Why should you trust me on chafing? Well, I once ran the equivalent of 67 marathons in 67 days with a 25-pound backpack. This is my tool for anyone trying to avoid pain.

Edit: Anti-chafing lotions or special balms are your best defense against chafe. Even if your choice of fabrics disappoints you, a generous coating of lube can save the day. You can’t afford to be shy. Especially on the floor. You want to make sure you’re getting into places you don’t go often.

Be seamless: I choose shorts, leggings, layered shorts, pants and underwear for running that are seamless or have zip-ups. I always look at the seams of the twin shorts that are built in and I rarely trust the inner shorts that are built into regular shorts. If in doubt, connect with your trusted network.

Strengthen: I choose tight, body hugging ones over loose fitting ones. It sounds counterintuitive but fabrics that stay in one place, close to the skin work better than loose fabrics that move around a lot.

Avoid cotton: Cotton is heavy and can burn even when dry. When it gets wet with salty sweat, it’s bad for your soft parts. Parts that touch your skin should be made from fabrics made of wool or wool. This dries quickly and reduces friction.

Add your fingers: Blisters are actually nuclear explosions and can be difficult to avoid. Drying my feet with socks can help reduce the moisture that increases the risk of contact with hot spots.