Hot
- Works great to prevent chafing
- Does not clog pores
- Easily washes off body and clothing
- Suited for both men and women
- Vegan ingredients derived entirely from plants
- Fragrance, petroleum and paraben-free
Not
- Tub is too big to for travel, need to use single use packets
- Bacteria concerns with repeatedly putting fingers in tub, especially in household where multiple people are using
Pricing: 8oz tub – $21.95; 12 -Single-use packets – $17.95
Availability: Company web site, Amazon, and retail
How Obtained: Company sample
RBR Advertiser: No
Happy Bottom = Longer Rides
Cyclists seem to have no problem discussing saddle issues or virtually anything going on with their southern region. We’ll chat about everything from saddle sores to numbness to hygiene (waxing vs not waxing). The topic of chamois cream usually comes up. Some use it, some do not. I’m in the camp that always uses chamois cream.
Recently the topic came up in one of my online cycling discussion groups. One woman swore by Zealios Betwixt chamois cream. Since this woman spends hours on the trainer, I took note. I had never heard of the company nor the product, so I reached out to their marketing director for test samples.
Within a week, I received an 8 oz tub of Betwixt along with a few single use samples. The first thing I noticed when I opened the tub was the lack of fragrance. I like that there are no added perfumes, in fact it is made from vegan ingredients derived entirely from plants. It is also petroleum and paraben-free. (Parabens are a class of widely used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.)
Betwixt is thinner compared to many other chamois creams, which made me concerned it would not work for longer rides or require frequent reapplication. But testing both during outdoor rides and long trainer rides, it held up really well. I can say I REALLY, REALLY like Betwixt.
When laundering my bibs, Betwixt washed out of the chamois and left no residue. It also washed off my skin easily in the shower. I never found it to clog my pores or cause any skin discomfort.
According to the company’s web site, Betwixt is suitable for men and women. It can also be used as a skin lubricant where you might incur chafing, like for runners. It is safe to use with wet suits, so I look forward to trying next summer during an open water swim.
Betwixt is available online from both the Zealios site or Amazon and at select retailers. The pricing for both the tub and single use packets are competitive to other brands.
The only downsides I had with Betwixt revolved around the tub. First, the tub is too large to travel with, so you’re forced to take a bunch of single use packets which isn’t environmentally friendly. Second, I worry about bacteria with using a large tub, especially if sharing with another person in your household. Bacteria exists on your hands and under your nails. Over the life of the tub you are repeatably sticking your fingers in the cream. Not very sanitary, although quite a few other chamois cream brands also use the same packaging method.
I did mention my concern to Zealios’ marketing director who stated they are in the process of looking at different packaging. If they came out with a squeeze tube, like some other chamois cream brands, then I’d definitely give them a 5-star rating.
Bottom Line
When a friend raved about Zealios Betwixt chamois cream I knew I had to try it. This all-natural lubricant is made from vegan ingredients derived entirely from plants. Betwixt made my southern region quite comfortable, even on long indoor trainer rides! Suited for men or women, it is worth trying for yourself. A happy bottom means longer rides and a happy cyclist.
Why would anyone share chamois creme with other people? That sounds gross. Remember, they also stick their fingers in their own crotch too. Don’t be cheap, get everyone their own jar or tube. Speaking of jar, how big is that tub that it won’t fit in your travel duffle? I’ve been using chamois creme in a jar for years and have never not had room for a jar.
I’ve been road and mtn. biking for over 20 years and have used several different chamois cremes. I have been using Bitwixt for last 5 or 6 years and really like it for all the reasons you mentioned above but mainly because it works. I’ve used other chamois cremes that I’ve gotten as samples during this time and always stay with the Bitwixt. I ride a lot of long distance rides during hot humid summer and it has always held up. It would be nice if they did come up with a tube container. Either way I’ll still stay with it.
Chamois creams never worked that well for me but when a fellow rider suggested I shave the “Southern End” ( be careful) most of my saddle rash disappeared.
Be careful with this method my friend. I too tried this method but still developed sores. When the new hair starts to surface the skin it can become ingrown from all the friction, dirt and sweat. I now just trim the hair with a beard trimmer purchased just for this purpose. I leave about 1-2mm exposed as to deter ingrown hair but still short enough to ease friction. Good luck and stay vertical!
I transfer cream from the tub to an old pill bottle for travel.
Several years ago a similar article in this publication recommended Lantiseptic. I have found this product to work very well at a reasonable price and available at every drugstore. It is marketed to nursing homes for people with bedsores but it also works very well for bicyclers.
What about transferring some from the tub into one of those silicon squeeze tubes sold at REI for travel? You could do this with a clean spoon once in a while and then have your own refillable squeeze tube! Worth a try.
Even if you don’t want to buy multiple large tubs, get a few smaller containers and portion it out. That solves your travel problems and gives everyone their own container
Nice report!
During many years or riding road and mountain bikes I have found a light application of chamois cream over a thin coat of Bag Balm to be unbeatable. No clogged pores, saddle sores or other down-under issues during many centuries on the road and numerous 5-hour rides on steep, rocky dirt trails with plenty of roots.
Good review, but I think you mean “pores”, not “pours”. 🙂
“Pours”?? Try “pores.”
Environments such as tubs of chamois cream seldom represent ideal conditions for bacteria. Many of the ingredients are either bacteriostatic or bactericidal by themselves (e.g., aloe vera gel, decyl oleate, white oak bark extract, etc.). While it may be seem like a breeding ground for bacteria; the truth is 1) many of the ingredients inhibit bacterial growth; and 2) combined, the ingredient present an environment that just doesn’t present nutritive value for bacteria to proliferate.
My husband and I have been sharing Button Hole chamois cream, which comes in a big tub and never have had a bacterial infection. Put bibs/shorts on, insert clean hand in tub, apply cream!
I’ve used this product for years…I’ve never once considered growth of bacteria in the tub as an issue/worry