Best Running Gels (2024): The Best Quick Energy to Power You Through Long Sessions and Races

It’s long-established that carbohydrates are the “master fuel” for endurance athletes. Endurance exercise is performed at low-to-moderate intensities for long durations. As exercise intensity, volume, or duration increases, the body depletes its stored energy and begins to rely on the sugar in your blood. If you continue to exercise and don’t replenish your blood sugar, fatigue will quickly set in. Running gels are conveniently packaged carb bombs that keep your blood sugar at adequate levels so you can keep moving and perform your best. 

In this guide to the best running gels, I use my years of experience as an endurance athlete, certified nutrition coach, and certified personal trainer to explain how running gels work and which ones are worth your money. 

RELATED: Best Carb Supplements

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

The Best Running Gels in 2024

• Best Overall Running Gel: Maurten Gel 100
• Best Caffeinated Running Gel: Honey Stinger Caffeinated Organic Energy Gel
• Best-Textured Running Gel: PowerBar Power Gel
• Best-Tasting Running Gel: GU Liquid Energy Packets
• Best Running Gel for Long Distances: GU Roctane Energy Gels
• Best Organic Running Gel: Honey Stinger Original Organic Energy Gel
• Best All-Natural Running Gel: Untapped Athletic Fuel 100% Pure Maple Syrup Gels
• Best Gluten-Free Running Gel: Carb Boom! Apple Cinnamon Energy Gel
• Best Plant-Based Running Gel: Huma Chia Real Food Energy Gels
• Best Running Gel with Extra Electrolytes: Science In Sport Isotonic Energy + Electrolyte Gel

What Are Running Gels? 

Running gels, also called carb gels and energy gels, are small packets of carbohydrates that endurance athletes consume to maintain adequate blood sugar levels needed for long-duration exercise, once glycogen stores have been depleted. Glycogen¹ is the form of carbohydrate stored in your muscles and your liver.

Endurance athletes may use gels before and during all training sessions, but they are of the utmost importance on race day, when relatively high-intensity exercise (greater than 65% VO2 max) is being sustained for hours on end, depending on the event. 

These gels are a mix of simple sugars including monosaccharides (single sugars) and disaccharides (two sugar units). The monosaccharides typically found in the best energy gels include glucose and fructose; common disaccharides are sucrose and maltose. Increasingly, gels are beginning to utilize maltodextrin², a novel carbohydrate that is highly processed to optimize digestion and absorption, and therefore optimized for delivery of nutrients to muscle tissue.

The exact blend of sugars varies from brand to brand and product to product, though the generally recommended amount is a 2:1 ratio of glucose to fructose, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Sports Nutrition Coach³ certification program. 

There are also whole-food or all-natural running gels, which contain high-sugar foods like fruit ground and blended into a paste. These gels don’t have a perfect glucose-to-fructose ratio but they will still get the job done for most athletes.  

Running gels typically also contain electrolytes for hydration and to support continued muscle contraction (sodium and potassium are critical in the muscle contraction process). Some contain branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and B vitamins, too.

There are caffeinated gels and uncaffeinated ones, and they come in all types of flavors, from citrus to espresso to salted caramel. 

And by the way: Although these handy little packets of sugar are called running gels, they’re not just running fuel. They are equally as fantastic for cyclists, triathletes, rowers, hikers, backpackers, and CrossFitters. Anyone who plans to exercise for longer than one hour at moderate intensities or longer than 20 minutes at high intensities can benefit from running gels. 

RELATED: Half-Marathon Training Plan for Beginners

Best Overall Running Gel: Maurten Gel 100

Good for: Any type of endurance athlete looking for science-supported, easy-to-digest, quick fuel

Maurten Gel 100

Maurten Gel 100

GGR Score: 4.8

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Product Highlights

• Single-serving energy gel 
• Available with and without caffeine 
• 100 g of carbohydrate uptake per hour 
• 60% carbohydrates 
• Uses hydrogel technology, so it is gel instead of a syrup

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No added colors, preservatives, or flavors
• Vegetarian and vegan
• Available with or without caffeine
• Only 6 ingredients
• No allergens
• Extremely positive customer reviews

Cons

• Limited reviews
• Comparatively expensive at more than $3.50 per packet
• Only available in unflavored option

Bottom Line

Maurten Gel 100 provides energy for your workout with only six ingredients and without any additional colors, flavors, or preservatives. Maurten shares that they use hydrogel technology, which makes their gel actually a gel instead of a syrup like many other “gels.” They also share that their gel is 60% carbohydrates and results in the absorption of 100 grams of carbohydrates per hour. Customer reviews for this product are very positive. There were some complaints about the high price, but customers did love the product.

Running gels don’t get simpler than Maurten Gel 100. It’s basically straight sugar in a packet, in an optimized ratio for quick digestion, absorption, and delivery of nutrients. The ingredients list is short, reading: water, glucose, fructose, calcium carbonate, gluconic acid (maintains the balance of electrolyte solutions), and sodium alginate (gelling agent).

These gels contain glucose and fructose in a 1-to-0.8 ratio, meaning there is 0.8 grams of fructose to every 1 gram of glucose. This is very close to the 2-to-1 ratio recommended by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Additionally, Maurten claims that the hydrogel technology promotes faster digestion and absorption for optimized nutrient timing. It’s hard to know if statements like that are true in practice, but I will say that I always feel great when I use Maurten gels.

The consistency of Maurten Gel 100 might come as a surprise to people who are familiar with other gels: It’s more like Jell-O than the thick, syrupy consistency of most gels. To me, this makes the gel much easier to handle while running or cycling because it’s less of a sticky mess. 

It’s almost flavorless—it tastes like plain sweetness, kind of like sugar water—which isn’t surprising considering the formula is essentially just sugar in water. The light taste and texture makes Gel 100 easy to get down when I feel repulsed by strong flavors, which often happens during heavy exercise. 

RELATED: 11 Tips for Running Long-Distance

Best Caffeinated Running Gel: Honey Stinger Caffeinated Organic Energy Gel

Good for: Athletes who want an energy boost with their carb boost

Honey Stinger Caffeinated Gel

Honey Stinger Caffeinated Energy Gel

GGR Score: 4.65

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Product Highlights

• Caffeinated single-serving energy gel 
• 32 mg of caffeine 
• Organic honey + electrolytes 
• Claimed to improve performance 
• Easy to digest 
• Delays muscle fatigue

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Subscribe and save 15% + free shipping
• Gluten- and dairy-free
• Non-GMO and USDA organic

Cons

• Only available in 1 flavor, strawberry kiwi
• Not available to purchase as singles
• Limited reviews
• Customer reviews want higher caffeine content
• User reviews state caffeinated flavor not as good as non-caffeinated flavors

Bottom Line

The caffeinated version of Honey Stinger Energy Gel comes in one flavor, strawberry kiwi, and like the other gels, combines organic honey with electrolytes to help fuel workouts. Honey Stinger shares that these gels are easy to digest and help delay muscle fatigue. Customer reviews are limited and mostly positive. However, customers shared that strawberry kiwi isn’t as good as non-caffeinated flavors.

Honey Stinger has been producing energy gels for more than 20 years, and the brand has been a staple in the running community for as long as I’ve been a part of it. Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gels are a whole-food gel composed primarily of tapioca syrup and honey for both energy and taste. 

The other ingredients are potassium citrate, salt, citric acid, water, organic natural flavor, and green tea concentrate. The green tea concentrate provides 32 milligrams of caffeine per 31-gram packet. No, that’s not a lot of caffeine, especially for people who intake a lot of it every day. But keep in mind that you’ll likely be consuming these packets at regular intervals throughout your session or race, meaning you’re getting a near-constant jolt of caffeine. 

Plus, too much caffeine during exercise means you might be looking for a Port-A-Potty on your route… I think 32 milligrams is a nice compromise between a boost of energy and preventing unwanted digestive issues.

The honey flavor comes through nicely without being overpowering in the Strawberry Kiwi and Fruit Smoothie flavors (I haven’t tried Acai Pomegranate yet). The Gold flavor doesn’t have any added flavors, so it tastes like straight honey. That formula is a bit different; it includes B vitamins that don’t appear in the other flavor options. 

A friend of mine and member of my triathlon team, Laura, tried the caffeinated Honey Stinger, too, but she wasn’t a fan. “It’s too sweet, tasted fake, and was too gooey,” she says. I didn’t think it was terrible, but it’s definitely not my favorite in terms of flavor.

The texture is very smooth and slightly liquidy, which makes it easy to consume compared to some thicker, molasses-like gels. Be careful opening these (don’t squeeze them while ripping the tab open) so they don’t spill.

RELATED: How to Build Stamina for Running

Best-Textured Running Gel: PowerBar PowerGel Original

Good for: Those who struggle to get down denser gels during exercise

PowerGel Original

PowerBar Original PowerGel

GGR Score: 4.7

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Product Highlights

• PowerGel for rapid energy 
• Features C2MAX Dual Source Carb Mix
• 2:1 ratio of glucose and fructose
• Improve speed, power, and performance 
• Easy open packaging 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Variety packs available
• Generally positive reviews
• Available with or without caffeine

Cons

• Only 5 flavors available total
• Only 1 flavor with caffeine
• Limited reviews available

Bottom Line

PowerBar Original PowerGel is available in 5 different flavors with one caffeinated flavor. PowerBar shares that these gels provide rapidly absorbed energy for muscles to help improve speed, power, and performance. There are very limited customer reviews, but they are mostly positive.

Truth be told, I didn’t have high hopes for the PowerGel Original. I’m not typically a fan of other PowerBar products, but I decided to give these a go anyway, and I’m glad I did. I ended up really loving the texture of these gels. They are syrupy without being sickening, and the flavor is present but not too strong (I tried Tropical Fruit). 

The texture is smooth—no chunks or grains like there are in whole-food options—and it goes down almost like a drink.

Even better than the superb texture is the 210 milligrams of sodium in PowerGel Original gels. This is really high compared to most gels, with sodium content generally falling between 50 and 100 milligrams. Sodium⁴ is essential for maintaining electrolyte balance (and therefore hydration), as well as continued muscle contraction. 

The carb source is also of note. PowerGel Original gels contain PowerBar’s C2Max Dual Source Carb Mix, a combo of maltodextrin and fructose. Maltodextrin is a highly processed carbohydrate derived from starches like wheat, corn, potatoes, and rice. 

It’s heated, treated with acids and enzymes, and put through hydrolysis, which breaks chemical bonds in the carbohydrates. This makes maltodextrin extremely quick to digest. PowerBar doesn’t state the ratio of maltodextrin to fructose, unfortunately. 

PowerBar recommends consuming these gels with water to optimize hydration and nutrient delivery.

Best Running Gel for Long Distances: GU Roctane Energy Gels

Good for: going the distance

GU Roctane

GU Energy Labs Roctane Energy Gels

GGR Score: 4.8

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Product Highlights

• Single-serving energy gel packet 
• Designed for high-intensity and long-duration exercise with more electrolytes and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) 
• Available in caffeinated and caffeine-free varieties 
• 3x electrolytes and BCAAs compared to other GU energy gels
• Improve heart contractility and cardiac output 
• Claimed to delay fatigue

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3rd-party tested for banned substance and Informed-Choice Certified
• Vegan
• Dairy- and gluten-free
• Very positively reviewed

Cons

• Only available in 24-count box
• Limited (3) caffeine-free flavors
• Can’t build your own variety pack
• No subscribe-and-save option

Bottom Line

GU Energy Labs Roctane Energy Gels are designed for longer and more intense exercise than GU’s original energy gels. According to GU Energy Labs, Roctane Gels have three times more electrolytes and BCAAs than their original gel to help delay fatigue and improve muscle contractility for long-duration exercise. These gels have very positive reviews for both effectiveness and taste. They are available both with and without caffeine, but there are only three caffeine-free flavors.

GU energy gels might be the most well-known among all running gels. GU was the first running nutrition brand I was introduced to, and for a while, I only used GU products during all my training runs and races. 

I like GU Roctane for my long training days, whether on the bike or on foot. Compared to the original GU gels, Roctane gels contain double the electrolytes. 

They also contain triple the BCAAs, but the implications of BCAA intake on endurance exercise performance are unclear. Some research⁵ shows that consuming BCAAs during endurance exercise might reduce muscle damage; other research has shown that they might reduce perception of fatigue⁶. I wouldn’t give too much weight to the BCAA content—as far as current research can tell, BCAAs are a “might help, won’t hurt” sort of supplement. 

What I really love about GU Roctane (other than the extra electrolytes and fast-digesting maltodextrin) is the inclusion of beta-alanine. Beta-alanine is a common pre-workout ingredient for its proven ability to fight fatigue during exercise⁷. This amino acid plays a role in the production of carnosine, a different amino acid, which acts as a buffer to lactic acid⁸. 

Beta-alanine can increase your “time to fatigue” or TTF. This means you can exercise at higher intensities for longer periods of time. Studies have shown that beta-alanine can increase TTF by up to nearly 15%, such as in this study on cyclists⁹ who consumed it for four weeks.

GU gels are thick and sticky, which isn’t for everyone. I don’t mind them, but my teammate Laura said the gel stuck to her mouth and she needed more water to wash it down than with other gels,

However, a friend of mine who used some gels to complete an 18-mile ruck says “GU is just pushing out a good product” and that he favored GU gels over the others he used. 

Best-Tasting Running Gel: GU Liquid Energy Packets

Good for: Beginners who aren’t used to the “unique” taste and texture of gels yet

GU Liquid Energy Packets

GU Energy Labs Liquid Energy Gels

GGR Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Single-serving energy liquid packet 
• Similar to GU Original Gels but in liquid form
• 5 flavors available  
• Simple and complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids
• Helps to maintain hydration 
• Fast-absorbing carbohydrates 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3rd-party tested for banned substance and Informed-Choice Certified
• Vegan
• Dairy- and gluten-free
• Available with or without caffeine

Cons

• Only available in box of 12
• Can’t build your own variety pack
• No subscribe-and-save option
• Only 5 flavors available

Bottom Line

GU Energy Labs Liquid Energy Gels provide similar energy and fuel to their original energy gels but in liquid form. GU Energy Labs says you can even freeze them to have an “energy gel slushie”. There is a mix of simple and complex carbohydrates for quick and long-lasting energy during all your workouts. These are available in fewer flavors than the original GU energy gels, but like the gels, there are both caffeinated and caffeine-free flavors. These have very positive customer reviews.

I’ve been running for years, so I’m used to gels and their properties that can be somewhat unpleasant. When your heart rate is high, you’re hot and dripping sweat, and your muscles burn, sucking down a thick syrupy substance with a chemical taste is just… not ideal, to put it nicely. 

Gels are an acquired taste, that’s for sure—more of a necessity than something most endurance athletes actually want to consume. GU Liquid Energy Packets are a good option for beginners who still need some practice getting gels down out on the course. They are by far the easiest to get down mid-run. These aren’t actually a gel, they’re a liquid, so it’s like drinking juice!  

I tried the Cola and Lemonade flavors and loved both. I recommend refrigerating them for an even better taste. You can also freeze them for a slushy texture. 

These contain highly digestible maltodextrin and fructose, although GU doesn’t state in what ratio. They contain sea salt for flavor and hydration, boosting the sodium content to a very respectable 190 milligrams per serving. 

The downside is that the packet itself is quite large compared to other gels. They don’t fit in race belts with elastic loops to hold gels, so you’ll need a running vest or a running belt to hold these. On the bike, I can stuff one into my cycling jersey pocket but it takes more effort to get out while in motion than a smaller package. 

Best Organic Running Gel: Honey Stinger Original Organic Energy Gel

Good for: Athletes who prefer to eat organic products

Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel

Honey Stinger Energy Gel

GGR Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Single-serving energy gel 
• Honey and electrolytes 
• Easy to digest
• Delays muscle fatigue

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Subscribe and save 15% + free shipping
• Gluten- and dairy-free
• Non-GMO and USDA organic
• Positive customer reviews
• Available in caffeine-free and 1 caffeinated flavor

Cons

• Not available to purchase as singles
• Only available in 3 flavors
• Variety pack features caffeinated and caffeine-free flavors

Bottom Line

Honey Stinger Energy Gels feature organic honey and electrolytes to provide energy throughout your workout. According to Honey Stinger, these gels are easy to digest and help to delay muscle fatigue. They recommend consuming it during or before activity; you can eat it right out of the packet, mix it in tea, or spread it on toast.

Honey Stinger Original Organic Energy Gel is the same as the Honey Stinger Caffeinated Energy Gel described above. The only difference is the lack of caffeine. 

The first two ingredients are organic tapioca syrup and organic honey, which serve dual purposes as the carb sources and for taste. Potassium citrate and salt provide electrolytes, and citric acid, water, and organic natural flavorings make up the rest of the gel. 

These organic gels are available in a few flavors, including Fruit Smoothie, Gold (honey flavored), and Acai Pomegranate. The Strawberry Kiwi flavor is only available in the caffeinated version.

I personally favor the Fruit Smoothie flavor, which has notes of strawberry, cherry, and orange. The texture is liquidy enough to be refrigerated without getting too thick or syrupy, and these taste great cold.

You’ll get a nice energy boost with 24 grams of carbs and 11 grams of sugar from the tapioca syrup and honey, as well as 50 milligrams of both potassium and sodium. 

RELATED: Best Long-Distance Running Shoes

Best All-Natural Running Gel: Untapped Athletic Fuel 100% Pure Maple Syrup Gels

Good for: People who like syrup

100% Pure Maple Syrup Gels

UnTapped Maple Syrup Athletic Fuel

GGR Score: 3.5

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Product Highlights

• Single-serving energy gels made with natural ingredients 
• Features pure Vermont maple syrup 
• Coffee flavor with caffeine available        
• All-natural energy 
• Better texture than other gels

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Minimal ingredients
• Subscribe and save 15%
• Available in multiple box sizes (5, 10, 20)
• USDA organic
• Variety pack available

Cons

• Limited reviews
• Some customers note a bad aftertaste
• Some users found the packets difficult to open

Bottom Line

UnTapped provides pure Vermont maple syrup–based energy gels. These gels use minimal ingredients and are available in 5 maple syrup based flavors. UnTapped shares that provide all-natural energy during your workouts. There are limited customer reviews, but they are mostly positive.

Folks, it really doesn’t get more natural than this. Untapped Athletic Fuel gels are made entirely of natural ingredients—er, a single natural ingredient, actually. This is straight maple syrup in a tear-to-open packet. 

Heads up: You will NOT like these if you do not like maple syrup. However, if you’re a syrup fanatic, go buy these immediately. You can use them for your long runs and then pour one on your toaster waffles when you get back. Untapped Athletic Fuel plus Kodiak Cake protein pancakes equals *chef’s kiss.* 

Laura, a member of my triathlon team, agrees, saying that Untapped syrups are “way too sweet.” She was unable to finish one, but ended up using it on breakfast instead. Another friend used Untapped during an 18-mile ruck workout and said, “Not much to this one—actually syrup. Bomb, 4 out of 5 stars.” To each his own. 

There are 26 grams of simple carbohydrates (25 of which are sugars) in Untapped Athletic Fuel 100% Pure Maple Syrup packets. That’s par for the course when looking at other popular options.

Maple syrup contains more naturally occurring nutrients than lab-created gels, which is not necessarily a performance factor, but is a nice touch. Each 38-gram packet contains magnesium, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, and manganese in addition to the normal inclusions of sodium, calcium, and potassium.

My main complaint is that there’s virtually no sodium in these. If you plan to use maple syrup as your only gel during training or racing, please also have a sports drink with sodium or salt tablets handy. In some of the other flavors—Salted Raspberry, Salted Cocoa, Salted Citrus—there is 60 to 100 milligrams of sodium, which is much better. 

RELATED: Best Running Shoes

Best Gluten-Free Running Gel: Carb Boom! Apple Cinnamon Energy Gel

Good for: People who like applesauce

Carb Boom! Apple Cinnamon Gel

Boom Nutrition Carb Boom Energy Gel

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• Single-serving energy gel 
• 9:1 ratio of complex carbs to simple sugar for steady energy release
• Maximize performance 
• Steady release of energy

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sampler and variety packs available
• Able to create your own variety packs of your favorite flavors
• No artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners
• Very positive customer reviews
• Gluten-free

Cons

• Very limited reviews
• No caffeinated option available
• Only 6 flavors available

Bottom Line

Boom Nutrition Carb Boom Energy Gels use real fruit purees and concentrates without any artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners to provide a steady source of energy during your longer workouts. Boom Nutrition shares that their 9:1 ratio of complex carbs to simple sugars helps to provide energy throughout your workout. There are very limited reviews, but they are extremely positive. There are only 6 flavors available and no caffeinated flavors.

The gist here is similar to that of the maple syrup gels: If you like applesauce, add to cart. If you do not like applesauce, skip these—because they taste just like cinnamon applesauce, which is awesome if you love applesauce but not awesome if you don’t. 

I do like applesauce so I am pleased with Carb Boom! Apple Cinnamon Energy Gels. I’d honestly eat these just to eat them. The texture is smooth and a little sticky, but in a good way, like apple pie filling. 

These contain an interesting 9-to-1 ratio of maltodextrin to fructose with 26 total grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of sugar.

That’s the biggest differential I’ve seen in any running gels to date other than Science In Sport gels (covered later in this guide). This could be really beneficial for people who tend to struggle digestively—such as with nausea or gut rumbling—when they consume too much sugar. 

Carb Boom! Apple Cinnamon gels are made with real apple puree and apple concentrate, which is what makes the apple flavor come through so well. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners, and all of the flavor options are gluten-free.

RELATED: How to Choose Running Shoes

Best Vegan Running Gel: Huma Chia Real Food Energy Gels

Good for: Athletes who want a whole-food, vegan option

Huma Chia Energy Gels

Huma Chia Energy Gel

GGR Score: 3.8

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Product Highlights

• 100% natural energy gel 
• Caffeine-free and caffeinated flavors 
• Combination of fruit puree, powdered chia seeds, and brown rice syrup
• Real food that is easy on stomach 
• 2:1 ratio of short- and long-chain glucose and fructose to maximize carbohydrate absorption

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free
• Vegan
• No artificial flavors

Cons

• Can’t make your own variety pack
• Mixed reviews on taste
• Customers ordering from Amazon got incorrect flavors or number of gels
• Must consume with water

Bottom Line

Huma Chia Energy Gels provide energy for your workouts by using real food. Huma combines fruit puree, powdered chia seeds, and brown rice syrup to make an all-natural energy gel. Huma shares that since their gels are real food, they are easy on the stomach and use a 2:1 ratio or short -and long-chain glucose and fructose to maximize carbohydrate uptake. Customer reviews for this product are mostly positive, but there are some mixed reviews on taste.

Huma Chia Energy Gels are a good choice for vegan athletes and anyone who would prefer to consume something that’s more whole-food based. All Huma gels are vegan, gluten-free, and made with real fruit purees.

They’re available in eight flavors: Strawberries, Apple Cinnamon, Mangoes, Blueberries, Mocha Cinnamon, Chocolate, Lemonade, Raspberries. The Mango was my favorite, but to be frank, I wasn’t a huge fan of the chia seeds. The gels taste great and digest easily, but the chia component creates this bumpy, lumpy texture that I couldn’t get past. 

From a performance nutrition standpoint, Huma gels aren’t the best because they contain fiber and protein. It’s only 2 grams and 1 gram respectively, but you really don’t want to consume anything that slows down the digestion process when you’re training, and especially not when you’re racing. They do contain a nice 105 milligrams of sodium, which is more than some lab-created gels. 

Recreational athletes who are just trying not to bonk during a long session should do just fine with Huma gels. Those trying to smash personal records or training to be competitive athletes might want to go with something more dialed-in for performance benefits, like Maurten Gel 100 or GU Roctane. 

My friend and teammate Laura said the taste is too sweet for her, but really liked the puree-style consistency and that these felt easy on her stomach. 

I would highly recommend Huma gels for hiking and backpacking, though, since you’re exercising at much lower intensities. Plus, the fruit flavors are sure to be refreshing on a hot trail day.

Best Running Gel for Hydration: Science In Sport Isotonic Energy Gel + Electrolytes

Good for: Athletes who need to optimize hydration

Science In Sport Isotonic Gels

Science in Sport (SIS) Go Isotonic Energy + Electrolyte Gels

GGR Score: 4.7

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Product Highlights

• Isotonic energy gel with carbohydrates and electrolytes  
• Available in 2 flavors 
• Helps maintain hydration 
• Easily digestible 
• Quick carbohydrate supply

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides carbohydrates and electrolytes
• Don’t have to consume with water
• Vegetarian and vegan
• Gluten-, wheat-, dairy- and nut-free
• 3rd-party tested and Informed Sport Certified

Cons

• No subscribe-and-save option available
• Only available in 2 flavors
• Limited reviews

Bottom Line

Science in Sport (SIS) provides a combination of carbohydrates and electrolytes to fuel your longer workouts. SIS states that these gels help you maintain hydration during long or hot exercise sessions. There are limited reviews for this product, but they are mostly positive.

Science In Sport gels are isotonic gels. An isotonic solution is one that has the same osmotic pressure as another solution. Osmotic pressure¹⁰ has a complex definition, but in simple terms, it can be described as the minimum pressure needed to stop the flow of water through a membrane—or osmosis, if you remember that from high school biology. 

In this case, the gels are the isotonic solution and your body cells are the other solution. So Science In Sport gels are designed to have the same osmotic pressure as the cells in your body. This means that they should not alter the fluid balance of your cells, thus maintaining ideal fluid balance—and thus hydration—during exercise. 

What this means practically is that you should be able to consume Science in Sport gels without the usual need for simultaneous water consumption. 

As Science in Sport puts it, this formula “delivers easy-to-digest carbohydrate that can be used as part of your fueling strategy without the liquid volume that often leaves you feeling bloated and sluggish.”

Of course, you still need to replace total water loss during exercise, so don’t inadvertently dehydrate yourself by thinking these gels are a magic replacement for water. (See our full guide to hydration for runners for more information.)

In addition to the isotonic formula that helps with hydration, these gels contain an electrolyte blend that is 477 milligrams in total and contains sodium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium chloride, and magnesium citrate. In total, there are 118 milligrams of sodium, 9.5 milligrams of potassium, and 1.5 milligrams of magnesium. 

I like the Salted Strawberry flavor best of the three available. It’s sweet and definitely salty, but not terribly so. The texture is thin and runny, so these are quite easy to consume. The package size is larger than I like, but that’s necessary due to the isotonic formula that contains more water than other gels.

Other Running Gels We Researched

In addition to the above running gels, here are a handful more worth mentioning. 

CLIF SHOT Energy Gels: I really liked these and they were slated to be the “best-tasting running gel” in this guide. Unfortunately, CLIF discontinued them as of May 1, 2023. You can still get them while supplies last.  

Spring Energy Gels: I wasn’t a fan of the texture of these. It’s ultra-thick, much more solid than any other gels I’ve tried, and feels sticky in the mouth. 

GU Energy Chews: These aren’t gels, but gummy-like chews. They’re fine, and they work, but I’d prefer a gel in most cases over something I have to chew.

Torq Energy Gels: I didn’t get to try these, but wanted to mention them here because they contain the recommended 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio. 

Muir Energy Gels: These aren’t my favorite. They’re a whole-food option; the texture is insanely thick, almost solid, and there are crunchy bits due to the berry seeds. They taste OK and might be good for hikers. But Laura, my triathlon teammate, liked the Muir gels, saying that they “felt natural, like a baby food, and that made my stomach feel good.”

How We Picked and Tested the Best Running Gels

I personally chose all of the running gels on this list after buying them and using them during various training sessions and races, including a sprint triathlon and an Olympic triathlon. I took various gels with me on long runs, training rides, and even on a couple of hikes when I briefly escaped my ultra-flat home terrain of Florida. 

To determine the best running gels, I noted factors like taste, texture, ease of consumption, packaging (i.e., was it easy to open while riding a bike?), ingredients, grams of carbs, and any side effects. 

I also took note of how I felt during the training sessions, keeping in mind that performance is dictated by so many factors, including hydration, sleep, stress, weather, and more.

I enlisted some friends to help, too. One member of my triathlon team tried several of the gels during training; another friend used them to fuel during an 18-mile ruck competition.

Benefits of Running Gels

Running gels support endurance exercise by maintaining blood glucose levels and sparing glycogen stores. 

According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine³, “As exercise duration increases, the body begins to use less of the stored forms of energy, which are glycogen [stored carbs] and intramuscular triglycerides [stored fats], and begins using more circulating glucose and fatty acids to fuel exercise. This is primarily because the muscular stores of fatty acids and glucose begin to run low over time.”

When this happens, an exogenous energy source is required—that’s food. Or, in this case, sugar. 

If you run your muscular fuel sources dry and don’t replenish with carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels will drop and, at best, you’ll struggle to finish your training session or race and bonk. “Bonking” is the endurance athlete’s term for hitting the wall as a result of low fuel, and it can feel like dizziness, shakiness, extreme fatigue, and legs-are-bricks syndrome. 

At worst, you’ll faint. 

The National Academy of Sports Medicine³ says, “When blood glucose concentrations drop to such critical levels, the function of the brain is affected and results in poor decision making, slower reaction times, and enhanced perception of effort, because the brain solely relies on glucose as its primary fuel source. In this regard, it has been proposed that the brain is able to sense the diminished availability of glucose and brings about the termination of exercise as a protective mechanism.”

In short, running gels keep you going when your body is in need of fuel in the near-immediate future. They’re easily one of the best supplements for runners.

Third-Party Testing

Some running gels and energy gels are regulated as foods by the FDA, not as supplements, so they are subject to stringent FDA legislation and don’t need to be third-party tested like pre-workout and BCAAs do. On a box of gels made of whole foods (such as Huma, Muir, or Honey Stinger) you’ll see a complete nutrition facts label just like the labels you see on all foods in grocery stores. 

Other gels are sold as supplements and have a supplements facts label, not a nutrition facts label, in which case you will want to look for proof of third-party testing if that’s important to you. Some gels are sold as foods with a nutrition facts label and are still third-party tested, which is the best-case scenario. Athletes who are subject to drug testing should always choose supplements that are screened for banned substances. 

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Running Gels

The most important thing to understand about running gels and how they work is that the human body is only capable of processing a finite amount of carbohydrate per hour. 

According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine³, the body can process 60 grams of glucose and 30 grams of fructose per hour, so 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour in total. 

That said, here are the questions you should ask yourself when evaluating a running gel: 

• What types of carbohydrates are in the gel and how much of each? 
• What is the ratio of glucose to fructose or maltodextrin to fructose? 
• Does it contain caffeine? How much? 
• Does it contain electrolytes? Which ones, and how much? You’ll want to intake a minimum of 300 to 600 milligrams of sodium¹¹ per hour, so make sure your nutrition strategy aligns with that. (Generally, gels alone won’t have enough sodium for very long-duration exercise, such as an Ironman or an ultramarathon.)
• How many ounces/grams is the packet? Is it small enough to fit in a cycling jersey pocket or a running race belt? 

Additionally, take a look at customer reviews to learn about the following factors: 

• Taste
• Texture
• Whether the packet is easy to open or a huge pain
• Flavor options
• Side effects 

FAQs About Running Gels

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

1. Daghlas SA, Mohiuddin SS. Biochemistry, Glycogen. [Updated 2022 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539802/ 
2. Science Direct. “Maltodextrin.” Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/maltodextrin 
3. Certified Sports Nutrition Coach. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
4. Veniamakis E, Kaplanis G, Voulgaris P, Nikolaidis PT. Effects of Sodium Intake on Health and Performance in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Sports. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(6):3651. Published 2022 Mar 19. doi:10.3390/ijerph19063651
5. Kim DH, Kim SH, Jeong WS, Lee HY. Effect of BCAA intake during endurance exercises on fatigue substances, muscle damage substances, and energy metabolism substances. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2013;17(4):169-180. doi:10.5717/jenb.2013.17.4.169
6. Gervasi, M., Sisti, D., Amatori, S. et al. Effects of a commercially available branched-chain amino acid-alanine-carbohydrate-based sports supplement on perceived exertion and performance in high intensity endurance cycling tests. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 17, 6 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-0337-0
7. Hobson RM, Saunders B, Ball G, Harris RC, Sale C. Effects of β-alanine supplementation on exercise performance: a meta-analysis. Amino Acids. 2012;43(1):25-37. doi:10.1007/s00726-011-1200-z
8. Derave W, Everaert I, Beeckman S, Baguet A. Muscle carnosine metabolism and beta-alanine supplementation in relation to exercise and training. Sports Med. 2010;40(3):247-263. doi:10.2165/11530310-000000000-00000
9. Hobson RM, Harris RC, Martin D, et al. Effect of beta-alanine, with and without sodium bicarbonate, on 2000-m rowing performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2013;23(5):480-487. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.23.5.480
10. National Library of Medicine. “Osmotic Pressure.” National Center for Biotechnology Information.
11. Veniamakis E, Kaplanis G, Voulgaris P, Nikolaidis PT. Effects of Sodium Intake on Health and Performance in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Sports. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(6):3651. Published 2022 Mar 19. doi:10.3390/ijerph19063651

Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC

Amanda is a content writer and journalist with extensive experience in the health, fitness, lifestyle, and nutrition niches. Before joining Garage Gym Reviews, she worked as an independent writer for various brands and outlets.Her work has appeared in national and global digital publications, including Health.com and Shape.com (Meredith Corporation), CNET (Red Ventures, formerly ViacomCBS), LIVESTRONG (Leaf Group), Verywell Fit and The Balance (DotDash), SlickDeals (Goldman Sachs/Hearst), Health Journal, and more.Now, Amanda brings her expertise in fitness to the GGR team by testing equipment and writing authentic, honest reviews on everything you might need to stock your home gym.

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