Running Tights Prevent Chafing.

Chafing often goes hand in hand with running if you’re not wearing the right gear. However, it can be easily prevented. Essentially chafing is where two points rub together. In running, this is often around the armpit area, at the tops of your legs where your thighs rub, or around the feet.

There are a few ways to prevent this, but the best way is to make sure you are wearing the appropriate gear. Chafing will become worse the longer your running, so what might be just an irritation during a 30 minute run, will become very uncomfortable after an hour or so.

For the bottom half we’d recommend tight ‘under shorts’ or lycra shorts that will sit tight against you and stop any rubbing between the thighs. In winter you might want to wear full length running tights over the top of this. You may actually find running tights enough protection on their own, but it will depend on your body shape.

For the top half, for women the bra area is likely to be the trouble area, so you need to make sure you have a good quality bra that fits well. You should check all shirts and tops for untidy seams that might pose a threat.

Some people will suggest oil based products such as Vaseline. There are mixed reports on this and it may come down to the distance and time you’re expecting to be protected for. Vaseline will allow for freer movement, but two things will happen; you and the area you’re trying to protect will become wet with sweat and the Vaseline will actually promote more movement against the two surfaces by making them slide against each other. While this will be trouble free for a while, if you are running for a prolonged time the Vaseline will wear off and this has the potential to cause even worse chafing.

So in summary, this is a problem best resolved with clothing, such as tight running trousers/tights and shorts.