August 25, 2004

11:21 AM

I started running about a month ago, and am loving it, but -- chafed, red, sore nipples are no fun for me. Does anyone have any advice on how to avoid rubbing my nipples raw while running?
posted by dogmatic to (20 comments total)

Good lord man! Just control yourself and save that kind of thing for when you're in the privacy of your own home!

But seriously, I found that certian fits/cuts/materials of shirt were much more abusive than others, have you tried different shirts?

If you're not a hirstute man, I've heard band-aids sterile adhesive bandages make good nipple-sheilds.
posted by Capn at 11:27 AM on August 25, 2004

A mansiere? Or a bro?
posted by adampsyche at 11:28 AM on August 25, 2004

Nipguards!
posted by rafter at 11:29 AM on August 25, 2004

bandaids. or surgical tape. or electrical tape. or, if you can find them, nippless.
posted by crush-onastick at 11:31 AM on August 25, 2004

Possum fur!
posted by mookieproof at 11:40 AM on August 25, 2004

My nipple-chafed roommate swore by vaseline
posted by FreezBoy at 11:42 AM on August 25, 2004

Damn! Someone beat me to Nipguards (featured on Dave Barry).
posted by Krrrlson at 11:42 AM on August 25, 2004

vaseline (but you'll have two greasy patches on your shirt) or band-aids (but pulling them off might be a pain if you're hairy)
posted by jacobsee at 11:46 AM on August 25, 2004

Chafing advice for runners.
posted by cardboard at 11:49 AM on August 25, 2004

Bandaids and vaseline have always done well for me when used together.
posted by dflemingdotorg at 11:51 AM on August 25, 2004

Why don't you just run topless?
posted by naxosaxur at 12:13 PM on August 25, 2004

I'd also suggest running without a shirt (except for most winter runs). The air and any breeze will cool you off more due to direct contact with sweat anyway. I run cross-country for my school and we almost always run with our shirts off. It's just easier that way.
posted by thebabelfish at 12:53 PM on August 25, 2004

Moleskin?
posted by kenko at 12:53 PM on August 25, 2004

Yeah... to echo thebablefish, running without a shirt is entirely acceptable while it's still warm out. At first it feels pretty dorky... but you'll get used to it. Also, I dunno what you run in, but most of those super-techo-fiber shirts should be light enough to not cause any damage to your sensitive bits.
posted by ph00dz at 1:15 PM on August 25, 2004

I've been running in gym shorts and various t-shirts, and have had the problem on and off since I started (some shirts worse than others). I haven't run shirtless partly because I'm running to lose weight, and feel a little embarassed showing skin (not to mention i'm ghostly pale), and haven't invested in ultra-high-tech fiber shirts cause I'm new at it and didn't want to invest too much to something I wasn't sure I'd have the willpower to continue over the long term. But that seems the more sensible solution, if it gets a vote of approval.
posted by dogmatic at 1:47 PM on August 25, 2004

I run every day, and you really want to get the breathable shirts. Cotton is super heavy after 3 miles or so, and you feel much better overall. An aside, but if you're running to lose weight, don't get discouraged, results may not show for at least 6 weeks. . .but when that day comes, you'll feel great. And you'll think, "I'm so glad I bought that New Balance Lightweight Zone 1 Micro Poly Double Pique running shirt."
posted by the fire you left me at 2:16 PM on August 25, 2004

a lot of the breathable shirts are really starting to come down in price (and i'd agree with a lot of people that they really do make exercising a lot more comfortable and fun).

i've seen them at costco for cdn$12, for example. here's one at one of my favourite outdoors stores for all of cdn$17. i have the girl's version of this shirt and it's holding up really really well. i'd imagine it'd work quite well for you and your sore nipples!
posted by lumiere at 6:34 PM on August 25, 2004

The awesomest thing about super-high-tech gym clothes is that you can wash them while you're in the shower with a little soap, and the next day they're good-as-new!
posted by josh at 8:44 PM on August 25, 2004

grit your teeth and just deal with it till the callouses form.
posted by Fupped Duck at 7:53 AM on August 26, 2004

vaseline works fine for me. for some reason you only need the lightest of coverings, so it doesn't make a noticeable mess on the shirt.

i get an occasional sore nipple even though i've been running for years, so i don't think it's something that will get better with time. it's rare enough that i don't bother with vaseline unless i had a problem the last time i went out.

it also helps if you get chafing between the legs (eg with new shorts), or from a label in a waistband or collar.

extra tip - avoid wearing socks with holes in if you run in sandy areas - if you get sand in your shoe things get nasty pretty quickly where there's no sock to protect you.
posted by andrew cooke at 8:03 AM on August 26, 2004