The ultimate gel taste test: We sampled 21 energy gels so you don’t have to

by thebestworldevents.com 1 April 2024 · Cycling

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For this piece, we set out to sample as many different energy gels as possible. The goal was to produce tasting notes, similar to what one might find for different vintages of wine, or coffee beans of specific origin. It is, of course, a little different to sample sweet and sticky gels than either coffee or wine, but we tried to enjoy the process as much as we could.

Of the gels we tasted, some are more in the “real food” camp, while others are decidedly “sports science.” Both have benefits depending on when and how you utilize them, though typically the easier to eat the gel is, the better it is suited to harder efforts or race scenarios. Some athletes appreciate a variety of flavors to keep things fresh, while others choose the most neutral or inoffensive option to get in fuel quickly and keep competing.

Of the sample gels we received, we selected the two most intriguing flavors from each brand (note: some only make a single flavor). We then tasted them one at a time, eating apple slices as a palate cleanser in between. Each sample was evaluated on flavor, stickiness, mouthfeel, sweetness, and aftertaste. We also jotted down any additional impressions that we had about each, and, as a thought exercise, contemplated the location and/or scenario in which we would ideally consume each gel. Our testers are longtime athletes who have eaten many, many gels throughout the course of years of training and racing.

Energy gel taste test - Maurten Gel 100 “I had no idea I would enjoy a gel textured like this”

Website: maurten.com
Flavor: Gel 100
Size: 40 g, 100 calories
Tasting notes: If you spend enough time with toddlers at wading pools, eventually you’ll witness some hapless parent sending their progeny in wearing a regular (non-swimming specific) diaper. The diaper will then swell up to breathtaking size, before bursting and filling the wading pool with super-absorbent goo. Maurten’s Gel 100 (no flavor listed) has a similar consistency. Upon discovering this, I was initially taken aback, but quickly bypassed all additional emotions and ended up at delighted. I had no idea I would enjoy a gel textured like this, but man is it delicious. Sweet and wonderfully chewy, it’s perfect in every way. Maurten also offers the same gel in a larger size, or with caffeine, for those inclined.
Pairs with: Water

Energy gel taste test - Huma Gel Mangoes “Looks like mango chutney and tastes like mango chutney”

Energy gel taste test - Huma Gel Blueberries “tastes like thick blueberry syrup”

3. Huma Gel – Blueberries

SIS energy gel - apple “Likely best enjoyed after several hours in a paceline”

4. Science in Sport (SiS) – Apple

Energy gel taste test - SIS fuit “Did SIS just pour the remnants of a tinned fruit salad into packaging?”

5. Science in Sport (SiS) – Fruit Salad

Spring Energy - Orange “Weak applesauce with an orangey zest”

6. Spring Energy – Orange

Energy gel taste test - Spring Energy Chocolate “Perhaps Chocolate Cherry would have been more apt”

7. Spring Energy – Chocolate Heaven

Energy gel taste test - Carbs Fuel “For people who want calories without too much flavor”

Energy gel taste test - First Endurance Liquid Shot “a nice snack on a late spring training ride through the winding roads lined by apple blossomsy”

Energy gel taste test - First Endurance Liquid Shot “Perfect for those cool dawn patrol rides,”

Energy gel taste test - GU Energy Labs Cola “would ideally be consumed mid-ride at an old-timey lunch counter”

11. GU Energy Labs – Cola

Energy gel taste test - GU Energy Labs S'Mores “This flavor would be ideal on a wet and cold ride when you need something to remind you of the warmth”

12. GU Energy Labs – Campfire S’Mores

Energy gel taste test - Honey Stinger Gold “perfect to snack on while riding gravel bikes through the Hundred Acre Wood looking for Heffalumps”

Energy gel taste test - Honey Stinger Fruit ” This one would be nice to eat while riding champagne gravel in between mud season and dust season”

14. Honey Stinger – Fruit Smoothie

Precision Fuel “The mild flavor reminds me a little bit of chamomile tea.”

“It has unmistakable pina colada vibes.”

“There’s a hint of rubber glove”

17. UCAN Edge – Unflavored

Ideal location for consumption: mid-hike-a-bike on an epic bikepacking trip”

18. Muir Energy – Raspberry

“his one tastes “healthy” too, but the mix of flavors doesn’t go quite as well together”

19. Muir Energy – Passion Fruit Pineapple Bananas

Energy gel taste test - UnTapped Salted Caramel I could eat a lot of these!”

20. UnTapped – Salted Cocao

Energy gel taste test - UnTapped Maple Salted Citrus ” would be delightful to eat mid way through a warm summer ride while sitting in an Adirondack chair”

21. UnTapped – Salted Citrus

Well, there you have it: a giant pile of gels tasted and remarked upon and one nauseous tester. We certainly each have our own preferences, but we tried to find things that we agreed upon about each one. We found that it’s easy to focus on flavor, but texture has just as much of an impact on how enjoyable these gels are to eat. The packaging too makes a difference in how easy it is to eat each gel. We discussed trying to create some sort of matrix to rate the different packages, but it got too complicated for us, so we just focused on tasting them. As mentioned above, we suggest trying several different kinds for yourself. Eat them at the start of rides and at the end of rides, and when you’re going hard and going easy. You may find you prefer certain ones for each of these scenarios. When in doubt, eat a banana.

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