Which energy gel should you choose? FuturePeaks energy gels compared
Which energy gel should you choose? A comparison of FuturePeaks' energy gels
An energy gel is no longer just an energy gel. One contains a good 20 grams of carbohydrates, another 45 grams. Some have electrolytes, some intentionally do not. Caffeine content can be high or non-existent, and there are also differences in consistency and carbohydrate sources.
Therefore, you should choose a gel based on what kind of performance you are preparing for and how you structure your other fueling.
All FuturePeaks options can be found here: energy gels and energy chews.
Energy gel differences at a glance
| Energy gel | Carbohydrates | Electrolytes | Caffeine | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nduranz Nrgy Gel 22.5 | 22.5 g | No added | No | Precise and flexible fueling |
| Maurten Gel 100 | 25 g | Not emphasized | No | Small hydrogel dose |
| Maurten Gel 100 CAF 100 | 25 g | Not emphasized | 100 mg | Energy + caffeine |
| Näak Ultra Energy Gel | 27 g | Yes | 0 / 35 mg | Ultra and very long performances |
| 4Endurance 2:1 Gel | 30 g | 100 mg sodium | No | Easy 60–90 g/h fueling |
| Näak Boost Energy Gel | 30 g | Yes / depending on version | Depending on version | High-intensity and high-power performance |
| SiS Beta Fuel Energy Gel | 40 g | No added electrolytes | No | High carbohydrate content, electrolytes separate |
| SiS Beta Fuel + Electrolytes | 40 g | 200 mg sodium | No | Energy + electrolytes from the same gel |
| Maurten Gel 160 | 40 g | Not emphasized | No | Plenty of energy from one gel |
| Nduranz Nrgy Gel 45 | 45 g | Abundant | No | High carbohydrate and electrolyte needs |
Even from this, you can see why the mere instruction "take two gels per hour" doesn't really mean anything yet. Depending on the product, two gels can provide approximately 45–90 grams of carbohydrates.
Nduranz Nrgy Gel 22.5 – for precise fueling control
Nduranz Nrgy Gel 22.5 contains 22.5 g of carbohydrates.
The carbohydrates are in a 1:0.8 ratio of glucose to fructose, but no electrolyte mix has been added to the product.
This is particularly convenient when you get sodium and other electrolytes from, for example, a sports drink or a separate electrolyte product.
2 gels = 45 g carbohydrates
3 gels = 67.5 g
4 gels = 90 g
Nduranz Nrgy Gel 45 – plenty of energy and electrolytes
Nduranz Nrgy Gel 45 is an entirely different product.
One gel contains 45 g of carbohydrates, so just two gels can reach 90 grams per hour.
In addition, the product contains Nduranz Electrolyte Mix. This makes it an interesting option, especially for long and intense performances and situations where energy and electrolytes are desired from the same product.
2 × Nrgy Gel 45 = 90 g carbohydrates.
If you are also using a strong electrolyte drink, the total sodium intake for the entire performance should be considered.
SiS Beta Fuel Energy Gel – 40 g without added electrolytes
At this point, SiS's two Beta Fuel gels should be distinguished from each other.
The regular SiS Beta Fuel Energy Gel contains 40 g of carbohydrates, but it does not have an added electrolyte mix.
The carbohydrates come from maltodextrin and fructose in a 1:0.8 ratio.
This is a good option when you primarily want energy from the gel and manage hydration and sodium separately.
2 gels = 80 g carbohydrates
3 gels = 120 g carbohydrates
SiS Beta Fuel + Electrolytes – the same 40 g, but with added sodium
SiS Beta Fuel + Electrolytes also contains 40 g of carbohydrates and the same 1:0.8 maltodextrin–fructose ratio.
The difference is 200 mg of sodium per gel.
Two gels per hour therefore provide:
80 g carbohydrates + 400 mg sodium.
This makes the product convenient for example for long competitions and warm conditions where electrolyte intake is also emphasized.
Which SiS should you choose?
Beta Fuel Energy Gel: when you get electrolytes from a drink or elsewhere.
Beta Fuel + Electrolytes: when you want some of the sodium directly with the gels.
Näak Boost Energy Gel – for more intense performance
Näak Boost Energy Gel is Näak's more performance-focused gel.
While Näak's Ultra series is designed for more comprehensive energy intake during very long performances, Boost focuses more effectively on carbohydrates and higher intensity.
One gel contains approximately 30 g of carbohydrates.
FuturePeaks' selection includes different Boost versions with varying characteristics. For example, there are neutral flavors, options with more sodium, a caffeinated version, and a gel containing menthol.
Boost is well suited for example:
- road and gravel races
- running races
- triathlons
- high-intensity cycling
- more intense sections of long races.
Näak Ultra Energy Gel – more than just a carbohydrate gel
Näak Ultra Energy Gel should be distinguished from Näak Boost.
The philosophy of Ultra products is different.
The Näak Ultra Energy series doesn't just focus on quickly available carbohydrates; the products also include protein and BCAA amino acids.
For example, Ultra Energy Gel contains:
- 27 g carbohydrates
- 2 g protein
- approximately 235 mg BCAA amino acids
- electrolytes
- 35 mg caffeine in the chocolate version.
Why BCAAs in ultra products?
Näak's idea is to offer more than just quickly absorbed carbohydrates for very long performances.
When a performance lasts for several hours or even a whole day, fueling needs change. In Näak's Ultra products, alongside carbohydrates, there is protein and BCAA amino acids.
BCAAs are indeed one of the clear differences between Näak's Ultra Energy series and most standard energy gels.
Ultra Energy Gel is especially suitable for example:
- ultrarunning
- long trail runs
- ultracycling
- long gravel events
- adventure racing
- very long endurance performances.
Näak Boost = more performance-focused gel.
Näak Ultra = ultra energy, also including protein and BCAAs.
4Endurance 2:1 Gel – an easy 30-gram dose
4Endurance 2:1 Gel contains 30 g of carbohydrates and 100 mg of sodium.
The carbohydrates are in a 2:1 ratio of glucose to fructose.
1 gel = 30 g
2 gels = 60 g
3 gels = 90 g
If the goal is, for example, about 60 g of carbohydrates per hour, two gels form a simple fueling plan.
Maurten Gel 100 – 25 g carbohydrates in a hydrogel
Maurten Gel 100 differs from many other energy gels primarily due to its structure.
It is not a traditional free-flowing syrup gel, but a distinctly firmer hydrogel.
One gel contains 25 g of carbohydrates.
2 gels = 50 g
3 gels = 75 g
4 gels = 100 g
Maurten's taste is also very neutral compared to many strongly flavored gels.
Maurten Gel 160 – 40 grams from one gel
Maurten Gel 160 uses the same hydrogel technology but contains 40 g of carbohydrates.
2 × Gel 160 = 80 g carbohydrates.
The biggest practical benefit is simple: the same amount of energy can be obtained with fewer gel packets.
Maurten Gel 100 CAF 100 – 100 mg caffeine
Maurten Gel 100 CAF 100 contains:
25 g carbohydrates + 100 mg caffeine.
The amount of caffeine is already significant. Therefore, the CAF 100 gel should not be used with the same logic as a regular 25-gram carbohydrate gel and, for example, taking four per hour.
The total amount of caffeine should be planned for the entire duration of the performance, also taking into account other caffeine sources.
What about Maurten Gel Mix 480?
Maurten Gel Mix 480 is a slightly different solution than an individual energy gel.
One serving is prepared into a gel-like mixture in a flask, containing a total of 120 g of carbohydrates.
It is not meant to be consumed all at once, but small amounts can be taken gradually from the flask during the performance.
This can work particularly well in cycling and triathlon, as you don't need to carry and open as many individual gel packets.
Which energy gel should I choose for which situation?
I want small, easily adjustable doses
Nduranz Nrgy Gel 22.5 or Maurten Gel 100.
I want about 60 g of carbohydrates per hour
2 × 4Endurance 2:1 Gel = 60 g.
I want 80 g per hour without added electrolytes
2 × SiS Beta Fuel Energy Gel = 80 g
or
2 × Maurten Gel 160 = 80 g.
I want 80 g and also sodium
2 × SiS Beta Fuel + Electrolytes = 80 g carbohydrates + 400 mg sodium.
I want 90 g per hour and plenty of electrolytes
2 × Nduranz Nrgy Gel 45 = 90 g carbohydrates.
I want a gel for an intense competition
Look especially at Näak Boost, SiS Beta Fuel and Nduranz gels.
I want caffeine
Maurten Gel 100 CAF 100 – 100 mg caffeine.
The caffeinated version of Näak Boost also provides caffeine for high-intensity performance.
Näak Ultra Energy Gel Chocolate contains 35 mg of caffeine.
Ahead is an ultra or a really long performance
Here, Näak Ultra Energy Gel stands out.
In addition to carbohydrates and electrolytes, it also contains protein and BCAA amino acids. The same idea runs through Näak's Ultra Energy series.
Electrolytes from gel or drink?
There is no single correct answer to this.
If you use a strong electrolyte drink, it might be sensible to choose an electrolyte-free gel, such as Nduranz Nrgy Gel 22.5 or SiS Beta Fuel Energy Gel.
If you primarily drink water, an electrolyte-containing gel can simplify fueling. Options include 4Endurance 2:1 Gel, SiS Beta Fuel + Electrolytes, Nduranz Nrgy Gel 45, Näak Boost, and Näak Ultra Energy Gel.
The essential thing is to calculate the overall picture – not just the content of one product.
Practice eating as well
Gels, carbohydrate ratios, and different technologies are useful, but one thing ultimately determines a lot: your stomach must be able to handle the fueling you use.
If you aim for, for example, 80–120 grams of carbohydrates per hour, you should also practice high carbohydrate intake during training.
The same applies to caffeine and electrolytes.
Race day is not the best time to try a new gel for the first time or increase your carbohydrate intake from 40 grams to 100 grams per hour.
The best gel is one that fits your fueling plan, that your stomach can tolerate, and that you can still get down in the final hours of your performance.
