Created for daily training and competition, GU Energy Chews pack energy-dense calories in a portable packet to help sustain energy demands of long duration activities. The 180-calorie packet contains carbohydrates to keep you fueled while delaying bonking by sparing your glycogen stores. Sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, aids in hydration by maintaining water balance. The branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, isoleucine) may reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. ELECTROLYTES Maintain water balance and aid in optimum hydration. CARBOHYDRATES Deliver ready-to-use energy and delay bonking by sparing glycogen. AMINO ACIDS Reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. CAFFEINE Enhances performance by increasing focus and concentration and decreasing perceived effort during exercise. Consume one packet 5 minutes before, and one packet every 45 minutes during activity. Wash down with your favourite GU Hydration Drink or water for optimum absorption.
Created for daily training and competition, GU Energy Chews pack energy-dense calories in a portable packet to help sustain energy demands of long duration activities. The 180-calorie packet contains carbohydrates to keep you fueled while delaying bonking by sparing your glycogen stores. Sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, aids in hydration by maintaining water balance. The branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, isoleucine) may reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. ELECTROLYTES Maintain water balance and aid in optimum hydration. CARBOHYDRATES Deliver ready-to-use energy and delay bonking by sparing glycogen. AMINO ACIDS Reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. CAFFEINE Enhances performance by increasing focus and concentration and decreasing perceived effort during exercise. Consume one packet 5 minutes before, and one packet every 45 minutes during activity. Wash down with your favourite GU Hydration Drink or water for optimum absorption.
Created for daily training and competition, GU Energy Chews pack energy-dense calories in a portable packet to help sustain energy demands of long duration activities. The 180-calorie packet contains carbohydrates to keep you fueled while delaying bonking by sparing your glycogen stores. Sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, aids in hydration by maintaining water balance. The branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, isoleucine) may reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. ELECTROLYTES Maintain water balance and aid in optimum hydration. CARBOHYDRATES Deliver ready-to-use energy and delay bonking by sparing glycogen. AMINO ACIDS Reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. CAFFEINE Enhances performance by increasing focus and concentration and decreasing perceived effort during exercise. Consume one packet 5 minutes before, and one packet every 45 minutes during activity. Wash down with your favourite GU Hydration Drink or water for optimum absorption.
Created for daily training and competition, GU Energy Chews pack energy-dense calories in a portable packet to help sustain energy demands of long duration activities. The 180-calorie packet contains carbohydrates to keep you fueled while delaying bonking by sparing your glycogen stores. Sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, aids in hydration by maintaining water balance. The branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, isoleucine) may reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. ELECTROLYTES Maintain water balance and aid in optimum hydration. CARBOHYDRATES Deliver ready-to-use energy and delay bonking by sparing glycogen. AMINO ACIDS Reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. CAFFEINE Enhances performance by increasing focus and concentration and decreasing perceived effort during exercise. Consume one packet 5 minutes before, and one packet every 45 minutes during activity. Wash down with your favourite GU Hydration Drink or water for optimum absorption.
Last updated at 06/09/2026 01:21:56
GU Energy Chews, Watermelon / Single Packet
Delivery between 17–19 June $30.90
GU Chews Watermelon / 1 Chew
Delivery $15.00
GU Energy Chews Watermelon
Delivery $10
Gu Energy Chews Pouch
Delivery $20
GU Energy Chews 60 g / Watermelon
Delivery $9.95
GU Watermelon Energy Chews 60g
Delivery between Wed – Mon $9.90
GU Watermelon Energy Chews 60g
Delivery between Wed – Mon $9.90
Gu Energy Chews - (Various flavours) Blueberry Pomegranate
Delivery $12
GU Energy - Energy Chews Watermelon
Free delivery
GU Energy Chews, Watermelon
Delivery $28.85
originally posted on REI
I tried the Watermelon GU Energy Chews on (2) short runs and (1) long run and found them to be a good source of electrolytes that are easy to carry and consume before and during exercise.They have just the right amount of flavor without being overly sweet. They are easy to stuff into a pocket and consume while out on the trail. You can open the pouch and pop them into your mouth without getting any sticky residue on your hands. I found the texture to be chewy and satisfying without sticking to my teeth.On my (2) short runs of just an hour, I ate a package while warming up. A single package (about 8 chews) provided plenty of energy for runs of this duration without upsetting my stomach. I found that I prefer them much more than a pre-workout drink because they ... MoreI tried the Watermelon GU Energy Chews on (2) short runs and (1) long run and found them to be a good source of electrolytes that are easy to carry and consume before and during exercise.They have just the right amount of flavor without being overly sweet. They are easy to stuff into a pocket and consume while out on the trail. You can open the pouch and pop them into your mouth without getting any sticky residue on your hands. I found the texture to be chewy and satisfying without sticking to my teeth.On my (2) short runs of just an hour, I ate a package while warming up. A single package (about 8 chews) provided plenty of energy for runs of this duration without upsetting my stomach. I found that I prefer them much more than a pre-workout drink because they take much less space in my stomach and were very easy to snack on while warming up.On my longer run of about 2-1/2 hours I ate 1 package during my warmup as before and also brought a package to eat about 1/2 way through my run. I've learned that I tend to start fatiguing and can experience calf cramps after about 1-1/2 hours of trail running if I don't replenish my electrolytes after about 45 mins to an hour into my run. On this run I took a break at the top of a steep climb about 1/2 way thru my intended run. I ate a package of the Energy Chews and did a little stretching before continuing on back toward the trailhead. When I was about 2 miles from the trailhead I was surprised that I still lots of energy and my legs felt energized and strong. So, I took an offshoot loop trail that added another 3-4 miles to my run. I did notice during the last 1/2 mile climb to the trailhead that my energy was getting low. I think that for runs over 2 hours I would benefit by bringing (2) packets of the GU Energy Chews along with a water bottle to ensure my energy levels stayed up.I like the fact that the GU Energy Chews that I tried are caffeine free and provide plenty of electrolytes for short and longer runs without experiencing the wild up/down swings that you get from many sports drinks and other gels.
originally posted on REI
Background: I have been hiking/backpacking since the mid 1970s. I have settled on foods and timing of eating that work well for me for a variety of levels of exertion and different settings (elevation, weather). I use a variety of snacks while hiking, and when I need a quick boost - such as well into a long uphill slog, particularly at high elevation - I use products similar to the GU Energy Chews. I have found them to be very useful for this purpose.For a test run of the GU Energy Chews, which I had never used before, I did a day hike of about 8 miles and about 2,000 ft of vertical gain. It was a warm and humid day, too warm for my taste. Weather like that saps my energy. I broke out the GU chews near the end of the uphill portion of the hike, and they provided a ... MoreBackground: I have been hiking/backpacking since the mid 1970s. I have settled on foods and timing of eating that work well for me for a variety of levels of exertion and different settings (elevation, weather). I use a variety of snacks while hiking, and when I need a quick boost - such as well into a long uphill slog, particularly at high elevation - I use products similar to the GU Energy Chews. I have found them to be very useful for this purpose.For a test run of the GU Energy Chews, which I had never used before, I did a day hike of about 8 miles and about 2,000 ft of vertical gain. It was a warm and humid day, too warm for my taste. Weather like that saps my energy. I broke out the GU chews near the end of the uphill portion of the hike, and they provided a much needed energy boost. Mission accomplished.The chews I had were Orange flavored. I found the flavor to be good, though I might prefer a bit brighter orange. Just my personal preference. I did note some other subtle flavor profiles behind the orange. I have found this to be true of other similar products as well, likely due to some of the ingredients. Nothing bad, just there.The texture was of a soft chew - easy to chew and swallow. I found no grittiness or uneven texture to them. In this regard they are quite good.The bottom line is that I found them to be good, and serve their intended purpose well.Unfortunately, on the downhill part of the hike I took a hard fall and injured my knee, which prevented me from doing other hikes during the allotted product review time. If the GU Energy Chews had arrived just one week earlier I could have used them on a much bigger day hike (13.5 miles, 3,800 ft of vertical rise). They would have come in handy that day.
originally posted on REI
First of all I received this free product in exchange for my honest review. The product that I am reviewing is the Energy Chews orange flavor. This package contained 16 gummies and I was required to take 8 each of these gummies 5 minute before starting my hike and the second 8 each to be taken 45 minutes after the first chews. This would allow me to walk an estimated 45 minutes before I would have to open the second package. The chews had a soft texture that didn't change in the heat of the day making it easy to handle while hiking. When i started to chews them I noticed that it didn't stick to my natural and capped teeth which was nice. The orange flavor did not last long in a moist mouth but if my mouth was dry the flavor stayed around for about 1.5 hours or after ... MoreFirst of all I received this free product in exchange for my honest review. The product that I am reviewing is the Energy Chews orange flavor. This package contained 16 gummies and I was required to take 8 each of these gummies 5 minute before starting my hike and the second 8 each to be taken 45 minutes after the first chews. This would allow me to walk an estimated 45 minutes before I would have to open the second package. The chews had a soft texture that didn't change in the heat of the day making it easy to handle while hiking. When i started to chews them I noticed that it didn't stick to my natural and capped teeth which was nice. The orange flavor did not last long in a moist mouth but if my mouth was dry the flavor stayed around for about 1.5 hours or after I took a drink of water. These chews were also easy to chew and dissolve in my mouth which is great. this would allow this product to enter my blood stream sooner through the blood vessels in my mouth. The one thing I did notice was the stamina in my arms were improved and felt very comfortable but it only lasted for about 1.5 hours after I took the second 8. My hike was 10 miles long that lasted over 3.5 hours and I maintained a step rate of 3 mph. I did two walks which allowed to use one package per walk. Both walks were in the rolling hills of southern Michigan. The first was was 10 mile in a state park and the second walk was a loop of 10 miles through the Michigan country side. I felt this product wasn't to bad and tasted pretty good. I felt it was doing what is was supposed to do, at least for about 1.5 hours into a 3.5 hour walk. After that I had to drink more water to continue to feel refreshed. There is one issue that effects hikes that deal with carrying as light a load as possible. Each package weighs 2.12 oz. and if you wanted to make sure your electrolytes were maintained on a long hike you would have to carry multiple packages which would add to the weight they are carrying. Also with carrying so many packages they would have to hold onto the depleted packages if they are to follow the trace left behind except your foot print. Bottom line is that this product isn't to bad for those who enjoy short hikes and weren't concerned about the extra weight of the packages. The reason I gave it 3 stars is because of how long it lasted per package and if hiking long distances additional package would have to be carried which would add weight to an already heavy pack.
| Product Options | |
| Flavour | Watermelon |
GU Energy Chews, Watermelon / Single Packet
Delivery between 17–19 June $30.90
GU Chews Watermelon / 1 Chew
Delivery $15.00
GU Energy Chews Watermelon
Delivery $10
Gu Energy Chews Pouch
Delivery $20
GU Energy Chews 60 g / Watermelon
Delivery $9.95
I tried the Watermelon GU Energy Chews on (2) short runs and (1) long run and found them to be a good source of electrolytes that are easy to carry and consume before and during exercise.They have just the right amount of flavor without being overly sweet. They are easy to stuff into a pocket and consume while out on the trail. You can open the pouch and pop them into your mouth without getting any sticky residue on your hands. I found the texture to be chewy and satisfying without sticking to my teeth.On my (2) short runs of just an hour, I ate a package while warming up. A single package (about 8 chews) provided plenty of energy for runs of this duration without upsetting my stomach. I found that I prefer them much more than a pre-workout drink because they ... MoreI tried the Watermelon GU Energy Chews on (2) short runs and (1) long run and found them to be a good source of electrolytes that are easy to carry and consume before and during exercise.They have just the right amount of flavor without being overly sweet. They are easy to stuff into a pocket and consume while out on the trail. You can open the pouch and pop them into your mouth without getting any sticky residue on your hands. I found the texture to be chewy and satisfying without sticking to my teeth.On my (2) short runs of just an hour, I ate a package while warming up. A single package (about 8 chews) provided plenty of energy for runs of this duration without upsetting my stomach. I found that I prefer them much more than a pre-workout drink because they take much less space in my stomach and were very easy to snack on while warming up.On my longer run of about 2-1/2 hours I ate 1 package during my warmup as before and also brought a package to eat about 1/2 way through my run. I've learned that I tend to start fatiguing and can experience calf cramps after about 1-1/2 hours of trail running if I don't replenish my electrolytes after about 45 mins to an hour into my run. On this run I took a break at the top of a steep climb about 1/2 way thru my intended run. I ate a package of the Energy Chews and did a little stretching before continuing on back toward the trailhead. When I was about 2 miles from the trailhead I was surprised that I still lots of energy and my legs felt energized and strong. So, I took an offshoot loop trail that added another 3-4 miles to my run. I did notice during the last 1/2 mile climb to the trailhead that my energy was getting low. I think that for runs over 2 hours I would benefit by bringing (2) packets of the GU Energy Chews along with a water bottle to ensure my energy levels stayed up.I like the fact that the GU Energy Chews that I tried are caffeine free and provide plenty of electrolytes for short and longer runs without experiencing the wild up/down swings that you get from many sports drinks and other gels.
Background: I have been hiking/backpacking since the mid 1970s. I have settled on foods and timing of eating that work well for me for a variety of levels of exertion and different settings (elevation, weather). I use a variety of snacks while hiking, and when I need a quick boost - such as well into a long uphill slog, particularly at high elevation - I use products similar to the GU Energy Chews. I have found them to be very useful for this purpose.For a test run of the GU Energy Chews, which I had never used before, I did a day hike of about 8 miles and about 2,000 ft of vertical gain. It was a warm and humid day, too warm for my taste. Weather like that saps my energy. I broke out the GU chews near the end of the uphill portion of the hike, and they provided a ... MoreBackground: I have been hiking/backpacking since the mid 1970s. I have settled on foods and timing of eating that work well for me for a variety of levels of exertion and different settings (elevation, weather). I use a variety of snacks while hiking, and when I need a quick boost - such as well into a long uphill slog, particularly at high elevation - I use products similar to the GU Energy Chews. I have found them to be very useful for this purpose.For a test run of the GU Energy Chews, which I had never used before, I did a day hike of about 8 miles and about 2,000 ft of vertical gain. It was a warm and humid day, too warm for my taste. Weather like that saps my energy. I broke out the GU chews near the end of the uphill portion of the hike, and they provided a much needed energy boost. Mission accomplished.The chews I had were Orange flavored. I found the flavor to be good, though I might prefer a bit brighter orange. Just my personal preference. I did note some other subtle flavor profiles behind the orange. I have found this to be true of other similar products as well, likely due to some of the ingredients. Nothing bad, just there.The texture was of a soft chew - easy to chew and swallow. I found no grittiness or uneven texture to them. In this regard they are quite good.The bottom line is that I found them to be good, and serve their intended purpose well.Unfortunately, on the downhill part of the hike I took a hard fall and injured my knee, which prevented me from doing other hikes during the allotted product review time. If the GU Energy Chews had arrived just one week earlier I could have used them on a much bigger day hike (13.5 miles, 3,800 ft of vertical rise). They would have come in handy that day.
First of all I received this free product in exchange for my honest review. The product that I am reviewing is the Energy Chews orange flavor. This package contained 16 gummies and I was required to take 8 each of these gummies 5 minute before starting my hike and the second 8 each to be taken 45 minutes after the first chews. This would allow me to walk an estimated 45 minutes before I would have to open the second package. The chews had a soft texture that didn't change in the heat of the day making it easy to handle while hiking. When i started to chews them I noticed that it didn't stick to my natural and capped teeth which was nice. The orange flavor did not last long in a moist mouth but if my mouth was dry the flavor stayed around for about 1.5 hours or after ... MoreFirst of all I received this free product in exchange for my honest review. The product that I am reviewing is the Energy Chews orange flavor. This package contained 16 gummies and I was required to take 8 each of these gummies 5 minute before starting my hike and the second 8 each to be taken 45 minutes after the first chews. This would allow me to walk an estimated 45 minutes before I would have to open the second package. The chews had a soft texture that didn't change in the heat of the day making it easy to handle while hiking. When i started to chews them I noticed that it didn't stick to my natural and capped teeth which was nice. The orange flavor did not last long in a moist mouth but if my mouth was dry the flavor stayed around for about 1.5 hours or after I took a drink of water. These chews were also easy to chew and dissolve in my mouth which is great. this would allow this product to enter my blood stream sooner through the blood vessels in my mouth. The one thing I did notice was the stamina in my arms were improved and felt very comfortable but it only lasted for about 1.5 hours after I took the second 8. My hike was 10 miles long that lasted over 3.5 hours and I maintained a step rate of 3 mph. I did two walks which allowed to use one package per walk. Both walks were in the rolling hills of southern Michigan. The first was was 10 mile in a state park and the second walk was a loop of 10 miles through the Michigan country side. I felt this product wasn't to bad and tasted pretty good. I felt it was doing what is was supposed to do, at least for about 1.5 hours into a 3.5 hour walk. After that I had to drink more water to continue to feel refreshed. There is one issue that effects hikes that deal with carrying as light a load as possible. Each package weighs 2.12 oz. and if you wanted to make sure your electrolytes were maintained on a long hike you would have to carry multiple packages which would add to the weight they are carrying. Also with carrying so many packages they would have to hold onto the depleted packages if they are to follow the trace left behind except your foot print. Bottom line is that this product isn't to bad for those who enjoy short hikes and weren't concerned about the extra weight of the packages. The reason I gave it 3 stars is because of how long it lasted per package and if hiking long distances additional package would have to be carried which would add weight to an already heavy pack.
First, I received the Orange flavor and not Blueberry Pomegranate.Easy instructions: Take about 8 pieces 5 minutes before activity, take about 8 pieces at 45 minutes after activity start. One Package contains about 16 pieces.The chews came in the mail and hung out most of the day in a very hot cooking mailbox. A big take away is they did not melt or gel together in the package and now I would consider leaving one or two in my car as back-up.Taste and edibility was fantastic! The orange flavor was really good and did not taste fake or overpowered. I actually wanted to keep eating them beyond the suggested amount in the instructions, as in the whole package. They are easy to eat and the pieces were well sized to chew and also they melted enough to not get stuck ... MoreFirst, I received the Orange flavor and not Blueberry Pomegranate.Easy instructions: Take about 8 pieces 5 minutes before activity, take about 8 pieces at 45 minutes after activity start. One Package contains about 16 pieces.The chews came in the mail and hung out most of the day in a very hot cooking mailbox. A big take away is they did not melt or gel together in the package and now I would consider leaving one or two in my car as back-up.Taste and edibility was fantastic! The orange flavor was really good and did not taste fake or overpowered. I actually wanted to keep eating them beyond the suggested amount in the instructions, as in the whole package. They are easy to eat and the pieces were well sized to chew and also they melted enough to not get stuck in my teeth as some "gummy" style things can do.The energy came on fairly quickly in the first 15 mins and didn't feel a loss of energy in getting to the 45min mark for the recommended second helping. Also, the energy felt clean and natural as opposed to "juiced-up" or high adrenaline. It lasted for quite a while and never really noticed it tapering off. There was no hard ending or crash.A drawback is the packaging and trying to keep the 2nd helping intact or secured while doing an active activity. Once opened, use your own creativity to keep it closed for the next 50 minutes. If it was sealed across the middle into the two servings you could open either end and have the other side to open when needed.My test activity was a 4 hour round of golf in on a hot day. The chews definitely made a difference with endurance and I'd even say hydration. I'm ready to try other flavors.
First and foremost, I eat energy chews/gels/carb drinks when I must and not necessarily for the taste nor for the wonderful experience. I need my energy to be fast to eat and easily digestible when working hard. These perform well on both accounts. The texture is great. Most like gummy candy of all the “chews” out there of which some can be almost gritty and/or tough. The Gu’s are neither. They are soft and pliable. I’m not sure how this would effect their structure during extremely high temperatures but for a moderate eastern Washington spring excursion, they held up just fine. And they DON’T STICK TO YOUR TEETH! A wonderful advantage indeed. I loved the smaller blocks of the Gu’s. Their size made them very easy to eat on the run, something which I’ve had issues ... MoreFirst and foremost, I eat energy chews/gels/carb drinks when I must and not necessarily for the taste nor for the wonderful experience. I need my energy to be fast to eat and easily digestible when working hard. These perform well on both accounts. The texture is great. Most like gummy candy of all the “chews” out there of which some can be almost gritty and/or tough. The Gu’s are neither. They are soft and pliable. I’m not sure how this would effect their structure during extremely high temperatures but for a moderate eastern Washington spring excursion, they held up just fine. And they DON’T STICK TO YOUR TEETH! A wonderful advantage indeed. I loved the smaller blocks of the Gu’s. Their size made them very easy to eat on the run, something which I’ve had issues with before with the larger size of some other chews. I’m always biting the larger ones in half and then attempting to shove them back in the packaging so I can take a swig of water before trying to fish the other half back out when I’ve stopped huffing and puffing. It’s a scene for sure. But the small size of the Gu’s eliminate that side show. The flavor I tested, watermelon, didn’t have any caffeine which I normally tend to utilize in my energy food. Looks like the strawberry flavor has some, so I’ll definitely be trying that one next. Maybe the only knock against these is the packaging. There are eight blocks in each but the packaging, in my opinion, is overly large. I normally use gels and of course those are very small and compact, easy to slip into a back jersey pocket or bike top tube pack. Not that the packing is large by any means. But it I think the form fitting Clif Shot Bloks packaging would be, sorry for the pun, a better fit. Overall however these are great. And like I said, great flavor and especially texture in a small, easy to eat size.
I used this on two different 18 mile bike rides two days apart, taking the recommended dose 5 minutes before use and then while on the route at about 45 minutes as instructed, so each 1.5 hours I ate 16 chews. On the whole, it think its a very good great option for energy while biking. Tasted yummy. One GREAT benefit is that there is no niacin burn that some energy options have. These GU Chews seem to have a pretty wholesome content list, just sugars, a little oil and l-leucine (an amino acid)... not much else so it just breaks down evenly in your gut and didn't cause any intestinal issues or funny stomach or niacin burn as noted in some other energy bites and gels. It just felt clean. I hike and backpack a lot, but tend to not eat energy boosts but instead try to ... MoreI used this on two different 18 mile bike rides two days apart, taking the recommended dose 5 minutes before use and then while on the route at about 45 minutes as instructed, so each 1.5 hours I ate 16 chews. On the whole, it think its a very good great option for energy while biking. Tasted yummy. One GREAT benefit is that there is no niacin burn that some energy options have. These GU Chews seem to have a pretty wholesome content list, just sugars, a little oil and l-leucine (an amino acid)... not much else so it just breaks down evenly in your gut and didn't cause any intestinal issues or funny stomach or niacin burn as noted in some other energy bites and gels. It just felt clean. I hike and backpack a lot, but tend to not eat energy boosts but instead try to pace and plan my meals to allow me the food energy outlay needed, but often find myself needing energy, not protein, for a final push up a mountain or scramble... these would be a good option and will definitely consider carrying them, figuring about once a day, especially at the end of the day, I need a burst to push me through, or like when I am exhausted after a 10-mile hike with a backpack and the rain in coming and I have to quickly set up my tent... this would be a great option in that kind of moment. One design consideration: I would have preferred 4 sticks instead of 16 nuggets, since while biking it would have been easier to reach in and grab 2 sticks and not fiddle with my hand in my pocket as much.
While in general I prefer gel packs over chews—just personal preference because they’re quicker to ingest—I like these chews. The key ingredients (various sugars and sodium) are similar to competing products and they do a great job (along with water) supporting performance on long mountain bike rides.Among the positives:— They are soft and chew easily and don’t get stuck in my teeth, like some other brands do. I appreciate that very much. I even put them in the fridge for an hour and they were still easy to chew.— The taste (orange) was nice. But there was an odd aftertaste that lingered for a minute or more. It wasn’t bad, just surprising.— It’s marketed as vegan. Though not marketed as organic, some of the ingredients are organic.The only cons are ... MoreWhile in general I prefer gel packs over chews—just personal preference because they’re quicker to ingest—I like these chews. The key ingredients (various sugars and sodium) are similar to competing products and they do a great job (along with water) supporting performance on long mountain bike rides.Among the positives:— They are soft and chew easily and don’t get stuck in my teeth, like some other brands do. I appreciate that very much. I even put them in the fridge for an hour and they were still easy to chew.— The taste (orange) was nice. But there was an odd aftertaste that lingered for a minute or more. It wasn’t bad, just surprising.— It’s marketed as vegan. Though not marketed as organic, some of the ingredients are organic.The only cons are related to the fact that there are two servings per packet. I appreciate the presumably reduced amount of packaging, but I found it problematic for three reasons:— There are 16 pieces in the package, so 8 per serving. I lost count when I extracted and chewed them one-by-one (which, by the way, took more then 3 minutes total). I’d prefer 4 larger pieces (chewing two at a time took TK minutes total). This might seem a quibble, and some people might appreciate the flexibility of the small individual peices in order to spread carb intake out, but …— Fumbling with the small pieces and/or trying to count them while running is a challenge. Don’t even try it while riding.— After one serving, the bag (which does not reseal) has to be put away rather than just stuffing the wrapper somewhere. And on a workout in which I need only one serving total, I’m left with an open bag of sugary stuff that has to be stored somewhere.I don’t have an opinion on the performance value of the Gu chews versus other options, simply because there are too many variables involved (distance, effort, temperature, etc. etc.) to properly compare against other products, but the ingredients are comparable to similar, competing chews and gels, and in general I find these products vital on long rides.Bottom line: If these were packaged as single servings, I’d highly recommend them (assuming the price was competitive, and I did not do any price comparisons for this review). So if the double-serving aspect doesn’t bother you, great product.
I received Gu Energy Chews to try out and review. I read the package to see Gu’s recommendations, which are clearly written and seem geared to performance athletes. While I used to run marathons and do triathlons, I am not currently in training. So, my review will be more relevant to a middle aged guy doing middle aged things.I took the two packages I received with me on vacation where I intended to do some hiking in the mountains. On the way, my boat trailer broke. Twice. I was on the road far longer that day than intended, and had to keep going. Coffee, then cola, had worn off. My wife pulled out the Gu Chews and opened the package. I ate about 8 chews, loosely following the recommendation on the package. First impression, the taste was really quite good. The ... MoreI received Gu Energy Chews to try out and review. I read the package to see Gu’s recommendations, which are clearly written and seem geared to performance athletes. While I used to run marathons and do triathlons, I am not currently in training. So, my review will be more relevant to a middle aged guy doing middle aged things.I took the two packages I received with me on vacation where I intended to do some hiking in the mountains. On the way, my boat trailer broke. Twice. I was on the road far longer that day than intended, and had to keep going. Coffee, then cola, had worn off. My wife pulled out the Gu Chews and opened the package. I ate about 8 chews, loosely following the recommendation on the package. First impression, the taste was really quite good. The orange flavor had the right balance of sweet and bitter. While it didn’t fool me into thinking I was eating an actual piece of fruit, I found the flavor pleasing and the consistency of the gel not too soft or firm. It was refreshing in my mouth, and almost juicy, which isn’t always true of other chews and replenishment “foods”. Within a few minutes, I started perking up and feeling less drowsy at the wheel. My focus improved and so did my mood, all without the dash, crash and burn of caffeine drinks. The next two hours of my drive were much less desperate feeling than it would have been. I sporadically ate a few more chews, 2 at a time, about every 20 minutes. My wife and 12 year old son ate a few too and had positive things to say about the flavor, although they didn’t eat enough to feel any meaningful effect.During my trip I went hiking and brought the second bag of chews in my pack. It was a gentle hike in terms of the terrain and trail, but a hike nonetheless. In the last few miles, I ate 8 chews in succession, and within minutes felt a noticeable spring had returned to my step. Friends tried them and felt refreshed as well.I definitely liked eating the Gu Energy Chews. I didn’t feel like I was choking them down just to get the effect. I found the “performance enhancement” I gained was what I needed for my task at hand. I am still an open-water distance swimmer, and I’m just getting back into my season, so I intend to buy more of these chews to try out on a swim. I’m pretty certain, based on my experience, I’ll get a lift in my stroke. I’ll update this review if I find it’s any different.
Overall, these are good chews. Typically I use chews are part of marathon training or during multi-day backpacking. I did not have any of these planned right now, so I tested them during longer day hikes and bike rides. I have used other brands extensively, but I had not tried the Gu Chews before. The taste of the chews was quite good, but I would not have guessed they were watermelon flavored if it was not printed on the packaging – it tasted more like a generic fruit flavor. The biggest benefit was that they dissolved much easier than the chews I typically use. When running a race, I generally try to take chews a couple of minutes before a water stop, so I can try to wash them down a little with water, but I am still often picking them out of teeth for a bit after ... MoreOverall, these are good chews. Typically I use chews are part of marathon training or during multi-day backpacking. I did not have any of these planned right now, so I tested them during longer day hikes and bike rides. I have used other brands extensively, but I had not tried the Gu Chews before. The taste of the chews was quite good, but I would not have guessed they were watermelon flavored if it was not printed on the packaging – it tasted more like a generic fruit flavor. The biggest benefit was that they dissolved much easier than the chews I typically use. When running a race, I generally try to take chews a couple of minutes before a water stop, so I can try to wash them down a little with water, but I am still often picking them out of teeth for a bit after the water station. For the Gu Chews, I think I could take these even without water during a race, and the amount left on my teeth was minimal. I was not racing, so I cannot compare the calorie kick that I normally feel from other chews, but I assume that it would be the same for the same caloric intake of Gu Chews. On the negative side, it takes 8 of these chews to have a similar caloric intake as 3 other the others. The weight of the 8 is similar to that of the 3, but it is a little more to manage. However, this does lead to more packaging, and there is a little more to store. I was part of a free trial for the Gu Chews, but I did see that the normal cost of the 8 Gu Chews (90 calories) was the same as 6 of the other brand (200 calories). Ultimately, I take these for the calories and electrolytes, so the unit cost of this product is higher. Overall, these are very good chews. The ability to easily dissolve is a big advantage, and they tasted good. However, I would need weigh these benefits verses the overall unit cost, and the need to carry extra packaging to see which I use in the future. I would recommend these as I option to friends, and let them decide if the benefits are worth a little higher cost or not.
I used these Watermelon chews for energy on a weighted training hike. Normally I use Pro Bars and homemade trail mix but wanted to see how a smaller, easier to use alternative worked. Follow the directions on the package and you will get the results promised. These chews will not give you a "sugar rush" of energy but will provide a good bit of sustainable energy between meals and more substantial snacks. Another thing I liked was the taste, normally I avoid sugary snacks because I just don't like the super sweet taste. The watermelon flavor and sweetness were there but more subtle than other brands I have tried.While trying these out I made two 6 mile hikes with a 520' elevation gain each over the same route carrying a weighed 49 pound pack on consecutive days. ... MoreI used these Watermelon chews for energy on a weighted training hike. Normally I use Pro Bars and homemade trail mix but wanted to see how a smaller, easier to use alternative worked. Follow the directions on the package and you will get the results promised. These chews will not give you a "sugar rush" of energy but will provide a good bit of sustainable energy between meals and more substantial snacks. Another thing I liked was the taste, normally I avoid sugary snacks because I just don't like the super sweet taste. The watermelon flavor and sweetness were there but more subtle than other brands I have tried.While trying these out I made two 6 mile hikes with a 520' elevation gain each over the same route carrying a weighed 49 pound pack on consecutive days. The first day I used the GU energy chews, the second day standard sour gummies from the grocery store. This is subjective but I observed that the GU Energy Chews kept my energy level more consistent and they definitely tasted less sugary. I prefer to mix my snacks though and will use these in the future as part of my trail mix. In my opinion mixing these little watermelon nuggets into my trail mix will give a little more energy and a nice bit of sweetness as well. I really liked this product.
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| Flavour | Watermelon |
