Chafe is the silent enemy of ultras. Wrong sock. Wrong short. Wrong nipple. By mile 60, what was a tiny friction point at mile 20 is bleeding through your shirt. Five products that prevent and treat it.
The picks
Body Glide
Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
The category-defining stick. Cheap, reliable, available everywhere. The single product every ultra runner has in their drop bag, period.
- Plant-derived formula
- Stick application — fast on, no mess
- Lasts ~1.5 oz per 100-miler
- Cheap enough to lose
Squirrel's Nut Butter
Squirrel's Nut Butter All-Natural Anti-Chafe Salve
When Body Glide isn't enough — heavy chafe spots, areas already raw — Squirrel's Nut Butter is the salve to reach for. Heavier consistency; longer-lasting; smells like coconut.
- Coconut + shea butter base
- Heavy salve consistency
- Best for already-raw spots
- Tin format — fingers in, fingers out
2Toms
2Toms SportShield Towel Wipes
Single-use towel wipes. The right format for crew bags — runners can apply at aid stations without unpacking a stick or jar. 6 wipes per pack.
- Single-use wipes
- No mess at aid stations
- Same formula as the stick
- 6 wipes per pack
Trail Toes
Trail Toes Anti-Friction Foot Cream
Specifically formulated for feet. Smoother and longer-lasting than Body Glide on toes and arches. The blister-prevention cream most ultrarunners eventually switch to.
- Foot-specific formula
- Lasts 100 mi without reapplication
- Won't clog socks
- Made by an ultrarunner-owned company
Aquaphor
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Not for prevention — for after. Heals chafe spots overnight; saves you 3 days of Saharan-desert pain post-race. Every ultrarunner has a tube on the bathroom counter.
- Petroleum-based recovery
- Apply post-race + overnight
- Heals raw skin in 24-48 hr
- Non-running-brand pricing
Where to apply (the full body map)
- Inner thighs — most common chafe zone. Body Glide pre-race, every 4 hours.
- Sit-bones / glutes — pack-strap chafe. Body Glide.
- Sternum / chest — vest chafe. Body Glide.
- Underarms — vest strap rub. Body Glide.
- Nipples — particularly under wet shirts. Body Glide + bandaids for races over 6 hours.
- Lower back / hip-flank — waist-strap chafe. Body Glide before applying vest.
- Feet (toes, arches, heel) — Trail Toes specifically.
The "after" routine
Post-race shower, then Aquaphor on every chafed spot, then sleep. Repeat morning/night for 2 days. Most chafe heals in 24-48 hours with this protocol. Without it, chafe takes 5-7 days to heal and ruins the recovery week.