The Chub Rub Remedy That Works

It’s a beautiful day, you throw on your shorts and head out for a run. A few steps in, you’re already soaked in sweat and the chub rub has begun.

For those of us who have thick thighs, friction is a natural part of running—or walking. Miles of skin-on-skin contact can create a burning, red, painful rash and stop even the most seasoned runners in their tracks.

You could wear pants all the time, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There’s a much better solution: Gold Bond Friction Defense.

This is not sponsored content. I won’t make any money off this post. I’m recommending the product because it works and I want you to be free of inner-leg and under-arm chafing when running, walking, or just hanging out at the beach.

Five things I love about Gold Bond Friction Defense

1) It works. Roll on a few layers before heading out the door and you’ll have all-day protection. Things will feel slick at first, but after a few motions you won’t even notice you’re wearing it. Your thighs will glide right on by without sticking, grabbing, or tearing.

2) The packaging looks like it hasn’t been updated since 1980, but that’s part of the charm. It features the signature yellow and red color scheme you can expect from Gold Bond with a few stickers slapped on either side.

Bonus: it has runners on the front so even if you don’t consider yourself a runner [read about imposter syndrome here] you’ll feel like part of the pack at the CVS checkout counter.    

2b) The packaging shape. It looks and operates like a stick of deodorant, which eliminates any potential embarrassment you might feel if you apply it in public places. Everybody sweats and people like when you wear deodorant—or something—so others don’t have to smell your sweat.

While this product doesn’t act as a deodorant, I guarantee if someone sees you rubbing a stick that looks like deodorant between your legs, they’ll probably wonder why they never thought of something so brilliant.

2c) The packaging is easy to grip, sturdy enough to take a beating in the bottom of your gym bag, and small enough to fit in your carry-on— AND it won’t be confiscated by airport security.

3) It’s unscented. There are so many products out there that claim to be fragrance free and still smell like… something. For those who are sensitive to scent, this product really doesn’t smell.

You might be thinking an unscented product designed to be worn when you’re at your sweatiest is a bad idea, but I disagree. You know that co-worker who wears too much cologne to try to mask the bowl he smoked before work? And you can smell both weed and cologne and the combination is horrible? Let your deodorant do its thing. You don’t need two cooks in the kitchen.

4) It’s inexpensive. A quick search for chub rub remedies will populate a list of products—anti-chafing shorts, bands, and sticks of all sizes. Some salves go for upwards of $40 a tube. A stick of Friction Defense will cost you about $5 and will last months.

5)  The second FAQ on the product page is, “Can I use it on my pets?” (The answer is no, friends. Obviously.) This question had two immediate effects on me a) loving the product even more because they either have a sense of humor or a lot of customers with hairless pets. b) wanting to immediately rub it across my cat’s oversized butt cheeks. You’ll be glad to know I did not test it on animals (and Gold Bond didn’t either.) Fat felines have plenty of fur to protect their skin from chub rub. Save Friction Defense for yourself.