I recently ran a marathon in November and trained all summer using Clif Shot Energy Gels during my LR's. However, during one of the races I ran this summer they gave out PowerBar Gels and I loved them. I recently bought an entire box of PowerBar Gels to train for a marathon in January and I can't see myself ever switching. Here are the pros/cons:
PowerBar PROS
* thinner consistency which makes it easier to swallow
* great taste I have the Strawberry/Banana and found them to be the best tasting gel I ever had yet. 9.5 out of 10
* easy to open the packaging is very easy to open, even with sweaty hands during a run
PowerBar CONS
* haven't been able to come up with one yet
Clif Bar PROS
* Litter Leash on side of package to keep from ripping the top off. Keeps the entire package in one piece to prevent littering.
* Overall I can't complaining about the taste. 8 out of 10
Clif Bar CONS
* Hard to open these Gels are almost impossible to open once your hands get wet.
* Thick consistency these Gels get thicker in cold weather and become very hard to swallow. Plus the gel itself is a bit more powdery (Chocolate) then PowerBar.
I used these gels while training for my first marathon and finally during the marathon 4 days ago. They were an invaluable tool in helping me finish. If you take one every 45 minutes, your energy level stays constant throughout the run. The Strawberry Banana flavor is also very tasty.
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I must preface this review with: I am a Gu fan. I've tried so many different brands, flavors, and types of gels/blocks/cubes, whatever, and I love Gu to get the job done. For PowerBar, I've tried the Vanilla, which is really delicious. It tastes like cake frosting! However, the vanilla does not have caffeine, so this does not fill my needs. I have tried the Double Latte, which I abhor--I thought it was AWFUL. It just stuck to my teeth and wouldn't go down, and yuck yuck yuck. I love coffee, too. But as a liquid, in a mug! :) I have heard from many runners that they enjoy the Green Apple, so I might try these in the future. The PowerBar brand is a thinner consistency than Gu or Clif, so sometimes I think it goes down a lot easier, especially if you're not near a water fountain or aid station. If the vanilla had caffeine, I would probably stick with that one. I couldn't run the distances I do without gels. I take one on a daily run of 7-8 miles, I'll take 2 gels on a weekend run of 14-16 miles, and I'll take 3 on a run longer than 20 miles (in addition to Clif Bars). I hope this helps someone make a gel decision!
Oh, in addition, I want to point out that PowerBar gels are made in a facility that manufactures dairy products, whereas Gu does not. I hope this helps the allergy sufferers out there!
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I'm an avid cyclist and XC mountain bike racer. Like most gels this has all the clean burning fuel one needs for a quick boost pre-ride or, most importantly, during an endurance experience. The taste is great, but what I like most of all is the texture...not at solid as the others so it goes down much easier, especially when one is gasping and grasping for breath and water bottle to wash it down. It feels more organic and easier on the gut also. It's the best I've found.
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If form factor was not a concern, the tangerine PowerBar Gel would be hands down my favorite all around gel. The taste is great, it packs enough caffeine to pick you up if you're about to bonk, and the wrapper is thin enough so that it is easy to squeeze out every last drop of gel from the wrapper. The thin, low profile wrapper is great if you put gels in your pocket, as most exercise clothing is thin and low on space. It's also less likely to poke you than other rigid gel packages.
That said, if you tape gels to your bike frame like I do, the thin wrapper that works so well for squeezing works against you if you want them to stay flush on the bike frame. They end up sagging over the side of the bike which not only can be an aerodynamic issue (okay, maybe not a major concern for everyone), but the added stress on the side of the package ends up prematurely tearing the gel open. I haven't actually experienced the wrapper leaking on my bike yet, but I have noticed the beginnings of a tear on the wrapper.
In conclusion, if you don't tape gels to you bike post, the tangerine PowerBar gels rock. If you do, consider Hammer Energy Gel (12 pack) instead (but Hammer Gels are a little more difficult to squeeze and get the gel out, and have a thicker texture).
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