Best Energy Gels for Trail Running: 12 Options for Long Runs and Ultras
Compare 12 of the best energy gels for trail running, including Maurten, Precision Fuel, TORQ, SiS and Mountain Fuel. Carbs, caffeine, texture and honest advice.
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The quick answer
Precision Fuel PF30 is our best overall choice for trail running. Each packet provides an easy-to-count 30g of carbohydrate with a mild flavour and a texture that is generally manageable without immediately drinking water. Maurten Gel 100 is the premium option, Mountain Fuel Sports Jelly is a useful alternative to conventional syrupy gels, and HIGH5 Energy Gel is the lower-cost starting point.
There is no single gel that works for every runner. Carbohydrate content matters, but so do flavour, texture, caffeine, packet size and whether you can still face the product several hours into a run.
Trail Running Planet has used Maurten, Precision Fuel, Mountain Fuel and TORQ on long runs and endurance events. The remaining products are research picks based on formulation, UK availability and public Amazon popularity signals.
Best energy gels at a glance
| Energy gel | Best for | Carbohydrate per serving | Caffeine | TRP tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Fuel PF30 | Best overall | 30g | 0mg or 100mg | Yes |
| Maurten Gel 100 | Best premium gel | 25g | 0mg or 100mg | Yes |
| Mountain Fuel Natural Sports Jelly+ | Best alternative texture | 30g | 0mg or 50mg | Yes |
| TORQ Energy Gel | Best flavour range | 30g | 0mg or 89mg | Yes |
| SiS GO Isotonic | Best without water | 22g | Standard version: 0mg | No |
| HIGH5 Energy Gel | Best value | 23g | 0mg or 30mg | No |
| SiS Beta Fuel Gel | Best high-carbohydrate gel | 40g | Depends on version | No |
| GU Original Energy Gel | Best caffeine and flavour choice | 22g | 0mg, 20mg or 40mg | No |
| Hüma Chia Energy Gel | Best real-food-style gel | 24–25g | 0mg, 25mg or 100mg | No |
| Hilltop Honey Energy Gel | Best honey-based gel | 22g | Standard version: 0mg | No |
| Puresport Energy Gel | Best newer UK option | 30g | Standard version: 0mg | No |
| STYRKR GEL30 | Best 30g alternative | 30g | 0mg or 150mg | No |
Nutrition and recipes can change. Check the current packet before using any figure to plan a race.
How we selected these gels
We considered:
- Carbohydrate per packet
- Texture and ease of swallowing while running
- Caffeine options
- Whether water is recommended
- Packet size and ease of opening
- UK availability
- Public Amazon review and demand signals
- Whether the product offers something genuinely different
Amazon reviews are used as a popularity signal, not proof that a product is better. Review totals may combine flavours, pack sizes, international customers and older formulations.
1. Precision Fuel PF30
Best overall energy gel for trail running
- Carbohydrate: 30g
- Caffeine: 0mg
- Caffeinated version: 100mg
- Texture: Smooth and relatively mild
- Testing status: TRP tested
Precision Fuel PF30 is easy to build into a fuelling plan. One packet provides 30g of carbohydrate, so two packets give you 60g and three provide 90g.
That simple maths matters deep into a long run, when you do not want to calculate whether a mixture of 22g, 25g and 40g products has put you on target. The flavour is deliberately mild and the packet makes the carbohydrate amount obvious.
The PF30 Caffeine Gel keeps the same 30g carbohydrate serving and adds 100mg of caffeine. That is a meaningful dose, so count it alongside coffee, cola, drinks and other caffeinated products.
Good for: ultras, long training runs and runners who want simple fuelling maths.
Watch out for: the mild flavour may feel uninteresting if you prefer strongly flavoured gels.
2. Maurten Gel 100
Best premium running gel
- Carbohydrate: 25g
- Caffeine: 0mg
- Caffeinated version: 100mg
- Texture: Firm hydrogel
- Testing status: TRP tested
Maurten Gel 100 feels different from a standard syrupy gel. Its hydrogel texture is closer to a soft jelly and each sachet contains 25g of carbohydrate.
The flavour is deliberately plain. That can be useful late in an ultra when repeated fruit flavours become hard to face, although the set texture divides opinion. Try one on an ordinary training run before buying a box.
The CAF 100 version adds 100mg of caffeine. Treat it as a deliberate caffeine serving rather than an ordinary gel.
Good for: runners wanting a neutral flavour and compact 25g servings.
Watch out for: premium price and a texture that some runners dislike.
3. Mountain Fuel Natural Sports Jelly+
Best alternative to a conventional energy gel
- Carbohydrate: 30g
- Caffeine: 0mg
- Caffeinated version: 50mg
- Texture: Soft sports jelly
- Testing status: TRP tested
Mountain Fuel calls this a sports jelly rather than a conventional gel, and that distinction is useful. It provides a softer texture for runners who struggle with thick, syrupy products.
Each packet contains 30g of carbohydrate and electrolytes. A caffeinated version adds 50mg of caffeine. The jelly format can also help break up flavour and texture fatigue during long events.
Good for: ultras, runners who dislike sticky gels and anyone wanting more texture variety.
Watch out for: test the packet and mouthfeel before race day because it behaves differently from an ordinary gel.
4. TORQ Energy Gel
Best energy gel for flavour choice
- Carbohydrate: 30g
- Caffeine: Usually 0mg
- Caffeinated flavours: 89mg
- Texture: Smooth conventional gel
- Testing status: TRP tested
TORQ is the choice for runners who want more flavour than a neutral performance gel provides. The range includes fruit and dessert-style options, and the mixed boxes are a sensible way to find out which flavours remain manageable late in a run.
Each standard TORQ gel provides 30g of carbohydrate using maltodextrin and fructose. Selected flavours contain guarana and 89mg of caffeine, so check the packet carefully.
Good for: flavour variety, simple 30g portions and runners who get bored with neutral gels.
Watch out for: strong flavours can become difficult late in an ultra, and caffeine varies by flavour.
5. SiS GO Isotonic Energy Gel
Best running gel to take without water
- Carbohydrate: 22g
- Caffeine: 0mg in the standard version
- Texture: Thin isotonic gel
- Testing status: Research pick
SiS GO Isotonic is widely available in the UK and is formulated to be consumed without additional water. That is useful during races with long gaps between water points or on shorter runs where you do not want to carry much fluid.
The trade-off is packet size. The isotonic formula contains more water and is bulkier than concentrated alternatives.
Good for: races with limited water access, beginners and runners who dislike thick gels.
Watch out for: larger packets take up more space and produce more wrapper bulk.
6. HIGH5 Energy Gel
Best-value running gel
- Carbohydrate: 23g
- Caffeine: 0mg
- Caffeinated version: 30mg
- Texture: Light conventional gel
- Testing status: Research pick
HIGH5 is a sensible place to start if you are new to gels or need enough fuel for a training block without paying premium prices.
The standard gel provides around 23g of carbohydrate. Caffeinated and electrolyte versions are also available. Three standard gels provide roughly 69g, so count the actual carbohydrate rather than assuming every gel contains 30g.
Good for: value, beginners and regular training.
Watch out for: reaching high hourly targets requires more packets than with 30g or 40g products.
7. SiS Beta Fuel Gel
Best high-carbohydrate energy gel
- Carbohydrate: 40g
- Caffeine: Depends on version
- Texture: Larger concentrated serving
- Testing status: Research pick
SiS Beta Fuel provides 40g of carbohydrate in one gel. Two gels therefore provide 80g, reducing the number of packets you need to carry.
The drawback is concentration. Some runners will prefer dividing their intake into smaller 20–30g servings. Test it while moving at race intensity rather than assuming fewer packets will automatically feel easier.
Good for: long races and runners targeting 80g or more per hour.
Watch out for: a larger carbohydrate hit can be harder to tolerate.
8. GU Original Energy Gel
Best choice for caffeine and flavour variety
- Carbohydrate: 22g
- Caffeine: 0mg, 20mg or 40mg depending on flavour
- Texture: Thick conventional gel
- Testing status: Research pick
GU offers a broad range of flavours and caffeine combinations. The small packets are easy to carry, but the gel is thicker than an isotonic product and is generally easier to take with water.
Caffeine varies by flavour. Read each packet rather than relying on colour or memory.
Good for: flavour choice, compact packets and controlled caffeine doses.
Watch out for: thick texture and strong flavours can become tiring.
9. Hüma Chia Energy Gel
Best real-food-style energy gel
- Carbohydrate: 24–25g
- Caffeine: Varies by flavour
- Texture: Fruit purée with milled chia
- Testing status: Research pick
Hüma uses fruit purée, brown rice syrup, cane sugar and milled chia. The texture is closer to a thin fruit purée than a sticky syrup, which may appeal to runners who find ordinary gels artificial or difficult to swallow.
Caffeine ranges from none to high-dose options depending on flavour, so check the current packet carefully.
Good for: runners who prefer fruit-based ingredients and a different texture.
Watch out for: availability and caffeine vary between flavours.
10. Hilltop Honey Energy Gel
Best honey-based energy gel
- Carbohydrate: Around 22g
- Caffeine: 0mg in the standard version
- Texture: Honey-based gel
- Testing status: Research pick
Hilltop uses honey, coconut water and salt to create a recognisable alternative to maltodextrin-heavy gels. It is still sweet, but the flavour is closer to ordinary food than many synthetic fruit products.
Honey is not vegan, and the lower carbohydrate serving means you may need more packets to reach a high hourly target.
Good for: runners wanting a short ingredient list and familiar honey flavour.
Watch out for: very sweet, not vegan and lower in carbohydrate than 30g options.
11. Puresport Energy Gel
Best newer UK running gel
- Carbohydrate: 30g
- Caffeine: 0mg in the standard version
- Texture: Light gel
- Testing status: Research pick
Puresport provides a 30g serving using a glucose-to-fructose blend. The range includes fruit flavours and an unflavoured option, which may help runners who struggle with sweetness late in an ultra.
The product has a shorter track record than SiS, HIGH5 or GU, but the 30g serving and UK availability make it relevant.
Good for: simple 30g portions and runners wanting an unflavoured option.
Watch out for: less long-term customer history than established brands.
12. STYRKR GEL30
Best alternative 30g carbohydrate gel
- Carbohydrate: 30g
- Caffeine: 0mg
- Caffeinated version: 150mg
- Texture: Pectin-based gel
- Testing status: Research pick
STYRKR GEL30 offers another easy-to-count 30g carbohydrate serving. The standard gel is the sensible starting point for most runners.
The caffeinated version contains 150mg, which is a large dose. Two packets would provide 300mg before counting coffee, cola or other sources.
Good for: runners comparing 30g alternatives and those wanting a UK-made option.
Watch out for: the caffeinated version requires a deliberate total caffeine plan.
How many energy gels do you need?
For runs lasting less than about an hour, most runners do not need a gel.
For longer exercise, a practical general framework is:
- One to two-and-a-half hours: around 30–60g of carbohydrate per hour.
- Longer endurance events: up to around 90g per hour for runners who have practised that intake.
Your total includes carbohydrate from gels, drinks, chews, bars and ordinary food.
Example plans
Around 60g per hour
- Two Precision PF30 gels: 60g.
- Two TORQ gels: 60g.
- One SiS Beta Fuel plus a smaller 20g product: around 60g.
Around 80–90g per hour
- Two SiS Beta Fuel gels: 80g.
- Three Precision PF30 gels: 90g.
- Two Maurten Gel 100 sachets plus one PF30: 80g.
Build up gradually. A theoretically perfect plan is useless if your stomach cannot tolerate it.
When should you take a gel?
Start before you feel empty. A practical starting point is to take the first fuel after around 30–40 minutes and continue at regular intervals.
Use a watch alert if you regularly forget to eat. Divide the hourly target into portions every 20–30 minutes rather than waiting until you feel weak.
Do energy gels need water?
It depends on the product.
SiS GO Isotonic is designed to be consumed without additional water. Thicker, concentrated gels such as GU are usually easier to take with water.
Even where water is not required to swallow a product, you still need a separate hydration plan.
Should you use caffeinated gels?
Caffeine can support alertness and reduce perceived effort for some runners, but more is not automatically better.
The products in this guide range from 20mg to 150mg per packet. Count coffee, cola, drinks, chews and tablets alongside gels.
Do not save your first caffeine experiment for an overnight ultra.
Trail and ultra advice
Mix flavours and textures
Carry a mixture of gels, jellies, chews and ordinary food. Repeating one flavour for ten hours can become difficult.
Practise opening packets
Cold hands, gloves and rain make tear strips harder to use.
Count wrappers
Start with a known number and keep every empty packet in one zipped pocket. This helps track intake and prevents litter.
Carry one extra serving
Trail runs take longer than planned. Weather, navigation and ground conditions can all add time.
Train your stomach
Build carbohydrate intake gradually during training rather than jumping from almost nothing to 90g per hour on race day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best energy gel for trail running?
Precision Fuel PF30 is our best overall choice because it provides an easy-to-count 30g of carbohydrate with a mild flavour. Maurten Gel 100 is a strong premium alternative.
What gels do ultra runners use?
Common choices include Precision Fuel, Maurten, Mountain Fuel, TORQ, SiS and GU. Most ultra runners mix products rather than relying on one gel for the full event.
How often should you take a gel?
A common starting point is one gel every 20–40 minutes, depending on the carbohydrate per packet and your hourly target.
Do you need gels for a 10K trail run?
Usually not. A gel may help if the route will take well over an hour or if the run is being used to practise race nutrition.
Can gels upset your stomach?
Yes. Concentrated carbohydrate, caffeine, dehydration, intensity and unfamiliar ingredients can all contribute.
Are energy gels vegan?
Many are, but Hilltop Honey is not. Check current packaging because formulations can change.
Final verdict
For most trail runners, start with Precision Fuel PF30. Choose Maurten Gel 100 if you prefer a neutral premium gel, Mountain Fuel Sports Jelly if conventional texture puts you off, or TORQ if flavour variety helps you keep eating.
For a lower-cost first test, try HIGH5 or SiS. Buy a small or mixed pack, test it on an ordinary long run and only then buy a full box.
The best gel is the one you can still open, swallow and tolerate when the climb has gone on longer than expected.