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Anybody using these for extended workouts or carrying a pack in the mountains for a few hours? What are your favorites and why?

I've tried different ones including the gel packs with and without caffeine. Also been using a powder called Tailwind, dextrose and electrolytes. Seems to help as far as "gas in the tank."

I use NOW sports electrolyte "effer-energy" tablets. They have caffeine, b12, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

Added flavor and fizzyness (and caffeine) are nice.

I drop a couple in a Nalgene and drink once dissolved. I buy them at natural grocers.

Electrolyte tablets

Thanks. I use a similar product when I want caffeine, "Morning Buzz." Caffeine, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes. I'm looking more for "Fuel."

Cliff bloks have caffeinated and non caffeinated and work quite well for endurance activities.

Just bought some of those yesterday as a matter of fact. Used them before hauling out heavy loads, seemed to work well.

When I was into road cycling I always carried sport beans and cliff bloks on me. 80 mile bike rides were more difficult than many pack outs I've had.

sport beans

Salted Caramel Guu on a White chocolate/macadamia cliff bar chased w/ 16 oz of caffeinated Nuun.

Magic!


mike r

I’ve used CLIF BLOKS (without caffeine) and Jelly Belly Sport Beans (without caffeine) when I’m ridin’ my bikes (road or mountain) a long ways.

When I’m climbin’ and hikin’ (my greatest love) I prefer plain ol’ nuts.

GORP is pretty good. And a mixture of salted peanuts and Brach’s candy corn is pretty good too.

Have used all of the CLIF bars. I like em’.

Holy mackerel, I'm just looking for a little pick-me-up, not a low earth orbit!

I tend to have a pacing problem I need all the help I can get for the second 1/2 of the day.


mike r

Yep, me too or I'd just be eating gorp like antlers.

Oats! You have heard of the expression :"he is feeling his oats".

My gorp bags main ingredient is Cherrios and Honey Nut Cherrios. Plus my wife has some great baked oatmeal bar recipes. Store bought I purchase the assorted KIND oatmeal bars.

I'll eat granola every day for breakfast along with some fruit and nuts. And Probars during the day.

It used to be the case that the ultimate endurance food for exploring, hunting etc was pemmican. Now, nobody uses it or talks of it.

I dont wear buckskin pants either

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

I love fig Newtons, might have to buy a big bag.

Or those thin flat wafers with a layer of raisin in the middle. Haven't seen those on the shelves in a while.

If you like fig newtons, you’ll love Natures Bakery whole wheat fig bars.


I find fig newtons kind of pasty.

Nature's Bakery? Is that something you granola-crunching, Birkenstock-wearing Alaskans eat??