UnTapped pure maple syrup is 100% pure Vermont Maple syrup, plain and simple. Seriously, there are literally no other ingredients in here. UnTapped is made from Slopeside Syrup, a family-run company out of Richmond, Vermont. The Cochrans, makers of Slopeside and all former ski racers, teamed up with professional cyclist, Ted King, to offer something unique to the sports nutrition world.  Who would have thought that the delicious condiment that you lather on your pancakes and waffles could be a viable form of energy for endurance sports? 

UnTapped is made by boiling maple sap directly from the tree and putting it straight into the package. Since it is unprocessed, you get all of the naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, amino acids, and antioxidants this plant-based product has to offer. Not to mention, these are USDA certified organic, so you know it’s some clean burning fuel you can feel good about.

How We Use It

We love this product for some quick, cleaning burning energy pre, during, or post workout. Since it is pure maple syrup, we like to get creative and put it on our pancakes or in our coffee to get those fast absorbing carbohydrates when we need them. Need some caffeine? Try the coffee flavor! It combines maple syrup with organic coffee to pack an energy boosting punch on the days you need it the most.

GU Energy Gels have been a staple of fueling for endurance sports for the past 20 years. Created for daily training and competition, GU Energy Gel provides energy-dense calories in a portable packet to help sustain energy demands of any duration or activity. The 100-calorie packet contains carbohydrates (maltodextrin and fructose) that use non-competing pathways to help maximize carbohydrate absorption while diminishing stomach distress. Sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, aids in hydration by maintaining water balance and optimizing nutrient delivery. The branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, isoleucine) may reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. It is important to remember to always drink water when taking these gels, since water is used in the digestion process. Some flavors of these gels also contain caffeine to increase mental focus and decrease fatigue.

GU energy gels come in a wide variety of unique flavors so you’re sure to find one you like. Some of the Gu flavors have more caffeine than others. Caramel Macchiato, Espresso Love, and Jet Blackberry all have 40mg caffeine, while all other flavors marked with caffeine have 20mg. Peanut Butter, Strawberry Banana, Lemon Sublime, and Big Apple are the only flavors without any caffeine.

The Feed’s Fave: Vanilla Bean

How We Use It

Take one gel with 8 oz. of water 30-60 minutes before a training session or competition. Take one additional gel every hour of exercise, especially for training or competition lasting longer than 2 hours. As mentioned above, be sure to drink water with the gel to optimize its fuel delivery and prevent dehydration. Try these out in training first to see how your body responds to them before using them in competition.

Clif Bloks have been around since 2005, so we know they are a trusted and popular Clif product. These chews combine multiple sources of fast-absorbing carbohydrates, allowing them be used quickly and efficiently for fuel. They also changed the energy chew game when they first came on the scene by adding electrolytes to help replenish what you lose when you sweat and allow for optimal hydration and fuel delivery.

We love Clif Bloks because each cube is measured to deliver a precise amount of calories, carbohydrates, and electrolytes so you know exactly how much you’re getting. Each blok as 33 calories and 8 grams of carbs, making it easy to adjust your intake to fit your personal nutrition needs. This makes it easier to know how many tubes you need to take with you for that long ride! Not to mention, the sleek and portable packaging make them easy to carry in a jersey pocket for a mid-workout energy boost. 

Black cherry, orange, and tropical punch contain caffeine for an added performance boost. Salted watermelon and margarita flavors contain double the sodium for those who are heavy sweaters or when you need more on a hot/humid day. Be sure to consume these chews with plenty of fluids, the technology of the Clif Bloks work best with adequate hydration.

The Feed’s Faves: Tropical Punch or Mountain Berry

How We Use It

One serving is three blocks, or half of a tube. During your workouts lasting longer than an hour, we suggest eating 2-3 blocks every 20-30 minutes. If you tend to have stomach issues with chews, eating less than 3 blocks at a time may be more manageable. The key is once you begin eating blocks, or any fast-acting energy, you need to continue consuming them throughout your workout. The sleek packaging makes them easy to slip into your jersey pocket and eat them on the go!

The Hammer Nutrition Bar provides your body with some of the highest quality food you can consume, supplying complex carbohydrates, high-quality vegetable protein, healthy fats, phytonutrients, and enzymes. The Hammer Nutrition Bar has 10 grams of plant-based protein that has an alkalizing effect which reduces the acidity in your body, helping improve endurance and reduce joint and muscle soreness. There is no refined sugar or trans fat, just essential fatty acids necessary for overall health. Whether using the Hammer Nutrition Bar to help fuel your long distance workouts and races or as a meal replacement, you can be assured that you're giving your body the very best nutrition possible.

Feed's Fave: Oatmeal Apple

How We Use

Use pre-workout or during long endurance events. Can also be used as a meal replacement.

First Endurance EFS Drink Mix is light and easy to digest, and we find you can drink it again and again without getting sick of it, or having stomach issues. It provides the ideal blend of carbohydrates, amino acids, antioxidants, and electrolytes to fuel your working muscles and improve your endurance capacity during exercise. This drink mix uses a combination of glucose and sucrose, which helps increase absorption and utilization during exercise. Not to mention, it’s a 7% carbohydrate solution so it’s low concentration enough to reduce risk of stomach issues.

EFS Drink Mix also uses patented sources of calcium and magnesium, both of which are critical for proper muscle contraction and to neutralize stomach acid and reduce gastric distress. EFS Drink Mix is also unique in that it contains Malic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in many fruits, especially apples and pears. Research suggests that it may help boost performance by promoting energy production and fighting fatigue.

EFS is the solution to cramping. Using the latest amino acid technology, superior mineral bioavailability, and the addition of Malic acid, EFS drinks refuel and rehydrate better than ever before. It has a unique Total Electrolyte Blend that provides the highest electrolyte content available (1160mg of all 5 essential electrolytes per serving), so you won’t need to add anything else to this mix. It is made with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors and is 100% vegan.

Feed’s Fave: Orange

How We Use It

We use this product during workouts and competition to keep our bodies hydrated with all the nutrients necessary for optimum performance. We recommend consuming one serving per half-hour of intense training.

With so many bars on the market, it's hard to know what to choose. But, if you're looking for a bar that contains no added sugar and minimal, whole food ingredients, then we highly recommend RXBAR! These bars are made with a few simple ingredients to give you a well-balanced snack wherever you are. Made using egg whites, nuts, dates for sweetness, and other natural flavors, RXBAR's supply a healthy amount of fats, carbohydrates, fiber, and natural sugars to keep you fueled.

Each bar contains 12 grams of high quality protein, making them great for a post-workout treat or mid-day boost. These bars are easy to digest, contain no gluten, GMO's, soy or dairy.  RXBAR has quickly become one of our faves, and we think you'll love it too!

Feed's Fave: Coconut Cacao but the Maple Sea Salt is unreal!  And you know what...all of them are phenomenal.

How We Use It

These bars make a great option for those long rides or ultra-running adventures. We like to keep these in our jersey pocket if we need a source of substantial nutrition mid-ride. These are also great for keeping in your gym bag, backpack, or desk drawer so that you always have a high quality snack on hand when hunger strikes!

The ProBar Bolt Chew is gluten free, dairy free and organic. Each chew is bite-sized and has a great blend of electrolytes, complex carbohydrates and B-vitamins to ensure you get the nutrition you need during exercise. The flavor is subtle and slightly tart. They also have a consistency more akin to fruit snacks. They are easy to consume on rides and give the perfect hit of energy when you need it.

It is important to remember to consume water with these chews when using them during exercise.

The Feed’s Fave: Berry Blast

How We Use It

We use these chews right before exercise or during medium-high intensity exercise. If we're feeling extra tired, we opt for the Berry Blast of Raspberry flavors which contain caffeine from yerba mate. Wash these bad boys down with a little water and receive that perfect hit of energy. 

Fuel for Fire is a pre-made smoothie in a convenient, re-sealable squeeze pack that is a great option for well-balanced on the go nutrition. Each pack contains pureed fruits and high quality protein, making it a nutritious source of fuel for any time of day. Each pack contains 10 grams of protein and high quality carbs from good ‘ol natural fruit. It’s a great tasting and ridiculously nutritious way to nutritious, real food, on-the-go.

Some flavors contain whey protein while others contain plant based protein. All flavors are made without added sugars and are gluten free, so these make a great option to fit most dietary needs. These smoothies do not require refrigeration, so you can keep them with you wherever you are. Whether you're looking for some easy to digest fuel for a long ride, an easy grab and go breakfast, or a post-workout recovery smoothie without all of the hassle, we think you'll love Fuel for Fire!

Feed's Fave: Banana Cocoa

How We Use It

Have one pack every couple of hours during long, sustained efforts (like Gran Fondos, Ultras, or Ironmans), carry one with you in your gym bag for a post workout recovery snack, or keep these in your desk drawer for a mid day pick me up. Also a great option for those who need a quick breakfast on their way out the door!