Say ciao to chafing and hello to looking and feeling your personal best out on the road or trail.
Running is one of the few times in my life when I am able to totally disconnect from everything going on in the world (take your pick) and focus on simply putting one foot in front of the other. No thoughts, just vibes. However, while zoning out on a soul-cleansing trail run is a relatively low-maintenance activity, it’s not a no-maintenance one. Without proper preparation, annoyances like chafing, sweat, sunburn, and blisters can all pull your focus away from what matters, and even haunt you for days afterwards.
Here are the essential products that I’ve come to rely on, as a lifelong runner and seasoned fitness editor, to keep my runs fun, focused, and pain-free.
1. Satisfy TechSilk 5” Shorts
If you need to slather your thighs with anti-chafe cream, your running shorts could be to blame. These shorts from French running label Satisfy have become my go-to pair, especially for longer runs. The internal liner is made from a buttery soft anti-chafe technical silk, bonded seams reduce friction all around, and the lightweight shell feels as though it’s barely there.
These shorts really just get out of your way and let you focus on the run without any distractions. And that includes the keys jangling around in your pocket. Hidden in the double waistband is a mini S carabiner that stows securely out of sight and out of mind, and the two additional pockets are perfect for gels.
See Also: How To Stop Thigh Chafe (And Prevent It, Too)
2. Body Glide Original Anti Chafe Balm
Sometimes chafing has nothing to do with your clothing at all. I know some runners who struggle with the friction that running causes between their upper arms and pecs. Others feel it in their armpits. And a few battle with chest-worn heart rate monitors. If any of this is relatable, then you’ll benefit from a more targeted solution.
Body Glide is the OG anti-chafe product, and remains my top pick for no-fuss protection. It goes on just like a deodorant stick, and you can put it literally anywhere—from head to toe—where you expect to feel the burn. The plant-based formula creates an invisible barrier that holds up nicely and washes off easily with soap and water.
3. NipEAZE Original Sport Nip Cover
A fitness industry acquaintance of mine recently posted a photo to his Instagram feed—a triumphant snapshot of him crossing the line of a major marathon. But all I (or anyone else, judging by the comments) could see was the parallel streaks of bright-red blood staining the length of his white running singlet. Maybe he should have known better than to post that photo, but I feel for what the guy must’ve gone through that day, because nipple chafe is the literal worst.
Some running tops will help you avoid it altogether, but if you even slightly suspect nipple chafe might be an issue during an upcoming run or race, don’t mess around with full-body solutions. Instead, grab a pack of these adhesive nip covers. They’re resistant to sweat and comfortable enough to wear over any distance.
4. Injinji Socks
BUY FROM AMAZON: ANKLE // CREW
A couple of years back, a running shoe brand brought me and a couple of other editors out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to run the local trails in their latest trail shoe. I don’t remember a single thing about the shoe, but I do remember these socks, which they gave to all of us on arrival. When it comes to running-related collateral damage, blisters used to be my biggest issue. And these socks literally made them a thing of the past.
At first, I thought the five-toe design was a novelty. By that time, the Vibram FiveFingers craze had come and gone, and I wasn’t exactly looking for a throwback. But after a couple of runs, varying in difficulty and duration, I was sold on their blister-bypassing powers—and I’ve been rocking them ever since.
5. Every Man Jack 48-Hour Odor Defense Deodorant
Honestly, I’m not a big fan of deodorant in my daily life. I work from home with no coworkers, and most of my workouts happen in the privacy of the gym in my building. But when I go running out in the world—particularly if I’m meeting up with a run club, or planning on ending my run anywhere other than my apartment—I honor my civil duty to mask any olfactory evidence of my prior exertion.
I wrote a story a while back where I tested dozens of different deodorant products. I ended up with so many samples that I’ve since just grabbed whatever is nearest and used that. But after recently receiving a stick of this particular aluminum-free deodorant from Every Man Jack—the Caribbean Coconut scent, specifically—I refuse to use anything else. The objectively delicious fragrance sticks around well after I’ve posted my run to Strava, and has even received a few kudos of its own.
6. Supergoop PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50
As an athletic person who spends countless hours outside, from running to soccer to outdoor HIIT workouts, I’ve had ample opportunities to test just about every “sport” sunscreen under the sun. Outside of workouts, Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen is one of my all-time favorite sunscreen products (although I’d be lying if I said that TULA Skincare’s Protect + Glow hasn’t turned my head recently). And the brand’s PLAY product is right up there with it.
The first and probably most important thing that I love about this sunscreen is that it works really well. I can’t really remember the last time I got a sunburn after training outside. The second thing that I’m a fan of is the delivery system. Personally, I can’t stand going through the motions of applying a cream-based sunscreen to every inch of visible skin on my body. Why go through all that when you can use a spray? This product uses a non-aerosol spray that works at any angle and goes on evenly every time.
7. Oars + Alps Cooling + Cleansing Wipes
If you frequently run with friends or you’re part of a run club that customarily concludes with a local happy hour, face wipes are an essential. Wiping the sweat from your brow and clearing your eyes and mouth of miscellaneous bodily debris allows you to walk (or awkwardly limp) into any room with this priceless confidence of a person who knows, for a fact, that there is definitely nothing on their face.
These handy face and body wipes from Oars + Alps come in convenient little travel packs that can easily be stashed in a pocket or running belt. One side of each individually packaged, scented wipe is textured for gentle exfoliation, while the other is treated with caffeine for a bonus boost.