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Energy Food and Drink

You're going to need adequate fuel and hydration for your running and trail adventures. Here you can find the best-rated energy gels, chews, and bars, plus electrolyte, hydration, and recovery drinks in enough flavors and forms to please any palette (just be sure to give any a trial run before that big race).

Want more food for longer outdoor adventures? Check out our full independent reviews and ratings of trail and backcountry food and drink, including meals, desserts, coffee, and more.

The best energy food and drink, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on November 16, 2023. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Honey Stinger Mini Waffles Nutrition Bar
$6 - $8
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (4)
Honey Stinger Energy Waffle Nutrition Bar
$1 - $21
user rating: 5 of 5 (2)
Nuun Active Hydration Tablets Drink
$7 - $59
user rating: 5 of 5 (4)
Clif Chocolate Brownie Bar Nutrition Bar
$2
user rating: 5 of 5 (2)
Skratch Labs Energy Bar Sport Fuel Nutrition Bar
$3 - $29
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
UnTapped Gels Gel/Chew
$2 - $36
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
ProBar Bolt Energy Chews Gel/Chew
$2 - $29
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Kate's Real Food Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Tram Bar Nutrition Bar
$3
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (2)
Vitalyte Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix Drink
$1 - $23
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (3)
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews Gel/Chew
$2 - $29
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
ProBar Meal Bar Nutrition Bar
$3 - $299
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Clif White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Nutrition Bar
$2
user rating: 4 of 5 (4)
Clif Shot Gel/Chew
$2 - $30
user rating: 4 of 5 (2)
Clif Shot Bloks Gel/Chew
$3 - $52
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Exo Cricket Energy Bar Nutrition Bar
$30
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Clif Nut Butter Filled Bar Nutrition Bar
$2 - $29
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Clif Bar Nutrition Bar
$1 - $169
user rating: 4 of 5 (2)
GU Energy Gel Gel/Chew
$1 - $120
user rating: 3.5 of 5 (1)
GU Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel Gel/Chew
$3 - $100
user rating: 3.5 of 5 (2)
Gatorade Propel Powder Pack Drink
$12
Tailwind Rebuild Drink
$3
user rating: 3 of 5 (1)
Kind Blueberry Almond Breakfast Bar Nutrition Bar
$28
user rating: 3 of 5 (1)
GU Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Drink Drink
$3 - $128
user rating: 2.5 of 5 (1)
Clif Blueberry Crisp Bar Nutrition Bar
$2
Kate's Real Food Dark Chocolate Cherry & Almond Handle Bar Nutrition Bar
$3
user rating: 5 of 5 (3)
Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix Drink
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (2)
A3 Honey Graham S'mores Bar Nutrition Bar
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Salazon Chocolate Organic Dark Chocolate with Natural Sea Salt Nutrition Bar
$3 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Salazon Chocolate Organic Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Organic Turbinado Cane Sugar Nutrition Bar
$3 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Omnibar Energy Bar Nutrition Bar
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Clif Gary's Panforte Nutrition Bar
$1 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (4)
Kind Fruit & Nut Bar Nutrition Bar
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Kind Nuts & Spices Bar Nutrition Bar
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Alacer Emergen-C Drink
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem Drink
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Nestle NIDO Dry Whole Milk Drink
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Larabar Apple Pie Nutrition Bar
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Huma Chia Energy Gel Gel/Chew
$2 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Mariani Cranberry Honeybar Nutrition Bar
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Hotshot Sports Shot Drink
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon 500ml Drink
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Zipfizz Drink
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Epic Bar Nutrition Bar
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Salazon Chocolate Organic Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Organic Cracked Black Pepper Nutrition Bar
$3 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Honey Stinger Cracker Bar with Protein Nutrition Bar
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Clif Organic Energy Food Gel/Chew
$3 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Clif Kit's Organic Fruit & Nut Nutrition Bar
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
ProBar Old School PB&J Bar Nutrition Bar
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Recent Food/Drink Reviews

rated 5 of 5 stars
ProBar Meal Bar

Honestly Amazing gluten-free (GF) Bar     I have to eat gluten-free. Gluten will kill me and almost did.  I have been looking for a long shelf life food bar that is gluten-free and there are so few to choose from. This bar does not have an overly long shelf life but it is longer than average. I have avoided trying this bar because of its price. It is spendy as bars go. The other day though I was in the store and needed something to eat before I got home. This was on the shelf so I decided it… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
The Crafty Weka Bar The Original

A tasty go-to for a long lasting energy boost that falls nicely on the stomach. I have been searching for an energy snack bar that doesn't trigger my IBS and this is the only one that works for me.  It is tasty and dense so you are chewing for a bit but the flavor is nice and refreshingly honest.  I usually eat half a bar at lunch time  (1 p.m.) and feel the results relatively quickly and it lasts until I get home (6 p.m.) for dinner.  I do recommend you try it if you are dealing with stomach… Full review

rated 1 of 5 stars
Larabar Cashew Cookie

I’m trying to find delicious treats for my daughter that has recently been diagnosed with an over abundance of allergies including gluten, dairy, various nuts, oats , coconut etc. I tried this and did not like the texture or taste. This is not crunchy or delicious in my opinion . Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Skratch Labs Energy Bar Sport Fuel

LOVE this bar! Easy to digest and yummy! Peanut Butter and Strawberries ***** Peanut Butter and Chocolate ***** Raspberries and Lemon *** Chocolate Chips and Almonds **** Cherries and Pistachios **** These energy bars are perfect for any hike. They pack well, they taste scrumptious, and pack a lot of nutrients for a yummy bar.  Averaging 5 grams of protein, 30-35 carbs, and 13 grams of fat, these bars will give you enough energy to get your morning started and stay satiated until lunch! Full review

rated 3 of 5 stars
Kind Blueberry Almond Breakfast Bar

They are decent, but I prefer a Clif Bar for the taste and durability. They make good granola though! I've eaten at least 20 of these bars over the years, so I felt like it would be a good idea to review them. This is a pretty simple granola bar that has above average nutrition value per oz, so-so taste (in my opinion), and is competitively priced. Taste:Not great, not terrible; sort of like dried blueberries This bar tasted OK, and I've eaten many of them. I'd rather have a Clif Bar, Honey Stinger… Full review

rated 3.5 of 5 stars
Gatorade Propel Powder Pack

I love this product, however many times I open packets that are completely empty OR hard as a rock with unusable product. I've written to Gatorade and enclosed samples of both issues and the boxes they were in to show serial number etc, but not one person has taken the initiative towards good customer service or replied in any way. Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate

Gnarly Nutrition's Hydrate solutions is the perfect companion for outdoor athletes. It's designed with electrolytes and B vitamins to support hydration and energy. Athletes have been known to sweat anywhere between 0.8 and 1.4 liters per hour. The exertion and physical activity stresses the body out, ultimately building strength and endurance. But it's very easy to become dehydrated if you're not careful to replenish the fluids that you lose during each activity. Gnarly Nutrition's Hydrate mix is… Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Kate's Real Food Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Tram Bar

Kate's Real Food bars are among my favorite bars and the Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Tram Bar is the original. The bars come in eight tasty flavors—from classic combos like peanut butter and chocolate to lemon coconut and ginger—with clever names. The bars are made with organic, whole food ingredients, and are a standard size—easy to stow away in a backpack or pocket for snack time outdoors. I eat them skiing, hiking, and camping year-round.   Kate's Flavors Kate's Real Food bars come in… Full review

rated 3.5 of 5 stars
Gatorade Propel Powder Pack

Propel is an electrolyte beverage that comes in a 2.4 gram pouch. It's a zero calorie drink. It comes in three flavors. I chose the grape.   Propel electrolyte replacement pouches you just add to your water bottle. During the summer and spring I watch electrolytes like most hikers. I found that I wanted less sugar in my drinks. I was recommended Propel and it was easy to find at my grocers. You find it where Gatorade is sold. My store runs a pretty good sale on two boxes. It's recommended to… Full review

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