Testing and rating energy bars for endurance athletes: Styrkr, Cadence & Maurten bars
Energy bars are a convenient source of carbohydrates to fuel your endurance training and optimise recovery, so you can keep performing. As a runner, I’ve tested a few high-carb bars. Here’s my honest rating of the Styrkr, Cadence and Maurten bars.
High carb bars: easy fuel source for runners and cyclists
For endurance athletes, fuelling adequately to be able to train and perform is essential, and that’s where high-carb energy bars come in.
These bars are specifically designed to provide a quick, easily digestible source of carbohydrates, perfect for an energy boost before a long run or to pack with you on a ride, and they are especially formulated to minimise GI distress.
In short, high-carb bars are a practical and efficient way to top up glycogen stores and keep your performance strong from start to finish.
But which high carb bar should you go for? Here’s my honest take on 3 different brands.
Testing and rating energy bars for endurance athletes
Styrkr BAR50
This is a puffed rice energy bar available in three flavours: Apple & Cinnamon, Dark Chocolate and Date, Almond & Sea Salt. This bars has a chewy texture that’s both satisfying and gentle on the stomach. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and made without artificial sweeteners.
It’s been my go-to pre-race breakfast for over a year now, and I also like to eat this bar before a hard workout or a long run. The Apple & Cinnamon bar (that is also made with sultanas and caramel), is my favourite flavour out of the three.
Nutritional facts: 50g carbs per bar and 257 to 301 kcal depending on the flavour.
Rating: 9/10
RRP: £29.99 for a pack of 12 - You can order some samples via XMiles with 5% off here!
Read my dedicated Styrkr BAR50 review
Cadence Core 40 Fuel Bar
This bar packs the brand’s signature Fuel Formula, blending puffed rice, organic dates and honey for a naturally sweet taste. It also includes a blend of electrolytes: sodium, potassium and magnesium.
It comes in two flavours: chocolate and PB&J. This bar isn’t considered vegan due to the presence of honey.
Whilst I like the PB&J bar (not too keen on the chocolate one), I has a slight aftertaste that I think comes from the electrolytes- which I’m not sure are needed for a carb bar.
Although it’s made with natural ingredients, it feels more artificial both in flavour and texture than the other bars.
Nutritional facts: 40g carbs per bar and 180 kcal
Rating: 7/10
RRP: £27 for a pack of 12 - Find them here or on Xmiles with 5% off, where you can buy individual bars and mix & match different brands.
Maurten Solid 160
This tasty oat and rice-based energy bar is designed for easy carbohydrate loading or replenishing. It’s conveniently pre-cut in the middle, allowing you to split it into two equal halves, perfect for eating on the go or saving half for later.
It comes in a plain and cocoa flavour and is suitable for vegans.
I’ve not tried the cocoa version yet, but I’m really enjoying the plain Solid 160. It’s a great fuel option when I’m literally eating just before I start running. I also sometimes have half a bar just before starting a race.
Nutritional facts: 40g carbs per bar and 202 kcal for the plain version, 204 kcal for the cocoa one.
Rating: 8.5/10
RRP: £29.95 for a pack of 12 - Get 5% off on XMiles where you can also buy individual bars and sample a few different products.
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