TLDR: Are Maurten Gels Worth it? Maurten gels are fancy, pricey little sachets of sugar. Research shows they might reduce gut issues and help with carb absorption, especially in runners, where digestive issues are more common. In cycling, the benefits are less clear. They don’t magically make you faster, but they can be easier to tolerate and are often the on-course fuel at big races. At around £3+ a pop, they’re not cheap. For most athletes, they’re a “nice-to-have,” not a “must-have.”
I recently bought a Maurten sample pack: caffeinated gels, non-caffeinated gels, drinks, the lot. Not because I believe hydrogel tech is a golden ticket to the podium. Not even because they taste like heaven (spoiler: they don’t).
I bought them because I raced the T100 in London, my longest race yet and Maurten is what was available at aid stations.
And the golden rule of endurance nutrition? Don’t try anything new on race day. Shoes, socks, sports bras, and definitely not the mysterious sticky packet some volunteer is waving at you at kilometre 60.
So yes, I forked out on fancy sugar water to test whether it sits in my stomach and make sure I can actually use what’s handed out mid-race without wanting to vomit.
Maurten’s big selling point is hydrogel technology.
Hydrogels aren’t new. They’ve been used in medicine for years to deliver drugs in a targeted, slow-release way. Think: better absorption, fewer side effects. Maurten’s idea? Apply that same tech to carbohydrate delivery.
The gel forms a cage-like structure around glucose and fructose, supposedly allowing it to pass more quickly through the stomach and be absorbed in the intestine, reducing gut issues and possibly enhancing performance. It’s a clever idea. Genuinely. I admire how they’ve pulled thinking from outside sport to try to solve a real problem within sport.
One study showed that runners using hydrogel carbs lasted about 12% longer before exhaustion compared to glucose alone. They also oxidised (burned) more of the carbs they ingested and reported fewer gut issues. For anyone who’s ever felt their intestines plotting against them halfway through a marathon or the run leg of a triathlon, this is promising.
In cycling, the evidence is less exciting. A study on endurance cyclists found Maurten’s hydrogel drink allowed higher carb oxidation than some other commercial drinks, and even had a smaller negative effect on dental pH (your teeth will thank you). But performance itself? Not really any better.
A systematic review of six hydrogel studies (covering running, cycling, and skiing) found no consistent improvements in performance, carb use, or gut comfort compared to traditional carbohydrate drinks. In other words: they worked about the same as regular glucose–fructose solutions.
Let’s be honest. Taste and texture matter when you’re 3 hours deep into a long race and questioning all your life choices.
Maurten gels are thicker and blander than most, you will literally be chewing their gels. Some athletes, including myself prefer the neutral taste, I’m not a huge fan of the overly sweet flavours in a lot of sports nutrition products. In fact when I grabbed a bottle of Maurten carb drink mix from the aid station at the T-100 I spent a bit of time wondering if I had just picked up a regular water bottle, because I could barely taste anything.
The potential win for Maurten is gut tolerance. If you’ve ever sworn off gels mid-race due to stomach issues or becoming sick of sweet sickly products, the hydrogel design combined with the mild flavour might feel easier. But if you’ve been happily chomping away on SIS or High5 without issues, there’s no reason to assume Maurten will magically unlock new performance.
Here’s where things get spicy.
Maurten is one of the most expensive gels on the market. Cost per gram of carbohydrate works out higher than most competitors. You’re essentially paying for the hydrogel tech and the fact that it’s become the trendy choice of marathon winners and triathlon elites.
Here’s the honest answer: it depends.
They might be worth it if:
They might not be worth it if:
Whether you go Maurten or supermarket jam sandwiches, the basics stay the same:
Maurten gels aren’t snake oil, but they’re not a miracle either. They’re a high-quality, expensive carbohydrate option that might sit better in your stomach and will definitely sit lighter in your wallet.
So are Maurten gels worth it? If they help you fuel confidently, avoid digestive drama, and get you across the finish line smiling (or at least not crying), then yes, they’re worth it. But if you’re already fuelling well with cheaper products, Maurten is more “designer accessory” than “essential kit.”
Paul is a sports nutrition consultant and educator with a PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Science. With over a decade of experience, Paul specialises in optimising performance and recovery for endurance athletes through evidence-based strategies. As a lecturer and researcher, Paul has published in peer-reviewed journals and worked with athletes, sports teams, and organisations to achieve peak performance.
