Cycling Clothing Accessories

Chamois cream, also known as saddle cream or chamois crème, is the cycling care product that prevents friction and irritation during long time in the saddle. The chamois is the soft insert in a cycling short that absorbs pressure from the saddle. Without protection, the combination of moisture, warmth and repeated friction causes painful spots even on medium-length rides. By applying chamois cream to the chamois of the shorts or directly to the skin you reduce friction, support the skin and ride more comfortably at all distances.

Alongside chamois cream you will find in this range other products that keep your comfort, skin and cycling clothing in good condition: skin repair gel for skin recovery after intensive rides, a specialist cycling clothing detergent that protects the technical properties of your cycling clothing, a sports towel and waterproof phone cases to protect your smartphone during rides in the rain or activities near water.

Which cycling clothing accessories do you need?

Most cyclists and triathletes start with chamois cream. Depending on how and how long you ride, you add other products from there.

You suffer from saddle pain or irritation on longer rides: chamois cream is the first step. Apply it before the ride to the chamois of your shorts, or directly to the skin if you wear seamless shorts. Women's saddle cream has a different formulation from men's, tailored to anatomical differences and the specific pressure points of female cycling comfort.

You regularly ride longer distances or several days in a row: combine chamois cream before the ride with skin repair gel after. Skin repair gel supports skin recovery after prolonged pressure and friction and is particularly useful for athletes who train daily or ride multi-day events.

You want to extend the lifespan of your cycling clothing: use a specialist cycling clothing detergent. Technical fabrics such as elastane, lycra and membrane materials are damaged by regular detergents containing enzymes and bleach activators. A specific sportswear detergent washes the clothing clean while keeping the elasticity, moisture management and quick-dry properties of the material intact.

You want to protect your smartphone during rides in the rain or near water: choose a waterproof phone case. A standard waterproof case protects your phone from rain and splash. A floating version is especially useful for activities in or near the water, such as swimming, rowing or open water triathlon: if the case accidentally goes overboard, it floats and is easy to find.

What to look for when buying?

Chamois cream: composition and quantity

Chamois cream is available in a version for men and a version for women. The women's version has a different pH and antibacterial action that is better suited to specific skin flora and the higher risk of irritation with different saddle and sitting contact. Never use a men's version when wearing women's shorts as an alternative: the formulation can actually worsen irritation. In terms of quantity, a compact 75 ml tube is sufficient for travel and racing. A large tub or large tube is more economical for daily home use with regular training. Always combine your chamois cream with a well-fitting cycling short with a quality chamois: cream does not compensate for poor shorts.

Cycling clothing detergent

Specialist sportswear detergents are enzyme-free and contain no aggressive bleach activators that damage the elastic fibres in cycling clothing. Always wash cycling clothing on a short cool programme with minimal spin. Regular detergents damage compression, moisture wicking and odour-neutral properties of the fabric, even though these effects only become visible after multiple washes. A sportswear detergent is therefore an investment in the longevity of clothing that is considerably more expensive than the detergent itself.

Waterproof phone case: floating or non-floating

A waterproof phone case protects against rain and splash but is not automatically floating. A non-floating case protects your phone from rain, but if the case ends up in open water it will sink. A floating case is made of material or with a design that keeps the case at the surface. That is relevant for open water swimmers, kayakers, triathletes who also swim and anyone who regularly sports near water. Also pay attention to the fastening: a solid closure and a wristband or attachment loop prevent the case from coming loose during the ride or in the water.

Our advice: start with chamois cream if you have not used cycling care products before. Choose the variant matched to your gender and try applying it both to the shorts and directly to the skin: preference varies by person and short type. Add the other products based on how intensively and how long you ride.

Who are cycling clothing accessories suitable for?

• Cyclists and triathletes who ride longer distances who want to prevent saddle pain or irritation with chamois cream so they can cycle more comfortably and without interruption.
• Athletes who train daily or several consecutive days who want to actively protect and allow their skin to recover with chamois cream before and skin repair gel after the ride.
• Cyclists who want to invest in the lifespan of their cycling clothing and are looking for a detergent that does not damage technical fabrics but does clean thoroughly.
• Triathletes and athletes who also swim or sport near water who want to protect their smartphone with a waterproof or floating phone case during training and racing.
• Beginners who are cycling seriously for the first time and do not know why their first long ride was so uncomfortable, and who can make a noticeable difference immediately with chamois cream.

Need help choosing?

Would you like to buy cycling clothing accessories but are not quite sure which products best match your wishes and needs? We are happy to help with all your questions. You can reach our triathlon specialists by phone at +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our triathlon store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about cycling clothing accessories

What is chamois cream and how do you use it?

Chamois cream (also: saddle cream or chamois crème) is a lubricating, skin-protecting cream that you apply to the chamois of your cycling shorts or directly to the skin to reduce friction and irritation at the saddle. You apply it before the ride, never after. Some athletes apply it only to the shorts, others combine that with a thin layer on the skin: both methods work well and the preference depends on the type of shorts and how sensitive your skin is. Only use chamois cream specifically formulated for your gender: men's and women's versions have different formulations.

On the shorts or on the skin: where do you apply chamois cream?

Both methods are used. Applying to the chamois of the shorts protects the pad and ensures the cream is exactly where it needs to be. Applying directly to the skin gives a direct skin-protective effect, particularly for athletes with sensitive skin or when wearing tight shorts without much chamois thickness. Many experienced cyclists combine both: a light layer on the chamois and a second layer on the most sensitive skin areas. More cream is not always better: an even thin layer works just as well as a thick one and is less likely to clog pores.

How do I wash my cycling clothing best?

Always wash cycling clothing on a short cool programme of maximum 30 degrees with little or no spin. Use an enzyme-free sportswear detergent that does not damage the elastic fibres and technical coating of cycling clothing. Regular detergents containing enzymes and bleach activators break down the elastane fibres in cycling shorts and jerseys, causing compression, fit and moisture management to deteriorate. Do not use fabric softener: this lays a layer on the fibres that significantly reduces the breathability of technical material. Let cycling clothing air dry in the shade and never use a tumble dryer.

What does a skin repair gel do after cycling?

Skin repair gel supports skin recovery after prolonged pressure, friction and moisture that occur during intensive cycling. After a long ride or several consecutive training days, the skin in the saddle and sitting area is often stressed, mildly irritated or more sensitive than normal. Skin repair gel helps restore the skin barrier, reduces redness and dryness and supports faster recovery so you can ride comfortably again the next day. It is particularly useful for athletes who train daily or ride multi-day events.

What is the difference between a waterproof and a floating phone case?

A waterproof phone case protects your phone from rain, splash and submersion up to a certain depth and time, but if the case ends up in open water it will sink. A floating phone case is made of or filled with material that keeps the case at the surface, so it can be easily found if it falls into the water. For cyclists who only ride in the rain, a standard waterproof case is sufficient. For triathletes, swimmers or athletes who regularly sport in or near water, a floating version is much more practical and provides more certainty if the case accidentally comes loose.