PacificHealth Accel Gel, All Natural Protein-Powered Rapid Energy Gel for Instant Energy During Intense Workouts - Box of 24, 1.3 Ounce Packets (Citrus Orange)

Just went through my first box and five spartan races. I use two for sprints, three for supers, and five for beast. I ran a super (pretty out of shape) in 2017 and cramped and struggled thru it. These gels are monsters for me. I feel them energize me and last a good two or three spartan miles. I did notice a difference this last beast as I accidentally only packed four for the race instead of five. I felt 100% for about 10 miles and started cramping around mile 11. Had I had the fifth one I think I would have felt great till the end. The caffeine is great and I feel it. I don’t drink coffee so it affects me. The gel tastes great and isn’t hoppy enough to make my mouth dry even when I use it apart from water stations. That’s a big deal for me. I’ve read a little of the science behind having protein in your gel and these have become my go-tos.

I first heard about this product on the Run to the Top podcast and decided to give them a try since they're a little cheaper than other competitors and have some interesting ideas - addition of protein and caffeine. I have tried a lot of other products, including Cliff, Gu, Science in Sports, Hammer, and more. They're all pretty pricey and all pretty much do the trick. The packaging (see below) was a big downside of this product, however.I use these products for running, biking, and sometimes before a workout since all gels are pretty easy on the digestive track. These are definitely a thinner consistency, which I'm actually not as much a fan of; thicker consistency as with Gu's and Cliff seem to give me a more satisfied feeling. Might just be a mental effect.Taste: in my opinion, the raspberry cream tastes awful.Effectiveness of formula: Works, though not my favorite.*Design flaw*Would I buy these again? I'm sorry to say I wouldn't. While they work fine, the packaging needs to be redesigned. While Gu's and every other product I've tried are pouches with no flat seams, or lips, around the edge, these are created with a wide, sharp edge around the package. Standing still, I need to carefully take these or I'll actually cut the sides of my mouth on the sharp foil edging. Running, I basically just take what I can and sometimes through out a little still left in the package to avoid cutting my mouth on the edges. Hopefully Pacific Health will realize this flaw and fix their product.

Had some work in Vancouver recently, lots of walking, hiking, humping gear. Aside from Power Bars, MRE's and instant coffee, the only other 'food' I brought was a 24 pack of these things. They don't taste great (but, uh, when you're in a situation where you're trying to balance your food/water/gear loadout weight ratio, taste isn't a priority, at least in my experience.)They're caffeinated, they taste a little like chocolate, and the caloric value per weight is pretty decent. Honestly what sold me on these was, my dad had a few left over from promo-goodies at a marathon re ran, i tried one, read the nutrition facts, and was pretty happy with what i saw. Main draw was the caffeine- I've learned that your best bet for extending range on a hike is NOT tylenol or ibuprofen (these may dull the pain temporarily, but those cues are what help you adjust your pace as to not tear anything up too badly to use tomorrow), but rather just caffeine, sugar, these help with morale too.Oh- I didn't want to forget: Put these in the top of your pack, the seal isn't very strong (relatively speaking- toss em in your purse, gym bag, duffel, book bag, whatever, they're fine- but when you're loading 150lb packs, things get squished.)Also, when in bear country, don't bait the bears, same with bugs- these are sugary and will attract critters.

Based on the advice of a salesman at a local bike shop I purchased Accel Gel. I took 3 gels on a recent 77 mile bike ride. That was the first time I tried a bike ride longer than 60 miles. At about mile 55 I started feeling fatigued. Someone in my group asked me if I had any gels and I remembered I had 3 in my back pocket. I took the first Accel Gel and, after 5-10 minutes started feeling strong again. I definitely felt the difference. At about mile 70 I took a second Accel Gel and felt great and strong enough to finish the ride. A short while later, one of the strongest guys in my group started falling behind and was getting dropped. I slowed down to help him finish. I offered him my last Accel Gel and he accepted. He had slowed down to 12-13 mph but then he increased his speed to 19-20 mph. He was very surprised at the effect he had felt after taking the gel. I must say I am very impressed with Accel Gel and plan to take 3 gels on every ride.

So far I really like this the Endurox R4 gel. The Strawberry Kiwi tastes great. I usually take one in the middle of a long mountain bike ride and I have noticed a definite increase in stamina, I don't cramp up as much, and I seem to recover quicker. I still have to eat a small energy bar or I get shaky but that is no different from before. I will buy and recommend this product. I would have rated it higher but I think the price is too high. I like for companies to make a really good profit but I have to believe their costs are way too high or they have built in a really high margin. I would buy more often, and probably spend more money overall, but I end up rationing.

I like trying different flavors an I would buy it again

My husband was given one of these by a friend on a 60mile cycle ride when he had run out of his usual cereal bars & glucose tablets. He described the difference it made as feeling as though he had someone pushing him from behind, when he had only a big hill and about 10 miles left and was seriously running out of energy! So I've now bought him a supply of his own!I think he felt that the energy bars & glucose tablets have their place, but these gel sachets will definitely be a permanent part of his riding-sustenance arsenal!

I've been using these for at least three season and have found them to make a significant difference. I coastal row, some of the races can be 50km long, taking one of these an hour makes a big difference, particularly in after event recovery.Unknown if you don't read the instructions they can be taken when you've actually finished and I'd recommend this.They are sickly sweet and the texture isn't great, but it's fuel not a tasty treat.

Works great, but a bit expensive compared to comparable products.