Maurten Gel 100 Review 2026: Hydrogel Fuelling Tested for Triathlon
What to Look For
Maurten Gel 100 is a race-day energy gel built around the brand’s patented hydrogel technology, which encapsulates carbohydrate in a gel matrix designed to pass through the stomach with less of the GI distress that can come with traditional high-concentration gels. It’s a first look at Maurten on this site, alongside the AWIN-backed nutrition brands we usually cover.
Key Features
- 25g carbohydrate per 40g sachet — a 1:0.8 glucose-to-fructose ratio, roughly in line with sports science guidance for maximising carb absorption.
- Hydrogel technology — Maurten’s patented method of encapsulating carbs to reduce the gel’s effective osmolality in the stomach.
- No added colour or preservatives — a shorter ingredients list than most gels on the market.
- CAF100 variant — the same gel with 100mg of caffeine added, for late-race pick-ups.
Verdict
Maurten sits at the premium end of the gel market — you’re paying for the hydrogel formulation and the reduced-GI-distress claim, not for extra carbs per sachet (25g is fairly standard, less than some higher-carb competitors). It’s worth trying in training well before you commit to it on race day, same as any nutrition strategy. If you’d rather stick with the AWIN-backed brands we usually recommend, our best triathlon nutrition products roundup and the Form Nutrition range are the alternative starting point.
Maurten Gel 100 — 12-pack, £30.38 (RRP £42.99)
Buying Tips
- Trial in training first — hydrogel texture is noticeably thicker than a standard gel and some athletes need a run-up of practice swallowing it on the move.
- Take with water where possible; hydrogel gels are designed to work best when there’s fluid alongside them in the stomach.
- Save the CAF100 variant for the back half of long-course races rather than early on, to avoid blunting caffeine’s effect before you need it most.
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