GU Energy Original Sports Nutrition Energy Gel, 24-Count, Vanilla Bean

So I actually have a pretty simple flavor taste, but Ive used these Gu Energy Gels for both Marathon race days as well as training. Theyre lightweight, easy to swallow, and typically do not leave a bad aftertaste. Vanilla bean is just my personal favorite flavor. Experiment with what you may or may not like. Always experiment with nutrition on training runs, and not race days, as everyones digestion is different, and they may cause upset stomachs if you havent used them before. Other than that, the only real downside, is if you dont stop to open and use them, they can make your hands sticky, because a little bit always kind of leaks out while youre opening and running.

I have taken on anything from early morning 4 mile runs to 100Ks using GU as a basis. For the longer runs, I use a ratio of a GU every 2 hours and solid food every two hours - so some sort of nourishment every hour - this has worked very well so far. I have had to experiment with different flavors of GU though - some just dont agree with me (like Roctane caused stomach issues and any fruit flavor has a bad habit of repeating themselves). I am currently using Salted Caramel - awesome flavor and so far OK on the stomach. I only wish is that they could come up with a degradable package - hate having to stuff sticky used packages back in my pack!

I take one every 45 min on long bike rides. Saved me from bonking several times.

I have tried a large variety of GU gels (and similar gels made by other brands) over the course of several years of running. Pro: Like all GU gels, these have a nice, liquidy texture that helps swallowing mid-run easier than some of the stiffer gels (Clif!). Con: The Salted Caramel description suggests a nice balance between sweet and salty, but I found the actual flavor to be overwhelmingly sweet and artificial (relative to other GU gels--they all taste artificial to some degree, of course!), and had an off-puttingly cloying tinge to the flavor.

Ive been using these since the 1990s, and theyre still just as good as they were back then. I frequently do rides of 50 miles (or further), and taking one of these once an hour really helps to keep my energy levels up. Plus they taste absolutely great. 10-15 minutes after taking one I seem to get some extra kick in my legs. I also use the Gu Chews (in watermelon flavor) that may taste even better. Ill chew 2 of those maybe every 15-30 minutes in between the gels. Great products from Gu.

Dont really like the taste, but definitely gives you an energy boost to get you through an afternoon or whatever youre taking it for. May try another flavor in the future

Still the best for ease of consumption.

Can swallow this gel (with water) during long workouts.

A few months ago I originally purchased the strawberry banana flavor. I personally though the taste was awful and the texture was so thick it was disgusting. I couldnt even swallow it straight out of the package, I had to chew on it and swish it around my mouth with water and then force it down my throat. I let one of my friends try it and we had to stop the workout because the taste made him sick. However, the Vanilla flavor does NOT have any of those problems. The flavor is great and you can really taste the vanilla flavor. One of my friends thought it was a little on the sweet side but I love it. It is also a lot thinner, I can easily stick it in my mouth and gulp it down without wasting any time. Gu is good stuff, I can feel the difference on longer rides and it definitely helps me maintain my level of performance.

This is the best flavor! I have tried every other flavor I could find, and this is the only one that I like the taste of and thats not too sweet for me. There is some caffeine in it, but not enough to upset my bowels, and I am VERY sensitive to caffeine (the GU Roctane has too much caffeine for me). Also, I have Ulcerative Colitis and this has not caused/worsened any flare ups.