Energy gel pouch-flask combo increases portability, cuts plastic pollution, says GU

In order to assist in the effort to reduce volumes of discarded waste plastic, and to make it easier for endurance athletes to carry their complete energy supply while ‘on the go,’ GU have produced a 15-serving version of their established Energy Gel and Roctane Energy Gel products.

“In partnership with Hydrapak, GU has created a 5-serving flask with a custom nozzle, enabling runners to transfer exactly how much they need from the larger bulk pack. This will reduce the amount of litter produced by athletes, and avoid the alternative problem of sticky pockets from holding onto the single serving pouches,”​ explained Chris Martin, UK manager of GU.

GU was founded in 1993 in California and was the first company to bring sports energy gels onto the market.

The company manufactures their own gels in-house in Berkeley which enables small batch production and the ability to introduce new trial flavours on a regular basis, says Martin.

The company have expanded their range of gel flavours, which are now available in 18 different varieties in the U.S, 13 of which are sold in the UK.  The gels contain a mixture of maltodextrin and fructose designed to maximise carbohydrate absorption, sodium to maintain hydration and branch chain amino acids (BCAAs). GU

GU also market their Roctane Energy gels, which are intended for high-performance or completion use, and contain a higher amount of BCAAs than the standard products.

“What we would generally recommend is that people train with GU and race with Roctane,”​ commented  Martin.

GU’s product range also includes hydration and electrolyte replacement products, branched-chain amino acids and their sports nutrition orientated version of the Dutch delicacy Stroopwafel- two thin layers of crispy waffle with caramel syrup filling.