Award Winning Global Tri-Sport Shop
Okay so you've never used Assos chamois cream before maybe because you don't use their shorts or in some belief that such products are for past times, but in doing so you have missed a real gem.Way before the modern synthetic chamois was invented all shorts had a leather based outer to the pad which made contact with your skin. In the same way that leather shoes need to be treated to keep them supple and clean so you had to treat the leather chamois. The most popular products were various body moisturisers, as long as they had some lanolin content. Not only did this treat the chamois but it also reduced the friction against the skin, which resulted in a more comfortable ride.Leather may no longer be used for chamois, but that doesn't mean there's no longer any use for chamois cream. You can use this product in two ways. First, treating the chamois - in doing so you are allowing the pad to soak up all that lubrication and store it for release throughout your ride. I have found this to an absolute godsend especially after five hours in the saddle nearing the end of a Sportive ride. The second way, and probably the most frequent way I use it, is to put the cream directly onto the skin. Due to the menthol in the cream it can leave the applied area feeling cold, not so bad in the heat of summer but less enjoyable in the colder months. This cold sensation soon wears off leaving the treated area protected for whatever the elements may throw at you.
Having used this product for over a year now both in Assos and other branded shorts I can't believe how simple yet effective it is. With ingredients such as Almond Oil (to soften the skin) Witch Hazel (cleansing, healing and soothing) every angle has been covered to improve a rider's comfort. I would recommend anyone to try this product; it could be the best money you spend all year.
This is not the first time we have seen Udderley SMOOth. The first product we tested was the roiginal udder cream, and now there is a chamois cream for cyclists. Containing Shea Butter, this product is thicker than the thin moisturiser and Nivea-like original but retains the greaseless feel when applied to the skin. The thicker consistency of the cream is an improvement on the thinner Udder Cream for longer-distance rides, and has helped to prevent any chaffing even on the hottest days so far this year.Its almost pearlescent colour and light scent gives a moisturiser appearance to the cream, so in addition to its good performance as a barrier cream, it will leave your hands smelling fresh and feeling soft. On coloured Lycra the cream was also stainless, washing out easily. The large 8oz tub prevents you having to keep running out to buy more, and the low price makes this an excellent choice.
Udderly Smooth is great value, very effective, but it can be more difficult to get hold of. That said, it's worth the hunting.
Chamois cream is seen by many mountan bikers to be un-necassary or even a little strange. Although both of these viewpoints may well be true, a quality chamois cream will allow you to ride for longer periods and in more comfort. Personally i tend to use the brilliant Assos Cream (or 'minty arse lard' as it is affectionately known) on any ride over a couple of hours and swear by it. Indeed the Assos cream seems to be the default choice for most of the endurance biased riders i know.Consequently it was interesting to try out a new contender to the, err, throne. Udderley SMOOth previously developed creams to protect cows udders during milking, but they now have a range of creams for humans, including hand creams, used by round the world yachtsmen, and this anti-chafing Chamois Cream. It is fresh smelling snd non-greasy and didn't stain my shorts (or skin!). It works well for a long time without re-application and certainly increased my comfort on long rides. All very good. On the whole Udderley cream seems to work just as well as the Assos. While it doesn't have the minty tingle that some people like, it does come in a much bigger pot for less money.
Great product, great price. Two thumbs up!