When I was doing mountain ultras I tried gels first, just couldn’t stomach them- most too sweet.
Tried Clif blocks next, good for awhile but eventually got burned out on them.
Then I tried ones you mix with water (figure you’re hydrating and getting calories at the same time)- Tailwind, HEED, etc. These worked pretty well (couple of years), then I started having stomach issues at races and quit them.
Next up started using figs (Fig Newtons included), dates, more “food” like stuff which worked well for me.
I still will grab Fig Newtons occasionally, but have pretty much moved to bars now, but I’m out of the ultra scene too- just an old hiker now
