Best Ectocooler-Like Gel

I’m not lying when I tell you that I have one of these pouches every single day of my life. It is true that I run pretty much every day, and that means I need fuel. Protein coffee is one of my fave pre-run boosts or post-run pick-me-ups. Seemingly everyone is on the proffee trend right now, and it’s for a good reason. This stuff is tasty as heck, gives you a boost, and packs 20 grams of protein into 120 calories.

I may have just teared up a bit at this sale. It might be the deal, it might be the citric acid. Either way, I’m amped. Nothing wakes you up at mile “Why am I doing this?” like biting the head off of a sour, child-shaped gummy.

If you’re a millennial and have ever had the joy of an Ectocooler juice box, you know what this tastes like. I swear, it’s the most edible gel out there other than honey or fig paste. It’s inoffensive and it really works.

These are great for everyone, but ladies, can I level with you? You know when you’re PMSing and you still need to train? That’s when I use these. They contain magnesium, which has been shown to help Races - Places. For guys: It’s also good for recovery and digestion. (Don’t worry, there’s not enough to have you embarrassing yourself on your run, and also it doesn’t work that fast.) For everyone? There is a bevy of electrolytes, and it tastes really great.

A true multipurpose queen, I have these in my SpiBelt, my pocketbook, my desk at work, my pantry, and various other places about my home and person. They’re just enough sugar to keep you going, and they taste divine.

Gluten-free, organic, and not a goopy gel? Sign us up! These are fab-tasting, give you a great boost thanks to a little hit of caffeine, and they taste like cherry chewy candies that rhyme with Molly Fanchers.

These are fun and tasty! Remember the Firecracker/Bomb/Astro pops of childhood? These taste just like it. I am not kidding. They’re even better when your sporting 14-year old allows you to get some before she steals them all.

We love a running fuel that doesn't slide down your throat and taste like a mistake. Bloks are brilliant. They're not hard to chew, so you don't need to slow down to a crawl to eat them. They give you sugar and caffeine, and they taste vaguely of other square chewy candies.

Love honey but need a bit of salt to power you, and you're not keen on biting off the top of a honey stick? We got you. These are a delight. Truly. I really love the flavor of these. It's like salted caramel, but make it honey! Plus, they tear off easily, and that's a huge bonus.

I have been drinking these the past few days in the unholy heat of New York City, and at first I was dubious. A hydration powder designed by Chef Thomas Keller (chef is capitalized because he's super fancy)? I mean, a gimmick, right?

Actually no, these are lovely. I've been mixing it with plain seltzer and calling it a postrun mocktail.

These are a favorite amongst the running club I sometimes run with. When they went on sale last night, my group chat blew up. It's described as "like mango nectar, but doesn't smell as strong." Honestly, when you're running? That's a great thing.

These got me through my last marathon AND through the novel coronavirus. Thanks, DripDrop—really pulling twice your weight there. The pineapple is the superior flavor, but all are good.

This is my favorite caffeine-free protein powder and the one I mix up with Greek yogurt to make my fake cheesecake when I can’t even dream of eating one more chicken breast or slice of meat. It tastes very much like Reese’s, and truth be told, it would probably be good mixed with iced coffee, too. 25 grams of protein for 140 calories makes it easy to fit into your macros.

My OG BFF electrolytes! Nuun is a stalwart member of the running community, powering scores of runners for longer than most in the powdered game. From the satisfying “clink” it makes in your water bottle, to the refreshing fizzle on your tongue, you just can’t go wrong with Nuun.