You won't believe what it can do.
If you’ve ever heard the name and smiled, you’re not alone. But despite what the name suggests, Bum Butter isn’t just for bums. It’s an all-round anti-friction cream designed to protect skin wherever it rubs, chafes, or gets irritated.
Why Is It Called Bum Butter?
The name goes back to its origins at Charlie The Bikemonger, an independent bicycle shop where the product was first created. In those early days, Bum Butter was specifically developed to tackle saddle sores.
Cyclists riding in hot weather, putting in long miles, or riding day after day often experience soreness between the bum cheeks and around the groin. The name “Bum Butter” was honest, memorable, and perfectly suited to its original purpose.
But It Didn’t Stop There…
Over the years, riders and runners started experimenting. They discovered that Bum Butter worked brilliantly anywhere skin-on-skin or skin-on-fabric friction occurred. Word spread. Today, it’s trusted by thousands of runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Where Can You Use Bum Butter?
Pretty much everywhere. Runners commonly apply Bum Butter to:
- Inner thighs
- Groin area
- Between the bum cheeks
- Around the genitals
- Underarms
- Nipples (to prevent chafing on long runs)
- Under sports bras
- Waistbands and belt lines
- Between toes
- Heels (to prevent shoe rub)
Anywhere that heat, sweat, and repetition cause irritation — Bum Butter creates a protective barrier that keeps skin comfortable.
Are There Any Other Uses?
Yes — and this is where it gets interesting.
Over time, people have found all sorts of creative applications for Bum Butter beyond sport:
- Underarm deodorant – Its natural formulation makes it gentle and effective.
- Beard balm – Softens and conditions facial hair.
- Bicycle grease (in a pinch) – Handy for field repairs.
- Electrical grease substitute – Useful in practical situations.
- Rubber seal conditioner – A squeaky van door? A little on the rubber seal can quiet things down.
- After-sun relief – Applied after a long, sun-drenched surf session, it can soothe and restore dry, irritated skin.
One memorable example? I was a badly sunburnt surfer — fair-skinned, no wetsuit, blazing summer sun reflecting off the sea. An evening application of Bum Butter, and by morning the discomfort was gone.
So, Is It Just for Bums?
Not even close.
Bum Butter started as a cyclist’s solution to saddle sores. Today, it’s a multi-purpose anti-friction, skin-protecting, do-it-all balm trusted by athletes and adventurers alike.
From running trails to bikepacking trips, from surf sessions to squeaky van doors — Bum Butter has earned its reputation as far more than its cheeky name suggests.
Written by Charlie Hobbs: Founder of Bum Butter
Charlie Hobbs (formally known as Charlie the Bikemonger) is a veteran of the British endurance sports industry and the founder of Bum Butter, the UK’s premier 100% natural, vegan anti-chafing cream. With a career spanning over four decades in off-road riding, Hobbs is a recognized pioneer in the UK gravel cycling scene, having founded the Dorset Gravel Dash—the UK's first ever gravel event—and invented the Clunker Classic. He was also a long-standing columnist and Merchandising Manager for Singletrack World Magazine, one of the world's leading cycling magazines and media outlets.
While his roots are in cycling, Charlie is also an active hiker, mountaineer, and runner, regularly testing the limits of Bum Butter on the trails of the Dorset Coast and Hebden Bridge. This "on-the-ground" experience as both a cyclist and a runner ensures that every batch of Bum Butter is formulated to withstand the specific friction demands of ultra-running and high-mileage training.
After 16 years as the owner of the renowned retail shop Bikemonger, Hobbs transitioned to focus on high-performance athlete care. He currently serves as the Lead Director of Bum Butter Ltd, where he oversees the business of handmade, petrochemical-free chamois balms used by Olympic gold medalists and everyday athletes alike.