Which energy gel is right for you? The market is packed with options – from budget supermarket gels to technically sophisticated hydrogel products at eye-watering prices per box. We take a look at four of the most well-known products: SiS, Maurten, GU – and Chumy as a self-mix alternative.

Disclosure: This comparison comes from the Chumy team. We aim to compare as objectively as possible – but as a manufacturer, we can't claim complete neutrality.

Spoiler: there's no objectively "best" gel. But there is the right one for your situation.

The Four Contenders

SiS (Science in Sport) GO Isotonic Gel

The British brand SiS is best known for its isotonic gel that can be taken without chasing with water. A clear pitch for athletes who don't want to fumble with a bidon at the same time. Wide flavor range, widely available.

Maurten Gel 100 / Gel 100 CAF

Sweden's Maurten is built around hydrogel technology: a gel that forms a hydrophilic polymer network in the stomach, intended to make it easier to absorb. Clean ingredients, no artificial flavors or colors. Clearly positioned for competitive and elite sport – and priced accordingly.

GU Energy Gel

GU from the US is one of the oldest and best-known brands in the space. Wide flavor choice, options with and without caffeine, various specialist products. Traditional gel format, classic single-serve pouches.

Chumy Energy Gel-Mix

Chumy takes a different approach: not a pre-packaged single-serve gel, but a powder concentrate you mix yourself. You decide the carb amount, consistency and flavor – in a reusable soft flask, with no single-use plastic.

The Comparison: What Actually Matters?

Price per Portion

Prices are approximate market averages and vary by retailer and quantity.

Packaging and Sustainability

At around 200–250 gel wrappers per season (based on typical training volumes), that's roughly 1 kg of plastic waste – just from gels. Chumy eliminates this entirely.

Flavor and Choice

Maurten deliberately keeps flavors minimal. SiS and GU offer broad choice, but you're limited to what the brand offers. With Chumy, you mix the flavor yourself.

Carbohydrates and Composition

All four products use glucose/maltodextrin-fructose combinations for optimal absorption. The differences are in the details:

• SiS: ~22 g carbs per gel, isotonic formula (no water chase needed)
• GU: ~22 g carbs per gel, amino acid additions depending on flavor
• Maurten: ~25 g carbs, hydrogel technology, 2:1 maltodextrin/fructose ratio
• Chumy: Fully individual – you choose how many grams you mix.

Practicality in Training and Racing

This is where pre-packaged gels have a genuine edge: tearing open and swallowing is faster than mixing. At race aid stations handing out gel pouches, SiS/GU/Maurten are immediately usable.

Chumy is designed for preparation – you mix your soft flask before the start. On the course you then have the same or better convenience.

Who Is Each Gel Right For?

SiS GO Isotonic: Good choice if you don't want to chase with water and value proven formulas. Wide availability.

Maurten: Right for anyone who wants clean ingredients and maximum stomach comfort. Very clean ingredient list, ideal for sensitive stomachs.

GU: Classic, proven, many flavors. A good starting point for newcomers or anyone who likes caffeine options.

Chumy: The right choice if you train regularly and often, want to control your own carb intake, don't want single-use plastic, and appreciate fair pricing. Not ideal for spontaneous grab-and-go fueling at a race aid station – but perfect for any planned session.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gel Comparisons

Is Maurten really better on the stomach than other gels? The hydrogel technology has scientific foundations and many athletes report genuine stomach comfort. Studies are mostly smaller-scale investigations – anyone with a sensitive stomach should test different products in training before committing to one.

Can I use Chumy in a race? Yes. You mix your soft flask before the start, and on the course it works just like a pre-packaged gel – without the empty wrappers. At aid stations that offer water, you can even top up.

What about caffeine? Check chumy.world for current product info – the range is expanding.

Should I use a different gel in races than in training? General rule: only use products in a race that you've tested and tolerated in training. You don't try something new for the first time at kilometre 20.

The Bottom Line: No Single Winner, But a Clear Pattern

All four products deliver on their promises. The difference is in priorities:

• Clean ingredients and stomach comfort: Maurten
• Proven, practical, wide choice: SiS or GU
• Control, sustainability, fair price: Chumy

If you train regularly and know how much you need per session – self-mixing is the cheapest, most sustainable, and most individual solution.

Try Chumy Gel-Mix →

Less waste, more taste. – Chumy