MXA TEAM TESTED: CHAFE ZONE PROTECTION

WHAT IS IT? Chafe Zone is a deodorant-style stick that lubricates the skin to lessen chafing. The police and military use it to alleviate the chafing of body armor.

WHAT’S IT COST? $14.99.

CONTACT? www.medzonecorp.com.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with Chafe Zone.

(1) Ingredients. Chafe Zone’s main ingredient is a fatty acid that is commonly used for the postoperative closure of surgical wounds. It contains oleic acid, safflower seed oil, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid and borago officinalis seed oil.

(2) Usage. Chafe Zone is packaged in a stick deodorant-type container (with a dial to extend the substance). It is in a solid form, but changes to a viscous fluid when applied to the rider’s fingers. To use, swipe Chafe Zone with your fingers and apply to the affected area.

(3) Affected areas. The MXA wrecking crew tested Chafe Zone over a five-month period. Some test riders applied it to the backs of their knees (where their knee brace straps aggravated their skin); some applied it to their inner thighs and crotch to fight off monkey butt; some applied it directly to their hands to stop blisters from forming; and one test rider used it on his toes (where his new boots rubbed). We even used it in our armpits to eliminate wetsuit rash while surfing.

(4) Durability. Even on hot sweaty days, Chafe Zone stayed put. It didn’t have to be reapplied.

(5) Performance. When the MXA test riders were handed sticks of Chafe Zone and told to use them, they had their doubts. How could something that looked like Speed Stick deodorant help them race motocross? Surprise. Three out of five test riders loved the stuff. One test rider, who had taped his hands for years, swore off tape after the first ride with Chafe Zone. No blisters, no hot spots and no tape residue. Other test riders used it wherever their knee braces, chest protectors, boots or riding pants rubbed against their skin. It was especially effective against the fabled monkey butt-style chafing that comes from hours in the saddle.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Two minor complaints: (1) Chafe Zone can melt if left in the sun. We kept it in a Zip-Lock plastic bag out of direct sunlight. The Zip-Lock bag was a safety precaution just in case it did liquify. We discovered that we could put a dab in a sandwich-size plastic bag and leave the plastic container at home…that way, even if the Chafe Guard melted, you could put some on your finger and use it without making a mess. (2) We never used it as a stick, but always applied Chafe-Zone with our fingers. It transfers very well, but a smaller half-size stick would be more convenient to carry in a fanny pack or gear bag.

For the MXA test riders who found instant relief from skin irritations caused by their riding gear, Chafe Zone was a five-star product. But it didn’t work for every MXA test rider, so we knocked a star off.