts.
If I did, those lace bandelettes look adorable, but yeah a bit unusual under casual shorts!
The STRUGGLE IS REAL!
I completely feel your pain about companies NOT MAKING clothes that fit properly… It’s so terrible!! And thank you for all those wonderful tips, I never thought to try baby powder and it’s such a simple fix!! <3 Great post, dear!
I too suffer with a list of ailments when abroad, normally stomach related. Parasites seem to love me.
It is great to have some honesty about the irritants of travel. I fancy giving body glide a go,
Some great tips and we’ve all been there! Ive used ‘For Her’ before and it is useful. Just wish they made more attractive-yet-longer shorts!
I had no idea this was such a big issue for so many people. Having never had it before it’s not something I give a thought to. Looks like you’ve found a number of things that can help you and others now which definitely must make you feel a lot better. It’s great that there is so much available on the market these days to help travellers out. Had to smile at the thought of you exercising with your pretty lace number on 🙂
I so appreciate your tips for preventing chafing. I haven’t had that happen to me yet, but I could totally see that happening as my thighs are more full than they used to be, and I can never find a pair of shorts that fit right, so I could see the potential for that happening. That would put a serious damper on a vacation.
Love this! Sooo helpful. I’ve used super thin shorts under my dresses (the only time it’s a problem for me), but they add extra bulk that I absolutely do not need!! I’ll be trying a few of these products. Thank you for suffering so we don’t have too. 🙂
This was such an interesting read for me as I’ve never encountered this problem. If it ever does happen, now I know what products are out there to help alleviate the issue 🙂
This is such a helpful post for those suffering from chaffing. All research results now available in this post. Pinned this to my collection.
I’ve never really experienced chafing but just reading about your Belgium experience made my thights hurt a little. Love the packaging of Body Glide and this is such a helpful guide! Will for sure be sending this over to my girlfriends who could use your advice 🙂
Bless your heart. Chafing is one ailment I haven’t experienced while traveling. Like you, I’m typically sick while traveling. It’s super frustrating. Great tip that they have a thigh chapstick. I had no idea! I wear bike shorts a lot – mostly because I like to bike and wear dresses a lot – so that may be why I’ve been spared from this ailment. Haha
OMG STORY OF MY LIFE! Chub rub since day 1. My trick has just been to wear a thicker fabric. I am not much of a shorts person (because of this) and haven’t had any issues – but I may give that stick a try!
I can’t believe I’ve never heard anybody talk about this before. Sometimes, I start walking weird just so my thighs don’t rub together. This will be so useful for me and my wife.
OMG!! I totally know what you’re talking about! That slight waddle so your thighs don’t touch when you walk! LOLOLOL
Chafing is a real struggle! Yes – on finding the pants that actually fit you. Or sometimes I prefer wearing long skirts for this reason.
Thank you for the great research! I’ve been running (haha) into this problem with the C word more and more. Love all the options and the lacy but expensive one especially. I tend to wear skirts and light dresses in hotter climes so shorts or girdle-y things work but are hot. (FYI: You have a lovely and not weird body, girl!)
This is great post for those suffering from chaffing. I´m like so far 😉 I didn´t know that there are so many products…
I’m so glad someone wrote about this 😊 Chafing is the worse and I usually get it from tights when I’m wearing a dress.
After reading your story I am glad and a little bit guilty that I have never had this problem.
Great advice! Interesting about the Bandalettes – something to wear with slightly longer shorts or skirts to avoid unwanted attention! Good old fashioned baby powder is a great cheap option. I don’t really get chafing but I do get shaving rash especially if I’m wandering around the heat or near grass and that’s no fun.
This is my worst nightware when travelling in summer I swear ! I though I was going to die walking in Berlin last year during a heat wave. Glad to see I was not the only one (beside my mother ahah). My trick was to use stick deodorant on my thighs and go to the bathroom apply more at every bathroom break : not pratical at all… And don’t wear jeans, those are the worst materials ever at this moment !
You have so many great tips here for chafing. Like a woman I always bring a lot of thing with me, but I think I need to focus more on things like these.
They really have products for everything these days! I’ve not yet had an issue with chafing when travelling, but do remember getting overly hot and sticky in my shorts when in Merida too! Will remember this post for sure!
This post was super informative and equally entertaining. The dreaded chafing can be such a downer…I had no idea these products existed! Time to check them out…
I face this on every trip, literally every single trip.I usually apply coconut oil and it works wonders. I never knew about the Chaf sticks available in the market. Not sure if its available in India…
Personally, the whole my life I have been blessed with having a good body shape and never had the chafing issue. But, I do have a friend who has the issue and uses the bike shorts for it. Now I am happy to share with her your useful advice!
This can definitely be an uncomfortable topic but one that is essential. When you want help you go online and you want the answers to help you. I think this a great article and will work wonders for many people.
We wear compression leggings or shorts under our trekking pants when we go hiking to avoid chaffing. They work wonderfully, and they’re very comfortable.
A very useful blog post. It’s good that you wrote about what can happen to everyone, but people are ashamed to talk about it. You will certainly help so many people how to deal with it.
Ain’t no shame in loving cake! 😉
You did a great job researching this! I had suffered from chafing, too. Absolutely not fun. Good tips.
haha! finally, someone answering the true questions we all have while traveling.
This could be very helpful to my girlfriend. Sometimes she suffers from that and all your tips could help her.
I have never had the issue of chafing but from what i have heard it’s really painful if not treated well. The chapsticks sound like a great option and so does the shorts! And I so agree with you on major brands not selling regular fit jeans or shorts. I’m so tired of looking for a shorts that doesn’t expose my buttcheeks 😒
YES THANK YOU! My butt is awesome, but I don’t need to advertise it 😛
This post is AWESOME! Thanks for sharing your experience with such humour, this is something both my husband and I have faced in different countries around the world and never had the right solution on hand. I am packing powder in our first aid kit for the next trip. Cheers
These are GREAT suggestions! I appreciate the variety of ideas and recommendations. Thank you!
wow cool round up of products for this pesky problem! I usually do the bike shorts thing but sometimes they are too hot! I never heard of those chafe gliders, definitely checking out for next trip!
Thanks for sharing!
Valerie
That’s very helpful! I bet lot of people have the same problem, it can be very annoying while travelling! Thank you for sharing your tips 🙂
I got bandlettes a couple of years ago and really like them. I don’t think I’d wear them for a full touristy day but I do use them for more formal events when I have to wear dresses.
All great recommendations. Body Glide is what a lot of long distance hikers use. I just tend to wear bike shorts or leggings and be done with it lol.
I never thought about this at all!! You know how many times i just “dealt” with it beacuse i didnt know there as so many solutions!!!
Oh, that sounds awful! I hope these help!
I have had this issue while travelling and had no idea about all these solutions! Thanks! I am loving clicking through your blog, I am finding so many articles that I can relate to!
I too have suffered from this problem and now I use stick or roll on deodorant in a clear that doesn’t leave residue and it works amazing.
I can imagine deodorant would work well in a pinch!
Great tips, thank you.
For Australian readers, I recommend a product called Neat Effect 3B Action Cream sold at Chemists warehouse. It’s brilliant! There is also another one they sell called Zo Rub, I’d love to hear of anyone has tried that one too… I have used deodorant too and that seems to work well but caused a bit of a rash of its own after a day or so. Try the 3B cream!
Great suggestions! Thank you!
These are great suggestions Brianna! Thank you
I was super worried about chafing on my road trip and bought some of the Body Glide. Glad to see you liked it and it worked well for you! feeling more confident now!
There’s absolutely nothing worse than feeling that familiar sting when you hop in the shower and you just know what it means! Chafing is the worst. Thanks for the tips!