Testing & Ranking (SURPRISE!) The Best Energy Gels for Runners - HOW TO FUEL A MARATHON & LONG RUN!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- Part two is here: • Testing & Ranking GELS...
Today we are testing the most popular energy gels on the UK market to find out which ones are the best! We're comparing all the facts & figures, squeezing them out so you can see what they all look like, tasting them and giving them an overall score so follow along to see which one comes out on top - spoiler it's not what you think!
In the comparison we have
Maurten Gel 100
High 5 Energy Gel
GU Energy Gel
Science in Sport (SIS) GO Isotonic Energy Gel
Spring Energy CanaBERRY
Huma Gel Original
Mountain Fuel Sports Jelly
Precision Fuel PF 30 Gel
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:54 Maurten
3:27 GU
5:00 Mountain Fuel
6:36 When to take gels
7:31 Huma
8:52 Spring Energy
10:56 Where to buy gels
11:33 SIS
12:58 High 5
14:13 Precision Fuel
16:54 Final scores
Ways to help
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Part 2 is now live! Thank you for all your comments and suggestions! th-cam.com/video/PxwfeJcuaSQ/w-d-xo.html
I don't eat jels when I run I started running like 6 months ago and I can run 15 miles max at 116 minutes so far with my 6 months of training I'm really trying hard man every day I can to train I do 3-4 runs every week and jump rope every day 5 minutes sets for 7 sets just about 30 minutes do I need to consider taking some of these gels ???
I use High 5 as they are cheeeep and easy texture to eat/drink. Done me well for 3 marathon PB's in a row.
If any one is looking for a "natural" alternative, date syrup is equivalent in terms of energy you can get from them and is a plant based whole food. Costs much less than single energy gels (if you want a cheaper alternative to Maurten Ben) as you can buy it in large bottles and dispense in to your own mini gel soft flasks, which also means less packaging and waste too. My go-to after trying lots of different energy gels and hydration powders on the market for fuelling my ultra runs.
Trying this immediately
How do you know how much carbs an hour you are getting from the soft flasks? I've been thinking about doing this but seems hard to know the portion size
@@tonyhawker4067 good luck, see you on the trail for some date syrup shots :D
@@alperenbirim a 150ml gel softflask is about 3 to 4 gels so I keep an eye on it and aim for a quarter each time and know im getting at least 15g of carbs each shot. Hydrapak do a 150ml gel soft flask and I fill two of these, perfect even for full day races.
@@KelpandFern thx will give it a shot
Thanks so much so this thorough test and looking forward to more! Nice work for us, Ben!❤
Impeccable timing with this video, as you noted in the beginning. More of these please :)
Thank you for this video! I just ran my first marathon last weekend and had no idea what I was doing with gels. I took some I had never taken before during the race and probably took half as many as I should. But I hadn’t really seen good comparisons like this, and there are a lot of gels to choose from. So I got analysis paralysis and just used whatever. I got lucky it didn’t ruin my race, but more gels probably would have helped me get through those last few miles a lot better. Thank you!
What I love about this vid Ben is, that you actually put the gels on the plate, great to see this stuff without the package. My favorite is the "Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel" because it is sweet and drinkable, so not really a gel but it goes down easy without any water.
I tested a few different brands before my first marathon and found High5 to be the easiest for my body to absorb, I didn't get any 'gel burps' after taking these. Would definitely recommend them!
This was a great topic to cover. Very helpful ! Thank you Ben!!
I'm a big fan of the GU salted caramel and the mixed berry flavors. They get the job done. Great video. Very informative.
Hi Ben, great timing for this video because I'm starting to think about testing some gels on my long runs. I'd be interested to see the Hilltop natural honey gels reviewed, thanks 👍
Great review(s) as always Ben. I've been using the High5 gels for years, but prefer the Aqua version as they're a bit more like a drink and so work better for me on the move. They're cheap and do the job, so glad to see the brand came out on top in this overview!
Spring energy was always my go to, hill aid and long haul worked well for me. Didn't realise they've got so expensive, I did run a half last year with voom nutrition bars very impressed. One to try in the future, cheers guys
I've always used SIS and seem fine for me. No stomach issues, swallow easy, kick in quite quick and can get them from supermarkets locally.
Great vid as always Ben, been waiting to see a vid on running gels and this was very useful.
Huge fan of SIS and how it interacts with my stomach, just wish they were smaller. Watermelon Electrolyte ones are amazing.
Great overview Ben, thx!
Spring Energy is interesting indeed, especially their approach to specifically tailor each gel to a certain type of workout. I've tested „Awesome Sauce“ (I think that's everybodies favourite) and „Koffee“ (more of an acquired taste I guess [cold brew coffee, though no caffeine], but I really enjoyed it). They are quite pricey though.
I can recommend the Chimpanzee „Natural Energy Gel“; very short list of ingredients, super compact and easy to carry despite having a fair amount of carbs - I absolutely love the „Forest Fruit“ variety. Pretty affordable too.
These days I'm testing the „226ers“; their „High Energy“ gels are absolute carb bombs, 50g per gel (with the size of a SiS gel). Tested twice of them so far and am amazed how well they work, one gel for a half marathon seems perfect for me. They also come in isotonic variations that need no aditional water (with ½ the amount of carbs); have yet to test their „Isotonic Ice Gel”, that might be nice when it's hot. Also have yet to test their „High Energy Cherry“ gel, 160mg of caffeine (I guess that's not quite your cup of coffee...)! 💀 Also come with salty flavours and a neutral one too. Anyway, highly recommended!
Beside that SiS (the caffeinated Cola flavor) is my main gel, just works, doesn't taste funny and is affordable enough. Maurten is cool of course, but only for special occasions for me. 🙂 Would love to test the „Hüma“ gels, but haven't been able to find them online.
Would love to see a part two! Cheers from Berlin!
Thank you so much for all the suggestions for the next gel video. We’ve placed a big order, purely based on the comments. I’ll be testing these out on my runs over the next month then will make version 2!
👍
If my first target is loose some weight before getting more performance and run faster.... Do you recommend still use gels when running or just let the body to spend all the fat in my body? Maybe nonsense question
Nice!
@@moisescano5894 I can't speak for Ben or for any professional, but my own experience coming from being 10-15kg overweight (95kg), I got down to 80kg over the course of about 18 months. I ate a LOT more than normal (marathon runners need around 7000 calories per day on training days) despite losing weight, and it all came down to running (mostly half-marathon distances and less, with marathon training only after the 18 months). I'd run 3-4 times a week, and I'm not at all fast, with a half PB just over 2 hours.
Trying to run long distances without gels is going to be difficult, in my opinion. Running purely from body fat, unless you've specifically trained for that, is very difficult as fat is less efficient to burn than glycogen stores. You're best off adjusting your diet to eat healthy foods (cut out all the junk!), fuel during your runs, and exercise regularly but sensibly - don't overdo it unless you want to get injured!
You might also find the Maffetone method could help (running slower to ultimately run faster) - check out what James Dunne says about it in his experience as a heavier runner (th-cam.com/video/u_mTHREyepQ/w-d-xo.html), and maybe use the Maffetone calculator (just search for it online, it's on Maffetone's official site) to work out what your slow run heart rate should be. Hope that helps 🙂
@@atheosmachina Thank you very much for the comment. Really helpful
This video came at the perfect time! Thanks ben
It’s Hi5 for me, good value, quite light and lots of flavours (I prefer the Mango which Wiggle sells). Great video. Thanks 🙏
I tried Honey Stingers cherry energy chews today!!! Oh man sooooo good!! My stomach handled them well!!
Thanks for your video!! Loved that your wife supported you and filmed. A thank you to her too!!
I just love seeing how much fun you had making this video 😄😁✔
Love the taste test. I have a solid rotation of huma/huma+ gels (love the extra electrolytes), clif shot gels and SiS (so far only the raspberry flavor has been palatable though). Will keep an eye out for others in the top 3!
Great video Ben!
I use products from hammer nutrition which I first came across at the national running show. They do standard gel sachets but I buy the jugs and put them in a hand held flask. They are gloopy until you water them down a bit. I also use SIS as readily available. Good video.
Hammer are great. Also a large variety of flavours like GU.
Hi Ben, I just wanted to thank you for your tips on becoming a better run. When I was younger I used to love to run. About a week ago I decided to run again. Once again thank you! Is it possible you can make a video on how to strengthen your foot/ankle or plyometric exercises for beginner runners. This will be very helpful. Thank you so much!
Great video. I don’t use gels as I find they make my stomach not good in ultra races. I look forward to the next video. I prefer to take solid fuel zip bags such as salted nut mix or chopped up sausage rolls (Greg’s vegan with HP sauce inside). For long training runs, plan the route to go near shop and stop and have sandwich. Always hits the spot. Thank you 🙏
Great vid, I'm partial to wiggles on brand gels especially their mocha flavour and I also like Styrkr gels they're more for endurance events like the rest of their products. Also for alternative fuels you should look at Voom nutrition, Kendal Mint co products. I also like sis beta chews and Percitions Fuel chews
My favourite at the moment is Active Root's gel mixes. They come in recyclable packaging, and you just mix up the gel to your own liking for consistency in a little 150ml soft flask they sell. Much better for the planet, and you don't feel the need to take it all in one go. I used to use High5, but I couldn't cope with the sticky hands I inevitably got, and because I normally run on trails, I ended up with the sticky gel packets in my vest pack.
Great video Ben. I’m sure many runners will find that very useful. Personally I’m going to try the Maurten next for my forthcoming Marathon, although they are expensive as you said. I’d be grateful if you would consider reviewing Torq gels as they were my favourite but can’t find them here in Canada. Could you also try to review Stinger and Hammer gels if possible. 👍🏻
Tried GU Salted Watermelon on a group training run on Sat.
Thick, but tasted ok.
No tummy issues.
Seemed fine.
Will purchase.
Thanks for your (two) helpful responses.
Spring is also really expensive in the US! Glad to find this video, though. I've been working through my own taste-testing process. Cliff seems less sickly sweet than Gu and has a pull tab, and it's one of the cheaper ones. Huma has been my favorite so far. SIS tasted like grass and just...chemical to me. 😝
I agree, SiS tastes horrible.
Thanks for the review, one thing you could have touched, it's the ration of fructose/glucose, I noticed this play a big difference. Cheers!
Great video, very informative.
I've tried several gels, currently using OTE 66g with 40g carbs. As I watched this video, it occurred to me that I had never actually seen the gel itself before!
Endurance tap is the Canadian natural option: maple syrup and ginger! Really good stuff 🍁
Good vid and would like a Part 2. I use High 5 aqua plus Unived, which have great flavours. Shout out for Veloforte as well.
I started with SIS gels and didnt really like them, packets were annoying to open and would split and I'd end up with half of it on my hands. I switched to Tailwind and never looked back, would be interesting to see you give it a go some time.
Ben, watched this and decided to give the High5 gels a go….and glad I did….tasty and powered my way through a 25k long run. Training now in full flow for Paris in April….using your plan and getting it done 👍🏃♂️
I currently got Clif Bloks which are pretty good, basically wine gums. A little worried about taking on so many during the marathon as I end up wanting to chew them. Each pack is 6 blocks and is 186 calories and 47g carbs. The other benefit is as they're solid you can open the packet before your run and not lose any of the wrapper
Ben.. I recently ran a marathon PB of 3:30 completely fueled by dates and water. I encourage anyone to try it as a more natural fueling option, high in carbs and minerals like magnesium and potassium. The best thing is they are easier on your stomach, I’ve never had GI problems training or racing with them.
...and there are people who want a sub 2:20 marathon... so... they need more "carbs" AND ''electrolytes" (which dates dont have.).
@@marathonranati do your research before commenting.
Per single Medjool date you get: 70 cals. 18mg carbs. 47mg potassium. 3mg magnesium. 3mg calcium. 1.6 grams fiber.
An average GU gel you get: 100cals. 21mg carbs. Only 35mg potassium. 60mg of sodium. 0mg magnesium. 20mg calcium. 0mg fiber.
Although Gels outweigh dates in some areas, dates are more beneficial in others, making dates a genuine alternative fueling option for athletes of all levels.
The biggest factor in favor of dates is that they are a LOW GI food (because of the fiber) allowing for more sustained energy release over time.
Gels are notoriously HIGH GI, this gives the body a quick but unsustainable energy boost, potentially leading to bonking if gels are not consumed regularly. This regular consumption can and regularly does lead to GI distress.
But I’m sure you already know that, good luck with your 2:20 attempt.
@@garyleem2000 I've never seen someone so passionate about dates. Good on you mate
@@garyleem2000 I do like dates for "pre runs" and "post runs" but i think the fiber might not work for me... it will cause digestion issues for me, BUT everyone is different! It might work for many people! Bananas also work, and white bread with honey, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this, I had been using dates without any issues but stopped recently. I had been looking for more hi-tech options but will go back to dates.
I just started using the SIS and it seems to give me a nice steady stream of energy with out the ups then down sugar in other brands. I use no caffeine and it's great. I just don't care for the tast but that's a small sacrifice. Thank you for sharing this information.
Just got a pack of 20 x High 5 off Amazon for 9.35 which works out at 46p each 👍. The Kendal Mint Gels are really nice. Definitely worth a test in your next video. The Coca Cola Mountain Fuel is amazing, tastes like the Mr Freezes from when you were a kid.
Hey, If you do a part 2, would love to see your opinion on the lucozade gels as they’re the ones handed out at London :)
I have only used the SIS gel but they are a nightmare to open during a race!
I agree. I pre-prep them by cutting the top ever so slightly with scissors just to make the rip off easier
Great tip Darren!
Couldn’t get every gel, but you brought the symphony in the intro 😂🎉 nice review!
@BenParkes thanks for the video. Some of the gels I've taken and some I haven't. I've been interested to try the new Precision fuels gel but haven't had the chance yet. An interesting comparison would be the ratio of glucose to fructose as well.
Loved the video! Would be great to get the scores/info in a spreadsheet though so we can compare them all easily.
Kendel Mint gels are my favourite, the raspberry/mint is best 👍🏃🏻♂️
I like using Clif shots gels...they come in various flavours, with an anti-litter packaging and organic ingredients
High 5 defo for me. Got me through Comrades! And many many marathons. Just the right consistency
Thanks to the comments suggesting the deal on Hi 5 Gels. Good video Ben. When do you Tail Wind?
Only started running longer distances since last year, so new to the gel game.
So great to see this video with lots of information.
Only tried Maurten gels until now and they work great, no stomach issues, not to sweet, neutral flavour (which I prefer) easy to open (you can open them without having that seperate piece) and fast and enough energy to complete the longer runs.
But I think they are a little too expensive.
I’ve never had Maurtens, but the Cliff Shot energy gels in the citrus flavor are just about the only ones that don’t make me gag. They actually taste pretty decent and aren’t oppressively viscous like some of the others.
Spring Energy sells a gel called Awesome Sauce here in Aus. It’s great and very popular. It’s a green packet and tastes like apple pie.
I feel like there should be an Innuendo score too.
Great video though. Very interesting. Fingers crossed for a part two
I'm a big fan of Huma. The blueberry is just like jam, you could spread it straight on toast. I have a CaniX ultra coming up and Huma will be my energy gel choice. Just ordered a box of lemonade from xmiles, yet to try this flavour 🤙
I don’t have much experience with gels, but I used the hilltop honey ones for my half marathon and I loved the taste of them, and the fact them being all natural is a big reason I purchased them.
Would be interested to see your thoughts on them.
I feel like maurten really does hit me differently then any other gel I've used. Specifically the cafinated version
The term “jet fuel” has never been more apt for the Maurten Caf. I know nutritionists say caffeine takes at least 30 min to take effect but I swear you feel the gel way quicker than that. Compared it against other caffeinated gels and it’s noticeably different.
@@kalvin. I agree. Almost immediately I fealt it
This is really interesting and useful. I am definitely shifting from SIS to High5 after watching this. The SIS are huge and you can really feel it at the start of the marathon. It's also a bonus that Edinburgh have High5 at their stations, frustrating that Manchester use a gel that you can't actually buy to try beforehand. Thanks Ben, really appreciate the vid.
Yes, every year I hope Manchester will change.. it's such an odd sponsorship!
@@BenParkes really is, especially for such an important race in a lot of peoples calendars.
Used only maurten for up to 100k race. Works like a charm, no stomach issues. Be careful with the (white) caffeinated one if not used to caffeine - but it can make you fly!!
Great video Ben. If you have a Costco card the SIS gels are £8.79 for 14!
Precision gels are my go too,I agree you did a drink with it though as quite sweet! But best on my stomache
They also do 90g gels if your aiming for a higher volume of carbs
Excellent video. Only one qualm. The last gel you gave a 3 to for ease of use yet mentioned you'd ideally need water with it. That should be scored a 2 at highest. As for the rest of the video. Unreal. Will watch the second video tomorrow. As per... keep up the great work!
Try the OTE super gels, the berry one is amazing. My personal favourites at the moment!
I also use and like High5 as its so easy to swallow… just the package is a bit large and be careful not to cut you in your mouth with it. I was trying GU a while and find it much to thick. It does not easy get out and swallowed. I also like the original Powerbar Gels and they have a tap which holds on the package and finally i just got back to Squeezy my old friend, which is available in 500ml package to fill into a bottle for longer rides like triathlon long distance. Its easy to swallow and has different tastes like tomato (which is awful for my taste), but they wanted to deliver an alternative to the sweetness tastes… you also get coke and lemon for sure…. Maurten or Hydration something are much expensive for what they deliver. At the end is all about carbs getting in. You van also mix your own by buying the main Ingredienz like Fructose and Dextrose etc…
Think I've only tried 3 or 4 different brands, so not hugely experienced in terms of what's out there. But I've settled quite nicely on Torq gels in the last year or so. Amazing flavours, good texture, and they work for me.
As well as Energy Gels, I'd recommend reviewing Electrolyte/Hydration tablets. Many of my fellow runners have suffered from electrolyte deficiency complications even though they have kept hydrated with water throughout marathons & long training runs.
I live in mallorca, over here the go to for everyone at running events seems to be a brand call "226ers". Another great video btw👍
I'm a big fan of SIS lemon & lime and espresso flavors i bought Maurten with coffein flavor but I haven't use them yet maybe this weekend on my long run workout.
If you do part 2 try the Xendurance gels, they're my go to for runs. Easy to get down without water and not overly sweet.
I used to use high 5 but started getting some stomach issues which I think were caused by the gels. I switched to veloforte and seems to have worked for me so far. Would recommend trying veloforte as they're also not overly expensive if you buy at the right time
I did exactly the same.
I've recently started using the SIS Beta Fuel 2.0 gels and like them so far. Previously used Honey Stinger but they were thick and hard to take in hotter races.
The Velo Forte range is good, definitely worth trying.
For more „natural“ options: obv I know the first one isn’t vegan… it’s just one I personally digest really well whilst running.
I absolutely LOVE Aero Bee 🐝 gels. It’s basically just honey and some sea salt and taste really good.
I mix those up with the chimpanzee ones, which are completely vegan and they also have a chocolate (I know not all runners agree with cocoa on runs) and coffee flavour which is a god send towards mile 20 😂❤
Thanks for sharing Emi!! Some good ideas there :-)
Also like Aero Bee - but when cold it is hard to extract more than half the contents
This was an amazing video. I have my first triathlon in 17 days. I’m vegan and aim for the more natural/healthy option so I’m gonna get some Huma! Thank you for making this informed vid 🤙🏼
Great video and I'll avoid the obvious joke about 5:10 😆
😜
I only ever use the larger 60 or 66g High 5 gels and buy them by the 20 unit box for the best price. The larger size go down easily and are more like a little drink than a gloopy gel that leaves me gasping for water. The flavours are all pretty good as well..
My favourite is mountain fuel, they are really easy to digest and I like the taste. I’ve also used gels made by Hilltop Honey, they are just made up of honey and salt with a bit of natural flavouring. Very nice but very sticky and quite thick so much harder to digest. A good alternative though if you are concerned about lots of additives.
...or being vegan!
The Spring "Awesome Sauce" tastes amazing. Don't like the Canaberry flavor nearly as much (sorry Sage), I buy Spring from a local running shop. If you fill up a small bucket with gels...they give you 20% off of the lot.
@BenParkes Video idea: how to avoid blisters!? Could cover socks, foot care (hard skin), choosing the right shoes, different ways of tying shoelaces etc. etc. 👍
Thanks for the idea! Added to my list!
@@BenParkes Awesome, thanks. Looking forward to!
It’s such an individual choice based on what peoples stomachs can handle, personally I like the aqua shots from high5 as they are more like having a little bit of fruit juice.
I have only used SiS, due to them being in supermarkets. The main issue I have with them is tearing the tab off! I usually end up tearing from both sides to get them open. Might try putting a little cut in them with scissors before I go out to see if that helps.
I do agree that they’re bulky and heavy. Carrying 8 for my marathon last year was an effort!
Same feedback from me, however I do find they hydrate better than the others so worth the extra bulk
Indeed they are bulkier but found them easy on the stomach. Indeed they do not have fructose, only maltodextrine. Good to avoid GI issues but less efficient for ones who can handle everything stomach wise.
The opening though I can t understand they did not improve it after all these years. The scissor cut helps.
Torq are my go-to gels, Banoffee (with caffeine!) are a must for races. Plus I now use Maurten, but only in races to save a few pennies!
I've just discovered Hi5 refill packs, so I'm now carrying a reusable 250ml soft flask. It means I'm waste free on the run and the large bottle is cheaper and easier to recycle. Downside is that portion control is a little more uneven, but I measure out by weight using my kitchen scales based on my expected need and the just carry one 'backup' gel if I feel the need. On the run I count my swigs which seems to equate to 2 swigs = 60ml (ish)
Still experimenting as I build up to my second Brighton Marathon, but it works for me.
You should give a try on the ones from 226ers. They are the nutrition partner of Sevilla Marathon. 50g HC, 200kcal per gel. It was a game changer for me 😁 see you in Seville!
Great video Ben, thanks. Where’s your hat from?
What about the Revvie energy strips ? I've never fuelled in a race but then I've only ever done 2 half marathons and a few 10 mile races. I worry about toilet issues as I'm not great at getting round without a 💩 stop. Sorry for tmi lol. Is there anything you recommend for this to be less likely? Loving the content btw 👍
Love this video, I’ve been trying out Honey Stinger energy Gel and enjoyed it so far! I’d love to see how it stacks up to these others!
Hey Ben, in the next video you need to try PowerBar PowerGel Hydro. Very easy to get down and also very easy to use (don't end up with the little plastic tab either).
I like the Maurten Gels but I’ve found success with the UCAN gels. The strawberry flavor is so good!
Would love if you could include the Decathlon ones in part 2 😁
i use GU in my last marathon and after 4 i couldn't bear to have any more (had planned to consume 5-6). Next time i'll still use gu, but also add in some water / juice based gels to give me a break from the thick gloopy syrup ones. For training runs i use maple syrup and pink salt since i'm a cheap arse.
Awesome! This is exactly what I was hoping for. Do you want your gels to have any electrolytes or salts in them? Or should we expect the drinks at the aid stations to have the electrolytes? At the Berlin Marathon I ended up only using one gel and rather had a bunch of the Maurten drinks. But, to be honest, I don't know if that was the wrong strategy. During my training long-runs, I usually only take 1-2 gels and augment them with Medjool dates. In general, I don't like gels and I find the dates easier to stomach along with electrolytes in my hydration pack.
You'll have to sort your own electrolytes out. I personally take salt tabs for ease.
I train using the High5, then closer to my event introduce either Maurten or PF&H, then use that race day.
Costs an absolute fortune otherwise and I find the more costly gels do fuel you better with their higher calorie & carb content .
I had great success on my last race with Precision. I ran a 10 minute PB & an 11 min course PB using it. I haven’t tried the High 5 & now I’m curious.
I love the Maurten, in fact that’s the only one like. Tried High 5 and sis in the past during my race and I hated those after taste in mouth and it really puts me off and I all can think of is water after that, so I can rising it off. Even though maurten is expensive, but doesn’t have that after taste and I love the fact is pretty jelly like, so I don’t have to take it all in one go!!
I'm surprised you didn't have Clif Shot gel in this video. Whilst I do love their pull tab that doesn't fully rip off (3 points for ease of use!), I find them to be a little too sweet. I do prefer the more watery ones as they go down easier, but I could definitely see myself using the Huma or Spring Energy gels for a slower trail race. The SiS ones I find are too big for one serve, so I usually have half at a time and just hope they don't tip over in my vest pocket!
You have already had lots of suggestions, but i sometimes use Kendal Mint Gels. Quite a strong flavour, and i dont like the caffine one, but lemon mint is good.
My missus swears by Torq gels. They are marketed more at cyclists, but they have interesting flavours and are small and light.