SMARRR chamois cream

Problems with the behind belong to bikepacking folklore, and the question—what do you lubricate with—is used suspiciously often. Basically, there are 4 options to influence the comfort of your butt on long rides:

• Saddle
• Bib shorts
• Riding position
• Cream

And today we will focus on the last option, specifically the answer to it from the Polish brand SMARRR. Creating a review for a butt cream is a bit tricky, because it will be hard for me to show the actual usage. Unless I film myself with a happy or agonizing expression.

But seriously now. I prefer to do my reviews in comparison with another product, and this time will be no different. For several years, I carried Squirt Barrier Balm, and now I can compare them well.

🧴 Consistency

Squirt Barrier Balm is a much thicker, denser cream that lasts longer on the butt, but it also has its disadvantages. If it is cold, it hardens so much that it is very difficult to spread. It is so water-resistant that it cannot be properly washed off, and the best way to get it off your fingers is with a tissue.

SMARRR is gentler in this regard—it can be used even in cold conditions and does not stick to the fingers as much. I didn't have to figure out what to wipe the residue off with. However, it still has a sufficiently thick consistency and will last on the behind for some time.

On the 2020 Miles Adventure, the Squirt Barrier Balm gradually soaked into my shorts, and I felt like I never properly washed it out. I rode the Atlas Mountain Race with SMARRR, but I didn't notice a similar problem.

🔍 Composition

I diligently copied the ingredients:

Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Oxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lanolin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silver, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Retinyl Palmitate, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid

Of course, I am not wise about most of these things, so I just entered it into artificial intelligence, and it basically told me that it is good. Fundamentally, it has these effects:

• Hydrating
• Protective
• Antibacterial
• Regenerative

An important ingredient for me is Zinc Oxide. I am usually used to using two creams; I call one the day cream and the other the night cream. Or also preventive and regenerative—for cases when there is already a problem.

The day cream serves to prevent abrasions. I apply the night cream before going to sleep, and it is meant to support skin regeneration. And for regeneration, I mostly use Zinc Oxide—zinc cream. SMARRR has a composition suitable for both—as prevention and as skin regeneration. It is more versatile, but because of this, it will likely be less effective in its individual functions. That is the price for versatility.

🚴 Experience

Generally, I don't use creams always and everywhere. I would definitely use it on an indoor trainer or in hot or wet conditions. A conditioned butt, a good saddle, and bib shorts can do a lot on their own.

As I wrote, I took the SMARRR cream for a test run at the Atlas Mountain Race, where I think there are ideal conditions for testing. Heat and a lot of dust. I used it during the day, and I had a zinc cream for the night. Sure, my butt already hurt on the third day, but I didn't have a single chafed spot, and that was important to me. Nothing restricted me in my riding. What I struggled with were more like saddle sores, which cannot be completely avoided. And when I put the cream on them, it brought me temporary relief. I just had to look around on that plain to see if anyone was watching 😉 It was definitely pleasant to work with, though, and it didn't harden at night.

It can also be used on toes and the soles of the feet. If a race is "less rideable"—you are walking, it is raining—you will protect yourself from unpleasant blisters.

🕵️ Conclusion

One 50 ml package comes out to roughly 200 crowns in our currency, which is about a quarter cheaper than the mentioned Squirt Barrier Balm. If I were going on some bikepacking trip as a vacation, I would definitely prefer SMARRR. It is easier to work with and gentler on clothing.

For a race, it is a matter of preference. Squirt Barrier Balm will probably last longer on the butt and withstand harsh conditions, such as heavy and persistent rain, but that brings with it many ailments and the need for another, regenerative cream. And it is up to everyone how they balance those scales. I recommend reading the guide on how to improve the comfort of your behind.

SMARRR is available for all of EU.