Testing & Ranking (SURPRISE!) The Best Energy Gels for Runners - HOW TO FUEL A MARATHON & LONG RUN! 

Part 2 is now live! Thank you for all your comments and suggestions! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PxwfeJcuaSQ.html

I use High 5 as they are cheeeep and easy texture to eat/drink. Done me well for 3 marathon PB's in a row.

If any one is looking for a "natural" alternative, date syrup is equivalent in terms of energy you can get from them and is a plant based whole food. Costs much less than single energy gels (if you want a cheaper alternative to Maurten Ben) as you can buy it in large bottles and dispense in to your own mini gel soft flasks, which also means less packaging and waste too. My go-to after trying lots of different energy gels and hydration powders on the market for fuelling my ultra runs.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions for the next gel video. We’ve placed a big order, purely based on the comments. I’ll be testing these out on my runs over the next month then will make version 2!

Huge fan of SIS and how it interacts with my stomach, just wish they were smaller. Watermelon Electrolyte ones are amazing.

I tested a few different brands before my first marathon and found High5 to be the easiest for my body to absorb, I didn't get any 'gel burps' after taking these. Would definitely recommend them!

What I love about this vid Ben is, that you actually put the gels on the plate, great to see this stuff without the package. My favorite is the "Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel" because it is sweet and drinkable, so not really a gel but it goes down easy without any water.

Thank you for this video! I just ran my first marathon last weekend and had no idea what I was doing with gels. I took some I had never taken before during the race and probably took half as many as I should. But I hadn’t really seen good comparisons like this, and there are a lot of gels to choose from. So I got analysis paralysis and just used whatever. I got lucky it didn’t ruin my race, but more gels probably would have helped me get through those last few miles a lot better. Thank you!

Thanks so much so this thorough test and looking forward to more! Nice work for us, Ben!❤

This was a great topic to cover. Very helpful ! Thank you Ben!!

I've always used SIS and seem fine for me. No stomach issues, swallow easy, kick in quite quick and can get them from supermarkets locally.

I'm a big fan of the GU salted caramel and the mixed berry flavors. They get the job done. Great video. Very informative.

Great review(s) as always Ben. I've been using the High5 gels for years, but prefer the Aqua version as they're a bit more like a drink and so work better for me on the move. They're cheap and do the job, so glad to see the brand came out on top in this overview!

This video came at the perfect time! Thanks ben

Spring energy was always my go to, hill aid and long haul worked well for me. Didn't realise they've got so expensive, I did run a half last year with voom nutrition bars very impressed. One to try in the future, cheers guys

I have only used the SIS gel but they are a nightmare to open during a race!

Great vid as always Ben, been waiting to see a vid on running gels and this was very useful.

Hi Ben, great timing for this video because I'm starting to think about testing some gels on my long runs. I'd be interested to see the Hilltop natural honey gels reviewed, thanks 👍

I just love seeing how much fun you had making this video 😄😁✔

Great video Ben!

Ben.. I recently ran a marathon PB of 3:30 completely fueled by dates and water. I encourage anyone to try it as a more natural fueling option, high in carbs and minerals like magnesium and potassium. The best thing is they are easier on your stomach, I’ve never had GI problems training or racing with them.

I tried Honey Stingers cherry energy chews today!!! Oh man sooooo good!! My stomach handled them well!! Thanks for your video!! Loved that your wife supported you and filmed. A thank you to her too!!

Impeccable timing with this video, as you noted in the beginning. More of these please :)

It’s Hi5 for me, good value, quite light and lots of flavours (I prefer the Mango which Wiggle sells). Great video. Thanks 🙏

I use products from hammer nutrition which I first came across at the national running show. They do standard gel sachets but I buy the jugs and put them in a hand held flask. They are gloopy until you water them down a bit. I also use SIS as readily available. Good video.

My favourite at the moment is Active Root's gel mixes. They come in recyclable packaging, and you just mix up the gel to your own liking for consistency in a little 150ml soft flask they sell. Much better for the planet, and you don't feel the need to take it all in one go. I used to use High5, but I couldn't cope with the sticky hands I inevitably got, and because I normally run on trails, I ended up with the sticky gel packets in my vest pack.

I've tried several gels, currently using OTE 66g with 40g carbs. As I watched this video, it occurred to me that I had never actually seen the gel itself before!

Hi Ben, I just wanted to thank you for your tips on becoming a better run. When I was younger I used to love to run. About a week ago I decided to run again. Once again thank you! Is it possible you can make a video on how to strengthen your foot/ankle or plyometric exercises for beginner runners. This will be very helpful. Thank you so much!

Great overview Ben, thx! Spring Energy is interesting indeed, especially their approach to specifically tailor each gel to a certain type of workout. I've tested „Awesome Sauce“ (I think that's everybodies favourite) and „Koffee“ (more of an acquired taste I guess [cold brew coffee, though no caffeine], but I really enjoyed it). They are quite pricey though. I can recommend the Chimpanzee „Natural Energy Gel“; very short list of ingredients, super compact and easy to carry despite having a fair amount of carbs - I absolutely love the „Forest Fruit“ variety. Pretty affordable too. These days I'm testing the „226ers“; their „High Energy“ gels are absolute carb bombs, 50g per gel (with the size of a SiS gel). Tested twice of them so far and am amazed how well they work, one gel for a half marathon seems perfect for me. They also come in isotonic variations that need no aditional water (with ½ the amount of carbs); have yet to test their „Isotonic Ice Gel”, that might be nice when it's hot. Also have yet to test their „High Energy Cherry“ gel, 160mg of caffeine (I guess that's not quite your cup of coffee...)! 💀 Also come with salty flavours and a neutral one too. Anyway, highly recommended! Beside that SiS (the caffeinated Cola flavor) is my main gel, just works, doesn't taste funny and is affordable enough. Maurten is cool of course, but only for special occasions for me. 🙂 Would love to test the „Hüma“ gels, but haven't been able to find them online. Would love to see a part two! Cheers from Berlin!

Great video, very informative.

Spring is also really expensive in the US! Glad to find this video, though. I've been working through my own taste-testing process. Cliff seems less sickly sweet than Gu and has a pull tab, and it's one of the cheaper ones. Huma has been my favorite so far. SIS tasted like grass and just...chemical to me. 😝

Thanks for the review, one thing you could have touched, it's the ration of fructose/glucose, I noticed this play a big difference. Cheers!

I feel like maurten really does hit me differently then any other gel I've used. Specifically the cafinated version

I currently got Clif Bloks which are pretty good, basically wine gums. A little worried about taking on so many during the marathon as I end up wanting to chew them. Each pack is 6 blocks and is 186 calories and 47g carbs. The other benefit is as they're solid you can open the packet before your run and not lose any of the wrapper

Love the taste test. I have a solid rotation of huma/huma+ gels (love the extra electrolytes), clif shot gels and SiS (so far only the raspberry flavor has been palatable though). Will keep an eye out for others in the top 3!

Couldn’t get every gel, but you brought the symphony in the intro 😂🎉 nice review!

Endurance tap is the Canadian natural option: maple syrup and ginger! Really good stuff 🍁

Tried GU Salted Watermelon on a group training run on Sat. Thick, but tasted ok. No tummy issues. Seemed fine. Will purchase. Thanks for your (two) helpful responses.

Great vid, I'm partial to wiggles on brand gels especially their mocha flavour and I also like Styrkr gels they're more for endurance events like the rest of their products. Also for alternative fuels you should look at Voom nutrition, Kendal Mint co products. I also like sis beta chews and Percitions Fuel chews

Great video. I don’t use gels as I find they make my stomach not good in ultra races. I look forward to the next video. I prefer to take solid fuel zip bags such as salted nut mix or chopped up sausage rolls (Greg’s vegan with HP sauce inside). For long training runs, plan the route to go near shop and stop and have sandwich. Always hits the spot. Thank you 🙏

Great video Ben. I’m sure many runners will find that very useful. Personally I’m going to try the Maurten next for my forthcoming Marathon, although they are expensive as you said. I’d be grateful if you would consider reviewing Torq gels as they were my favourite but can’t find them here in Canada. Could you also try to review Stinger and Hammer gels if possible. 👍🏻

I started with SIS gels and didnt really like them, packets were annoying to open and would split and I'd end up with half of it on my hands. I switched to Tailwind and never looked back, would be interesting to see you give it a go some time.

Good vid and would like a Part 2. I use High 5 aqua plus Unived, which have great flavours. Shout out for Veloforte as well.

Hey, If you do a part 2, would love to see your opinion on the lucozade gels as they’re the ones handed out at London :)

Loved the video! Would be great to get the scores/info in a spreadsheet though so we can compare them all easily.

Ben, watched this and decided to give the High5 gels a go….and glad I did….tasty and powered my way through a 25k long run. Training now in full flow for Paris in April….using your plan and getting it done 👍🏃‍♂️

Thanks to the comments suggesting the deal on Hi 5 Gels. Good video Ben. When do you Tail Wind?

Spring Energy sells a gel called Awesome Sauce here in Aus. It’s great and very popular. It’s a green packet and tastes like apple pie.

@BenParkes thanks for the video. Some of the gels I've taken and some I haven't. I've been interested to try the new Precision fuels gel but haven't had the chance yet. An interesting comparison would be the ratio of glucose to fructose as well.

I just started using the SIS and it seems to give me a nice steady stream of energy with out the ups then down sugar in other brands. I use no caffeine and it's great. I just don't care for the tast but that's a small sacrifice. Thank you for sharing this information.

I don’t have much experience with gels, but I used the hilltop honey ones for my half marathon and I loved the taste of them, and the fact them being all natural is a big reason I purchased them. Would be interested to see your thoughts on them.

This is really interesting and useful. I am definitely shifting from SIS to High5 after watching this. The SIS are huge and you can really feel it at the start of the marathon. It's also a bonus that Edinburgh have High5 at their stations, frustrating that Manchester use a gel that you can't actually buy to try beforehand. Thanks Ben, really appreciate the vid.

I’ve never had Maurtens, but the Cliff Shot energy gels in the citrus flavor are just about the only ones that don’t make me gag. They actually taste pretty decent and aren’t oppressively viscous like some of the others.

Just got a pack of 20 x High 5 off Amazon for 9.35 which works out at 46p each 👍. The Kendal Mint Gels are really nice. Definitely worth a test in your next video. The Coca Cola Mountain Fuel is amazing, tastes like the Mr Freezes from when you were a kid.

I used to use high 5 but started getting some stomach issues which I think were caused by the gels. I switched to veloforte and seems to have worked for me so far. Would recommend trying veloforte as they're also not overly expensive if you buy at the right time

@BenParkes Video idea: how to avoid blisters!? Could cover socks, foot care (hard skin), choosing the right shoes, different ways of tying shoelaces etc. etc. 👍‍

I feel like there should be an Innuendo score too. Great video though. Very interesting. Fingers crossed for a part two

I like using Clif shots gels...they come in various flavours, with an anti-litter packaging and organic ingredients

Kendel Mint gels are my favourite, the raspberry/mint is best 👍🏃🏻‍♂️

Great video and I'll avoid the obvious joke about 5:10 😆

I've recently started using the SIS Beta Fuel 2.0 gels and like them so far. Previously used Honey Stinger but they were thick and hard to take in hotter races.

If you do part 2 try the Xendurance gels, they're my go to for runs. Easy to get down without water and not overly sweet.

The Velo Forte range is good, definitely worth trying.

Would love if you could include the Decathlon ones in part 2 😁

High 5 defo for me. Got me through Comrades! And many many marathons. Just the right consistency

Great video Ben, thanks. Where’s your hat from?

For more „natural“ options: obv I know the first one isn’t vegan… it’s just one I personally digest really well whilst running. I absolutely LOVE Aero Bee 🐝 gels. It’s basically just honey and some sea salt and taste really good. I mix those up with the chimpanzee ones, which are completely vegan and they also have a chocolate (I know not all runners agree with cocoa on runs) and coffee flavour which is a god send towards mile 20 😂❤

I'm a big fan of SIS lemon & lime and espresso flavors i bought Maurten with coffein flavor but I haven't use them yet maybe this weekend on my long run workout.

I live in mallorca, over here the go to for everyone at running events seems to be a brand call "226ers". Another great video btw👍

Seen some interesting recent stuff on bog standard table sugar. Going to give that a try soon.

Think I've only tried 3 or 4 different brands, so not hugely experienced in terms of what's out there. But I've settled quite nicely on Torq gels in the last year or so. Amazing flavours, good texture, and they work for me.

Only started running longer distances since last year, so new to the gel game. So great to see this video with lots of information. Only tried Maurten gels until now and they work great, no stomach issues, not to sweet, neutral flavour (which I prefer) easy to open (you can open them without having that seperate piece) and fast and enough energy to complete the longer runs. But I think they are a little too expensive.

My favourite is mountain fuel, they are really easy to digest and I like the taste. I’ve also used gels made by Hilltop Honey, they are just made up of honey and salt with a bit of natural flavouring. Very nice but very sticky and quite thick so much harder to digest. A good alternative though if you are concerned about lots of additives.

Try the OTE super gels, the berry one is amazing. My personal favourites at the moment!

Used only maurten for up to 100k race. Works like a charm, no stomach issues. Be careful with the (white) caffeinated one if not used to caffeine - but it can make you fly!!

It’s such an individual choice based on what peoples stomachs can handle, personally I like the aqua shots from high5 as they are more like having a little bit of fruit juice.

Precision gels are my go too,I agree you did a drink with it though as quite sweet! But best on my stomache They also do 90g gels if your aiming for a higher volume of carbs

Hey Ben, in the next video you need to try PowerBar PowerGel Hydro. Very easy to get down and also very easy to use (don't end up with the little plastic tab either).

I'm a big fan of Huma. The blueberry is just like jam, you could spread it straight on toast. I have a CaniX ultra coming up and Huma will be my energy gel choice. Just ordered a box of lemonade from xmiles, yet to try this flavour 🤙

I have only used SiS, due to them being in supermarkets. The main issue I have with them is tearing the tab off! I usually end up tearing from both sides to get them open. Might try putting a little cut in them with scissors before I go out to see if that helps. I do agree that they’re bulky and heavy. Carrying 8 for my marathon last year was an effort!

Great video Ben. If you have a Costco card the SIS gels are £8.79 for 14!

Keen for gel alternatives 👍

I always use Torq gels, lots of flavours too.

As well as Energy Gels, I'd recommend reviewing Electrolyte/Hydration tablets. Many of my fellow runners have suffered from electrolyte deficiency complications even though they have kept hydrated with water throughout marathons & long training runs.

I also use and like High5 as its so easy to swallow… just the package is a bit large and be careful not to cut you in your mouth with it. I was trying GU a while and find it much to thick. It does not easy get out and swallowed. I also like the original Powerbar Gels and they have a tap which holds on the package and finally i just got back to Squeezy my old friend, which is available in 500ml package to fill into a bottle for longer rides like triathlon long distance. Its easy to swallow and has different tastes like tomato (which is awful for my taste), but they wanted to deliver an alternative to the sweetness tastes… you also get coke and lemon for sure…. Maurten or Hydration something are much expensive for what they deliver. At the end is all about carbs getting in. You van also mix your own by buying the main Ingredienz like Fructose and Dextrose etc…

Excellent video. Only one qualm. The last gel you gave a 3 to for ease of use yet mentioned you'd ideally need water with it. That should be scored a 2 at highest. As for the rest of the video. Unreal. Will watch the second video tomorrow. As per... keep up the great work!

interested in review including Hammer Gel, also, liquid fuel options (TailWind)

I had great success on my last race with Precision. I ran a 10 minute PB & an 11 min course PB using it. I haven’t tried the High 5 & now I’m curious.

The Spring "Awesome Sauce" tastes amazing. Don't like the Canaberry flavor nearly as much (sorry Sage), I buy Spring from a local running shop. If you fill up a small bucket with gels...they give you 20% off of the lot.

Regarding the tab. Try power bar! They have a catch that keeps the tab on even after opening.

Might be worth trying the lucazade ones as they are the ones given out at the London marathon!

The High 5 aqua gels are great, very easy on the stomach.

My next gel I'd like to try is the kendal.

I love the Huma mango and strawberry flavors and use them mostly for my 10k trail runs, which are taking me 2 hours as I am a new runner.

Worth mentioning that high five also do resuable gel bottles and refill packs! So should up their ease of use as no annoying tab?

I started using the Aptonia range from Decathlon a few months back. They got voted best in test by Runners World a while back. Went to stock up the other day only to be told they’ve been discontinued. They had the little retainer on the top tab too. Gutted.

I'm surprised you didn't have Clif Shot gel in this video. Whilst I do love their pull tab that doesn't fully rip off (3 points for ease of use!), I find them to be a little too sweet. I do prefer the more watery ones as they go down easier, but I could definitely see myself using the Huma or Spring Energy gels for a slower trail race. The SiS ones I find are too big for one serve, so I usually have half at a time and just hope they don't tip over in my vest pocket!

awesome video

The cherry flavored born super liquid is my personal favorite.

It would be great to get your opinion on the SIS beta gel