Ultrarunning Edge Blog
Energy Gel Packets—A Pocket Full of Goo? |
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Written by Bruce R. Copeland |
Thursday, 29 July 2010 14:56 |
Today I experienced my fourth leaking energy gel packet in as many months. I've had it!!! Three different manufacturers: PowerBar, GU, and Hammer Nutrition. In every case the gel packet was not punctured; instead it was leaking from a seam in the packet or a crease where the packet was folded.
For years energy gels have been substantially overpriced—somewhere between eight and ten times the cost of the gel ingredients. Manufacturers have mostly justified these high prices on the basis of the packaging. That was fine as long as the packaging worked. I've been using gels for over seven years, and my handling of gel packets hasn't changed. If anything my usage of gel packets has declined over time. So why all of a sudden are so many gel packets leaking? Starting today, I refuse to put up with it anymore. We now have lots of options when it comes to getting carbohydrates and electrolytes for endurance running, cycling, etc. Gel manufacturers can either start producing bullet-proof gel packages, offer a money-back guarantee, or deal with lots of very negative publicity and loss of business. Leave a comment about your experiences with gels. |
Comments (10) 

I also agree that this is a recent phenomenon. I may stop buying them and make my own gel recipe or use Shot-blocs. The convenience of these gels has been negated by the clean-up required when they burst.
Mainly, I find them too expensive for training anyway. However, what I've found to work for me is to carry powder (in my case I prefer Hammer's Perpetuem). I carry it in a super small narrow necked plastic soda bottle (the neck has to fit inside an Amphipod, and you fill the bottle with a funnel). I also carry an Amphipod gel flask that clips to my Nathan pack. What I do, and can do this easily on the run, is fill the Amphipod up to a marked level that corresponds to two scoops (an hour's worth of stuff) from the powder bottle, sip in a mouthful of water from my bladder, squeeze air out of the amphipod, have it suck the water out of my mouth, close the top, and shake it for a few seconds.
The result is two scoops dry + one mouthful water = gel consistency Perpetuem goo. Easy to do running. Doesn't leak, unless you put the powder in a crappy container.
The base is Malto, dextrose, rice protein, and a blend of amino's (I started with the raw aminos that Hammer uses in their Anti Fatigue caps and endurance amino caps). All of this stuff can be bought in bulk for dirt cheap. I flavor with powdered dried fruits (pomegranate is my fav - cherry is great too).
If you want more info email me at michael at michael-hodges dot com
I feel your pain!
put it in 10serving pocket flasks and little 3oz
running flasks, never a mess and easy to handle.
No More GOO OOP