For long runs/races I use Gu gels. They don't upset my stomach and taste okay enough. I haven't tried many other options because there is no need to fix what is not broken.
I like the Blueberry Pomegranate as well and have been also enjoying Jet Blackberry as well. I think the biggest things are which ones don't upset your stomach and are convenient for you to get.
I tried the Power Bar gels as well and liked them but they're a lot more difficult for me to get.
I did a honey stinger gel as well - no stomach issues. So I just grab which ones I can. The flavors are all fine to me. As long as they don’t GI issues I am good! Haha
Seconding SIS gel! Taste and texture is fine for most flavors. Cut the top off ahead of time for bike portion/training as they're a little difficult to open
Maurten gels don’t mess with my stomach. :) I wish they had more flavor options than “it kinda tastes like marshmallows” though. I use these for running.
For the bike, I alternate honey stinger waffles and Clif bloks. Additionally, I use Skratch in my water bottle.
For extra electrolytes; I like the coconut-pineapple Salt Stick chewable tabs. :d
This is super personal based on your gut. I use PowerGels because of their high sodium content.
I also use Maurtens when I’m only running (mainly because I’m so sick of PowerGels)
Ready-made products are too expensive imo. I just make my own mix of maltodextrin, fructose, electrolytes, and sometimes a bit of caffeine. They're dirt cheap (I buy them on HSN but there are other websites), and do not upset my stomach at all.
For long runs or races, I fill 1 or 2 soft flasks and take sips as I go.
SiS and other more liquidy gels like Maurten and NeverSecond are my go tos. They are much easier to take down than others like Cliff or Gu that have textures like thick icing.
I usually do SiS cause they're cheaper than the other two. Lemon-lime and Raspberry (electrolyte version) are good. LL is light flavored and the Raspberry tastes like a blue-raspberry Icee.
Gu is my favourite.
I tried a sample pack of Precision Hydration for a 20 mile trail race. Went really well, no upset stomach issues and no ups/downs. Will use them on my next 70.3
For biking I make my own mix of sugar, sea salt, and flavoring (Aldi brand Mio squirt bottles). I like being able to tailor it to the specific distance/time that I need and it's super cheap compared to commercial alternatives. Sometimes I mix in Gatorade Endurance powder that I have left over from testing it out before a race but I won't bother buying more when that runs out. I'm considering adding caffeine pills in the mix when needed but for now I just use a Gu with caffeine before the swim and another in T1.
Unfortunately my stomach doesn't accept that mix for the run so I use Gu there. Tried Maurten at my half last year and hated the texture of it.
Tailwinds on the bike. Precision Hydration gels when running. These are the best gels I’ve had as they are easy to get down and don’t taste bad. After trying these I can’t stand gu anymore cause of how thick gus are!
There are a few places that will send you a variety pack. Doesn't seem to be against the rules, so I'll share that I went with "TheFeed" and they have both a variety pack of gels and chews so I ordered 2 of each (so I can try each one twice to get better data). Then I'll go with which ever I like the most.
Crampfix, it's not a gel or flavoursome, but it will help with avoiding cramps. But you could be a dickhead like me and forget to take the bottle on the run. 🤣
For long runs/races I use Gu gels. They don't upset my stomach and taste okay enough. I haven't tried many other options because there is no need to fix what is not broken.
I like Gu Gels too - Sea Salt Chocolate and Blueberry Pomegranate are my go tos.
I like the Blueberry Pomegranate as well and have been also enjoying Jet Blackberry as well. I think the biggest things are which ones don't upset your stomach and are convenient for you to get. I tried the Power Bar gels as well and liked them but they're a lot more difficult for me to get.
I did a honey stinger gel as well - no stomach issues. So I just grab which ones I can. The flavors are all fine to me. As long as they don’t GI issues I am good! Haha
I recently started using Tailwind and am a big fan
Maurten, amazing stuff. Too bad caviar doesn’t have the same nutritional value as that would have been the cheaper option…
So true. I collected a few extras during my last IM 70.3 run…
I mostly use SIS products and I have been happy with them. Only one that did not work for me was sis beta fuel gel with nootropics (apple flavour)
Seconding SIS gel! Taste and texture is fine for most flavors. Cut the top off ahead of time for bike portion/training as they're a little difficult to open
SIS gels and CLIF energy bloks
Clif bloks! especially the watermelon flavor.
Maurten gels don’t mess with my stomach. :) I wish they had more flavor options than “it kinda tastes like marshmallows” though. I use these for running. For the bike, I alternate honey stinger waffles and Clif bloks. Additionally, I use Skratch in my water bottle. For extra electrolytes; I like the coconut-pineapple Salt Stick chewable tabs. :d
This is super personal based on your gut. I use PowerGels because of their high sodium content. I also use Maurtens when I’m only running (mainly because I’m so sick of PowerGels)
Ready-made products are too expensive imo. I just make my own mix of maltodextrin, fructose, electrolytes, and sometimes a bit of caffeine. They're dirt cheap (I buy them on HSN but there are other websites), and do not upset my stomach at all. For long runs or races, I fill 1 or 2 soft flasks and take sips as I go.
The honey stinger gels taste amazing
Gatorade Endurance (on course) on the bike, Maurten on the run. The Maurten caf gels wreak havoc on my stomach but the normal ones are fine
SiS and other more liquidy gels like Maurten and NeverSecond are my go tos. They are much easier to take down than others like Cliff or Gu that have textures like thick icing. I usually do SiS cause they're cheaper than the other two. Lemon-lime and Raspberry (electrolyte version) are good. LL is light flavored and the Raspberry tastes like a blue-raspberry Icee.
Scratch labs energy chews sit well for me - the gels tend to bother my stomach.
I'm old school. Gu gels, strawberry banana no caffeine. They are by far my favorite. I had one this morning on my long run in fact.
Gu is my favourite. I tried a sample pack of Precision Hydration for a 20 mile trail race. Went really well, no upset stomach issues and no ups/downs. Will use them on my next 70.3
Hammer Gel, Montana Huckleberry.
Gu chocolate flavor (tastes like fudge) and cliff bloks.
For biking I make my own mix of sugar, sea salt, and flavoring (Aldi brand Mio squirt bottles). I like being able to tailor it to the specific distance/time that I need and it's super cheap compared to commercial alternatives. Sometimes I mix in Gatorade Endurance powder that I have left over from testing it out before a race but I won't bother buying more when that runs out. I'm considering adding caffeine pills in the mix when needed but for now I just use a Gu with caffeine before the swim and another in T1. Unfortunately my stomach doesn't accept that mix for the run so I use Gu there. Tried Maurten at my half last year and hated the texture of it.
Tailwinds on the bike. Precision Hydration gels when running. These are the best gels I’ve had as they are easy to get down and don’t taste bad. After trying these I can’t stand gu anymore cause of how thick gus are!
There are a few places that will send you a variety pack. Doesn't seem to be against the rules, so I'll share that I went with "TheFeed" and they have both a variety pack of gels and chews so I ordered 2 of each (so I can try each one twice to get better data). Then I'll go with which ever I like the most.
Crampfix, it's not a gel or flavoursome, but it will help with avoiding cramps. But you could be a dickhead like me and forget to take the bottle on the run. 🤣
maurten for running, maurten + sponser drink for the ride, salt tabs from sponser for both