When it comes to the best chamois cream, while it might not be the most glamorous piece of kit, it can make all the difference to your rides and how you feel afterwards. Chamois cream lubricates skin-to-skin and skin-to-saddle contact points, reducing friction and preventing chafing. That means you stay comfortable on the bike for longer, and don't suffer with any lasting saddle sores long after the ride has ended.
Cycling concentrates all your body weight onto a small surface area, while the constant pedalling keeps that area rocking and rubbing, creating heat and friction. It's no wonder that saddle discomfort is so common. It's even worse in the summer, as sweating creates a hot and humid environment for bacteria to thrive, which is exacerbated by doing back-to-back rides over multiple days.
Best chamois cream
There are a lot of options out there, offering different textures, acidity profiles, packaging, and even fragrances. Some even come in single-serving size sachets, so you can top up on the go as required.
The good thing is that not only are they relatively cheap to try out, but they also last ages, since you don't need much. As with saddles and shorts, it's ultimately a personal decision, so you may want to try a few out before you settle on your forever cream, but have a scroll down to see our favourites, and some advice on how to choose.
➕ Resilient without being sticky
➕ Resealable small tubs available
➖ No women's option
➖ Expensive
A solid, paste-like chamois cream, Happy Bottom stays put and doesn’t wear out. Its clove oil scent stands out against the usual menthol options, and it comes in resealable travel-friendly pots. The only drawbacks are the higher price per millilitre and the lack of a pH-specific version for women. Still, since you typically need less per application, it lasts ages.
➕ Menthol tingle
➕ Women's option
➖ No portable size
Assos Chamois Crème is the archetypal chamois cream, with its smooth consistency that's more solid than something like Muc-Off, so you can use less and make it last. It only comes in a tub, so be careful not to double-dip. Plus, it means no portable sizes for mid-ride top-ups. A woman's version is available too, with a similar formula.
➕ Good value
➕ Natural scent
➖ A little thin
Whether you prefer to avoid menthol or just want more bang for your buck, the original Chamois Butt'r is great. In its big tube, it's the lowest price per millilitre of the bunch, with a neutral scent. There's a female pH balance available, plus single-serving sachets. The only downside is that it feels a little thin, so you may need to use more.
➕ Solid
➕ Durable packaging
➖ Harder to apply
➖ Expensive
This is the only solid option on the list, made from coconut oil, shea and cocoa butter. It melts at body temperature, and application requires a little more patience than a cream, but you'll get a durable product in a handy tin that doesn't leak. It's suitable for all skin types with no separate men's or women's formula.
➕ Silky smooth
➕ Great smell
➖ Thinnest feeling
Muc-Off Luxury Chamois Cream's silky, mousse-like consistency feels lighter than other chamois creams, though it doesn't go quite as far. It has the most pleasant scent of the group, reminiscent of old-timey barber shops and talc. There's a large 250ml tub, so you can slather it on, plus a travel-sized sachet, and a 100ml women's formula.
➕ Long lasting
➕ Lightly minty
➖ Moderately expensive
➖ No women's option
Chamois Butt'r Ultra Balm is similar to Happy Bottom, but is a little more greasy and slightly more resilient. It's also peppermint scented, if that's your preference over clove. It's not a super minty option though, like Assos. Sadly, unlike Happy Bottom, it doesn't come in travel-sized options or in a women's specific pH formula either.
➕ Incredibly thick
➕ Very hard to dislodge
➖ Hard to wash off your hands
➖ Not vegan-friendly
Squirt Barrier Balm is the thickest option, and feels more like grease than a cream. It comes in 6g sachets, 20g and 100g pots, and is difficult to wash off, making it great for long rainy rides or triathlons. There's quite a strong Tea Tree scent, and it contains lanolin, so it isn't vegan. There's no women's or travel-sized option either.
➕ More natural than the original
➕ Neutral scent
➖ More expensive
Chamois Butt'r Coconut feels similar to the original, but is made with coconut oil and shea butter, so it's more natural. That comes at a higher cost, of course, though you can still get single-serving sachets for out and about. There’s no women-specific pH option available, but it’s still suitable for women to use comfortably.
➕ Thick consistency
➕ Lovely smell
➖ No women's option
Ass Magic is very similar in consistency to Assos Chamois Crème, but instead of menthol, it has more of a tea tree and citrus aroma. It's an excellent do-it-all option that doesn't feel greasy, and it's easy on the bank balance as well, in terms of price per millilitre. The only real drawback is a lack of a woman's pH option.
➕ Tube application
➕ Minty fresh
➖ More expensive than the original
➖ No women's option
Most menthol options come in a tub, but the Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle combines the best of both worlds. The consistency is the same as the Chamois Butt'r Original and Coconut, but you also get a bit of extra freshness and some witch hazel. It does come in travel portions, but not in women's pH, and it's pricier than the original.
Last updated on 6th May 2026
We checked that all the products were still current and added women's specific options and advice where relevant.
How to choose the best chamois cream for you
If you've got this far and are still wondering what chamois cream is, or how it's used, then worry not. I'm going to unravel this most delicate of topics with as much tact as I can so that we all get out of here in as much comfort, both physically and mentally, as possible.
Choosing the best chamois cream for you will probably take a small amount of trial and error, but that doesn't mean we're going to send you out into the wilderness alone - we've got a few tips to steer you.
You should start by considering the riding you'll do. Firstly, how long for? If you're regularly doing all-day rides, something with a little more durability will be better than a less viscous cream that soaks into your skin and stops lubricating.
Secondly, how warm is a typical ride? Creams with added menthol or improved cooling properties will be better than those without.
Thirdly, will your ride be wet or dry? Wet weather will likely wash away more cream-based options, whereas those with a thicker consistency will stay the course.
Below, we have a few FAQ's which may help guide you further.
What is chamois cream used for?
Chamois cream is there to reduce the friction between you and your cycling shorts, specifically the 'chamois pad', which is the foam insert sewn into them that provides padding while you ride. Even if you have the optimum combination of saddle and shorts, there's still going to be movement in the system, and so lubricating the interface helps reduce the possibility of any saddle sores.
Skin-to-skin rubbing as you pedal can also cause discomfort, which chamois cream can address.
Some are creamy, some are more of a greasy paste, but they all do the same job. It's just a case of finding which one works for you.
Is chamois cream better than Vaseline?
Or any other non-specific alternative for that matter?
Yes, though that's not to say Vaseline won't do the job too. Chamois cream washes out easier from a cleaning point of view, and after a few minutes, once it's worn in, it won't feel like you've sat in grease. If you want something thick and waterproof, then Squirt Barrier Balm is the best. What's more, the best chamois cream products contain things to aid skin repair, moisturise, and act as cooling and soothing agents too, rather than simply being petroleum jelly.
Do I need female specific chamois cream?
Not necessarily, but if you're unsure, it's best to err on the side of caution. Women's specific chamois creams are formulated with a different pH than male (or 'genderless') ones, which helps protect your natural balance and reduces the risk of vaginal infections. That said, don’t get too carried away by a product being labelled as female - unisex or standard creams can be just as effective. The standard Chamois Butt’r is my go-to, and I’ve never had any issues. As with everything, finding the best chamois cream for you may take some trial and error.
Should I always use chamois cream?
Only if you want to. I ride almost every day, and have a saddle and shorts combination that can allow me to ride in comfort for a good few hours without, but if I'm testing something new, or am feeling a little sore, I slap some on. Other friends and colleagues can't fathom how anyone would ride without creaming up first. It's all a matter of personal preference.
The weather can also have an effect on whether you need chamois cream. In hot weather, sweat can increase irritation, while wet rides may induce "trench groin" (sorry!) and increased discomfort.
Where do you apply chamois cream?
You can either apply it directly to the chamois pad of your shorts (this is where a tube is a lot easier than a tub), and rub it in a little with your fingers, or you can pop some on your fingers before a ride and apply it directly to your rear end. Aim for the sit bones, as this is where most of the load is borne and where saddle sores will occur primarily, but colouring outside the lines (so to speak) is no bad thing.
Putting too much on, or applying it in the wrong area, has zero downsides other than using a bit more cream, so experiment with where it works for you. In general, it's easier to be more precise when applying to your skin than to your seat pad, so your chamois cream should go further.
If you're a rider who experiences rubbing between your legs and the saddle or between your legs and your groin, obviously, these are the places to aim for. Your ride position may also affect where discomfort occurs.
