Body Glide Alternatives: What to Use Instead for Chafing

Looking for a Body Glide alternative?

The short answer: if Body Glide already works well for you, there may be no reason to switch.

But if you want something that feels different, applies differently or uses a different type of formula, there are several good options.

Body Glide uses a traditional solid balm stick. Products such as Run Slick and 2Toms SportShield use liquid roll-on formulas. Other options, including Squirrel’s Nut Butter and even petroleum jelly, approach the same basic problem in different ways.

So the better question is not:

Which anti-chafe product is universally best?

It is:

Which format and skin feel work best for the way you move?

One disclosure before we start: we make Run Slick.

We obviously believe in our product. But Body Glide, 2Toms and other anti-chafe products work well for plenty of people.

Where we have not conducted controlled head-to-head testing, we will say so.

The goal of this guide is to help you understand the differences so you can choose what works for you.

How We Compared These Products

For this guide, we looked at the factors that matter most when choosing an anti-chafe product: application method, formula type, skin feel, friction protection and suitability for active use.

We have personally used and handled Run Slick, Body Glide and 2Toms SportShield, including side-by-side comparisons of application and skin feel. Run Slick has also been used during training, races and long endurance efforts in heat, humidity, sweat and rain.

We have not conducted controlled laboratory testing comparing the products head-to-head for durability or friction reduction.

Where an observation comes from our own use, we say so. Where information comes from a manufacturer’s published ingredients or product information, we rely on those sources.

Because we make Run Slick, you should also know that we have a financial interest in the product.

Our goal here is to explain the differences accurately enough for you to decide whether those differences matter to you.

Body Glide Alternatives: Quick Comparison

Product	Format	Formula Style	Feel	Consider It If...
Body Glide Original	Solid stick	Balm/wax system	Dry, balm-like	You like a traditional anti-chafe stick
Run Slick	Roll-on	Multi-silicone film-forming system	Light, smooth and silky	You want a lightweight roll-on without a waxy feel
2Toms SportShield	Roll-on	Dimethicone-based silicone	Slicker, wetter feel	You prefer a silicone roll-on
Squirrel’s Nut Butter	Stick or tin	Oils, cocoa butter and wax	Rich balm	You prefer a simple oil-and-wax formula
Petroleum jelly	Ointment	Petrolatum	Thick and greasy	You want a simple, inexpensive friction barrier

Run Slick → 

The biggest differences are not really about which logo is on the package.

They are about format, formula, application and how the product feels on your skin.

Why Look for an Alternative to Body Glide?

Body Glide is one of the best-known anti-chafe products for a reason.

It is portable, simple to apply and widely used by runners, hikers, cyclists and other athletes.

But no single product works perfectly for everyone.

You may be looking for an alternative because:

• You do not like the feel of a solid balm.

• You want a roll-on rather than a stick.

• You want something that feels lighter on your skin.

• You want to avoid applying product with your hands.

• You are comparing options for long runs, hiking, heat, humidity or rain.

• You simply want to know what else is available.

That is where the differences between anti-chafe products start to matter.

First: What Actually Causes Chafing?

Chafing is fundamentally a friction problem.

Skin may repeatedly rub against:

• Other skin

• Clothing

• Seams

• Sports bras

• Waistbands

• Shoes

• Packs or other gear

Heat, sweat and moisture can make the problem worse.

That is why chafing commonly shows up around the:

• Inner thighs

• Underarms

• Groin

• Bra lines

• Nipples

• Waistbands

• Feet

The basic goal of an anti-chafe product is simple:

reduce friction before repeated rubbing irritates the skin.

Different products just approach that job differently.

Body Glide: The Traditional Anti-Chafe Stick

Body Glide Original uses the format most people probably picture when they think about anti-chafing products:

a solid stick.

You remove the cap and rub the balm directly across the areas where you expect friction.

Why Some People Like Body Glide

The stick format is:

• Familiar

• Portable

• Easy to carry

• Simple to apply

• Convenient over larger areas such as the thighs

If Body Glide works for you and you like how it feels, keep using it.

Seriously.

There is no reason to replace a product that consistently keeps you comfortable.

Why Someone Might Want Something Different

A balm stick leaves a different sensation on the skin than a liquid silicone roll-on.

That difference may not matter during a short workout.

But during a long run, hike, race or hot day, some people become more aware of what is sitting underneath their clothing.

If you want something that feels thinner, silkier or less balm-like, a roll-on may be worth trying.

Run Slick: A Lightweight Roll-On Alternative to Body Glide

Run Slick takes a different approach.

Instead of a solid wax-style balm, Run Slick uses a multi-silicone roll-on formula.

The formula includes several types of silicones that contribute to:

• Slip

• Spreadability

• Skin feel

• Film formation

The goal was not simply to create another anti-chafe product.

It was to create friction protection that doesn't feel like a traditional anti-chafe balm.

Run Slick rolls directly onto the skin and spreads into a thin layer.

There is no need to rub it in with your hands.

After application, it is designed to settle into a lightweight, smooth, silky film rather than leaving a heavy or waxy sensation.

Who Might Prefer Run Slick?

Run Slick makes the most sense if you want:

• Roll-on application

• A lightweight skin feel

• No waxy balm sensation

• Clear application

• A non-greasy feel

• Friction protection designed for sweat, water and long miles

It can be applied to common friction areas including:

• Inner thighs

• Underarms

• Bra lines

• Waistbands

• Feet

• Other areas where skin, clothing or gear repeatedly rubs

We have used Run Slick ourselves during everyday training, races and very long endurance efforts.

We have also received feedback from runners, hikers and other athletes using it in heat, humidity, heavy sweat and rain.

That is encouraging real-world experience.

It is not proof that Run Slick will outperform every other anti-chafe product for every person.

Bodies, clothing, conditions and application amounts are different.

That distinction matters.

Looking for a roll-on alternative to Body Glide?

Run Slick goes on clear and leaves a light, silky film—without the waxy feel of a traditional balm.

Try Run Slick →

2Toms SportShield: The Closest Roll-On Comparison

If you specifically want a roll-on alternative to Body Glide, 2Toms SportShield is another option worth considering.

SportShield uses a silicone-based liquid delivered through a roll-on bottle.

Its listed ingredients include:

• Dimethicone

• Aloe vera extract

• Vitamin E

That makes 2Toms and Run Slick much closer comparisons to each other than either is to Body Glide.

Both:

• Use silicone chemistry

• Come in roll-on bottles

• Apply directly to the skin

• Reduce friction

• Can be used on common chafing areas

• Are designed for active use

So what is different?

Primarily the formula architecture and resulting skin feel.

Run Slick vs. 2Toms: What's the Difference?

This is probably the most useful comparison if you have already decided you want a roll-on.

2Toms SportShield uses a relatively simple dimethicone-centered formulation.

Run Slick uses a broader silicone system that includes ingredients designed for slip, feel and film formation.

When handling the two products side by side, we notice a sensory difference.

2Toms feels slicker and somewhat wetter or oilier during application.

Run Slick feels slick during application but transitions toward a lighter, silkier-feeling film.

That does not mean one sensation is objectively better.

Some people may like the wetter, very slick feel of 2Toms.

Others may prefer something that feels lighter after application.

For someone who is specifically searching for a Body Glide alternative because they do not want to feel a heavy, waxy or oily layer under their clothing, that difference may matter.

See Run Slick →

What About Sweat, Rain and Long Efforts?

This is an area where marketing claims can get ahead of the evidence.

Body Glide, 2Toms and Run Slick are all designed for active use and exposure to moisture.

We have not completed controlled, standardized head-to-head durability testing comparing Run Slick against Body Glide and 2Toms across identical athletes, application amounts and conditions.

So we do not claim that Run Slick universally lasts longer.

We have, however, used Run Slick successfully during very long endurance efforts and received encouraging feedback from athletes using it during:

• Heavy sweating

• Heat

• Humidity

• Rain

• Long runs

• Trail races

• Hiking

• Other extended activities

Run Slick's formula includes film-forming silicone chemistry, which is one reason performance in wet conditions was an important part of the product-development approach.

But real-world experience is not the same thing as controlled comparative testing.

If you are preparing for a long or especially wet race:

test your anti-chafe product during training first.

Race day is a bad time to discover that your friction strategy does not work.

Other Body Glide Alternatives Worth Considering

Body Glide, Run Slick and 2Toms are not your only options.

Two others are worth mentioning because they solve the same friction problem in very different ways.

Squirrel's Nut Butter

Squirrel's Nut Butter uses a simple oil-and-wax approach.

Its Original Anti-Chafe product contains:

• Coconut oil

• Cocoa butter

• Beeswax

• Vitamin E oil

That creates a richer balm-style product compared with a silicone roll-on.

If you like the idea of a balm but want a different formula from Body Glide, Squirrel's Nut Butter may be worth considering.

The choice between this type of product and something like Run Slick comes down largely to preference:

Do you want a richer oil-and-wax balm or a thinner silicone roll-on film?

Neither format is automatically right for everyone.

Petroleum Jelly

You do not necessarily need a specialized running product to reduce friction.

Petroleum jelly can work too.

It creates a lubricating barrier between rubbing surfaces and is commonly recommended as an inexpensive way to reduce friction.

Its advantages are obvious:

• Inexpensive

• Widely available

• Simple

• Effective at creating a slippery barrier

The trade-off is feel.

Petroleum jelly is thick and greasy, generally needs to be applied with your hands and may not be what you want underneath close-fitting technical clothing.

But if price matters more to you than application or skin feel, it is a legitimate option.

Sometimes the simplest solution is enough.

Which Body Glide Alternative Should You Choose?

Start with what you want to change.

If Body Glide already works well for you:

Keep using it.

If you like balm sticks but want another formula:

Consider Squirrel's Nut Butter.

If you want a silicone roll-on:

Compare Run Slick and 2Toms SportShield.

If you want a lighter, silkier roll-on feel:

Run Slick was designed specifically around that experience.

See Run Slick →

If you want the simplest inexpensive option:

Petroleum jelly can reduce friction too.

There is no universal winner.

The best anti-chafe product is the one that:

1. Works on your friction points.

2. Feels comfortable on your skin.

3. Works with your clothing and gear.

4. Holds up for the activities you actually do.

5. Is easy enough to use that you remember to apply it.

Which Is Better for Inner-Thigh Chafing?

All of these products can be used to reduce friction between the thighs.

The bigger difference is how you want to apply your protection.

If you prefer a solid product:

Body Glide and Squirrel's Nut Butter offer balm-style options.

If you prefer a roll-on:

Run Slick and 2Toms are the closer comparison.

If you want something simple you may already have at home:

Petroleum jelly can also create a friction barrier.

For inner thighs, make sure you cover the full area where your legs actually make contact rather than applying product to one small spot.

If thigh chafing happens while wearing dresses or skirts, read our How to Prevent Thigh Chafing When Wearing Dresses and Skirts → guide.

 

Which Is Better for Sports Bra Chafing?

Sports bra friction often happens along narrow areas such as:

• The lower band

• Side edges

• Under the breasts

• Shoulder straps

• Seams

A roll-on can be useful here because you can follow those friction points directly.

Both Run Slick and 2Toms offer that advantage.

For someone wearing close-fitting technical clothing, skin feel can also matter.

If you dislike feeling a heavier balm or oily layer beneath your sports bra, Run Slick's lighter, silky finish may appeal to you.

For more on fit, seams, sweat and common hot spots, read our Sports Bra Chafing: How to Prevent Rubbing While Running → guide.

 

What About Chafing While Walking?

You do not need to be running a marathon to chafe.

Walking creates thousands of repeated movements.

Heat, sweat and enough time on your feet can turn a small amount of rubbing into a painful problem.

That is especially common during:

• Vacations

• Theme parks

• Festivals

• Long sightseeing days

• Hiking

• Warm-weather events

• Dresses and skirts

If walking is your main problem, read our Chafing While Walking: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It → guide.

 

The same principle applies:

know where you rub and reduce the friction before irritation starts.

So, Is Run Slick a Good Body Glide Alternative?

Yes—especially if the reason you are looking for an alternative is that you want something that applies or feels different from a traditional balm stick.

Body Glide uses the familiar solid-stick approach.

2Toms offers a silicone roll-on with a very slick feel.

Squirrel's Nut Butter uses a richer oil-and-wax balm.

Petroleum jelly gives you a simple, inexpensive friction barrier.

Run Slick offers a lightweight multi-silicone roll-on designed to leave a smooth, silky film without the waxy feel of a traditional balm.

If your current anti-chafe product works, keep using what works.

But if you are here because you want friction protection that feels different:

Ready to try a different kind of anti-chafe?

If you're looking for a Body Glide alternative because you want something lighter, cleaner and easier to apply, Run Slick gives you a different approach:

Roll-on application. A silky, non-greasy feel. Protection built for sweat, water and long miles.

Try Run Slick →

If it rubs — Run Slick on it.™

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of Body Glide?

Common Body Glide alternatives include silicone roll-ons such as Run Slick and 2Toms SportShield, balm-style products such as Squirrel's Nut Butter and simple friction barriers such as petroleum jelly.

The best option depends largely on the application method and skin feel you prefer.

Is Vaseline a good alternative to Body Glide?

Petroleum jelly can help reduce friction and is commonly recommended as an option for chafing.

The main trade-off is feel. Petroleum jelly is thicker and greasier than many purpose-built anti-chafe products and usually needs to be applied with your hands.

Is Run Slick the same as Body Glide?

No.

Body Glide Original is a solid anti-chafe balm stick.

Run Slick is a silicone-based liquid roll-on.

Both are designed to reduce friction, but their formats, formulas and skin feel are different.

Is Run Slick similar to 2Toms SportShield?

Yes.

Run Slick and 2Toms SportShield are both silicone-based roll-on anti-friction products.

That makes them more similar to each other than either is to a traditional balm stick.

The primary differences are their formulas and resulting skin feel.

Does Run Slick last longer than Body Glide or 2Toms?

We have not conducted controlled head-to-head durability testing comparing all three products, so we do not make that claim.

We have used Run Slick successfully during demanding endurance conditions and received encouraging feedback from athletes using it during heavy sweat and rain.

We consider that real-world experience, not controlled comparative evidence.

Which is better: an anti-chafe stick or roll-on?

Neither format is universally better.

A stick provides a familiar solid-balm application.

A roll-on allows you to apply a liquid directly to friction points without putting the product on your hands.

The better format is the one that feels comfortable and works reliably during your activity.

Can Run Slick be used for inner-thigh chafing?

Yes.

Run Slick can be rolled directly across the areas of the inner thighs that repeatedly rub during running, walking, hiking or everyday movement.

Apply it before irritation begins.

Can Run Slick be used under a sports bra?

Yes.

Run Slick can be applied along common sports-bra friction areas such as the lower band, side edges, under-breast area and straps.

Use it on healthy, intact skin before activity.

The Bottom Line

There is no single best Body Glide alternative for everyone.

Body Glide makes sense if you like a traditional solid balm.

Squirrel's Nut Butter offers an oil-and-wax approach.

Petroleum jelly is inexpensive and simple.

2Toms SportShield gives you silicone-based roll-on application.

And Run Slick was built for people who want roll-on convenience with a lightweight, smooth, silky feel.

The most important thing is not which brand wins a comparison chart.

It is whether your friction protection works when you need it.

Know your hot spots.

Apply before the rubbing starts.

Test during training.

Then get moving.

Hard is okay. Unnecessary friction isn't.

If it rubs — Run Slick on it.™