Why Bum Butter Is the Best Anti-Chafe Cream for Runners
For runners, blister and chafing prevention isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. Traditionally, many have reached for stick-based antifriction balms like Body Glide. But more runners searching for the best anti-chafe cream for runners are switching to Bum Butter — and for good reasons.
1. Stick Balms Can Be Unhygienic
Antifriction products in stick form look convenient, but every application presses the stick directly onto your skin. That means sweat, dirt and bacteria can transfer back into the tube — especially after long runs or races. Bum Butter, as an anti-chafe cream for runners, avoids that risk and offers a more hygienic solution.
2. You Reapply Less — Because You Last Longer
Yes, stick balms are easy to reapply. But ask yourself: why reapply so often? Many runners find they need to stop mid-run to reapply stick products, breaking focus and rhythm. Bum Butter’s long-lasting formula stays effective for hours, which is why many runners now consider it the best anti-chafe cream for runners during training and races.
If you are taking on super long runs, or multi-day events, Bum Butter is also available in a handy 10ml tub that can be easily refilled from your big tub.
3. Better Value for Money
If you compare cost per use, Bum Butter delivers more miles for your money:
Body Glide: £14.99 for 42g
Bum Butter: £19.99 for 100 ml / 100g
With more than double the product for only a small price difference, Bum Butter stands out as a high-value anti-chafe cream for runners who train regularly.
4. Alcohol-Free and Runner-Friendly
Unlike some competitors, Bum Butter is alcohol-free. This means less stinging, reduced irritation, and a gentler experience on sensitive skin — especially important for runners covering long distances.
5. Trusted by Thousands of Runners
Bum Butter isn’t just an alternative — it’s becoming a go-to choice for runners across the UK and beyond. Thousands trust it for daily training, marathons and ultras, reinforcing its reputation as one of the best anti-chafe creams for runners.
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.