Gelonomics: Which high-end running gels are affordable and perform?
The science behind fuelling for long-distance athletic performance has changed a lot over the last hundred years, and we've come a long way from the cigarettes and wine of the early Tour de France to today's modern hydrogels.
Many athletes are now taking in 80-110 grams per hour of carbs, and some elite runners including Eliud Kipchoge are reportedly taking in over 130 grams of carbs per hour. To be able to absorb carbohydrates at this rate while avoiding stomach issues is one of the biggest challenges runners face, and hydrogels help solve this problem.
Hydrogels are a combination multiple simple carbohydrates suspended in water. This formula allows for quick absorption (simple carbs are available for use by your cells faster), less GI distress risk (the gel passes through the stomach and into the intestines), and they don't need to be consumed with water. The combination of these factors has lead to the rapid adoption of hydrogels by professional runners as well as amateurs who are looking to perform at their potential.
Hydrogels were introduced in 2015 by Maurten, and since then, others have introduced comparable products, however cost is still a major factor for non-sponsored athletes, particularly since to get the best performance from hydrogels, an athlete needs to train with them as well, drastically increasing the cost.
This analysis below explores the cost of various hydrogels from leading brands to determine the most economical options, and also includes subjective commentary on the differences and potential benefits or drawbacks of each solution. The best value gels have the lowest cost/gram, and the worst value gels have the highest cost per gram.
Methodology / Approach
- Pricing is per individual gel
- Pricing is based on buying the largest available quantity (e.g. if there is a discount for buying a package of 60, the price is based on the per-unit price for an order of 60 gels)
- Pricing is sourced from the lowest reputable reseller or the manufacturers website, and is up to date as of February 2025.
- Prices do not include taxes
- Prices do not include shipping, however all prices are sourced from resellers who offer free shipping at minimum spend levels
United States
| Gel | Carbs (grams) | Carb (Types) | Cost (USD) | Cost (USD/g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurten 100 | 25 | 0.8:1 (fructose : glucose) | $3.75 | $0.150 |
| Maurten 160 | 40 | 0.8:1 (fructose : glucose) | $5.20 | $0.130 |
| SiS Beta Fuel | 40 | 0.8:1 (fructose : maltodextrin) | $2.50 | $0.063 |
| Precision PF30 | 30 | 0.5:1 (fructose : glucose) | $2.48 | $0.083 |
| Precision PF90 | 90 | 0.5:1 (fructose : glucose) | $5.30 | $0.059 |
| NeverSecond C30 | 30 | 0.5:1 (fructose : maltodextrin) | $3.50 | $0.117 |
Canada
| Gel | Carbs (grams) | Carb (Types) | Cost (CAD) | Cost (CAD/g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurten 100 | 25 | 0.8:1 (fructose : glucose) | $5.00 | $0.200 |
| Maurten 160 | 40 | 0.8:1 (fructose : glucose) | $7.00 | $0.175 |
| SiS Beta Fuel | 40 | 0.8:1 (fructose : maltodextrin) | $3.29 | $0.082 |
| Precision PF30 | 30 | 0.5:1 (fructose : glucose) | $3.28 | $0.109 |
| Precision PF90 | 90 | 0.5:1 (fructose : glucose) | $6.65 | $0.074 |
| NeverSecond C30 | 30 | 0.5:1 (fructose : maltodextrin) | $4.95 | $0.165 |
Subjective Analysis
- Taste / Consistency
- Maurten is much sweeter and thicker (almost chewy) than all the other options, which can make them harder to eat quickly. The sweetness can become overwhelming as well, making repeated consumption more difficult. Maurten is also very sticky, and hard to get off your hands.
- SiS Beta Fuel and NeverSecond offer various flavors, while Maurten and Precision are unflavored.
- Precision's gels are less nauseatingly sweet than the comparable Maurten gels, and seem to cause less palette fatigue.
- The consistency of Precision, SiS, and NeverSecond is much more liquid, and allows for much faster consumption.
- Packaging / Ease of Use
- Precision's PF90 has a screw cap and is a large pouch, and is the easiest and fastest to open and consume. It is also the only easy option that allows the athlete to consume only a portion of the gel. The PF90 gels are large, and do not fit in the long, narrow pouches in marathon-specific clothing, such as Nike's AeroSwift shorts or Bandit's Half Tights.
- NeverSecond and SiS Beta Fuel both have easy-to-tear off top tabs that separate into a second piece of plastic which has to be managed, however consumption of the gels is very easy.
- Precision's PF30 also has a tear-off tab that remains attached to the gel (one piece of plastic), and consumption is also very easy, however the edge of the opening on the PF30 can on occasion be a bit sharp and less comfortable to consume from.
- Maurten's 100 and 160 gel are a more traditional rectangle where the entire top is supposed to tear off, which can theoretically allow for slightly faster consumption, however the tear-off has to be done perfectly horizontally or the gel will not open at all. This construction makes them difficult to reliably open, and historically I've been unable to open (without scissors) around 10% of gels.
Recommendations
Based on cost, ease of use, and taste, my #1 recommendation is Precision's PF90 gel. The size is very convenient for targeting 90 grams of cards per hour, and the taste paired with the lowest cost is the most compelling for an unflavored gel. PF30 gels can also be used for racing as needed, although they are much less cost efficient and have more drawbacks.
If you are looking for a flavored option SiS Beta Fuel is my number 1 choice, and comes in Citrus, Berry, Passionfruit, Fruit Punch, and Orange. It is also quite close cost wise (6-11% more expensive), and is the most affordable "smaller" sized gel at 40 grams of carbs.
Each of the recommended options above also offer caffeinated options, which usually have a worse flavor profile but can be very beneficial, particularly for racing or longer efforts.
Canada: Where to Buy
Note: All gels have been purchased by me at cost, and I have no relationship with any of the companies above, these are simply my opinions as a consumer.
As always, if you have any feedback or suggestions, please feel free to contact me here! :)