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Maurten Energy Gel 100 Review

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What's New

In the past, nutritionists believed that our bodies were only able to absorb around 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour during exercise, but recent studies have shown that we can actually take up to 100 grams per hour when those carbohydrates consist of a 0.8:1 glucose to fructose ratio.

The previous issue with ingesting such a high amount of carbohydrates during exercise was the stomach distress it's known to cause. Thanks to the development of Maurten's hydrogel technology, this problem has now been solved. This technology provides the ideal ratio of glucose and fructose in an encapsulated gel. The encapsulation allows the gel to bypass the stomach and smoothly deliver nutrients and electrolytes directly to the small intestine where they are absorbed.

Bottom Line

With no added colours, preservatives, or flavours, the Maurten Gel 100 packs a simple punch of energy that is backed by some of nutrition's most advanced technology. Maurten uses hydrogel to deliver high-quality, efficient energy that is also gentle on the GI tract.

Our testers found that the Gel 100 delivered all that Maurten promised and more. Their only complaint was the unusually thick texture of the gel and the premium price tag. Despite this, they agreed that the gel was easy to ingest and provided almost instantaneous, long-lasting energy. For those with sensitive stomachs and who struggle to get enough fuel during long, strenuous runs, the Maurten Gel 100 will be a definite hit.

Overall Likes:

  • Mellow, neutral taste
  • Easy to digest
  • Simple, natural ingredients
  • Immediate energy

Overall Dislikes:

  • Jelly texture
  • Price
  • Very sweet
Maurten Gel
Maurten Gel Pack

Performance and Effectiveness

Overall Score: 10/10

For convenient, easily accessible energy, Maurten Gels are a perfect pick-me-up. Designed to be consumed up to every 15 minutes, Maurten Energy Gel is one of the most efficient ways to take in calories (up to 400 calories per hour) as you run.

Connor: "I really enjoyed the Maurten Gel and found it the most effective of the Maurten products I used. I like the convenience of being able to take the gel whenever I wanted throughout my run and found it extremely easy to get down."

Tracie: "I used the Maurten Gels in combination with the Drink Mix 160. I found that the energy surge was immediate and kept me feeling great throughout my entire workout of about 4.5 hours."

Taste and Texture:

Overall Score: 7/10

Due to its lack of added colours and flavouring, the Maurten Gel has a simple, sweet taste, but the hydrogel technology creates a thick consistency that may be difficult to get used to at first. Our testers agreed that the quick-dissolving product is easy to get down once you've adjusted to the unique texture.

David: "The taste and texture were both noticeably different from other gels on the market. The gel tasted especially sweet, but the lack of added flavours or other ingredients made it easy to digest. As for texture, it was on the thicker side, but it went down smooth and kicked in faster than an energy chew."

Tracie: "I found the taste to be neutral and pleasant. The texture, however, was unlike any other gel I have had — somewhat like jelly. I found that I almost had to chew it, but it was an extremely easy and efficient 100 calories."

Maurten in grass

Ease of Digestion

Overall Score: 10/10

The Maurten Energy Gel is designed to be gentle on the digestive tract so your body can absorb the maximum amount of energy without stomach issues. All of our testers were happy to report no digestive issues when using Maurten products.

Connor: "One of the strengths of this product is how easy it is on the stomach. During a half or full marathon, additional fuel is extremely important, and with Maurten, I feel confident that I'm getting the fuel I need efficiently with no stomach discomfort."

David: "I went out for three 25+ kilometre runs with Maurten as my only nutrition source and never once experienced any digestion issues. On my typical long runs with other gels, I tend to start feeling hungry over the last few kilometres, but with the Maurten Gel, this was not an issue."

Nutrition factsIngredients: Water, Glucose, Fructose, Calcium Carbonate, Gluconic Acid, Sodium Alginate

Ease of Packaging

Overall Score: 9/10

The simple packaging and sleek design of the Maurten Gel make it easy to carry with you on long runs. Our testers also appreciated the large opening for efficient, mess-free fuelling.

Connor: "I had no issues with the packaging. It was small enough to fit in my short pockets, and it was easy to tear and use while on the go."

Tracie: "Usually after taking a gel, I’ll find that the wrapper becomes sticky and saturated with the gel that was still lingering in the packaging. Because the Maurten Gel basically comes out in a big clean chunk, there is no messy residue left in the package."

Value of Product

Overall Score: 7.5/10

Despite the high cost, our testers found that the quality of the Maurten Gel made it worth it. They also agreed that due to the price tag, many runners will most likely reserve it for races or long runs where fuelling and stomach issues become more critical.

David: "At roughly $4.95 per unit, these are by far the most expensive gels we carry, but they’re effective enough that I will use them for long-distance training runs up to a marathon."

Tracie: "Like the rest of the Maurten Energy products, these gels aren’t cheap. For those who can get past (or maybe even enjoy) the unique texture or who often experience severe digestive distress, I can see this product being worth the high price tag."

Maurten Gel

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Our Reviewers

David

Overall Score: 9/10

After using the Maurten Gel on multiple long-distance runs, I can safely say that it works effectively. I was a little surprised by how sweet it tasted, but I appreciated the simple list of natural ingredients without the need for added colour, flavour, or preservatives. The gel provided an initial energy boost and was able to sustain energy levels over the course of a few hours. After consuming only gel, I didn’t experience any digestion issues, and I was amazed that I never felt hungry either.

I will continue to use Maurten Gel for my long-distance training runs, as well as half-marathon and marathon events. I would recommend it for the elite athlete or the runner searching for an effective gel for distance training.

Connor

Overall Score: 9.5/10

I actually enjoyed the taste of the Maurten Gel. There isn’t much flavour, but there is a hint of sweetness that is very pleasant during a longer effort. The texture is a little weird and different than other gels on the market. It initially seems a little thick, but it almost instantly dissolves in your mouth, which makes it really easy to get down. When using the Maurten Gel, I felt properly fuelled and focused on the kilometres ahead of me.

Maurten Gel is pricey, which will limit some people from giving it a try. But for the high price, you get a high-quality product that, for me, is definitely worth it on race day or for important longer efforts.

Tracie

Overall Score: 7/10

I used these gels in conjunction with the Maurten Drink Mix 160. While I found the flavour to be easily palatable and liked the immediate high-level energy provided by the gel, I had a really hard time getting around the unique, gelatinous texture. For me, I will probably continue to use the Drink Mix without these gels (possibly in the higher concentration if necessary or supplemented with a more traditional gel).