When designing and getting the items for the StayOutThere Kit, I had to find a chamois cream that came in a single use packet small enough to fit in the 6″x9″ ALOKSAK bag. At first, Chamois Butt’r was the only product I could find, but after continued internet research I found Friction Freedom. I also discovered Body Glide, but it was too bulky for the kits and the more solid consistency didn’t work as well as a cream.
Both Chamois Butt’r and Friction Freedom are packaged in jars or single use packets. Below is my analysis of the two creams complete with feedback from all five senses (yes, sound and taste are included – don’t ask).
If you want to skip the details and find out which one was chosen, you can head over to the StayOutThere Kit page and see the winner.
Tale Of The Tape
Chamois Butt’r
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Friction Freedom
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| $15.99 for an 8oz jar ($2.00/oz) | Cost (Jar) | $29.00 for an 8oz jar ($3.60/oz) |
| $0.99 per 9ml packet ($0.11/ml) | Cost (Single Use packet) | $1.25 per 8ml packet ($0.15/ml) |
| 2 – even when using a generous amount | Applications per packet | 2 – even when using a generous amount |
| USA | Place of Manufacturing | USA |
| Water, Mineral Oil, Glyceryl Steraic Acid, Glycerin, Lanolin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Corn Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Cholecalciferol | Ingredients | Reverse Osmosis Water, Anhydrous Lanolin, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate (and) Peg – 100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Shea Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Menthol, Xanthan Gum, Retinyl (Vitamin A). |
| Looks like a cream | Sight | Thick, almost looks like a lotion |
| Slight oily feel. Easily applies directly to skin.After application, creates a good barrier but is a tad bit sticky | Touch | Easily applies directly to skin.After application, creates a nice slick barrier on the skin. |
| Very mild, almost non-existent | Smell | A definite menthol smell that takes a little getting used to. It’s not a bad smell, just a different type of smell. |
| No whining when applying or for the first hour of riding.On longer rides, the barrier between skin and chamois breaks down and the goods are not doing so good. | Sound | No whining when applying or for the first hour of riding.
On longer rides, the barrier between skin and chamois is still present. There is no issue with the chamois feeling like it is stuck in place against your skin. Even on hot summer rides with plenty of sweat, my goods were still happy and not crying out. |
| I like me some chamois cream, but not that much! | Taste | Ditto! |
With its natural ingredients and better results during rides, Friction Freedom is the winner by a wide margin! Freedom Friction is also a small company delivering great service which always wins out in my book (more on this topic in the next blog post).
Friction Freedom jars and single use packets are available through the Pale Spruce store.
Chamois Butt’r performs well, but when choosing a chamois cream for bikepacking and long days in the saddle, Friction Freedom is my choice to keep me comfortable.
Yes, Friction Freedom costs a good deal more, but your privates will thank you and your longer rides will be more enjoyable. For a cost comparison, Assos chamois cream comes in a smaller jar and is $4.68/oz. Friction Freedom is over $1.00 per oz less than Assos and the Assos does not come in a single use packet.
So, spend a little more to protect your personal parts, and a little less on the latest whizbang gadget. It is much better to be happy on a ride than to be the style king.
