Which fuel should
you test next?
Three answers. You get three products to try, the ones to avoid, and which long run to try them on. Mark what has worked and what has failed you, and the finder remembers it next time. Free, no sign-up.
163 gels, chews, drink mixes and electrolytes, verified against manufacturer data and scored on the science · how the Science Score works
All fuels, by Science Score
| Product | Type | Science Score ? | Carbs | Sodium | Caf | $/25g | Works / never / try | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurten Gel 160 Maurten | Gels | 100 | 40 g | 30 mg | — | $2.86 | ✓ if it works for you, ✕ if it wrecked you | |
| LMNT Recharge Electrolyte Drink Mix LMNT | Electrolytes | 100 | 1 g | 1000 mg | — | $37.50 | ||
| Precision Fuel & Hydration PF 30 Gel Precision Fuel & Hydration | Gels | 100 | 30 g | 0 mg | — | $2.60 | ||
| Maurten Drink Mix 320 Maurten | Drink Mixes | 100 | 80 g | 245 mg | — | $1.14 | ||
| Maurten Drink Mix 160 Maurten | Drink Mixes | 100 | 41 g | 210 mg | — | $1.52 |
Turn these picks
into a race plan.
The finder tells you which fuel suits you. Your plan tells you how many to take, how often, and where on the course, based on your weight, your goal time and the race's hills.
Free preview · no card · see your real plan before you pay a cent.
A score you can check
Every product is scored 0 to 100 on the evidence behind endurance fueling. Each format is judged on its own job: a gel is there to deliver carbohydrate, an electrolyte tab is there to deliver sodium.
Gels · chews · drink mixes
Carb sourcing (multi-transportable glucose:fructose), carb density per serving, and sodium delivery.
Electrolytes
Scored on sodium per serving and on a concentration that keeps you drinking. Carbs don't count here. Sort by type to compare like with like.
We compute the score only from verified nutrition data. Affiliate relationships and sponsorships never change it, and sponsored placements are always labeled.
How to choose a race fuel
The best energy gel, chew or drink mix for a marathon is the one your gut can absorb at the rate your race demands. Aim for 60 to 90 g of carbohydrate per hour for efforts over 2 hours. Runners fueling by feel average about 38 g/hr (Hansen 2014), roughly half of that range, and the shortfall is the usual reason for fading over the last 10K. Products built on a 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio let you absorb more per hour with less stomach trouble: glucose transport alone tops out near 60 g/hr, and fructose uses a second transporter. If you sweat heavily or race in the heat, plan your sodium. Its job is to keep you drinking, and it has no effect on cramping. Use the finder above to filter by format, carbs, sodium and caffeine, sort by the Science Score or cost per 25 g of carb, and compare your finalists side by side. Then let CarbRate turn your picks into a plan timed to your course.
Common questions
How many carbs per hour should I take in a marathon?
For efforts over 2 hours the evidence range is 60 to 90 g of carbohydrate per hour, built up over a training block. A 10K needs nothing beyond breakfast, and a half marathon sits around 30 to 45 g/hr. A trained gut and a 2:1 glucose:fructose fuel let you reach the top of the range.
What is a multi-transportable (2:1) carb and why does it matter?
Glucose and fructose absorb through different gut transporters. Blending them roughly 2:1 lets you absorb more total carbohydrate per hour with less GI distress than glucose alone.
Do I need a separate electrolyte product?
If your fuel already carries sodium and your race is cool, often no. Heavy or salty sweaters in the heat usually pair a fuel with an electrolyte. Filter by sodium above, or run the 30-second match to see your sodium need.
Is the ranking affected by affiliate links?
We compute the Science Score only from verified nutrition data, and affiliate relationships never change it. Sponsored placements are always labeled.