Isotonic Energy Gel

Great product! I use it for longer than 2 hour bike workouts. I like that is not too sweet, but sweet enough to make me like it...'mildly sweet's is especially what I like after 3 hours in heat. And it's easy to digest and gives me energy on the bike.

I'm not sure why this is getting some bad reviews. Do people not know what a gel is supposed to taste like or what the typical consistency of a gel is like? It's perfectly fine. Actually the tropical flavor is pretty darn good compared to some others I've tried on the past. If you're an athlete who participates in endurance sports, then you know what to expect from an energy gel. This one is really no different. Skip past the negative reviews. These work exactly like they're supposed to and taste good. The consistency is normal, a tiny bit less bulky than some of the other gels out on the market but, in my opinion, that's a good thing. It also gets to work quickly, which is another positive when your tank is almost on "E." One thing I will say, I found it a little tricky to get the last few drops out of the packaging. These don't seem to be as easy as some of the other energy gels you can simply squeeze from the bottom. I had to stop during my ride and use both hands to get the last bit out. I have small hands so maybe that's part of the issue. Very minor detail and not a deal breaker, imo.

Having used almost every energy gel product out there, I was anxious to try SiS Energy Gel over the course of a few 2 hour + training rides that I was putting in for some upcoming endurance events (I always try new products in training settings before trusting them enough for a race). I found the taste of the lemon & lime to be neither lemon nor lime, sort of a bland citrus like flavor, which wasn't horrible, it just didn't wow me. To be fair, most energy gels don't taste all that great anyway. The consistency is true to how they describe it, more of a liquid rather than a gel, so it actually empties out of the sachet rather than having to squeeze it out, like with other brands. This makes it a little easier to actually get in the mouth rather than all over your hands (and gloves, and shift levers, etc). The main thing I do not like is the low calorie count, about 80 calories per sachet. For a 3 or 4 hour event, I would need to stuff my pockets with these if I were going to rely on them as my main energy source. I am looking forward to trying some of the other flavors, especially the ones that have caffeine.

First, let me preface this review with the fact that I normally use GU energy gel on rides. However, I have a friend who started using SIS Energy Gel and he swears by it. Although, he warned me this has an almost nonexistent taste and consistency that takes getting used to. He also said the orange flavor is the best out of the SIS gels. Onward to my review and experience… This is my first experience with SIS energy gel. I ordered the orange flavor. I like that it does not have any caffeine, but rather 22 grams of carbohydrates per gel. I also like that you do not need to consume water with SIS gel. For individuals who are vegan, this is vegan friendly. This product is made with Maltodextrin; this is the second ingredient listed after water. Maltodextrin is used as a thickener, filler or preservative in highly processed foods. It’s an artificially produced white powder that can be enzymatically derived from any starch, but is commonly made from corn, rice, potato starch or wheat THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN CONSUMING PRODUCTS WITH MALTODEXTRIN 1. Spikes Blood Sugar Maltodextrin can cause spikes in blood sugar because IT HAS A HIGH GLYCEMIC INDEX, and CAN BE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DIABETES OR INSULIN RESISTANCE. 2. Suppresses the Growth of Probiotics Maltodextrin can change the composition of your gut bacteria by suppressing the growth of beneficial probiotics. TASTE It’s a sports gel, and they all have some sort of odd flavor or consistency, and this one is no different. The actual orange flavor is pretty much nonexistent, and the consistency is less than desirable. FIRST IMPRESSION Honestly, I gagged a little because of the consistency, it was gross, and then I thought I have five more to consume. I may give them to my friend and stick with GU. CONCLUSION I like that the orange gel has 22 mg of carbohydrates. I like that one does not need to consume water with it. However, I ride with an Osprey backpack with water reservoir; so, this is not a game changer. I also like the orange flavor gel it does not have caffeine. However, I’m on the fence with SIS energy gel, hence by 3-star review. It’s the consistency that grossed me out, and I mean really grossed me out. Additionally, one expects to have a little flavor, but the almost nonexistent flavor in conjunction with the gross consistency almost makes this a definite no. My recommendation, give it a try and if you don't like it, then you at least know what does not work for you. ------- TEN MONTH UPDATE ------- Initially I gave SIS energy gel a three-star review mainly because I was on the fence about consistency and taste. Also, you may be wondering why I tried this stuff for ten months if I was so grossed out? Simply put, I have not had another product that compares to this stuff yet. In fact, GU is now completely off the table for me. It’s not that GU is bad product, it’s not, it’s just that GU is too thick to consume, and you have to knock it back with water and lots of it. Try racing in hot climates and having to consume a thick product like GU and over consuming water or whatever fitness electrolytes you are carrying in your reservoir. In fact, now that I am writing this update, this is one of the best aspects I like about SIS energy gel. It’s super easy to consume, thus allowing one to keep the fitness drink for when it’s really needed. Just yesterday before training I had an SIS energy gel and I was thinking this isn’t that bad after all – at least as far as consistency goes. The taste still needs improving, but it did not gross me out as much as it initially did. I guess this is just one of those things you have to acquire a taste for. NOTE: I kept the original review intact with the exception of the “First Impression” section. I edited this section so it is not so descriptive. CONCLUSION I still stick with the majority of my review but have changed my mind about the consistency, which was the biggest factor regarding the number of stars for my review. The consistency really grossed me out initially, but I got used to it. My recommendation, give it a try – maybe a little longer than just a few packets. I’m glad I did. With that said, I am changing my three-star review to five-stars. I am no longer on the fence about this product.

I bought these gels initially because I discovered about the "Wall" you get in marathon/training running. Around Mile 15 one day, I noticed I was getting tired quickly, and within half a mile I could not even jog, and had to sit down every minute or two of walking. A quick google search explained that I ran out of carbohydrates for energy, and my body initiated the backup (and incredibly inefficient) process of converting fat to energy. So doing some research around Energy Gels, I found out it's quite the complicated process. You need to consider the fact that during marathon's your stomach's blood supply is lessened as your body redirects more blood towards your legs. Therefore not using water (for most) or using too much can led to GI side effects or the embarrassment and awful sensation of vomiting. So after discovering this Gel company, and the fact that they're formulated so you don't need water to chug these down with, I gave the variety pack a go with training. Now I think all energy Gels flavors are not ideal, but honestly these are fine and all I need to have is something that I can not think about it. And I found the tropical one to be the "best". The last thing I need during my marathon is to consume something disgusting 3 times an hour for a few hours. So as long as it's satisfactory, like some of these were, then it's good with me. Anyways, these proved to work! I bought a box of 30 Tropical (as well as their sodium and some caffeine ones) and have used them every weekend for a few weeks now. I did a 20 mile run consuming 3 per hour per the instructions, which led me to complete my distance without any energy issues! No "wall"! These also rip fairly easily at the perforation, I had no issues with opening them during the runs. The only real issues I had with them is their size and price. It was decently larger than I thought at 6in by 2in wide, but I guess that's what 2oz gets you. A pack of 6 variety was $10, and a pack of 30 Tropical flavor was around $30, so in bulk it's a dollar a piece. I'm no expert in this field, and that may be a great deal for all I know, so take those negative opinions with a grain of salt from this newbie marathon runner. Aside from that, gonna stick with these for the long run (I promise that pun was not intentional hahaha). I will be taking them alongside me for the upcoming marathon! That alone should prove their efficacy, and hopefully your decision if you were as lost as I was in this world of energy gels. --- Update: Ran the LA Marathon, carried these for a packet per 20 minutes. I had ZERO energy issues throughout the race. Sure I was tired, but I had no carbohydrate energy issues. These were also gently on my stomach with how sensitive it was that day. Strongly recommended!

I bought these for the same reason most people do, glycogen replenishment during longer intensity exercise. This can be accomplished by any simple sugar, but energy gels such as this are supposed to be more convenient and easier to consume during exercise. The positive aspects of this product is that it is easy and quick to consume, doesn't require water, and does not have an aftertaste for very long as you continue your activity. Unfortunately, the taste is downright awful. I ignored the reviews saying the taste was bad, as any "health" product can often have an odd taste that a lot of people can't tolerate. The taste of the lemon lime can only be described as 40 year old floor cleaner. I have eaten a lot of nasty things in my life, but this was just horrible. I honestly see no reason to use this product unless there is nothing else available. A sports drink, a handful of candy, or fruit snacks would provide the same glycogen benefits. Sample any cleaning product under your cabinet for a general idea of the taste. Don't ignore the reviews that say they taste fine, they don't!

My friend recommended this to me after I complained about tummy issues with the gels I used to use. These are super easy to swallow and don't require water like most gels, so that's great if you are in a pinch with no water. The flavor is fine. I mean, it's a gel, I'm not looking for a five star menu item here. My only gripe (is it even a gripe?) is that they recommend consuming several of these during a long run and there's just no way I can do that. I have been using one per 90-120 minutes and that has been working for me. If I were running a marathon, I'd likely consume one every 60 minutes. You need to play with the amount as you train and do what works for you. Overall, I'd recommend this to my endurance athlete friends out there.

Discovered SIS gels in the UK, in the early days of lockdown as I got back into hiking. Brought some back to the states and my son who does way more hard core hikes than me also loves them. Really seems to help on longer (over 10 mile) hikes and 30 mile plus bike rides. Some flavors better than others - wish I could get the blackcurrant in the US. Really dislike the vanilla, and personally don't care much for fruit punch and cherry flavors generally. Citrus and apple flavors are great, happy they're available in this assortment.