Customer Reviews

PowerBar Energy Gel, Caffeinated, 1.44-Ounce Packets (Pack of 24)

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I used these gels while training for my first marathon and finally during the marathon 4 days ago. They were an invaluable tool in helping me finish. If you take one every 45 minutes, your energy level stays constant throughout the run. The Strawberry Banana flavor is also very tasty.

I recently ran a marathon in November and trained all summer using Clif Shot Energy Gels during my LR's. However, during one of the races I ran this summer they gave out PowerBar Gels and I loved them. I recently bought an entire box of PowerBar Gels to train for a marathon in January and I can't see myself ever switching. Here are the pros/cons:

PowerBar PROS
* thinner consistency which makes it easier to swallow
* great taste - I have the Strawberry/Banana and found them to be the best tasting gel I ever had yet. 9.5 out of 10
* easy to open - the packaging is very easy to open, even with sweaty hands during a run

PowerBar CONS
* haven't been able to come up with one yet

Clif Bar PROS
* Litter Leash on side of package to keep from ripping the top off. Keeps the entire package in one piece to prevent littering.
* Overall I can't complaining about the taste. 8 out of 10

Clif Bar CONS
* Hard to open - these Gels are almost impossible to open once your hands get wet.
* Thick consistency - these Gels get thicker in cold weather and become very hard to swallow. Plus the gel itself is a bit more powdery (Chocolate) then PowerBar.

I must preface this review with: I am a Gu fan. I've tried so many different brands, flavors, and types of gels/blocks/cubes, whatever, and I love Gu to get the job done. For PowerBar, I've tried the Vanilla, which is really delicious. It tastes like cake frosting! However, the vanilla does not have caffeine, so this does not fill my needs. I have tried the Double Latte, which I abhor--I thought it was AWFUL. It just stuck to my teeth and wouldn't go down, and yuck yuck yuck. I love coffee, too. But as a liquid, in a mug! :) I have heard from many runners that they enjoy the Green Apple, so I might try these in the future. The PowerBar brand is a thinner consistency than Gu or Clif, so sometimes I think it goes down a lot easier, especially if you're not near a water fountain or aid station. If the vanilla had caffeine, I would probably stick with that one. I couldn't run the distances I do without gels. I take one on a daily run of 7-8 miles, I'll take 2 gels on a weekend run of 14-16 miles, and I'll take 3 on a run longer than 20 miles (in addition to Clif Bars). I hope this helps someone make a gel decision!

Oh, in addition, I want to point out that PowerBar gels are made in a facility that manufactures dairy products, whereas Gu does not. I hope this helps the allergy sufferers out there!

I started running a couple years ago, and I ran my first marathon last year. I always carry PowerGel with me on my long runs. Yes PowerGel is just sugar and caffine, but when I'm bonking 15 miles into a 20 mile run, I am super glad I have one in my pocket. I think the benefit comes mainly from the sugar, but I do tend to buy the flavors with 25mg of caffine. In general I give PowerGel 4 to 5 stars, but I'm giving the Tangerine flavor two stars because I didn't like the taste. All the other flavors are much better.

If form factor was not a concern, the tangerine PowerBar Gel would be hands down my favorite all around gel. The taste is great, it packs enough caffeine to pick you up if you're about to bonk, and the wrapper is thin enough so that it is easy to squeeze out every last drop of gel from the wrapper. The thin, low profile wrapper is great if you put gels in your pocket, as most exercise clothing is thin and low on space. It's also less likely to poke you than other rigid gel packages.

That said, if you tape gels to your bike frame like I do, the thin wrapper that works so well for squeezing works against you if you want them to stay flush on the bike frame. They end up sagging over the side of the bike which not only can be an aerodynamic issue (okay, maybe not a major concern for everyone), but the added stress on the side of the package ends up prematurely tearing the gel open. I haven't actually experienced the wrapper leaking on my bike yet, but I have noticed the beginnings of a tear on the wrapper.

In conclusion, if you don't tape gels to you bike post, the tangerine PowerBar gels rock. If you do, consider Hammer Energy Gel (12 pack) instead (but Hammer Gels are a little more difficult to squeeze and get the gel out, and have a thicker texture).

These aren't the most delicious things you'll ever eat - the taste is a little bit off and chemically.

But they're certainly better than tolerable. And that fact that you're going to want to wash them down with plenty of water? That's a good thing - you're working hard, and you could use the extra H20.

Best of all, these get the job done. They keep me from bonking during my workout..the carbs are great and the caffeine can't hurt. Amazon's price is good, too.

I've tried many others over the past 5 marathons but my body loves the strawberry banana power gels the best for those long runs and races. They are easy to carry, store well in pockets or under gloves, and digest well with some water or light sports drink.

Hint - I enjoy keeping the gels in the fridge or freezer before taking out on warm days. I like to keep them on the "solid" side if possible.

OK, I ate some of this stuff before the last 10 miles of

an 87 mile ride. I don't know if this gel is the reason

or not, but my legs quit feeling very tired, and I pulled

my two riding partners the last 10 miles at 18-23 mph

against a mild headwind. Several others who were behind me

fell off. We ended up with a 20mph average.

I like the flavor too. I think I responded well to the

caffeine!

I'm an avid cyclist and XC mountain bike racer. Like most gels this has all the clean burning fuel one needs for a quick boost pre-ride or, most importantly, during an endurance experience. The taste is great, but what I like most of all is the texture...not at solid as the others so it goes down much easier, especially when one is gasping and grasping for breath and water bottle to wash it down. It feels more organic and easier on the gut also. It's the best I've found.

My boyfriend bought this flavor and I tried one. After that I was hooked. I bought the PowerBar Strawberry banana gels for my racing. I love the flavor. Some gels are too thick and some too thin, but these have just the right consistency. I am able to carry a lot of these packets in my waterbelt, because they are so small. I plan on buying these again. I would definitely recommend these to anyone that runs long distances.