Precision Fuel & Hydration’s PF30 Gel packs a 30g carb dose in a compact pouch and gets delivery and consistency spot on.
No matter whether you’re a serious long-distance runner, or part of a casual weekend park run club, coming equipped with the best running gel is something that you don’t want to miss out on. Like wearing optimized running shoes, or the least restrictive running shorts, using a top-tier energy gel will help you to extract extra performance in your chase for PBs. These days, there are quite a few on the market, so I’ve made life easier for you by putting some of the top choices to the test. On this occasion, we’re taking a look at Performance Fuel & Nutrition PF30 Gel. Let’s see how it stacks up.
Men’s Fitness verdict
Precision Fuel & Hydration’s PF30 Gel packs a 30g carb dose in a compact pouch and gets delivery and consistency spot on. If you want the optimum energy-to-weight ratio, pick PF30.- High carb content
- Neutral flavor
- Easy on the stomach
- No flavor options
How we test running gels
When it comes to running gear, Kieran Alger is one of the best product reviewers in the business. He regularly trains for (and competes) a wide range of running disciplines, so we tasked him with assessing the effectiveness of each running gel on test during his regular sessions. Along the way, he made sure to take note of key criteria, including: energy-to-weight ratio, effectiveness of energy release, ingredients, taste, price, and even how well the packaging fits in your pocket.
PF30 Gel ingredients and flavor
Precision Fuel & Hydration’s PF30 gels pack a bigger than average 30g hit of carbohydrates into one of the smallest and most stashable packages out there. In fact, at 51g per pouch, you won’t find many gels that offer a better energy-to-weight ratio. They’re extremely running-belt friendly – I can easily fit a marathon’s worth in a Naked Running Band, for example.
When it comes to taste, the flavor is deliberately neutral: so they’re sweet, but quite nondescript. That’s a good thing for staving off the dreaded taste fatigue that can come when you need to eat a lot of gels during long endurance efforts. However, if you’re a fan of fruity gels or those faux desert flavor gels, these might be a bit plain.
PF30 Gel consistency and energy release
The consistency is similar to Maurten Gel 100, with a thicker texture than most carbohydrate energy gels. It’s almost what you’d get if Jelly Baby innards were super loose. But it’s light, easy to swallow and not too sticky in the mouth. It’s preferable to slug a bit of water after a gel but I found I could eat these without. That’s not true of all gels.
The carbs come in a 2:1 ratio of glucose to fructose. This dual-fuel formula aims to speed absorption for more efficient carbohydrate uptake and less risk of gastric upset. The energy boost is even without the rush-and-crash that comes with some gels.
How practical is PF30 Gel?
The compact pouch has an easy-open top that rips off easily with your teeth or your hands. The aforementioned gel consistency means the contents don’t come gushing forth all over your hands either. There’s nothing worse than sticky hands when you’ve got four miles before the next opportunity to wash them off.
It’s worth noting that Precision Fuel & Hydration also offers the same gel in a 90g resealable pouch that still fits in a running belt but offers the added benefit of letting you top up your carbs in smaller, regular amounts. That’s ideal if you’re still working on your stomach strength. There’s also a caffeine option to help focus the mind on endurance efforts.
Are there any alternatives I should consider?
To be completely honest with you, PF30 Gel is my go-to choice. Its combination of superb energy ratio, enjoyable consumption, and practicality mean that I gave it the top award in MF’s running gel group test. However, it is worth noting that there are some other energy gels which run Performance Fuel & Nutrition close.
The first one I’d like to mention is Maurten 100 Gel. We briefly spoke about it earlier, in regards to how similar its texture is to PF30 Gel. But its merit extends beyond that. It too offers a pleasant yet neutral taste, and a steady energy release without much in the way of crashes. It doesn’t quite match the carb content of PF30 Gel, but at 25g per pouch, it’s still a solid option in the department. After all, if it’s good enough for Eliud Kipchoge, it’s surely good enough for us.
The other option which I believe can go toe to toe with PF30 is Vala Energy Gel. This stuff is packed full of refreshingly natural ingredients, cemented by rather moreish date paste. At 24g of carbs per sachet, it can certainly compete with the big boys, especially considering that it too delivers its energy in a steady manner. So, if you want a highly effective running gel with more of a flavor hit than what PF30 can offer, Vala’s products might be the better option for you.
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