Gel food fuel packs? Yes or no?

“I tried a few of them on a trip last year and am thinking of getting a few more for a trip this year. Any ideas on the best tasting ones or the ones that give a good boost?”

“Carb boom orange vanilla, tastes like a creamcicle, plus it has caffeine.”

“A big YES from me. I've tried a couple of brands. My current brand is Clif, but I take whatever's available when I remember to buy some.”

“I think I used clif. I got the caffeinated coffee and chocolate flavored ones for long bike rides. They have certainly rescued me from bonking a couple of times and easy to get down quick.”

“Gu, Cliff, there's a couple other brands. As long as the flavor is there i can't tell much diff in the brands.

Love the tri-berry and the vanilla and the orange. The espresso love from Gu is one of my favs as well. Tried a lime Gu that was a little strong.

Can't for the life of me figure out why they even make a plain version, but they do.”

“ah yes... carbohydrate energy gel with antioxidants and amino acids, sounds delicus

chocolate outrage and vanilla bean are my favs from gu, much better then chocolate power bars, but you may want to chase with some water to make it go down easyer
last edited: 7/13/06 10:18:10 AM”

“how's this backpacking thread get to the top??!! ;)”

“the 'directions' actually say that your supposed to follow the gel pack with a big dose of water. Helps the stuff diffuse into the bloodstream.”

“Gu to the rescue! I wouldn't eat one for the taste or enjoyment but when your making that push to the peak and your legs are burning they really help.
They also seem to help with the jello legs on the way back down.”

“i'll have to try these...i often get the jello legs on decent...i usually just pop a granola bar but this would probably work a lot faster”

“I use the Clif shots. I always keep one per day in my pocket for when I need that extra boost over a pass or to get me into camp. When hiking, I use the ones with caffeine because there aren't too many Starbucks out along the trail. I also use them for running - I think my sub-3:13 marathon was due, to some degree, to sucking those things down every half hour or so. I did just recently buy some of the new Clif "shot blocks," which are the same thing, but in chewable form. Haven't tried 'em yet, though....”

“the propoganda says the energy burst hits you in about 15 minutes - which i'd say is fairly accurate.”

“I use them for biking, but haven't tried them hiking. For longer trips (around a week), if you carried a bunch of these (1-2 a day), wouldn't the weight start to add up? I don't have any scientific reason for this, they just seem pretty heavy when you hold one in your hand. I would rather pack a regular Cliff bar instead of several gel packs.”

“I carried a dozen or so with me on my last multi-day trip - they aren't that much diff than trad energy bars - and they take less space and give a quicker energy burst.”

“the gell thingys are terrible when cold.

put the thing in your front pocket to bring the temp up to something close to warm BEFORE you squeeze it down your throat!”

“crack is lighter”

“I always keep two in my first aid kit, they are great when you are screeching to a halt. I wouldnt use em as a primary source of calories due to cost, the trash and they get old, quick.

Great while cycling too.”

“I had to keep a bunch of the noncaffeinated Gu and Clif packs around when preggers, since my blood sugar kept bottoming out. The "high risk case" ob I was seeing had never even heard of them.”

“I've never taken them on hikes. The only time I used them was when I trained for and ran a half marathon a year and a half ago. They worked great for that. But, when I can carry a small pack (like walking or biking) or an overnight pack, I'll always opt for an energy bar instead. I like to put the food in my belly.”

“Lewis and Clark never needed them...”

“Wow, never thought this thread would generate so much interest, thanks for the input. I noticed REI has discounts if you buy 12 so I may just buy 12 and do a taste test. See which ones taste best. I think for a multi day hike I wouldn't take more than ten or so and that adds about a pound. Not too terrible since I am not a gram counter. I don't like the trash they generate but I'll just tape them to my gas canister when I sink it in the lake. (What is the "just joking please don't bomb my house" font again?)
last edited: 7/13/06 10:53:07 PM”

“Then again, Lewis and Clark had slaves.”

“Not to be picky or anything but your comment Ruby is ill informed and somewhat disingenuous. The facts of the expedition show that there was only one slave on the expedition, not slaves. His name was York and he was Captain Clark's manservant. During the journeys York was treated like a free man and was a contributing member of the team. He had the right to vote and was a skilled hunter and trader. At least two landmarks were named after York during the trip. Once the expedition was over and Clark was back among the population of the east York was recognized as his slave. York and Clark grew up together and their relationship was more companions than slave/master. After the expedition returned York asked for his freedom but Clark refused to grant it. He then asked Clark if he could go to Loiusville to be near his wife. Clark relented after about 3 years and sent him to be near his wife. About 10 years after the expedition, Clark granted York his freedom.
last edited: 7/13/06 11:57:58 PM”

“I read books like "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" and hear stories about men sleeping in canvas tents huddled in wool rag blankets sleeping in water eating nothing but meat floating on an ice cube cooking with penguin fat at the end of the Earth. I am humbled and look at my sleeping bag, tent, dehydrated meals, water filters, and other trap and think what pups we are.”

“I couldn't agree with you more Jimmy san. On the other hand they did out of neccesity what we do for fun.
last edited: 7/14/06 12:21:13 AM”

“Hey, has anyone tried the Jelly Belly Sports Beans or the Clif Shots? both taste pretty good for what they are...

I think I tried a CliF gel called "Mmmm Chocolate" that tasted surprisingly like a fudge frosting. (A little sweet for me in general, but better than one of the other brands I tried.)

I definitely feel a difference when I get to a low point in a long walk or hike! ;-)”

“GU is all I use. I like the taste, it's easy to carry/use, and they have saved my bisquit several times on long, hot, trips. Now if they were only cheaper................”

“The price isn't so bad, just a little over a buck a shot. How many would a person need on a day of even high activity? A few bucks a day is a pittance if the results are as helpful as everyone seems to agree on.”

“I prefer to use bars most of the time, but when it gets really hot sometimes it is hard to choke down solid food. The newer bars are pretty got. Power Bar Harvest do the carbs and are somewhat nutritious.

Also, don't forget the dense sugars in the gels give some people GI problems.”

“I was just on REI.com and they have a gel squeeze bottle that holds 4 ounces. So that would eliminate all the waste from the packets if you wanted to take the time to sqeeze your gel into a squeeze bottle.”

“I saw a bulk container of one brand at the bike store with the refillable squeeze bottles.

http://www.ultrafit-endurance.com/hammergel.html”