Energy gels are broadly designed to do the same job: get energy into your body fast so you can perform at your best for longer. The best gels are pocket-friendly, easy to eat on the move and help fuel your endurance adventures.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the energy gel that’s best for you? Of course, at Veloforte, we believe we’re the best, and to show you why — we compare our energy gels to two popular brands – High5 and SiS.
Whether it’s size, weight, quantity of carbohydrates or the standard fruit flavours, SiS and High5 energy gels are pretty hard to tell apart. Their manufactured ingredients lists are almost identical, and neither offers any nutritional value beyond the energy, electrolytes and caffeine. They also offer the same hit of carbohydrates. In fact, in a blindfolded SiS vs High5 taste test, you’d struggle to tell them apart.
Our gels, on the other hand, are made from 100% natural, real-food ingredients with a huge variety of interesting flavours that taste nothing like the chemical overtones you get with some gels. They also offer additional nutritional benefits in smaller, more portable, tummy-friendly, health-supporting packs that deliver the same energy hit.
Here’s a more detailed look at High5 vs SiS vs Veloforte:
You’ll often find High5 energy gels at aid stations during major events. Like most brands, they have a variety of types, including regular, caffeine, a more liquid Aqua gel and an electrolyte gel. All in a range of pretty familiar fruit flavours.
At 66g per gel, High5 are among the bigger, bulkier gels to carry. You’ll need more space in your running belt and pockets to carry the recommended three gels per hour.
When it comes to ingredients, High5’s carbs come from glucose syrup and the manufactured sugar, Maltodextrin. You’ll find Maltodextrin in a lot of sports energy products. It’s a cheap-to-produce synthetic sugar made from the starch of rice, potatoes or corn that’s also been linked to gastric discomfort and bloating due to its highly concentrated glucose formulation. These synthetic sugars are very easy to overfuel on, which causes flooding of the bowel with fluids from your circulating blood, leading to the inevitable bloating and gastric discomfort.
These gels also contain a range of chemical-sounding preservatives and acidity regulators that include Sodium Citrates, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate.
Beyond supplying energy, caffeine and electrolytes, there are virtually no additional nutritional benefits.
SiS energy gels, aka Science in Sport, are isotonic. That means they’re formulated with a similar concentration of fluid, sugars and salt to your blood, and the aim here – in theory at least – is that they can be taken without the need for water.
Like High5 they come with the usual range of fruit flavours and there are caffeine, electrolyte options.
The 60g packs are just as bulky as High5 too, due to their isotonic formulation. That extra water means more volume.
The ingredients list is surprisingly similar too. The main carbs come from Maltodextrin. You’ve got acidity regulators in the form of Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, and Malic Acid. Preservatives, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate. But you’re also getting some bonus artificial sweeteners: Acesulfame K, Sucralose and the gelling agents Gellan and Xanthan Gum.
At Veloforte, we designed our energy gels to be very different. Unlike SiS and High5, our gels are made from 100% real-food ingredients. No artificial nasties go anywhere near our gels.
We keep it simple and delicious, using combinations of brown rice syrup, maple syrup and real fruit juice concentrate to deliver powerful natural dual-source carbohydrates. A blend of fructose (fruit sugars) and glucose to facilitate easy absorption without the risks of overloading the gut. Goodbye cramps, hello sustained energy.
Our flavours come from real fruit, superfoods and spices too. All carefully selected to pack an extra, endurance-supporting, nutritional punch. Things like beetroot, elderflower, ginger, blackcurrants, lemon and Himalayan Pink Salt.
At 33g, they’re about half the weight and half the size of High5 and SiS’s bulky gels. You still get a big 22g hit of carbs to match any other energy gel, but with more bang-for-buck, you can stash more energy in your bib shorts, running belt or ultra vest without starting to feel like a packhorse.
Plus, our gels all contain enough water to make them easy to swallow. Plus natural electrolytes to support hydration, and there’s a natural Guarana extract caffeine option too. Unlike lots of gels, they taste delicious and have a pleasant texture, too.
So you won’t need water to wash away any artificial taste and gummy mouth sensation.
