Chamois fitting and Chamois cream help

Broken in leather saddle, unpadded undershorts and unpadded baggy/touring shorts for me. No soreness, no rash, no discomfort.

I find the coolmax style pads all hold too much sweat for me on warm or longer rides. Seems to be quite hard to find actual (or the artifical) chamois in cheaper shorts nowadays

I recently tried chamois cream for the first time (Chapeau menthol) and it appears that I'm allergic to something in it Had some pretty uncomfortable skin damage in some intimate areas. Used it a few times before I made the connection. Liberal application of Sudocrem is slowly clearing it up.

Liberally applied to undercarriage and shorts. Don't be a tight arse or you'll end up with one

Don't pull the pad around to tuck up past the scrote... This leads to folding and chafing in that area which as I'm sure you can imagine is a tad uncomfortable

You might not even need cream, are you sure your saddle works for you?
For example, I recently purchased some DHB shorts based upon recommendations on this forum and the fact I have DHB tights which I love, however, they just don't suit me. After 30 miles on my bike with a Fizik saddle I'm in agony but after 90 miles on my bike with a Brookes saddle everything is fine. My personal preference for bib shorts is Endura FS260 Pro because the chamois is quite thick but not everyone likes that.
Also +1 for Sudocrem.

I have tried a Chamois cream as recommended by the labels on my bib shorts. OK, but then I read the ingredients. So, I now use Cetraben cream. Basically the same ingredients, but around £8 for a 500ml pump dispenser in a pharmacy, or in my case free on prescription for a skin condition. Does me OK for 50 miles plus. Can't comment on greater distances - yet!

What sort of shorts and saddle do you have?

I find that a firm pad in the shorts is most comfortable. And beware that over the months/years of use the pads get softer.

A relatively narrow and firm saddle are the best combination for me, but you may need to try a few yourself if chamy and cream aren't the answer.

Also as the earlier poster said, if the shorts aren't snug/tight enough the pad can slide back or forth during the ride, regardless of whether it started off in the right place.

J

I use bib-shorts, pull them up and throw the straps over my shoulders; the chamois pulls itself into place. My understanding is that the shorts should fit snugly and the straps feel as if the shorts are too small in the standing position but ideal in the riding position. Too big a size and the chamois can ruck up and be uncomfortable.
I use sudocreme and apply it to the skin, primarily around the perineum but all over the sit bone area; in more affluent times I used Assos minty arse lard applied to the chamois. Chamois cream to the chamois, skin lotions to the skin as a general rule of thumb. IMO

I use E45 cream but recently couldn't find the tub so have been using good old Vaseline. Works well. Apply to skin.

I used Sudocrem (a tip from this message board as it's cheaper than chamois cream) for the first time on a 5 hour ride yesterday, not a hint of soreness.

I guess 1 ride proves nothing, but I'll be trying it again.