Endurance Economics · Nutrition Math

High-Carb Energy Gels Ranked: Cost Per Gram of Carbohydrate

If you are targeting 60g to 90g of carbs per hour for a marathon or ultramarathon, you aren't just buying gels—you are purchasing grams of absorbable fuel. Here is how the UK’s leading endurance gels stack up when you calculate the real price per gram, texture profile, and pocket bulk.

The Real Cost of 90g/Hour Marathon Training

A 3:45 marathoner targeting 80g/hr requires 300 grams of carbohydrate on race day alone. Over an 8-week peak block with weekly 30km simulation runs, an athlete consumes between 40 and 60 gels. Choosing a 12.8p/g gel over a 5.5p/g gel is the difference between spending £35 vs £120 on training fuel alone.

Beginner Guide The "Two-Door" Rule

Why "Dual-Source" (1:0.8) Actually Matters

Your stomach absorbs carbohydrates through specific transporter doors. Glucose and maltodextrin use the main entrance (SGLT1), which caps out at ~60g/hour. Forcing down more glucose creates a traffic jam in your gut, leading to sloshing and cramping.

Fructose uses a completely separate side entrance (GLUT5). A dual-source gel (1:0.8 or 2:1 ratio) uses both doors simultaneously, allowing you to absorb 80g–90g+ carbs per hour smoothly without gut distress.

< 60g/hr: Single carb is fine > 60g/hr: Dual carb required

Race Logistics 3:45 Marathon Example

The "Pocket Bulk" Factor (240g Target)

To hit 240g of carbs during a marathon, your gel format dictates how much garbage and weight you carry across 26.2 miles:

Standard 23g Gels: 11 Pouches · £12.10 (Bulky)
SiS Beta Fuel (40g): 6 Pouches · £13.20 (Half the bulk)
Maurten 100 (25g): 10 Pouches · £32.00 (Expensive)
DIY Mix (Soft Flask): 1 Flask · ~£1.35 (Zero waste)

Higher carb density means fewer sticky wrappers to open at race pace.

How Many Gels Do You Actually Need by Distance?

Translate your target hourly carbs into practical quantities you have to carry.

Half Marathon (13.1m)

30g – 45g / hour

Taking 2 to 3 standard gels (or 1–2 high-carb 40g gels) is plenty. Gut emptying limits aren't stressed at this duration, so budget 2:1 gels work completely fine.

Marathon (26.2m)

60g – 90g / hour

Taking 6 to 8+ gels total. At this rate, dual-source 1:0.8 formulations are vital to avoid hitting the wall while preventing late-race stomach cramps.

Ultramarathon / BYU

50g – 70g / hour

Lower aerobic intensity allows solid real food digestion (boiled potatoes, flapjacks) supplemented by high-carb gels or soft-flask liquid carbs on key laps.

The Cost Per Gram Leaderboard

Ranked from lowest cost per gram of carbohydrate to highest (UK RRP averages). Click any brand to inspect pricing.

Updated 2026

Rank / Gel	Carbs	Unit Price	Cost / g Carb	Carb Ratio	Sodium	Texture & Format
⚡ DIY Batch Mixer Best Value	45g	~£0.25	0.55p	1:0.8 (Malt/Fruc)	Custom	Fluid · Soft Flask
High5 Energy Gel ↗	23g	£1.10	4.78p	2:1	30mg	Thick Paste · Needs Water
Precision Fuel PF 90 ↗	90g	£4.50	5.00p	2:1	0mg	Smooth Fluid · Jumbo Cap
SiS Beta Fuel ↗	40g	£2.20	5.50p	1:0.8	200mg	Drinkable Isotonic · No Water
Styrkr GEL50 Dual-Carb ↗	50g	£2.85	5.70p	1:0.8	250mg	Smooth Gel · Large Pouch
Neversecond C30 ↗	30g	£2.25	7.50p	2:1	200mg	Light Isotonic · Very Fluid
Maurten Gel 160 ↗	40g	£3.80	9.50p	1:0.8 (Hydrogel)	20mg	Firm Jelly · No Flavour
Maurten Gel 100 ↗	25g	£3.20	12.80p	1:0.8 (Hydrogel)	20mg	Firm Jelly · 25g Small Pouch

Endurance Biochemistry

What Is "Hydrogel" Technology (And Is It Worth the Premium?)

Maurten pioneered hydrogel technology to solve a fundamental physiological hurdle: when you flood your stomach with high concentrations of dissolved sugar, the resulting hypertonic osmotic pressure draws fluid out of your bloodstream and into the gut. This causes bloating, sloshing, delayed gastric emptying, and nausea during high-intensity running.

Step 1 · Ingestion

Biopolymer Matrix

Carbohydrates are suspended within natural food biopolymers: sodium alginate (from brown algae) and pectin. In neutral pH, it drinks like a semi-viscous jelly with zero added acids or flavorings.

Step 2 · Stomach Acid (pH 1.5–2)

Instant Encapsulation

Upon contacting gastric acid, the alginate and pectin cross-link instantly into a protective 3D gelatinous net, "hiding" the high-density sugars from stomach osmoreceptors.

Step 3 · Small Intestine

Smooth Intestinal Transit

The stomach empties the neutral capsule rapidly like water into the small intestine. As pH rises, the gel dissolves, delivering glucose and fructose directly to transporter channels with minimal gastric distress.

The Verdict: Hydrogel is unmatched if you suffer from severe gastric reflux, irritable gut reactions, or cannot tolerate artificial flavorings and citric acid. However, if your gut is already trained to handle dual-source liquids (maltodextrin + fructose), paying 9.50p–12.80p per gram for Maurten offers no metabolic advantage over 5.50p/g SiS Beta Fuel or 0.55p/g DIY batches.

The Top Contenders Analyzed

Best Race-Day Value 5.50p / g

SiS Beta Fuel Dual Source (40g Carbs)

The benchmark dual-source gel for high-carb fueling. By using a 1:0.8 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio, it unlocks the GLUT5 transporter without overloading the SGLT1 glucose receptor. At ~£2.20 per 40g serving, you get double the carbohydrate payload of standard supermarket gels for only 40% more cost. Highly drinkable texture that goes down smooth without needing water.

40g Carbs 200mg Sodium Drinkable Isotonic

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Best Litter-Free Bulk 5.00p / g

Precision Fuel PF 90 (90g Carbs)

Engineered with a resealable flow-valve cap. One pouch replaces 3 standard gels, making it ideal for marathons and ultras where fumbling with sticky tear-tabs at 4:30/km is annoying. Mild neutral taste with zero added electrolytes (pair with separate sodium chews or electrolyte drinks).

90g Carbs Resealable Nozzle 2:1 Ratio

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Premium Hydrogel 9.50p – 12.8p / g

Maurten Gel 160 & 100

Maurten wraps carbohydrates in a biopolymer hydrogel matrix (sodium alginate and pectin). This allows high concentrations of carbs to pass the stomach into the intestine without inducing gastric distress. The downside? You pay almost double per gram compared to SiS Beta Fuel. If using Maurten, buy the Gel 160 (40g) over the Gel 100 (25g)—it saves 3.3p per gram.

40g or 25g Carbs Hydrogel Firm Jelly No Flavourings

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The 0.55p per Gram Secret

Why Spend £3+ per Gel for Midweek Training?

Commercial energy gels consist of four basic ingredients: pure water, maltodextrin powder, fructose powder, and a dash of pectin or electrolyte salt. Buying bulk raw ingredients in the UK drops your fueling cost to approximately 25p per 45g serving. Carry it in a reusable 150ml soft flask to eliminate waste completely.

Open DIY Gel Recipe & Mixer (~25p) → Calculate Race Carb Target →

3 Things to Check Before Buying Gels in Bulk

1. Transporter Ratio

1:0.8 vs 2:1 Ratio

Standard human gut transport (SGLT1) saturates around 60g glucose/hr. If you plan to fuel above 60g/hr, you must use dual-source fructose formulations to prevent gastrointestinal stagnation.

2. Water Requirements

Isotonic vs Concentrated

Thick pastes (like High5 standard or GU) require 150–200ml of water to dilute osmotic pressure in the stomach. Isotonic gels or fluid mixes (like SiS Beta Fuel) swallow comfortably dry.

3. Sodium Density

Check Electrolyte Dose

Maurten and Precision have almost zero sodium in their gels, assuming you hydrate separately. Styrkr and SiS include 200–250mg sodium per pouch, reducing the need for salt tablets.