Quick Product Review: GU Energy Flask and big bags of gel

GU Energy Flask with a couple 15-serving pouches

One of the things I learned last year while growing in this running hobby (lifestyle?) was all about fueling myself during long runs. As I delved into how to complete runs that lasted well over an hour I was introduced to a variety of quick to ingest "foods" that were meant specifically to help runners. Since then, I have pretty much settled on using GU Energy Gels for fuel during long runs (although the oranges that were available at one aide station during the Rocket City Marathon were absolutely delicious and hit the spot). I imagine there are a lot of other people out there using GU gels and they seem to be popular with race organizers who provide the packets at aid stations.

As I am prepping for an upcoming marathon, I recently found myself running low once again on gel packets. In the past, I've ordered boxes of the packets direct from GU. This time around though I decided to try something a little bit different as GU has introduced new 15-serving pouches of their gel. These do require something to hold a smaller amount while running though (I suppose one could carry a whole 15-serving bag) and for that, they have a new GU Energy Flask. After receiving them last week, I did give them a try during my final long run this past Sunday (really it was too short for fuel to be used at only 10.0 miles, but I did not want the marathon to be the first time I used the new flask). Read on for my thoughts.

Filling the Energy Flask with some gel

As you may be able to tell from the pictures, the Energy Flask is basically a small tube made out of a rubbery material. It is marked for up to 5 servings of gel. The top screws on and off and then has a twist-top type opening. Besides enabling the use of the big 15-serving bags of gel to fill up the flask, using the Energy Flask means not having to deal with the waste from the individual packets. I always ended up sticking those in my pocket until I finished my run even though that likely meant some sticky residue on my fingers and on anything I might have in the pocket. For longer races, like a marathon, this also meant trying to figure out how to carry several of the packets - the pouch on my belt can only hold three and if I do that I have to put the other stuff from the pouch in my pocket. GU also notes that the twist top makes it a little easier to get the gel out without making a mess from trying to squeeze the gel out of a packet. I would also note that, while there is an initial upfront investment, the cost per serving for the 15-serving pouches is lower than individual packets.

Filling up the Energy Flask involves taking one of the big bags of gel and squeezing out the gel into the flask. The gel comes out easy enough it seems, but it still seemed like a bit of a struggle to me. The other problem I ran into is that since the gel is a little bit thick, it can be difficult to figure out just how many servings you have squeezed into the flask. I think for the marathon, one way I may get around having to estimate is to use my food scale to weigh how much gel I put in the flask. Admittedly, I may be overdoing my preciseness just a bit.

Filled and ready to hit the road. Is it 2 servings? 3 servings?

Out on the road, I found the flask easy to use and it definitely cut down on the problems with trash and stickiness that crop up with the individual packets. I did figure out a couple things though, so I'll call these "pro tips" (though I am not a pro, it sounds catchy):

• Pro-tip #1: put the flask in your pocket, pouch or whatever with the nozzle end pointing down so the gel will settle at the opening end making it easier to get out

• Pro-tip #2: you can suck on the flask to pull the gel out instead of having to squeeze it and this seemed to work quite well

One final issue I'll mention as a potential con regarding the flask and this is certainly a personal thing, but using the flask means you can only have one flavor at a time. I'll live with that but I will miss taking a variety of flavors with me.

Overall, I am very pleased with the Energy Flask and the 15-serving gel packets. Despite the challenge of accurately measuring how much is going in, the flask was easy to fill and the price break on the bigger bags is nice. During the run, the flask was easy to use and it was nice to not have to deal with the leftover packets. Even cleanup was easy - just fill the flask with some water, shake it around, and the leftover gel pretty much liquefies and pours out.

If you have seen the new flask and bigger bags and wondered whether they work as described and are worth ordering, the answer for me was yes and I think you will not be disappointed.