MapMyRun Community - Need some shirt advice for guys

Need some shirt advice for guys

junkie_99 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:43:48 -0500

Ok, I'm having a problem: When I started running, I just wore regular t-shirts. When I started in on longer distances, I switched to a moisture-wicking t-shirts. The problem is that my nipples get rubbed raw with these shirts on long runs. Anyone got a suggestion for a type of shirt to deal with this?

Need some shirt advice for guys

spudsmac12 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:55:42 -0500

Technical fabric is definitely the way to go on a long run, but you need to make sure that the shirt fits and is not to lose/tight, this can be very tricky finding a shirt that is the right size. Also weather plays a big part, the hotter and more humid, the more chaffing is an issue. Regardless, go out and by yourself a nice tube of petroleum jelly. *serious face on* Just rub some on your nips prior to the run and you'll be fine, and if you get any chaffing down below, just give the boys a good lubing up.

Need some shirt advice for guys

KyleT — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:39:33 -0500

Could go shirtless?

On days where a shirt is required and I anticipate a little nipple rub, I have a pack of these very small band aid squares that stay on really well(band aid spots or something like that). Can be a slightly more painful experience if you have hair like me. Vaseline(or bodyglide) doesn't work for me, but that is probably the most common course of action against the infamous nipple chaffage.

Need some shirt advice for guys

junkie_99 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:05:20 -0500

I could go shirtless...wouldn't bother me...might scare everyone else though. I give the Vaseline a shot for my distance runs and see if that helps...

Thanks

Need some shirt advice for guys

yodel — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:11:30 -0500

I have had simular problems too. The best I found and use, is Transpore tape. You can find it in the dressings area of your local pharmacy.

Need some shirt advice for guys

KDogg — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:11:22 -0500

hey junkie I would recommend getting some bodyglide. The stuff comes in a stick like deodorant and works to prevent chaffing.

Need some shirt advice for guys

willmtaylor — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:39:12 -0500

Patagonia makes performance grade shirts from wool, so it's not that weird artificial stuff. It's expensive, but bomber. Comes in 4 different weights I believe. Their capilene is dynamite as well (for hot-weather running I'd go with CAP1).

Need some shirt advice for guys

razem17 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:42:29 -0500

I use under armour (or similar) shirts for when I run and have been doing good with this type material when running. I did have to try a couple various brands to find one that works.

Need some shirt advice for guys

cpreston — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:00:50 -0500

bomber???

Need some shirt advice for guys

RunningKnows — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:34:14 -0500

I use thick foam tape (3M's microfoam) cut into small squares..... it's latex free (important for me) and sticks well enough to stay on but still comes off the chest hair fairly easily at the end of the run. I've also used duct tape (like when I did the half marathon this spring) but that WILL take your hair off. A lot better, though, than some of the red badges of courage I saw from some guys toward the end......

Need some shirt advice for guys

s0568814 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:50:19 -0500

cpreston:bomber???

Lol you read my mind. Cool word though, like it.

Need some shirt advice for guys

junkie_99 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:58:07 -0500

I dont' think I'm ready for the foam tape or duct tape

vaseline seemed to help a little. I think I'll try the body glide next.

Need some shirt advice for guys

derek mansur — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:23:39 -0500

dont wear a shirt or just go for dri-Fit by nike dont wear underarmor

Need some shirt advice for guys

tbhanley — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:49:54 -0500

I've been wearing compression tops purchased from Target (Champion brand). They cost ~$15 and I have not had any issues since I switched from more loose fitting shirts. I have also lost 40 lbs, which helps as well. My man boobs don't tend to move around as much, and the compression top helps to keep everything in place.

I will have to admit that after running a marathon, I had a bit of rubbing going on, but did not realize it until I felt the burn in the shower. Much less than I woudl have expected if I had worn a loose shirt.

Just my $0.02

Need some shirt advice for guys

VeniVidiRun — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:54:24 -0500

1. shirtless running is the best recommendation - easy for me to say since i live in AZ

2. tbh has it right though, if i do wear a shirt i wear compression gear made for baseball or football players and have never had a problem. it fits snugly so there is no movement/rubbing. both adidas (techfit) and nike (nike pro) make some great gear.

*bonus* nike also makes compression shorts which i have always used under my running shorts (& cut out the man-panties if they are built into the short). again this gear is made for other sports but i've found it eliminates chafing in your legs as well. nike has finally incorporated these thigh length shorts into their newest running shorts finally too!

Need some shirt advice for guys

rogerbum — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:40:53 -0500

I had the same problem. Some of those dri-wick fabrics are quite abrasive and the worst part of the run was when I got in the shower afterwards and all the salt got washed onto the raw nipples. That was literally the most painful part of my day. I switched to under armour shirts that are TIGHT fitting. Also, I bought some body glide. The under armour shirts are available at a number of places but I get mine at REI. Body glide is also available there. Either one alone helps A LOT. The combination of the two and it's not a problem anymore. Good to have a conversation like this here - non runners neither understand nor want to hear about this! TMI for them....

Need some shirt advice for guys

Gilly32 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:14:53 -0500

A friend had that problem. He swears by the little small, circular bandages. He claims they work well, and you can wear what you want to wear. He didn't have to replace his running tops.

Good luck.

Need some shirt advice for guys

junkie_99 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:59:49 -0500

went with bandaids on my long run Saturday. (still haven't been to the store for some body glide) I had put some vaseline on, but as I warmed up and stretched, already felt the pain, so went with the bandaids.

Need some shirt advice for guys

fxbgscott — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:47:12 -0500

New here but felt compelled to answer this post. The answer to your prayers are Nip Guards (swear I couldn't make that up). The link's attached here and they work great. Word of caution - you may need a little shave job as these things will stick through the most rugged of workouts.

Shirtless is great too but if you can't or don't want to go that way then these are the next best thing - far superior to tape and band-aids.

Hope this helps. https://www.nationalrunningcenter.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NG

Need some shirt advice for guys

Gilly32 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:38:45 -0500

I think you should wear a shirt. I believe the bandages will be your best bet. I could be wrong, but I doubt Body Glide (though I use it faithfully for other things) will do the trick here.

Happy Running!

Need some shirt advice for guys

junkie_99 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:05:31 -0500

heh, you haven't seen me shirtless...but I agree...shirtless isn't for me.

Need some shirt advice for guys

Gilly32 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:08:18 -0500

Heheheheheheheheheheh - It's definitely not for me.

Need some shirt advice for guys

CarolinaCrazy — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:32:33 -0500

I had the same problem when i started getting to 10-12 mile runs. I used body glide for a couple weeks and eventually I just toughend up.

Need some shirt advice for guys

Steve921 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:59:06 -0500

Shirtless is the way to go! Thats what i do on every run.

Need some shirt advice for guys

twilighthours — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:26:04 -0500

With respect to fxgbscott, who suggested Nip Guards, I think you'd be better off with 3M adhesive waterproof tape.

http://www.shop3m.com/70071215027.html

This is what I use. It's waaay cheaper than Nip Guards, it doesn't stain or otherwise gunk up like vaseline, and if you wait till you shower to take the tape off, it comes off pretty easy without much screaming. You get used to it.

Available at your nearest drug store, too.

Need some shirt advice for guys

junkie_99 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:48:34 -0500

well, the best solution for me seems to be bandaids...small round ones work wonders.

Appreciate all the advice!

Need some shirt advice for guys

Bendy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:53:10 -0500

Your nips will toughen up over a period of several weeks.

I notice certain shirts in my collection are much worse than others, so bin those that are bad, and stick to the good ones. Cotton tends to not be too good but I feel it is difficult to tell from the make, or fabric

I did a half marathon once in a pretty new "wicking" shirt, and ended up with 2 red stains, not nice, not nice at all!

Need some shirt advice for guys

Randy Jewell — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:45:42 -0500

There is a reason I had a shirt that said “run till your nipples bleed!!!”

I have found that fabric first aid tape works great, Bandaids tend to irritate my skin but it is the same principle.

Bodyglide and Vaseline are more for skin to skin friction like my big biking thighs like to generate.