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Running

Running Fuel & Nutrition

Gels, drink mixes, chews and electrolytes — sports-product decision content based on label data, not medical advice.

38 products in current catalog8 shoe typesUpdated Sept 2026

All Nutrition & Fuel

Filterable catalog · 38 products

2 matches

Shop by goal

Prefilter the catalog by how you train.

Gels, chews or drink mix?

Use the Running Fuel Finder

Match distance, format preference and caffeine — then verify carbs per serving on the product page.

How to choose

Decision guide

Gels, chews, drink mixes and electrolytes for training and racing — product decisions from labels and gut practice, not medical advice.

Product types

  • Energy gels. Portable carbs; caffeine variants for late race.
  • Chews / bars. Chewable carbs when gels feel monotonous.
  • Carb drink mixes. Bottle/flask fuel for higher carb targets.
  • Electrolytes. Sodium/fluid support — not a carb substitute.

What matters

  • Carbs per serving you can actually stomach
  • Caffeine preference (and bedtime races)
  • Format you’ll carry (gel vs flask mix)
  • Practice in training before race day

Specs that matter

  • Carbs / serving. Match fuel plan math, not brand stories.
  • Caffeine mg. Late-race kick vs sleep and anxiety trade-off.
  • Sodium. Relevant in heat/sweat — not a cure-all.

Common trade-offs

  • High carb densityGut comfort. Aggressive mixes need longer gut training.
  • Caffeinated gelsEven energy. Caffeine helps some races and wrecks others.

When use case changes the choice

  • Runs under ~75 min. Water often enough unless you prefer carbs.
  • Marathon / long. Rehearse timing and texture on long runs.
  • Ultra. Mix formats; plan savoury/real food alongside gels.

Beginner start

For long runs over ~90 minutes, trial one gel or drink mix brand in training. Never debut a new caffeine gel on race day.

Comparisons: Compare similar formats (gel vs gel) on carbs, caffeine and texture — not gel vs jacket.

More decision factors

Decision factors — deeper detail lives in buying guides.

1. Practice in training

Format, carbs per serving and caffeine preference matter more than brand hype — trial fuel before race day.

Learn more →

2. Carbs vs electrolytes

Electrolyte tabs are not a carb plan. Match gels/mixes to distance fuel math.

Learn more →

3. Evidence honesty

Kitletics compares sports products from labels and use-case fit — not medical nutrition advice.

Learn more →

Terminology

Quick definitions that make filters easier to use.

Carbs per serving+

Label carbohydrate grams in one gel/scoop — the number your fuel plan should use.

Isotonic gel+

Formulated to need less water than traditional gels — still practise gut tolerance.

Electrolyte+

Sodium and related minerals for fluid balance — not a replacement for carbohydrate fuel.

Nutrition & Fuel: Compare & Find the Right Gear · Kitletics