Clif Shot has been around for years, but I’m doing another review of it now. Why? Well, if you see the new packaging, it says Clif Shot Energy Gel [NEW Formula].

As of late 2010, Clif Shot energy gel has a new formula. And it’s not some little flavor change or addition of some odd amino acid; it’s a real change!

Here it is – the brown rice syrup is gone! What used to be the main ingredient has been replaced with organic maltodextrin and organic evaporated cane juice.

Clif used to be all about the brown rice syrup for everything, so this was a surprise!

Let’s see how this new formula works…

Health and Nutrition

Here are the ingredients for the two flavors I tried:

[Chocolate Flavor] Ingredients: Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Water, Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Potassium Citrate, Sea Salt, Natural Flavor.

[Mocha Flavor] Ingredients: Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Water, Organic Cocoa (processed with alkali), Coffee Extract, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt, Green Tea Extract (contains caffeine), Potassium Citrate.

As mentioned before, the big change is that Clif Shot is now based on maltodextrin for the main carbohydrate source. That’s followed by evaporated cane juice.

As before, Clif is still using sea salt instead of regular salt, and the caffeine content comes from green tea extract.

The Nutrition Facts are as follows (for Vanilla flavor):

Calories 110
Total Fat 0g
Sodium 90mg
Potassium 50mg
Total Carbs 24g
Fiber 0g
Sugars 12g
Protein 0g

*Note that Nutrition Facts vary slightly between flavors. The Chocolate flavor even contains 1.5g fat and 1g fiber, somewhat odd for an energy gel.

Clif Shot Taste Test

I tried the Chocolate and Mocha flavors. Other flavors include Citrus, Razz, Strawberry, and Vanilla. [Hopefully I'll add those flavors to this test soon.]

Chocolate

Tastes like a good chocolate pudding. If they made an organic dark chocolate pudding (who knows, maybe such thing exists,) I bet it would be like this. It really does remind me more of a chocolate pudding than an energy gel texture. It’s quite sweet, too.

And maybe best of all, it is just plain sweet. There is no hint of brown rice syrup in there, which usually throws off the flavor.

Overall, this is a great chocolate flavored gel that I enjoyed.

Mocha

This had a nice mocha coffee flavor. It captured some of the bitterness of coffee without having a bad taste. It’s great if you like coffee, since it’s a realistic taste.

However, if you’re not a coffee fan, I highly doubt you would like this flavor.

In Use

So far, so good. The new Clif Shot tastes good, but how does it work?

This gel worked well. It went down easy and didn’t leave any sort of aftertaste.

The gel is less syrupy than before. That’s due to the maltodextrin base, rather than brown rice syrup base. You could also say it’s a thinner consistency. Either way, it’s better.

The Litter Leash works better now as well. I always liked this idea, but it never worked well in the past. Now that the packaging has changed slightly, the Litter Leash idea is perfectly executed, so it actually works as intended! (On the older gel packs, the Litter Leash would just rip right off, rendering it useless.)

Also, the corners of the package are more rounded, for greater comfort when carrying the gels in thin pockets (think running shorts.)

Was the energy boost better than before? Maybe. I didn’t really notice a big boost like I get from GU. For whatever reason, GU has always worked better for me than Hammer Gel or Clif Shot. But I do see some potential for this new Clif Shot and will have to do more extensive testing to see how it really compares to GU.

My final verdict is…

I still prefer GU gel over all others, and I’d take Clif Shot Bloks instead of these Clif Shot gels (more fun to eat,) but I do like the idea behind this new formula and will keep testing it out. And Clif definitely has the flavor done right. So if you like gels, I would definitely try out this new formula and see how it works for you!

Official website: www.ClifBar.com

If you haven’t yet considered switching from energy gels to energy chews, you are missing out on some cool products! I finally got a chance to try the Clif Shot Bloks earlier this year, and now I wish I had bought them years ago!

Not even sure what energy chews are? Imagine taking an energy gel and turning it into a gummy bear. They fall somewhere in between energy gels and bars. Less messy than a gel, quicker to eat than a bar. (Other options include GU Chomps and Powerbar Gel Blasts.)

Think that’s something you want to fuel your workouts and races? Then check out my review…

Health and Nutrition

Let’s start with the ingredients…

Ingredients: Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Brown Rice Syrup Solids, Pectin, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Colored With Black Carrot Juice Concentrate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Carnauba Wax.

This formula is similar to the original Clif Shot formula. It’s based on brown rice syrup, but contains a few other things to get that “blok” shape, rather than a liquid gel. If the ingredients give you energy and agree with your stomach, you’re fine using these.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size 3 pieces
Calories 100
Fat 0g
Sodium 70mg
Potassium 20mg
Total Carbs 24g
Sugars 12g
Protein 0g

As with most gels, this product is pure sugar, designed for a quick energy boost. And that’s what I want in a gel – a quick-digesting, fast energy source. (A few electrolytes are thrown in for good measure.)

Taste Test

While these bloks look cool, they still have to taste good!

I’ll give you my thoughts on the texture first. These are like little blocks of jello. Pretty neat! They’re obviously not as soft as jello (or they wouldn’t hold their shape,) but they are very light and soft.

My thoughts on the flavors…

Strawberry
The strawberry flavor is similar to a strawberry energy gel. It’s very sweet and has a fairly natural strawberry taste. I like it a lot!

Black Cherry
This has a subtle black cherry flavor. It’s less sweet than strawberry. Kind of like a black cherry cough drop, actually.

Unfortunately, there’s a hint of bitter flavor. I’m betting that’s from the caffeine. If you chew the blok real fast, you get a stronger dose of black cherry flavor to hide the bitterness, but that still doesn’t mask it completely.

*Black cherry has 50mg caffeine per serving.

Cran-Razz

I’m not a huge fan of cranberry juice or anything, but this flavor was surprisingly good! At first it tastes kind of like a “mixed berry” or “wild berry” flavor, but then you also taste a fairly dominant cranberry flavor sometimes. Kind of like cranberry juice with a splash of raspberry (I bet Ocean Spray or someone makes a juice like that.)

Basically, try this flavor if you like berry flavors at all!

Other Flavors
Other flavors I have yet to review include Lemon Lime, Margarita, Mountain Berry, Orange, and Tropical Punch.

Clif Shot Bloks In Use

Starting at the beginning, we’ll look at the packaging.

The Bloks come in a long tube, unlike other brands, which mostly come in a pouch. I think this makes it much easier to squeeze out one at a time and pop it into your mouth. This way you’re not reaching a dirty hand into a small pouch or dumping a bunch of pieces into your hand at once.

The “tear here” tab works, although it’s not as easy to open as Powerbar Gel Blasts. Good news is, you can pull the tab back a ways without tearing it off completely, yet still being able to easily push a blok through it and into your mouth. It’s kind of like a litter leash.

What I wouldn’t do is dump them in jersey pocket. They aren’t dry on the outside like Powerbar Gel Blasts. They’re a bit sticky, like GU Chomps. And they might rip apart. So just leave them in the easy-to-use tube.

During a bike ride, these are very easy to eat. Since they’re nice and soft (the consistency is thin, more like jello, rather than a gummy bear or swedish fish,) you can chew them up really fast.

They work well for XC skiing and ice skating too. The bloks do get “thicker” as they get cold, but they’re still easy to eat.

One nice thing, these are great if you want to suck on them for a while. You can keep them in your mouth like hard candy. With the Powerbar Gel Blasts, they have different textures and the gel center, making me want to bite and chew them up quickly. Clif Shot Bloks are less interesting, but more satisfying since they’ll last longer.

For casual exercise, I just let them melt in my mouth. During intense exercise though, you’d still chew them up quickly, since your mouth is probably wide open!

Did the Bloks give me energy? I think so. I got a nice sugar rush, so the Bloks seem to have more of an effect than Clif Shot gels ever did for me.

I can even ration the energy as I see fit. Each tube has two 100-calorie servings (3 bloks each,) which means 6 total bloks and 200 calories per package. So instead of taking a full 100 calorie gel, I can have a 33.3 calorie blok as necessary.

My final verdict is…

I really like these! They have a good flavor (try the strawberry,) nice energy boost, and convenient packaging. I still like the Powerbar Gel Blasts, but the Clif Shot Bloks will probably be my “go to” energy bites from now on.

Official website: www.ClifBar.com

Energy gels are expensive – at least $0.99 each. And they’re really just sugar.

Yeah, I like gels for racing because of the convenience factor, but on normal rides, it’s not really necessary. (Unless you’re bonking, then they’re pretty nice since the sugar hits your bloodstream so quickly.)

In most cases, I recommend looking at these energy gel alternatives:

1. Fig Newtons

Fig Newtons give you tons of carbs, and they won’t melt or freeze. They do require some chewing, but aren’t too far off from an energy gel (somewhere between a bar and a gel, I’d say.)

2. Honey

Grab some honey at the health food store (or Wal-mart if you have to,) and you have a cheaper version of energy gel that is basically the same thing.

You can either carry the honey around in a small honey squeeze bottle or put it in a gel flask.

3. Dates

Dates are fruit that tastes good and provides lots of sugar, kind of like the fig filling in Fig Newtons.

Dates are moist and taste very sweet, so they are easy to eat while riding. You can carry whole dates in a little plastic sandwich bag stuffed in your jersey pocket.

4. Raisins

Raisins are high in sugar and potassium, so they are similar to energy gels (carbs and electrolytes.) Carry them like dates. Since they are very low in water content, you can carry quite a few calories in a small space.

5. Gummy bears

Gummy bears are pure sugar, fun to eat, and you can easily carry them in your jersey pocket. Some brands are kind of sticky, but most are dry, so there is no mess in your pocket or on your fingers.

6. Jelly

Look for the single-serving packets at restaurants – you can usually find grape jelly, strawberry jam, and orange marmelade on your table. Take a few with you next time and try them on a ride.

It can be messy to lick the jelly right out of the container, but it’s doable.

7. Honey on bread.

For a more substantial snack that is still very easy to digest, take a slice of Italian bread, spread honey on it, and fold it over. Then put it in a baggie or aluminum foil and you’re good to go.

In a short time, the honey will soften the bread even more and be very easy to eat. And tasty!

8. Dried fruit

There are many dried fruits that are tasty and easy to carry on a ride. My personal favorites are apricots, papaya, and pineapple. You can also get kiwi, coconut, mango, and probably others.

9. Banana chips

Like dried fruit but slightly different, you have banana chips. Banana chips are crunchy, unlike most dried fruits, so it gives you a change of pace. They are cheap, too.

10. Rice Krispie squares

You can make these at home with some cereal, marshmallows, and a microwave. Cut into squares and packed in aluminum foil, they give you some sugary goodness! They’re sticky, though!

11. Banana

If it doesn’t get squished in your jersey pocket, a banana makes for a cheap, natural energy boost.

12. Pretzels

Get some mini pretzels or pretzel nuggets and stash a handful in your jersey pocket. You’ll get carbs and salt.

13. Pudding

These days, you can get pudding in tubes that don’t require refrigeration. I’ve never tried it, but maybe you’ll enjoy it.

14. Homemade gel

There are many ways to make a homemade energy gel which you can carry in a gel flask.

Start with a base like organic brown rice syrup, add sea salt and some sort of flavoring, and mix it up.

15. Fruit roll-ups

Standard kids food that can double as an energy gel replacement. As with gummy bears, these are pure sugar.

Even if you get the healthier ones made with real fruit, they’re still not as expensive as gels.

16. Maltodextrin

Add lots of this complex carbohydrate powder to your favorite juice and you’ll end up with a gel-like substance to stick in your gel flask.

17. Agave nectar

I’m not a big fan of agave nectar when it’s used in supposed “health” foods, since it’s still sugar. However, it would make a good energy gel replacement. It’s like honey except ranks lower on the Glycemic Index.

*I didn’t say all of these are healthy alternatives. Some are healthier and more natural, while others are still refined and processed, but cheaper than an energy gel packet.

Hammer Gel looks like yet another energy gel, and while it does serve the same purpose as all the others, the formula is a bit different. This gel is formulated according to Hammer Nutrition’s philosophy, so it contains no added refined, simple sugars, and no artificial colors or sweeteners. Rather, Hammer’s gel is made with real fruit and wholesome ingredients.

Hammer also offers a great variety of tasty flavors. Along with your standard fruit and coffee flavors, Hammer offers some unique flavors, including Montana Huckleberry!

Hammer Gel Nutrition and Ingredients

Hammer is probably most known for their nutrition philosophy, which permeates through all their products as well the their information booklets and website. They are really big on sticking with natural ingredients, only complex carbs (no simple sugars,) etc.

They do this to create wholesome products which provide for a smooth, consistent energy release and easy digestion.

One interesting note is that Hammer gel is Gluten-Free, Vegan Friendly, and Kosher Certified, for those who have dietary restrictions.

Here are the ingredients* for the vanilla flavor:

Ingredients: Long Chained Maltodextrin, Filtered Water, Energy Smart® (Fruit Juice, Natural Grain Dextrins), Potassium Sorbate (as a preservative), Vanilla Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Amino Acids (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Alanine, L-Isoleucine).

I do like the ingredients list. It’s pretty simple and natural, but still contains everything necessary to an energy gel.

*Espresso and Tropical flavors contain caffeine.

I haven’t noticed a real difference in my health or performance when using Hammer Gel vs the others which contain simple sugars, but it’s a nice thought and makes Hammer a great option for health-conscious riders.

Hammer Gel Taste Test

Hammer gel comes in many flavors, most of which are very interesting. To me, when I think of Hammer gel, I think of the flavor selection!

Here are my thoughts on each flavor…

Apple-Cinnamon – A very strong apple cinnamon flavor, making this my favorite Hammer gel. It’s almost too strong during an intense race, but since I love apple cinnamon stuff, I really really like this one.

I could actually eat this for enjoyment. If I was buying a jug of Hammer gel, I’d get the Apple-Cinnamon, and I’d make every excuse to eat it often.

Banana – I think this tastes like a real banana. You could mistake this gel for a mashed banana in a blind taste test. Actually, it has even more banana flavor than some bananas do!

I don’t think I could eat this one all the time, but it’s a good flavor, and definitely good to have since GU no longer makes a banana flavor.

Chocolate – Starts out like a good chocolate syrup, e.g. pretty sweet and chocolaty. The flavor is neither overly sweet like Nesquik-type stuff, nor bitter like pure cocoa.

The aftertaste gets more authentic though. I wouldn’t say it’s bitter, but it’s verging on bitter, because you taste the real cocoa powder.

Espresso – Starts out tasting like a mocha gel. Maybe with a little coffee flavor in there, but it’s mainly chocolate on my taste buds.

Finally, the espresso flavor showed up in the aftertaste. I practically had the entire gel packet before getting any espresso flavor. The espresso flavor was a little bitter like it should be, but not as potent as I had hoped.

It wasn’t a bad gel, but somewhat disappointing. If you want a coffee gel, try something else (maybe Clif Shot.)

Orange – I’ve had orange gels I didn’t like, but the Orange flavor of Hammer gel is actually good. It tastes like a mix of the mandarin orange Heed and orange Kool-Aid (with an emphasis on the Kool-Aid.) It’s flavorful, but not too strong, and it’s not too sweet nor too sour.

If you like orange flavors but could never find a good orange energy gel, try this one.

Montana Huckleberry – N/A

Raspberry – This tastes very natural, almost exactly like red raspberries. It starts out very sweet, too (much sweeter than Orange.)

It’s almost too natural in a way. Since it contains real raspberry puree, it has a hint of sourness, much like you can get a bad raspberry when you pick a handful. And when it gets warm, it gets less appetizing.

It gets better after the first taste, though, so I actually do enjoy this flavor a little bit. It’s kind of like the raspberry Clif Shot – not great, but not bad if you get used to it. In cold weather, it’s actually really good.

[It's like chocolate in the way that it starts out quite sweet, but then you do notice some sourness later on.]

Tropical – I like to compare Tropical to the Apple Cinnamon flavor, because both are very good flavors that you don’t see too often. Tropical is a mix of tropical fruit flavors, such as pineapple and mango, although I couldn’t detect any one flavor from the bunch.

It was pretty sweet, but not overpowering, and had a good flavor. It wasn’t really like Hawaiian Punch, so I’m not sure how to describe it, but if you like tropical fruits, I bet you’d like this.

Vanilla – Tastes like any other vanilla gel. It has some vanilla flavor, but when riding, you just notice a mild sweetness and not much else.

If you don’t like strong or exotic flavors, the Vanilla is probably right for you.

Hammer Gel Texture and Consistency

I’d say the texture and consistency of Hammer gel is a little thinner than other gels. Hammer says the texture is like “syrup,” but I’m not sure what that means, because there are many types of syrup out there and they’re all different.

Perhaps it’s more like syrup than a gel (if you think of gel literally, like a toothpaste gel or even Jello.) The best information I can provide is that Hammer gel is thinner than GU gel.

The thinness makes it good for cold weather, because it remains a gel. (In extreme cold, GU will get real thick so you basically have to chew it, but Hammer Gel stays fairly thin.)

Hammer Gel’s Energy Boost

Unfortunately, as cool as Hammer gel seems, it never seemed to give me the energy boost that GU did. After a couple packets, I could sometimes feel a tiny boost, but not really.

Sure, the gel gives me calories that I can burn for energy, but when I take a GU gel, I just plain feel an energy boost that inspires me to ride harder. (And no, I never had the “crash and burn” from energy gels like GU, so that argument never swayed me.)

Nevertheless, I still use Hammer’s gel on occasion because of the sweet apple cinnamon flavor!

Hammer Gel Pricing and Packaging

While Hammer’s products are usually on the expensive side, the gel is fairly cheap if you buy the 26 serving jug for $18.95.

Even at $1.25 per packet, it’s no more than any other gel.

Speaking of the gel packs, Hammer has the most interesting packaging. The gel packet is shaped like a hammer! Unfortunately, while the hammer-shaped packaging is a novel idea, it’s kind of bulky, and I find the top tab a tiny bit harder to tear off than on competing gels.

Basically, it sucks to tuck these bulky packets into your shorts. It would be a much better idea to use a Hammer Gel flask. Luckily, that makes a good combo – buy the gel by the jug, and then carry it in the flask. This is cheaper, more eco-friendly, and less messy than dealing with the individual packets.

My final verdict is…

If you’re looking for a good gel, give this a shot. If it works for you, and you find the right flavor, great. If not, just keep looking around. (If Hammer doesn’t work for you, I recommend trying GU gel or Clif Shot.)

For me, I absolutely love the flavors, so I use Hammer gel for some training rides and things like XC skiing, but for my races, I stick with GU gel.

Official website: www.HammerNutrition.com

Buy online: www.HammerNutrition.com or www.REI.com

While I always thought $1 for a tiny gel packet was a rip-off, GU energy gel was one thing I couldn’t live without during a mountain bike race. Real food was too much of a hassle, and PowerBars just took too long to chew while navigating teeth rattling singletrack!

Every mountain bike race I did, it was a sure bet that I had at least one GU in my pocket or tucked under my shorts!

Why choose GU?

I first chose GU due to the neat name, but it turned out to be a perfect choice. First, GU comes in many flavors. You’ve got chocolate and coffee, fruity flavors, and even a “plain” flavor for those with sensitive tastebuds – surely one tastes good to you.

Just as important, the flavors actually taste good! I really like GU gels and could eat them all the time!

Next, the packets are easy to carry, easy to open, and easy to squeeze. You just tear the small tab off the top and you’re all set. There is no excess bulk to the package like with the Hammer and Clif Shot gels.

Best of all, GU gel gives me good energy boost. While all energy gels are basically the same thing (100 calories of quick energy from sugar,) there is something about GU that just makes me feel better. After having a GU, I always seem to get this uplifting feeling where I actually feel the energy returning to my body.

Other energy gels may provide me with calories, but none of them give me that energizing feeling I get with GU.

Science, Ingredients, and Nutrition

The GU website has a complete description of how GU works. I’ll summarize here.

You first get a shot of natural fructose, which will quickly build up your energy levels. That gives the maltodextrin time to be absorbed and broken down, maintaining your glucose levels for extended energy. The electrolytes and calcium keep you hydrated and make sure your blood and muscles are functioning optimally.

Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, valine and isoleucine, serve as another fuel source, aid in recovery, and can improve mental performance and reduce fatigue. Antioxidant vitamins C & E defend muscles from assault by free radicals, while chamomile works as an anti-inflammatory. Ginger soothes the stomach, a nice bonus if the race includes gut-wrenching climbs!

Whatever the exact formula is, GU did a good job with it!

Vanilla bean ingredients:

MALTODEXTRIN (GLUCOSE POLYMERS), FILTERED WATER, FRUCTOSE, GU AMINO ACID BLEND (LEUCINE, VALINE, ISOLEUCINE, HISTIDINE), POTASSIUM AND SODIUM CITRATE, GU ANTIOXIDANT BLEND (NATURAL VITAMIN E AND VITAMIN C), SEA SALT, NATURAL VANILLA, CITRIC ACID, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, GU HERBAL BLEND [CHAMOMILE, COLA NUT (HAS CAFFEINE), GINGER], FUMARIC ACID, PECTIN

Nutrition Facts:

100 calories
55mg sodium
40mg potassium
25g carbs
3g sugar

But while you won’t get fat and protein in a GU gel, you get more than just sugar. You’ve got the antioxidants, amino acids, ginger, etc.

GU Gel Taste Test

Here are my thoughts on the eight different flavors of GU gel:

Vanilla Bean

A sweet vanilla flavor. It’s not quite a true vanilla bean flavor, but it’s not the same as imitation vanilla. Basically it’s sweet and tastes a bit like vanilla once you swallow it. I’d say it’s the sweetest GU flavor.

Tri-Berry

Tastes mostly like red raspberry. It’s pretty sweet, too. There is a hint of strawberry in there, especially in the aftertaste, and I think that sweetens up the raspberry. I’m not sure on the third berry; probably blackberry.

It’s a good berry flavor. It used to be my favorite GU, but has since been replaced by the recently added Strawberry Banana flavor.

Chocolate Outrage

This gel is thick and chocolaty. It contains actual unsweetened Belgian chocolate. While it’s not as delicious as a chocolate bar from Belgium, and doesn’t have that melty texture like a piece of Dove chocolate, it’s like a moderately good piece of dark, bittersweet chocolate.

It’s great on a cold day when it thickens up like a chocolate milkshake. It’s messy in the summer though, so watch out.

Espresso Love

Espresso is possibly my new favorite flavor! It really does taste like espresso. The flavor comes from “natural coffee flavor” rather than actual coffee, but it pulls off a great taste regardless. If you like espresso, you will love this gel!

Just Plain

This is basically a weaker version of Vanilla Bean. It’s not flavorless like water, but it’s definitely not strong and overpowering. So while this is definitely not “plain,” it’s probably the least potent flavor of gel available.

Lemon Sublime

An interesting lemon lime flavor. Each time I have one, it reminds me of something else. I just can’t compare it to anything else. It’s not too sweet, not too sour, nor too weird. I would rate it “pretty good.”

If you like lemon lime products though, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

Orange Burst

Not a realistic orange, but not totally artificial or too sugary. It reminds me of orange Gatorade. The taste is alright but nothing that blows me away.

Strawberry Banana

I always liked banana (my second favorite flavor,) so I was disappointed to see GU replace it with Strawberry Banana. But once I tried this, I was excited!

The Strawberry Banana is awesome. It is very sweet and delicious. It tastes mostly like banana but with some sweet strawberry flavor in there as well.

So Strawberry Banana actually beats out Tri-Berry and Espresso Love as my favorite flavor!

My final verdict is…

GU is my favorite gel. It tastes great, contains good ingredients, comes in good packaging, and provides the best energy boost I’ve had from a gel. All around, a perfect gel.

If you need a gel for your endurance sports adventures, GU is my recommendation.

Official website: www.GuEnergy.com

Buy online: www.REI.com | www.PerformanceBike.com