Fuel Your Run

GU Energy Gels give you powerful fuel, fast. Each packet contains 100-calories and delivers carbohydrates from maltodextrin and fructose, so it absorbs quickly and gives you an energy boost. There is also additional sodium in each GU to replace primary electrolytes that you sweat out. Finally, these gels contain branched-chain amino acids that may help reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage.

These energy gels are vegan, gluten-free, kosher and come in a variety of flavors from chocolate and salted caramel to fruity flavors such as tri-berry and salted watermelon. For high-intensity or long-duration efforts, GU developed their ROCTANE Energy Gels that have triple the amount of sodium and amino acids (depending on the flavor). Plus, one of GU’s missions is to protect public lands and National Parks, so you are helping protect some of the places we love to walk, hike, run and play.

Finally, energy chews that taste like actual fruit instead of artificial candy. Skratch Labs keeps it simple with real ingredients—cane sugar, tapioca syrup, and genuine fruit powders—creating chews that deliver clean energy without the waxy coating.

The dual-fuel approach using both tapioca and cane sugar is smart science in action, providing faster absorption than single-source carbs. At 80 calories per serving (160 per pouch), these chews hit the sweet spot for sustained energy during long runs. The fruit drop shape dissolves gradually, giving you that steady "slow drip" fuel rather than a sugar spike and crash.

Use these Sport Energy Chews as an easy and convenient source of carbohydrate to help maintain blood sugar and performance during prolonged exercise.

Nuun is a great electrolyte drink to consume before, during or after your runs. Nuun Sport tabs dissolve in water for a drink that gives you electrolytes without any of the unnecessary sugars. This delicious drink is slightly fizzy with a variety of flavors to keep you hydrated. There are 10 tablets per tube and each tablet should be dissolved in 16 oz of water. Our testers loved how simple and portable the tabs were in our sports drink review.

Each tablet is 15 calories with 4g of carbs and 40mg of sodium. Plus, nuun is certified vegan, kosher, gluten-free and doesn’t use GMOs. If you need a caffeine kick before your run or during an afternoon slump, try Nuun Sport + Caffeine.

A favorite of ultramarathoners, Tailwind will let you run all day long.

No need to carry an electrolyte drink along with extra nutrition, Tailwind contains all of your calorie, hydration and electrolyte needs. Just scoop some into your water bottle or hydration bladder, shake and go!

Tailwind has been developed with clean light flavors to stay tasty all day long. The idea started when its founder was throwing up during a race. So its formula uses all-natural ingredients with no dyes or preservatives to be easy on the stomach.

Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Drink Mix is designed to replace electrolytes that are lost in sweat and provide a bit of energy without offending your gut. In our sports drink review, our testers loved that this drink mix has minimal sugars (4g per 100 ml). The sugars in Skratch are a glucose to fructose ratio that is optimized for faster absorption and the electrolytes profile exactly matches what is lost in sweat (800 mg sodium, 80 mg potassium, 100 mg calcium, and 80 mg of magnesium per liter). Skratch tastes delicious because it only uses real fruit for a light and refreshing flavor. Plus, Skratch is non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and kosher. There are also a variety of different products, so you can find the perfect one for you.

Add an electrolyte boost to your water with GU Hydration Drink Tabs. Each drink tab contains just 10 calories, in addition to 320 mg of sodium and 55 mg of potassium to help maintain fluid balance and delay fatigue by replacing electrolytes depleted during exercise. GU also uses Xylitol to sweeten the tabs, one of few low-calorie sweeteners that are less likely to upset your stomach.

In addition to your runs, these light, effervescent tablets are also appropriate for use during workouts, travel or anytime you need a hydration boost. The 12-tablet portable tubes easily fit in pockets and running belts. All flavors are caffeine-free and made with vegan ingredients.