I spent most of my time at TRE wandering from booth to booth with a small notebook and a growing collection of gels, chews, drink mixes, and whatever else brands were handing out that day.
My goal was simple: try as much as I could, talk to the founders and formulators when they were around, and get a sense of what actually stands out in a landscape where everything starts to look the same after a while.
Once I started tasting things back-to-back and hearing how each company approaches fueling, it became easier to separate the products that felt genuinely useful from the ones that were just new packaging on familiar ideas.
I paid attention to the formulations, the textures, how the flavors held up after multiple samples, and whether the science behind each product made sense.
The list below is the result.
These are the products that either surprised me, solved a problem I’ve run into before, or offered something meaningfully different from the usual rotation of gels and powders.
I’m not trying to crown a single “best” brand for everyone, nutrition never works that cleanly, but after trying nearly everything I could get my hands on, these are the ones I’d actually use, buy again, or recommend to someone figuring out their nutrition plan.
Here are the top 8 brands that stood out, why they worked for me, and who I think each product is best suited for.
8. SaltStick
What it is:
SaltStick makes electrolyte tablets designed to replace sodium lost through sweat without adding calories or artificial flavors. Each chewable tablet delivers a measured dose of salt and a few accompanying minerals, which helps you keep sodium levels up during hot or long workouts. They’re simple, compact, and something you can pop while you’re running without slowing down.
What I liked:
I think salt loss gets overlooked a lot. In hot conditions or through heavy sweating, it can be the difference between staying steady and feeling crampy or off. These tablets made it easy to stay on top of sodium without thinking too hard.
What I didn’t like:
They don’t provide energy, this is strictly electrolyte support. If you’re expecting calories and carbs as well, you’ll need to combine them with gels or drink mixes.
Best for:
Heat, heavy sweaters, or anyone who cramps and suspects sodium imbalance.
7. Maurten
What it is:
Maurten is best known for bringing hydrogel technology into endurance fueling. Instead of relying on flavorings or syrups, they suspend carbohydrates in a gel matrix that stays stable in the packet but turns to liquid once it hits the stomach. The goal is to allow runners to take in more carbohydrate with less gastrointestinal stress. The company’s whole philosophy revolves around minimizing ingredients and delivering fuel in a format that bypasses some of the digestion issues you see with thicker, syrup-style gels.
What I liked:
Maurten’s strength is consistency. The gels have a texture that’s unlike any other brand, almost like a chunky firm jelly rather than a liquid, and that meant I didn’t feel overwhelmed by sweetness or flavor fatigue. On long runs, they stay predictable, and you can take them without needing water right away. The drink mixes, especially the 320, delivered a noticeable amount of energy without upsetting my stomach.
What I didn’t like:
The flavor neutrality, which some people love, can be tough if you want something that tastes like food rather than fuel. The gels have no real flavor notes beyond “slightly sweet,” so you have to appreciate the functional nature of them. They’re also on the more expensive end of sports nutrition, which adds up quickly if you’re fueling several long runs per week.
Best for:
Runners with sensitive stomachs, those pushing high carbohydrate intake (60–100+ grams per hour), and anyone racing marathons or ultras who wants fuel that won’t overwhelm them late in the effort.
6. Kindling Snacks
What it is:
Kindling isn’t a gel or drink, it’s a snack designed for the hours around training and racing. Their protein pretzels combine sodium (important for replacing salt lost through sweat) with protein in a format that feels like a real snack. They’re meant to sit somewhere between a recovery bar and a salty treat, so you get both satiation and nutrients without the heaviness of a shake or the cloying sweetness of a sports bar.
What I liked:
It fills a gap that gel, drink, and bar brands often overlook. After a long session, I want something that makes me feel physically “back on earth” again, and these do that without feeling like a chore to eat.
What I didn’t like:
Because they’re not designed as mid-run fuel, I wouldn’t reach for them during workouts. They’re part of your overall nutrition plan, but not a replacement for gels or drink mixes.
Best for:
Post-run refueling or anytime snack when you need calories, salt, and a bit of protein without a shake.
5. UCAN
What it is:
UCAN gels are built around a slow-release carbohydrate matrix rather than pure sugar. Their formula uses a corn-derived starch that digests gradually, which is intended to keep blood sugar levels stable and avoid the big spikes and crashes that sugary gels can cause. UCAN also offers a range of flavors and formats, including sugar-free gels and drink mixes.
What I liked:
I was skeptical at first because sugar is such a staple in traditional gels, but the first time I tried UCAN, I was struck by how gentle it felt in my stomach. The texture is almost like a smoothie pouch, and the energy comes in a way that doesn’t make you feel buzzed and then deflated.
What I didn’t like:
If you’re aiming for that quick psychological kick just before a climb or sprint, this isn’t it. That smoothie texture, while not sticky and syrupy like other gels, does have a slight grittiness, almost like the pulp of a smoothie, which isn’t hard on the stomach but may take some getting used to.
Best for:
Long runs and races where steady digestion and stable energy matter more than immediate sugar hits.
4. Pao Labs
What it is:
Pao Labs was started by a small team of runners inspired by the flavors and textures of Asian American culinary traditions. They make energy jellies that feel different from classic gels; smoother and lighter, with flavor profiles like yuzu, lychee oolong, and strawberry matcha that draw from real fruit and tea influences rather than generic sweeteners. These jellies aim to combine performance fuel with something that tastes as good as it works. The founders have spoken about bringing community and cultural celebration into the endurance world, creating a product that feels both functional and joyful rather than purely performance-driven.
What I liked:
The texture made a big impression; it’s neither sticky nor heavy, and the flavors weren’t overpowered by sugar. When you’re into the later miles, and everything tastes like cardboard, having something that actually tastes good matters.
What I didn’t like:
If you’re very accustomed to gels, the jelly texture can feel unfamiliar at first. It might take a couple of training sessions to get comfortable with how it goes down.
Best for:
Runners who want fuel that feels like a treat and doesn’t make taste fatigue worse.
3. Neversecond
What it is:
Neversecond approaches nutrition with a science-first mentality. Their products, including gels, drink mixes, and fuel bars, are designed around predictable carbohydrate delivery and electrolyte balance. One of their core philosophies is that fueling shouldn’t be guesswork, so they use consistent carbohydrate increments and evidence-based formulas to make it easier to plan and execute fueling strategies. Their C-Series range, for instance, uses a 2:1 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio and applies the same carbohydrate and sodium amounts across gels, drinks, and bars, which simplifies fueling math.
What I liked:
I found their gels went down smoothly and didn’t leave me scrambling for water after every use. The focus on consistent carbohydrate delivery and integrated sodium makes it easier to build a strategy that doesn’t jump around from product to product.
What I didn’t like:
They’re definitely on the pricey side of things, but you really do get what you pay for with them. The only other knock is that they can be a bit fussy to tear open, which, mid-race, isn’t something you want to be dealing with.
Best for:
Runners who care most about predictable fueling, sticking to a science-back tested protocol, and enjoy solid flavours that don’t need to be chased with water.
2. UnTapped
What it is:
UnTapped builds its products around organic maple syrup as the primary carbohydrate source. Instead of using processed sugars or maltodextrin as the main energy ingredient, the brand leans into real, minimally refined maple syrup to deliver calories. UnTapped makes gels, hydration mixes, and waffles that use this maple base, aiming for a more natural fuel source that provides steady energy without the sharp rises and falls associated with refined sugar.
What I liked:
I appreciate how real the maple flavor feels; it doesn’t taste artificial and, as a fellow Canadian, gives me a taste of home. On days when I don’t want that artificial sugar rush, the maple provides a smoother energy curve and is easy on my stomach.
What I didn’t like:
The maple flavor is distinct and quite sweet. If you’re more comfortable with neutral or faintly fruity gels, it can take a few uses to get used to.
Best for:
Runners who prefer natural ingredients and a steady, classic form of fueling.
1. Blanks Sports Nutrition
What it is:
Blanks is a customizable sports nutrition company founded by endurance athletes who were frustrated with one-size-fits-all gels and drink mixes. Rather than pre-made packets with fixed ratios, Blanks lets you dial in the exact carbohydrate amount, sodium level, caffeine dose, flavor strength, and texture you want for each session or race. They also offer a hydrogel powder that mixes into a reusable flask, which cuts down on single-use gel packets and lets you create on-the-fly fuel tailored to your needs. Their lineup includes custom drink mixes, carb and electrolyte gels, recovery blends, and even bicarbonate mixes for buffering.
What I liked:
What stood out most was the sense of control. Instead of guessing if a gel or drink would work for me, I could build something that matched exactly what I needed that day, more carbs on long days, higher sodium when it was hot, less sweetness if I wasn’t keen on flavor.
What I didn’t like:
Because it’s customizable, there’s more to think about. You lose that grab-and-go simplicity you get from a typical packet. If you’re the type who wants fuel that’s ready without decisions, this system asks you to engage more.
Best for:
Runners who know their bodies well, want to fine-tune fuel strategies, and are training at distances where small refinements matter.
