Why Women Have A Love/Hate Relationship With Chub Rub Shorts

Chub rub shorts (AKA, anti thigh-chafing shorts) prevent painful inner thigh chafing and are one of the most effective chub rub prevention products on the market. Chub rub shorts don't just treat chafing, they actually prevent it! It sounds like a magical solution to chafing, so why do women have a love/hate relationship with chub rub shorts?

Because We’ve Tried Inferior Products In The Past

Many women grew up without good quality chafing undergarments. This gap in the market meant we turned to inferior products to try and prevent inner thigh chafing. They were wearing everyday shorts under skirts or sweaty and hot bike shorts that were uncomfortable. Women couldn’t get the colors and styles they wanted, which limited their wardrobe choices. Old school bike shorts were not specially designed to prevent chafing, and as such, they didn’t do a great job. These inferior products have left some women with bad associations when it comes to chub rub shorts. However, new contemporary styles are comfortable by design. Bandelettes anti-chafing panty shorts are practical and as discrete as you want. The new chafing shorts on the market are nothing like your 80’s bike shorts!

Because We’re Embarrassed

Chub rub shorts are a modern wardrobe staple. Many men and women find anti-chafe shorts beneficial for preventing chafing and making exercise more comfortable. Yet, when seen in public in these anti-chafing shorts, women may feel self-shame for wearing them. We hide them away. We tug at skirts and dresses to make sure our shorts are covered and generally try to pretend we aren’t wearing them. Chafing is perceived as shameful; the nickname ‘chub rub’ certainly hasn’t helped with this perception. The reality is that many women and men of all sizes can suffer from inner thigh chafing. Very few people have a thigh gap. Most people’s thighs touch when they walk or do exercise; even very muscly, athletic body types can experience chafing. Chub rub, despite the moniker, is not just a problem for overweight people. However, the initial need for chub rub shorts often comes around the time of major body changes, such as puberty or after childbirth. These are often periods when women struggle with body image and self-criticism. Accepting the need for chub rub shorts means accepting that our body has changed and that our wardrobes need to change to accommodate our body shape. Not everyone is ready to admit that, so we carefully hide our chafing garments away from the world.

Because We’ve Been Shamed

It’s news to no one that women often get shamed for their appearance. The mainstream media and social ideals have long created a toxic environment that shames women. No one is immune to this shaming culture, not even celebrities. A generation of women saw Bridgette Jones mocked for her big pants, making shapewear and chafing shorts a running joke. Even Queen Beyonce experienced shame in the tabloids a few years ago for accidentally flashing her anti-chafing shorts on a night out. But the times they are a-changing. Thick thighs are now fashionable, and anti-chafing shorts, bike shorts, and Spanx are trending on social media. Celebrities like Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Karlie Kloss, and Amy Schumer proudly show off their protective undergarments. Anti-chafing shorts are losing the stigma they once had, and in some cases, becoming a part of our outfits. Anti-chafing shorts are now available as a style option rather than a purely medical one!

Learning To Embrace Your Body and Your Chub Rub Shorts

It can be hard to shake off the experiences or shame you may have experienced in the past. But slowly, body positivity is changing perceptions, and women are embracing their anti-chafing underwear without worry. Learn more about feeling good in your own skin by checking out our Ultimate Guide To Body Positivity.