Maurten gels and bars review: Do they really live up to the hype?

It took me a while, but I finally gave Maurten a go! Here’s my honest experience fuelling with Maurten gels and bars in this unsponsored review, plus how to get a Maurten discount code!

Maurten: taking fuelling to the next level

Maurten launched in 2015, created by engineer Mårten Fryknäs together with Olof and Karl Sköld in Gothenburg, Sweden.

It all started with a simple but game-changing idea: what if athletes could fuel with high amounts of carbohydrates without the usual stomach issues? This vision led to the development of Maurten’s patented Hydrogel Technology.

The first product to launch was the now-iconic energy gel, which quickly gained attention among elite athletes. Drink mixes and bars followed, each designed around the same principle of making energy easy to absorb and gentle on the stomach.

The magic behind the fuel: Maurten’s Hydrogel Technology

At the core of Maurten’s success is Hydrogel Technology, a system that encapsulates simple carbohydrates in a natural matrix made from alginate and pectin.

When consumed, this hydrogel structure forms in the stomach and allows the carbohydrates to move quickly to the intestine where they can be absorbed and used for energy.

By bypassing the stomach’s sensitivity to high carbohydrate loads, it makes it possible for athletes to consume more fuel and still feel comfortable.

This breakthrough has changed the way endurance athletes approach race-day and training nutrition.

Maurten’s current product range

At the time of writing this post, here’s the current Maurten line up:

Gel 100: A compact hydrogel gel delivering 25 g of carbohydrates in each sachet for quick, easy fuelling during training or racing.
Gel 100 Caf 100: Same gentle gel as Gel 100, with an added 100 mg of caffeine for an energising boost when needed.
Gel 160: A larger portion hydrogel gel offering 40 g of carbohydrates per serving, ideal for longer efforts with fewer sachets.
Drink Mix 160: A powder that turns into hydrogel in the stomach, delivering 40 g of carbohydrates per 500 ml for sustained, easy digestion.
Drink Mix 320: A higher carb version of the mix that gives 80 g of carbohydrates per 500 ml, perfect for longer or more intense sessions.
Drink Mix 320 Caf 100: Combines 80 g of carbohydrates with 100 mg of caffeine for both fuel and focus throughout tough workouts.
Solid 160: An oat and rice based chewable fuel bar with 40 g of carbohydrates, split into two mini bars for flexible fueling options.
Solid C 160: The same chewable format as Solid 160, but with a cocoa flavour twist to shake up your fuel routine.
Bicarb System: A pre race hydrogel treatment designed to buffer lactic acid build up and support high intensity performance.

Is there a Maurten discount code?

Whilst Maurten are not known for discounting their products, you can get 5% off your order right here.

The best part about ordering via XMiles is that you can mix and match samples from different brands so you can test various products without committing to ordering full boxes of everything. And you get a discount via this link!

My honest experience fuelling with Maurten: unsponsored review

Here’s my honest review of the Gel 100 and Solid 160, which are the products I’ve tried to start with. I’ll update this post once I get to put other products to the test.

Maurten Gel 100

My first "sip" or maybe I should say "bite" of the Maurten Gel 100 caught me completely off guard. The texture is unlike any gel I've tried before. It’s much thicker and more jelly-like than the usual runny gels, coming out in clumps rather than a smooth stream.

At first I wondered if I’d gotten a bad batch, but a bit of digging confirmed that this is just how Maurten gels are meant to be. You almost need to let it “marinate” in your mouth to make it easier to chew and swallow, which took a little getting used to.

Whilst I’m still getting used to the texture, I was instantly sold on the taste. It’s wonderfully neutral with no sickly sweetness or artificial flavour overload, which means you can take multiple gels without that dreaded flavour fatigue.

And most importantly, I’ve not experienced GI discomfort with Maurten and I can see why so many runners are willing to spend a fair bit of money on this brand, which let’s be honest is not the cheapest!

Maurten Solid 160

The Maurten Solid 160 quickly became a favourite pre-run snack for me. This oat and rice bar is perfect for fuelling up before a speed session or a long run.

I usually have it about an hour before heading out, though sometimes even a bit closer to start time works fine, and it never upsets my stomach. It’s gentle, reliable fuel that lets me focus on my workout instead of worrying about digestion.

The texture is spot on, chewy and slightly sticky as if lightly coated in syrup. It’s sweetened just enough to be enjoyable without feeling overpowering, and I love that it’s easy to eat even when I’m not overly hungry but know I need some fuel.

While I personally prefer the plain version, the cocoa bar is rather tasty too and makes a nice alternative when you want a hint of chocolate.

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