Reflect Sports Hoo Ha Ride Glide

I'm not too sure what makes the recipe of this lotion from Reflect Sports better suited to protection of a woman's, erm, hoo ha, than most standard formulations of chamois cream, but it is marketed as 'formulated by women for women' in response to the female manufacturers' having only been able to find 'nut cream'.

The claim is that a woman's needs in the anti-chafing department are different from a man's, and since we are fundamentally different physiologically, I think that's probably not far from the truth. A lot of thought has gone into the making of the Hoo Ha Ride Glide anti-chafing cream, from its quirky and fun name, its largely herbal and natural ingredients and even its packaging.

Ride Glide contains a raft of ingredients aimed at preventing soreness and chafing over long rides, some of the durable lubricating variety, some antibacterial and some soothing and healing. There's an anti-friction, barrier cream action similar to other creams on the market, but also herbal ingredients such as tea tree, lavender and sandalwood oils to help combat infection and encourage healing.

The cream smells great in the tube, and is pleasant to use, being neither over greasy nor gloopy. The tube makes it easy to dispense the quantity you want, without the problem you get with pots, where greasy fingers get dipped back in (not the most hygienic). It is designed to be either used direct on the skin, or smeared on the chamois, and either works fine. Initially, there's a slight tingle (due to the menthol), which can be unsettling if you're not expecting it, but that quickly subsides to a pleasant cool feeling. In use, the cream did make a real positive difference, with noticeable effect over 2 to 3 hours of ride (the longest I tried it on). There was less chafing and soreness, without the greasy feeling of some chamois creams, and yet it seemed to last rather than just disappearing. I started one ride pre-chafed (the things we do for truly scientific testing) and found this soothed and reduced the discomfort significantly. It washes out of clothing afterwards effectively too.

It can also be used by to prevent chafing of other body areas.

£17 seems a little pricy for a tube of chamois cream, at first glance being even more expensive than Rapha and Assos' offerings, but in fairness it is also twice the quantity! It's not the cheapest, but it is one of only two female specific formulations I could find (DZ Nuts Bliss being the other), and it does use high quality ingredients. The tube format is a nice touch too. 7ml pocket packs are available as well, ideal for touring or for giving it a try for £1.50.

Verdict

Smells nice, seems to do the trick and soothes as it goes.