DIY ENERGY GELS AND DRINKS

I have always really liked energy gels and drinks (like Cytomax and various Hammer products). Due to cost and availability, I have turned to some DIY solutions. You make this stuff for pennies (or yen) on the dollar. Maybe it would be nice to have a thread to compare notes.

It has surprised me how far just a few basic ingredients can go. Maltodextrin is the workhorse for most of it. Importantly, for climbers, malto takes the least amount of water to metabolize (correct verb?) among sugar-type options. 

I will get the conversations started with just my two favorites:

1.) COPYCAT GU

2.) DIY CYTOMAX

Cytomax is not made anymore. I was looking for a cheap and easy substitute

• 1.5 NUUN tabs (dissolved in some water)
• 46g of Maltodextrin (for Cytomax strength; you can go MUCH higher on the calories, if you want)
• fill bottle to 500 ml

NOTES for DIY CYTOMAX

• a protein shaker works great to mix up
• you might have some clumps at first, but they will quickly dissolve, if you have some time before you consume
• I personally switched from a Camelbak-style container to these marathon-style bottles. Mostly, I just never know how much I have drank with the tube setups! 

If you have some good formulas, ideas, or questions... post up! 

Cheers from Osaka,

John 

When I was a poor college student I use to go into KFC and take their honey packets to use as “Gu”. Or, alternatively, I used to mountain bike with one of those plastic honey bear bottles that I stole from my parents kitchen when I’d visit.

I miss Japanese 7/11’s 

John Shultz wrote:

I have always really liked energy gels and drinks (like Cytomax and various Hammer products). Due to cost and availability, I have turned to some DIY solutions. You make this stuff for pennies (or yen) on the dollar. Maybe it would be nice to have a thread to compare notes.

It has surprised me how far just a few basic ingredients can go. Maltodextrin is the workhorse for most of it. Importantly, for climbers, malto takes the least amount of water to metabolize (correct verb?). 

I will get the conversations started with just my two favorites:

1.) COPYCAT GU

2.) DIY CYTOMAX

Cytomax is not made anymore. I was looking for a cheap and easy substitute

• 1.5 NUUN tabs (dissolved in some water)
• 46g of Maltodextrin (for Cytomax strength; you can go MUCH higher on the calories, if you want)
• fill bottle to 500 ml

NOTES for DIY CYTOMAX

• a protein shaker works great to mix up
• you might have some clumps at first, but they will quickly dissolve, if you have some time before you consume
• I personally switched from a Camelbak-style container to these marathon-style bottles. Mostly, I just never know how much I have drank with the tube setups! 

If you have some good formulas, ideas, or questions... post up! 

Cheers from Osaka,

John 

Ultralight Joe's moose goo. Taste pretty good and super cheap. 

https://thetrek.co/ultralight-joes-moose-goo-best-trail-food/

My cheap gel is orange rehydration drink powder mixed into Maltodextrin, gently heated to get it to mix.

Jabroni McChufferson wrote:

I miss Japanese 7/11’s 

For sure. If you are cragging, you can score some great food to take with you over here. 

Matthew Bell wrote:

Ultralight Joe's moose goo. Taste pretty good and super cheap. 

https://thetrek.co/ultralight-joes-moose-goo-best-trail-food/

That looks really tasty. Thanks for sharing. I will give it a shot when backpacking and have plenty of water available. Cheers. 

Just started making my own using maltodextrin plus a little pinch of salt plus a little honey or maple syrup for flavor.  Super cheap, and no more foil packet trash.  I use the refillable GU flask.