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Donkey Label Chamois Balm (premium)

7
£19.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Good quality, organic chamois balm that's thinner than many but still lasts well
Weight: 
160g
Contact: 
www.ilsoigneur.cc

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Donkey Label Chamois Balm isn't much like your ordinary chammy balms but not in a bad way; it does a very good job in spite of my initial concerns about its longevity. Anyway, if you don't think it's up to the job, iL Soigneur will give you your money back. So it's a no-risk one to try, really.

There are two ways to buy it: in the £19 premium metal tin we've got, or a £15 glass pot. It's the same stuff and the same amount of it. If you get the premium tub you can have 15% off your next purchase and decant.

So what's in it? Well, the substrate is organic olive oil, and there's a bunch of (mostly organic) stuff mixed in: jojoba oil, beeswax, avocado oil, calendula, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, myrrh, patchouli, peru balsam and chamomile. It smells like a cross between Provence and a National Trust gift shop. In a nice way.

Olive Oil? Isn't that a bit, you know, liquidy? Well the balm is just about solid at room temperature but I found it helped to keep it in the fridge. If you took it to a summer sportive in a hot car you'd probably find it too runny to apply, however. It's certainly not a thick, tenacious substance like some chammy creams are. On the plus side, it's simple to apply and doesn't get everywhere and make a big mess of your shorts if you're less than über-careful. It's nice straight out of the fridge, too. It's just a tiny bit tingly, much less so than other more minty unguents.

And does it work? Yes. It does. It stays put better than you'd think, reduces friction between your sensitive sections and your chammy pad, and smells good into the bargain. I used it for a 400km audax and it lasted much longer than I expected it to; I'd stashed a small top-up tub to keep me going and i didn't need it until 250km in, that's pretty good going. It disappears into the pad much more quickly than thicker creams but that doesn't really seem to affect its anti-chafing performance.

All in all it was a pretty positive experience. It wasn't really what I was expecting but it did the job just fine, and you can't argue with the quality and organic-ness of the ingredients.

Verdict

Good quality, organic chamois balm that's thinner than many but still lasts well.

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Donkey Label Chamois Balm (premium)

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Let's be honest. When it comes to your sensitive parts, you want the best protection possible. Our chamois balm uses only organic ingredients and is produced by hand in small batches. From the ingredient list to the experience on the road, our balm will make you a believer. Uses no water and no preservatives and has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

This balm has a cooling scent and a very slight tingle that will make you smile and never wince. The essential oils prevent and heal saddle sores and also provide numerous benefits to your body and skin. Great for runners and other athletes where friction can be an issue, long runs are tough enough without chafing and bleeding nipples.

Shorts, Saddles, and Chamois are very personal for most and we understand trying something new is tough. We ask you read why we created it, and if that makes sense, try it. We have a 100% guarantee and will gladly give you your money back if you don't agree that this product is everything we say it is.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Ingredients: (*denotes certified organic) *Olive oil, *jojoba oil, local beeswax, *avocado oil; flowers of *calendula, *lavender, and *chamomile; essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, myrrh, lavender, patchouli, peru balsam, and chamomile.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very nicely, thanks.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Performed well, smelled nice.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Can be a bit too runny when warm.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 190cm  Weight: 102kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

 

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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