11 Runner-Approved Energy Gels for Training and Racing

Key Specs

• Flavors: Chocolate Outrage, Jet Blackberry, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Banana, Tri-Berry, and Vanilla Bean
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 40 mg for Jet Blackberry; 20 mg for Chocolate Outrage, Salted Caramel, Vanilla Bean, and Tri-Berry; 0 mg for Strawberry Banana

When people think of gels, there’s a good chance they’re thinking about the OG GU energy gels. GU has—sticky hands down—the best variety of flavors, no matter what you’re craving at mile 16 (Salted Watermelon, anyone?). The editors of Runner’s World went so far as to test and rank every flavor available (at the time of testing). Each packet provides 100 calories of energy, though different flavors provide varying amounts of carbohydrates (20 to 23 grams), amino acids, sodium, and caffeine, all clearly marked on the packaging. This assorted 24-pack includes six flavors, five of which are caffeinated.

“I love what Gu is doing with fun flavors,” says Bede, who turns to Salted Watermelon during heat waves and S’mores while training in the cooler months. Test Editor Amanda Furrer, a three-hour marathoner and GU defender, opts for GU Hoppy Trails and Salted Caramel. The latter, she says, “is the best of both worlds: salty and sweet.”

Key Specs

• Flavor: Apple Cinnamon
• Calories: 110
• Caffeine: 0 mg

Boom Nutrition designs its gels to release energy steadily, compared with other gels that deliver a hit of sugar quickly. Everyone can benefit from this low-sugar, high-carb formula, but it’s particularly good for individuals whose GI tracts are more sensitive. Better still, Boom doesn’t use artificial colors or sweeteners.

Key Specs

• Flavors: Chocolate, Chocolate Cherry, Citrus, Double Expresso, Mocha, Razz, Strawberry, and Vanilla
• Calories: 110 for Chocolate and Chocolate Cherry; 100 for other flavors
• Caffeine: 100 mg for Double Expresso and Chocolate Cherry; 50 mg for Mocha; 25 mg for Citrus and Strawberry; 0 mg for Chocolate, Vanilla, and Razz

Clif Bloks are one of the more popular energy chews—juicy gummy squares that come in (sometimes) questionable, yet delicious flavors, such as Ginger Ale and Margarita (salt is an electrolyte!). The Clif Shot Energy Gels harness the same power and flavor of the chews but in a formula that makes it easier to go down, if chewing is not something you want (or are able) to do at mile 20. Each packet provides 100 to 110 calories and 22 to 24 grams of carbs, depending on the flavor.

Key Specs

• Flavors: Berries and Pomegranate, and Strawberry Lemonade
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 25 mg for Strawberry Lemonade, 0 mg for Berries and Pomegranate

Huma Plus is a chia-based gel that has double the electrolytes—240 to 245 milligrams sodium, 75 to 80 milligrams potassium, and 15 milligrams magnesium—compared to the brand’s regular version. Huma uses all-natural ingredients so your electrolytes are coming from coconut water and sea salt. This pack includes a caffeinated and non-caffeinated flavor, each providing 100 calories and 21 grams of carbs.

Key Specs

• Flavor: Double Expresso
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 100 mg

For a double dose of energy, slip a Double Expresso Clif Shot gel into your pocket or running belt. It packs 100 milligrams of caffeine (about the same as an 8-ounce coffee), and our testers found the flavor to be slightly more palatable than others. Each packet also provides 100 calories and 24 grams of carbs. For the environmentally conscious, it features the brand’s patented Litter Leash design which keeps the torn-off top connected to the packet to prevent litter and make it easy for you to ingest half and roll up the rest for later.

Key Specs

• Flavor: Fruit Smoothie
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 0 mg

The difference between organic and natural gels is that the organic label is highly regulated by the USDA (the food must contain at least 95 percent organic content), whereas natural isn’t. Foods that claim to be natural don’t have added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances (although high fructose corn syrup is considered natural.) This Honey Stinger option is a go-to for an effective, tasty gel that also checks off the organic and gluten-free boxes. It’s made with just seven ingredients you can pronounce (yes, organic honey is one of them) and provides 100 calories of energy.

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Key Specs

• Flavor: Canaberry
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 0 mg

Yes, Spring Energy is incredibly expensive—more than double the cost of other brands. But you get what you pay for, and in this case, you’re getting all real food. The vegan Canaberry option combines rice, banana, and strawberry with additional ingredients that add flavor and electrolytes. For a 50-milligram caffeine boost, try Speednut or Koffee, which was developed with two-time Olympian Kara Goucher.

Our video producer and resident ultrarunner Pat Heine shells out for Spring Energy for his races, particularly the Canaberry and Awesome Sauce flavors. “I’ve subsisted on Spring Gels for literal days,” he says. “They’re expensive but real good.”

Key Specs

• Flavor: Sea Salt Chocolate
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 35 mg

This is basically a regular Gu gel on steroids. Designed for the ultra endurance athlete, the Roctane line has more electrolytes (sodium) and additional branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, and isoleucine), which can help reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage sustained over the long, long run. Roctane also has the amino acid taurine (famously found in Red Bull), which might help improve performance.

Key Specs

• Flavor: Maple syrup
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 0 mg

Yes, syrup. Pure Vermont maple syrup. Syrup, as you might know, is straight-up quick-acting sugar (like honey), making it a perfect choice to fuel long miles. Our Runner-in-Chief and lead Test Editor Jeff Dengate has turned to UnTapped since the company first sent us samples more than five years ago. (It makes a mean waffle, too.) Each packet contains 100 calories and 25 grams of sugar, plus small amounts of other nutrients, including zinc and manganese, which are naturally found in syrup.

Key Specs

• Flavor: Tropical Fruit
• Calories: 100
• Caffeine: 0 mg

It’s probably safe to say that every runner is at least familiar with the brand PowerBar, the original sports bar company. (I remember tasting an original PowerBar during my high-school running days, thinking “What is this grossness?”) Well, PowerBar, which has been owned by a few companies since its inception in 1986, has come a long way in sports nutrition.

Its gel, PowerGel, once graced the New York City Marathon aid stations (that’s where I first tried it). Unfortunately, its coffee flavor isn’t around anymore, but Tropical Fruit and four others are. Each package contains 100 calories and 26 grams of sugar. It includes a 2:1 ratio of glucose and fructose, which can increase absorption—meaning you’ll get the energy you need faster than single-source sugars.

Key Specs

• Flavors: Cashew Vanilla, Red Raspberry, Sunflower
• Calories: 110 for Red Raspberry, 145 for Cashew Vanilla and Sunflower
• Caffeine: 0 mg

I first tried Muir when I was starting out as the food and nutrition editor at Runner’s World. A friend and former teammate knew the founder of the company, which was just starting to put out real-food, clean ingredients gels.

The handmade, plant-based gels in this variety pack boast just four whole-food ingredients, which are plant-based, organic, and non-GMO. The company is dedicated to fueling athletes and being environmentally friendly; it’s a member of 1% for the Planet and is carbon neutral-certified. But the gels are more expensive than most others on our list.