Energy Gels

Energy gels and gel sachets, the compact carbohydrate format used on long rides, runs and race days. Most carry 20–30g of carbohydrate in a sachet small enough for a jersey pocket or a running belt, which is what makes them the standard way to carry fuel when you cannot stop to mix a drink.

Three things separate one gel from another. Carbohydrate per sachet is the first, and it is what you plan your hourly intake around. Caffeine is the second — many ranges sell the same flavour in caffeinated and caffeine-free versions, so check the sachet rather than the box, and count the total if you are also taking pre-workout or energy drinks. Consistency is the third: thicker, more concentrated gels need water alongside them, while isotonic gels are already diluted and go down on their own. Some use a glucose-to-fructose blend, which lets you take on more carbohydrate per hour than glucose alone.

Practical points: buy a mixed pack before committing to a box, because texture and sweetness vary far more than flavour names suggest, and test anything new in training rather than on race day. For the same fuel at a lower cost per gram, carbohydrate powders do the job from a bottle instead, while electrolyte products cover the salts that most gels leave out. For the full endurance selection, including isotonic mixes and single-serve shots, see endurance & energy.

Order by 3pm Monday to Friday for same-day dispatch. Tracked UK delivery is a flat £5, and free on orders over £120.