GU Energy Original Sports Nutrition Energy Gel, 24-Count, Salted Caramel

I use GU for fuel during my long distance runs, anywhere from 8 to 20 miles. Its compact, so its easy to carry with me. I prefer the salted caramel because its higher in sodium for electrolyte replacement and has 20mg caffeine for an energy boost. The flavor is good, as well as the chocolate flavored version. The cost is comparable to similar products, and Ive tried a few. GU is my favorite overall.

Gu seems to do a better job on the flavors than some of the other energy gels, and we love the Gu Vanilla! Our boys love them for biking - it really keeps them going on longer rides, and of course they are great for racing because they go down so quickly. The Vanilla (and all the flavors except banana) do have some caffeine from cola nut - the caffeine is 20 mg/packet (about 1/2 serving of Coca Cola), so take that into account if you are avoiding caffeine or dont want the youngsters to have it.

Salted Caramel is my favorite flavor of GU. Ive tried others, and this one tends to always taste good during a run, whereas others I had to choke down. Just make sure you have water with you after you down one of these. I made the mistake of having a GU and then realizing that my CamelBak was out of water. Not good. You really need to be able to wash these down otherwise it leaves a pretty uncomfortable film in your mouth and throat.

These are the best fuel Ive found for marathon training and racing. I just need to find them on sale. No stomach issues ever.

Just Gu packs. They serve their purpose.

Love the vanilla flavor. Using this for years during my runs!

Recommend

I like GU. It helps me make it through my intense training days without making me dizzy or giving me heart palpatations the way pre-workout would. I usually take it after my warm-up and cardio are done, for the boost of energy I need to get through my strength routine. These little gels also make it easier to get through morning workouts before breakfast without absolutely crashing halfway through. I love these gels as a workout aid! I have even noticed less muscle soreness since I started using them. However, the flavors available are disappointing. I have bought GU from this seller, but also at a pre-marathon booth and let me tell you... there are 4 times as many flavors as this Amazon seller provides. Where is the Blackberry? Where is the Smores? The Toasted Marshmallow? These flavors of GU are all vastly better than vanilla. The basic flavors are the least pallatable because there is less flavoring to hide the taste of the gel. Please list more flavors!

Energy gels are a fact of life once words like marathon and all of its variants start to enter your vocabulary. To perform your best, you need energy, and one of the best ways of getting energy quickly is consuming energy gels. GU gels are an essential item in my distance running arsenal, and you should seriously consider getting some, too. Unlike SOME energy gels Ive tried, the taste (vanilla bean) actually isnt bad. Do yourself a favor, however, and wash the gel down with plenty of water to avoid that yummy gel aftertaste. The gel sits lightly in your stomach and is quickly absorbed by your body, delivering energy just when you begin to flag. I use these religiously when training for my longer-distance races and when on extended bicycle rides. They fit easily into my running belt, under-saddle bag, and the pocket in the back of my running shirt. Buy them by the case for maximum value! GU wont let you down!

I used to use Gu energy gels exclusively for a couple of years when I first started running, and then the last couple of years my wife has been buying other energy gels and jelly beans. I decided to get some more of the vanilla gels since they have slightly higher amounts of potassium than the other products we have been using. However, I removed one star because I just find it hard to use this product when running. The thickness of the gel inside makes it harder to swallow than other similar products and for some reason it just always seems messier and stickier than the other products. I still like it and use it, but when it is gone I will likely not buy more.