For long rides and specifically for races, picking the best energy gels for cycling can make a hugh impact on your performance.
When it comes to energy gels, you need to consider various factors: the carbs per gel, the presence of caffeine, the price of the gel, and the carbs per dollar.
Energy gels help give you the fuel needed to finish rides with gusto and set personal records along the way.
With so many energy gels on the market, finding the best one for your cycling journey can be overwhelming.
To help you curate the best energy gel for you, here are the 9 best energy gels for cycling in 2023.
Best Energy Gels for Cycling – Top Picks
High5 Energy Gel
High5 Energy Gel has been the energy gel of choice for many cyclists for years and is definitely on of the best energy gels for cycling.
Founded in 1995, the brand has developed a reputation for making great energy gels used by some of the world’s best athletes.
High5 Energy Gels are specifically designed to maintain performance while supplying the necessary fuel for long rides.
Most importantly, they provide rapid and efficient absorption of carbohydrates – perfect for the cyclist looking to stay ahead of the pack.
High5 Energy Gels come in a variety of flavors, including a variety of fruity flavors, chocolate, and espresso.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 21g
- Caffeine: 27mg/100g
- Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.10/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 19g
SiS Go Energy Gel
SiS Go Energy Gel is the perfect choice for the athlete looking for a quick boost of energy to stay ahead of the competition.
Made with 100% natural ingredients, SiS Go Energy Gel has been a trusted choice of athletes since 2003.
This powerhouse of an energy gel provides carbs, electrolytes, and essential vitamins and minerals to help you complete your ride with energy to spare.
It comes in small, single-serve sachets with flavors like neutral, orange, and caffeinated blackcurrant, so you can never run out of options.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 22g
- Caffeine: 10mg/100g
- Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.31/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 17g
Torq Energy Gel
Torq Energy Gel is a popular choice for athletes looking for a great energy gel for their rides.
Founded in 2005, Torq Energy Gel has developed a reputation for top-notch energy gels.
This energy gel is well-balanced in terms of nutritional content and tastes great.
It contains no artificial colors or flavors or unnecessary fillers – perfect for the cyclist who values clean energy. Torq Energy Gels come in tasty flavors like sour cherry cola, coconut & lime, and banana.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 22g
- Caffeine: 25mg/100g
- Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.14/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 19g
GU Energy Gel
GU Energy Gel has been around for over two decades, making it one of the oldest energy gel options out there.
This energy gel is designed for athletes of all levels, helping them reach their highest potential as they complete their rides.
Featuring a sports drink with a 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio, it is quickly and efficiently absorbed in the body.
GU Energy Gel comes in various flavors, such as orange cream and Salted Watermelon, and is gluten and dairy-free.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 20g
- Caffeine: 25mg/100g
- Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.26/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 16g
OTE Energy Gel
OTE Energy Gel offers another trusted option for athletes looking to enhance their performance.
This energy gel is designed with the highest quality ingredients to provide simplistic nutrition for athletes.
OTE Energy Gel contains electrolytes and vitamins to help athletes avoid dehydration and cramps.
It also comes in various delicious flavors, such as banana and toffee, so that athletes can avoid the dreaded flavor fatigue.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 17g
- Caffeine: 0mg/100g
- Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.32/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 13g
SiS Beta Fuel Gel
SiS Beta Fuel Gel is quickly becoming a leader among energy gels of the highest standard.
It uses the power of antioxidants and electrolytes to keep athletes going during their rides, providing muscle-free energy.
Its combination of carbohydrates, caffeine, and electrolytes helps athletes reach their metabolic potential and crush their goals time after time.
SiS Beta Fuel Gel is gluten and dairy-free and comes in a few flavors like rhubarb and custard, berry blast, and chocolate orange.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 15g
- Caffeine: 22.7mg/100g
- Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.51/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 10g
Maurten Gel 100
Maurten Gel 100 is quickly becoming the go-to energy gel for many athletes.
This energy gel promises to deliver energy quickly and efficiently, and it has a pH of 5 thanks to its patented hydrogel technology.
This allows the gel to be absorbed more rapidly than other energy gels, making it the perfect choice for long rides.
Maurten Gel 100 also comes in a variety of flavors, like lychee lime, rockmelon, and holly berry.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 22g
- Caffeine: 0mg/100g
- Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.71/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 13g
High5 Electrolyte Energy Gel
High5 Electrolyte Energy Gel is an excellent option for cyclists looking to replenish electrolytes while replenishing their energy stores.
This energy gel contains sodium, potassium, and calcium to help the athlete stay hydrated and helps replenish electrolytes lost during rides.
This energy gel is gluten-, dairy-free, and friend-free and comes in various flavors like red berry, lime&lemon, and apple.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 22g
- Caffeine: 0mg/100g
- Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.19/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 18g
Healthspan Elite Energy Gel + Caffeine
Healthspan Elite Energy Gel + Caffeine provides athletes with the perfect combination of energy and hydration.
This energy gel contains 50mg of caffeine to give athletes that added boost they are looking for, as well as electrolytes and carbohydrates to help them hydrate and refuel.
Healthspan Elite Energy Gel + Caffeine comes in orange, citrus, and caffeine-free blackberry and elderflower flavors.
Specifications:
- Carbs per Gel: 20g
- Caffeine: 50mg/100g
- Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.41/gel
Carbs per Dollar: 14g
Best Energy Gels for Cycling Key Takeaways
In conclusion, after evaluating the provided list of nine best energy gels for cycling, we recommend the High5 Energy Gel, the SiS Go Energy Gel, and the Maurten Gel 100.
Each of these energy gels offers unique features and benefits that set them apart from the rest.
The High5 Energy Gel is an excellent choice for cyclists who need a quick and easy-to-digest source of carbohydrates during their rides.
This energy gel provides 23g of carbohydrates per serving, ensuring a steady release of energy to fuel your performance.
The High5 Energy Gel also contains electrolytes, which help maintain hydration and replace essential minerals lost through sweat.
The gel has a smooth texture that is easy to swallow and is available in various flavors to suit individual preferences.
The High5 Energy Gel’s versatility and effectiveness make it a popular choice among cyclists of all levels.
The SiS Go Energy Gel is another top option for cyclists who require a reliable energy boost during their rides.
The SiS Go Energy Gel features a unique isotonic formula, which means it can be consumed without the need for additional water.
This characteristic makes it an ideal choice for those who have difficulty digesting more concentrated gels or prefer not to carry extra water bottles.
Each serving of the SiS Go Energy Gel delivers 22g of carbohydrates, providing a balanced energy release to help maintain performance during long rides.
The gel is available in a variety of flavors, ensuring that there is an option for every palate.
Lastly, the Maurten Gel 100 stands out for its innovative hydrogel technology and high carbohydrate content.
This energy gel uses a combination of fructose and glucose, encapsulated in a hydrogel matrix, which allows for a higher carbohydrate concentration without causing gastrointestinal distress.
Each serving of the Maurten Gel 100 contains 25g of carbohydrates, offering a substantial energy boost for demanding rides or races.
The hydrogel technology also makes the gel easy to swallow and digest, ensuring that energy is readily available. Many professional cyclists favor the Maurten Gel 100, which is particularly suitable for those with high energy demands.
While the other energy gels on the list offer specific benefits and features, the High5 Energy Gel, SiS Go Energy Gel, and Maurten Gel 100 stand out for their combination of effectiveness, innovation, and ease of digestion.
Each energy gels is suitable for a wide range of cyclists, from beginners to professionals, and offers a reliable solution for those looking to maintain their energy levels during long rides or races.
The choice between these three best energy gels for cycling ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences, but you can be confident that any of them will serve you well on your cycling journey.
