If I'm heading out for a long run I am absolutely grabbing one of these energy gels! I have tried so many things to keep my energy up during a long run and this is my favorite. You can definitely feel a difference after you take one. So they are supposed to last 45 minutes and kick in about 5 minutes after you take it. I find that this does vary a little bit and it just depends on how much you've had to eat that morning and how much energy you're putting into your run or other activity because I do use these for other things. If I know I'm going to have a hard workout I will use one of these. And to be completely honest I have even used these if I'm having a really rough day and just have zero energy. They make several varieties that don't have any caffeine in them ... MoreIf I'm heading out for a long run I am absolutely grabbing one of these energy gels! I have tried so many things to keep my energy up during a long run and this is my favorite. You can definitely feel a difference after you take one. So they are supposed to last 45 minutes and kick in about 5 minutes after you take it. I find that this does vary a little bit and it just depends on how much you've had to eat that morning and how much energy you're putting into your run or other activity because I do use these for other things. If I know I'm going to have a hard workout I will use one of these. And to be completely honest I have even used these if I'm having a really rough day and just have zero energy. They make several varieties that don't have any caffeine in them because I don't normally consume caffeine but I prefer one with a little bit of caffeine when I'm running.

Glucose easy and quick

Like many reviewers, I have Type 1 diabetes, insulin controlled for over 65 years. I am also a backpacker, and have learned that the exertion of toting a load of gear tends to result in low glucose, no matter how much I try to adjust my insulin dosage. When that happens, I need glucose easy and quick. Gu Energy Gel is my go to fix. And my favorite is Vanilla Bean. Please keep making it...all the new-fangled energy dots and shots just don't do the job.

Great for long runs or bike rides!

I am a new cyclist but I adore cycling. I've been a lifelong runner but cycling is a new found joy! Last year I cycled 42 miles as my longest ride. I mix my training with running and hiking mostly in northern Michigan which has a lot of hills. Where are live there are some of the highest hills in the state. With Gu energy gels I can go the extra mile. As a novice cyclist, I've experienced the bonks as it is similar to hitting the wall. With proper planning, nutrition, water, and Gu energy gels I don't hit walls or bonk. I've been able to go on shorter rides from 20-30 miles and feel great! My favorite is Chocolate Outrage! Seriously tasty As someone who is lactose intolerant as well as having a wheat allergy I appreciate these being vegan and gluten free!

Great product

This product works great ! I use it for mountain biking and I am able to ride faster with less break time and fatigue . I also recover faster with less soreness . However it takes little bit of getting use to the consistency of the gu . I suggest consume the pack in small amounts . It’s also is sticky so try not to get it too much on your hands and fingers…but it wipes off easy with water . Once again this is a great product 👍🏾

I've tried several

Sometimes you need energy, but don't want food. I have a friend who is trying to get into shape and gets exhausted on hikes, but can't handle food and these have been exactly what they need.Here is my opinion on a few flavors:Birthday Cake- It's birthday cake. It delicious and by the second or third taste you realize it's way too sweet... but you keep eating it lol. It's birthday cake.Cola- Its flat Cola. Ever had some leftover coke in a bottle you left capped and hoped it still had gas when you went for a drink only to be disappointed that it was flat and just tossed it out? This is that.Caramel Macchiato- ever had the iced coffee from a place like 7-eleven? Its kind of chemically and you understand what they were going for but its not that. This is that. ... MoreSometimes you need energy, but don't want food. I have a friend who is trying to get into shape and gets exhausted on hikes, but can't handle food and these have been exactly what they need.Here is my opinion on a few flavors:Birthday Cake- It's birthday cake. It delicious and by the second or third taste you realize it's way too sweet... but you keep eating it lol. It's birthday cake.Cola- Its flat Cola. Ever had some leftover coke in a bottle you left capped and hoped it still had gas when you went for a drink only to be disappointed that it was flat and just tossed it out? This is that.Caramel Macchiato- ever had the iced coffee from a place like 7-eleven? Its kind of chemically and you understand what they were going for but its not that. This is that. Maybe you like it. I do not.Chocolate Outrage- Chocolate, not too sweet, but just a tad chemically. Not as bad as Caramel Macchiato, but not my favorite.Espresso Love- Tastes like fudgy pudding. Its delicious and I can't get enough.Vanilla Bean- Sweet, not as sweet as birthday cake, no chemical taste. Very good option.

Intensely sweet

I just tried my first one of these. It's delicious, it's smooth, and it works, like all the GU gels seem to.But S'more is crazy sweet. Like wow, kaboom, I-need-water-now sweet. I enjoy the sweet flavors (salted caramel, birthday cake, caramel macchiato, and vanilla), but S'more tasted one step beyond even these. I'll keep it in the rotation for variety and because it works well, but it won't be a core flavor

Life-savers!

These energy gels have proven themselves to be real life-savers... literally. I'm diabetic and don't always realize that my energy is flagging. Fortunately, I keep these on hand - in my pocket and in my backpack - for when I feel that drop in blood sugar. They work faster than eating a piece of candy and the caffeine kick in some of the flavors helps to curb any headache I may have gotten from allowing my sugar to fall. I also use them when hiking in general, to keep up my stamina between meals. They're easy, fact-acting and highly portable, making them perfect for traveling.

Love ‘em!

I am a very active type one diabetic and have always used glucose tabs or gels for lows (among other things). I have found that they treat the low but I feel worse after because my blood sugars spike then I crash back down.I started using Gu when I was going through the fire academy this winter, what a game changer! I would take one before a training evolution and not worry about my numbers dropping. In fact, my numbers stay almost perfectly straight, I have learned not to enter the carbs into my pump and it balances out.Now I keep 6-8 Gu in my turnout gear and just got back from 2 calls, my numbers were 135 when I got back to the station and I felt refreshed and ready to go back out! The electrolytes are an added bonus.At first I almost gagged when I tried it, ... MoreI am a very active type one diabetic and have always used glucose tabs or gels for lows (among other things). I have found that they treat the low but I feel worse after because my blood sugars spike then I crash back down.I started using Gu when I was going through the fire academy this winter, what a game changer! I would take one before a training evolution and not worry about my numbers dropping. In fact, my numbers stay almost perfectly straight, I have learned not to enter the carbs into my pump and it balances out.Now I keep 6-8 Gu in my turnout gear and just got back from 2 calls, my numbers were 135 when I got back to the station and I felt refreshed and ready to go back out! The electrolytes are an added bonus.At first I almost gagged when I tried it, but now I’m used to it and am a die hard fan! Raspberry lemonade isAwesome and blackberry is too, but 40mg of caffeine is a bit too much. Salted watermelon is my go to.

My Favourite Race Gels

I'm a trail runner and spend hrs in forests. I have a sensetive stomach + reflux. Many says GU is thick , yes but calms my stomach down. Since you have to drink water during a long race, thickness doesnt really bother me. they are small so makes it easy to carry.Also different flavors really helpful for my stomach&taste ,too. For xmiles, reallly fast shipping! thank you!

Some flavors are good, some are REALLY bad

Ok, so overall I'd say most flavors are quite decent and don't taste awful. But there is one that brings the whole thing down, and that's the Raspberry Lemonade. I figured I'd love it since I like the fruity gels, and I love lemonade. So imagine my surprise when I take one out for some quick fuel 13 miles into an 18 mile hike and about to start on a 3800' elevation gain, and it tastes like neither raspberry or lemonade. The best way to describe the taste would be like how Clorox wipes with Febreze smells. That's what this one tastes like. Or some kind of artificially fruit scented floor cleaner. It is BAD. Like, want to immediately barf bad, gotta drink my entire bladder of water to get this out of my mouth bad. I know taste is subjective, and I'm sure someone out ... MoreOk, so overall I'd say most flavors are quite decent and don't taste awful. But there is one that brings the whole thing down, and that's the Raspberry Lemonade. I figured I'd love it since I like the fruity gels, and I love lemonade. So imagine my surprise when I take one out for some quick fuel 13 miles into an 18 mile hike and about to start on a 3800' elevation gain, and it tastes like neither raspberry or lemonade. The best way to describe the taste would be like how Clorox wipes with Febreze smells. That's what this one tastes like. Or some kind of artificially fruit scented floor cleaner. It is BAD. Like, want to immediately barf bad, gotta drink my entire bladder of water to get this out of my mouth bad. I know taste is subjective, and I'm sure someone out there thinks this flavor is the best of the best, but oooof. No.