Energy Gel Ingredients Compared
Below is a clear summary and comparison of three energy gels: Amacx Energy Gel, Maurten Gel 100, and SiS Beta Fuel Gel (Science in Sport). I look at them from the point of view of fuelling for endurance races such as enduros and time trials.
🔍 1. Amacx Energy Gel
✅ Features
A Dutch brand, popular with pro teams in Europe.
Balanced carbohydrate dose (25–30 g)
Available with or without caffeine.
A mild taste that makes it easy to take.
Relatively inexpensive, so good value.
Example (Amacx Energy Gel 40 ml)
Item | Details |
Carbohydrate | about 27 g (glucose/fructose) |
Calories | about 108 kcal |
Caffeine | 0–75 mg (depending on type) |
Electrolytes | yes (Na+) |
Flavours | fruit, mint and more |
✅ Features
Hydrogel technology reduces stress on the stomach.
High carbohydrate content (40 g) and very efficient.
Very smooth digestion and absorption. Unlikely to sit heavy in your stomach during a race.
Pricey, but the go-to choice for hard, long efforts.
Quite thick, but can be taken without water.
Example (Maurten Gel 100)
Item | Details |
Carbohydrate | 25 g (glucose + fructose) |
Calories | about 100 kcal |
Caffeine | none (CAF 100 has 100 mg) |
Electrolytes | almost none (meant as a supplement) |
Flavour | natural, slightly sweet |
🔍 3. SiS Beta Fuel Gel
✅ Features
Glucose : fructose ratio of 1:0.8 (focused on absorption)
One gel delivers 40 g of carbohydrate.
Combines gut tolerance and fast absorption.
Contains electrolytes, so it's well suited to long rides and enduros.
Fairly runny, so easy to take.
Example (SiS Beta Fuel Energy Gel)
Item | Details |
Carbohydrate | 40 g |
Calories | about 158 kcal |
Caffeine | none (available in another version) |
Electrolytes | contains Na, K and Mg |
Flavours | citrus, raspberry and more |
✅ Comparison table (quick summary)
Product | Carbs | Caffeine | Features | Gut comfort | Price (approx.) |
Amacx Gel | 27 g | with / without | Standard type, tasty and easy to take | ◎ | low to mid |
Maurten Gel 100 | 25 g | CAF version available | Hydrogel, outstanding absorption | ◎◎ | high |
SiS Beta Fuel | 40 g | none (separate version) | High-absorption design, includes electrolytes | ◎ | mid to high |
🏁 Which gel for which situation?
Situation | Recommended | Why |
Time trial (about 1 h) | Maurten CAF 100 | High intensity, caffeine for a kick, high absorption |
Long ride (2 h+) | SiS Beta Fuel | Lots of carbs plus electrolytes, fast absorption |
Enduro (moderate intensity, long) | Alternate Amacx and SiS | Less flavour fatigue, keeps costs down while still effective |
🎯 Summary
Value and suits everyone: Amacx
Absorption and high intensity: Maurten
Practical for long endurance events: SiS Beta Fuel
They are all excellent products, so taste, how full they keep you, and how they feel in real riding are the best way to choose. If you combine a few and think about the order and timing you take them in a race, you'll get the most out of your performance.
These days many brands are developing high-performance energy gels, and there are excellent products beyond Maurten, SiS and Amacx. Below is a selection of high-performance gels with a track record among pro athletes and in ultra-endurance races. I've focused on those that excel at absorption, sustained endurance and reduced stress on the gut.
Cutting-edge and outstanding energy gel brands and products
1. Neversecond C30 / C30+
🔹30 g carbohydrate (glucose : fructose = 2:1)
🔹Easy to digest, mild taste, slightly runny
🔹Science-based nutrition design (used by pro teams)
🔹C30+ contains caffeine (75 mg)
🔹Gentle on the stomach and ideal for endurance races
📌 Key points:
Two types: ISO (thinner) and regular gel
Developed with input from sports scientist Asker Jeukendrup, a leading researcher on carbohydrate absorption
2. Precision Fuel & Hydration (PF&H) – PF 30 Gel / PF 90 Gel
🔹30 g or 90 g (large bottle-style pack)
🔹Designed to be used alongside its electrolyte products
🔹A little thick, but not too sweet and easy on the stomach
🔹Its website can also generate a personal fuelling plan
📌 Who uses it:
Widely used by ultra-runners, Ironman athletes and elite time triallists.
3. GU Roctane Energy Gel
🔹Compared with regular GU, designed for higher intensity
🔹Carbohydrate: about 21 g (on the low side)
🔹BCAAs (amino acids) + electrolytes + caffeine, which also help with muscle fatigue
🔹Recommended for long races and back-to-back sessions
📌 Point:
Compared with regular energy gels, designed with recovery in mind as well
4. Sponser Liquid Energy Plus
🔹Made in Switzerland and used in pro racing
🔹Large, about 50 g (50 g of carbohydrate)
🔹Digests smoothly despite being highly concentrated
🔹Also contains caffeine and electrolytes: an all-in-one gel
📌 Best for:
The second half of long rides and enduros, or when feed points are few and far between.
5. High5 Energy Gel / Aqua Gel
🔹Fairly cheap and good value (20–23 g carbohydrate per gel)
🔹The almost water-like Aqua Gel is especially easy to take
🔹Caffeinated versions available
🔹Easy for race beginners and riders with sensitive stomachs
📌 Features:
Not too sweet, and easy to take in summer or when you're sweating a lot.
✅ Comparison chart (practical)
Product | Carbs | Caffeine | Features | Price |
Neversecond C30/C30+ | 30 g | with / without | Science-based, smooth absorption | mid to high |
PF 30 / PF 90 | 30 g / 90 g | none (sold separately) | High-volume version, easy to plan fuelling | mid |
GU Roctane | 21 g | yes | BCAAs, caffeine and minerals that also aid recovery | mid |
Sponser Liquid Energy Plus | 50 g | yes | All-in-one, great for very long rides | high |
High5 Aqua Gel | 20 g | with / without | Watery, easy to take, great value | low |
🏁 Recommendations
▶ High intensity (TT, under 90 minutes):
Maurten CAF 100
Neversecond C30+
GU Roctane (BCAAs to limit fatigue)
▶ Medium to long (3–5 hour enduros):
SiS Beta Fuel Gel
PF 90 (fewer gels needed)
Sponser Liquid Energy Plus (as a booster for the second half)
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