Science in Sport GO Energy Plus Caffeine Gels for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

8.7
out of 10
5 Positive, 1 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 6 Reviews
Retail Price:
$60.00
Used Value:
$36.00
Sale Value:
$54.00

The first time you try one of Science in Sport's GO Energy Plus Caffeine Gels, it's going to feel a little bit weird. Not in a bad way, mind you, but the company's highly scientific approach to athletic nutrition has resulted in a noticeably thinner consistency gel than you're probably used to. This allows faster absorption regardless of your water bottle status, and leaves none of that weird sticky aftertaste that can be so disgustingly distracting when you're on the rivet and just trying to survive to the finish line.

While these gels aren't alone in harnessing caffeine's benefits for lowering fatigue perceptions, they do set themselves apart from the crowd with their isotonic designation. This means they're designed to mirror the dissolved particle concentration of the fluid in your body's cells, which allows for easy transfer across cell membranes. That means the energy they contain goes from your stomach to your blood stream without needing extra water. Comparatively, thicker gels are hypertonic, meaning they have a higher concentration of dissolved particles than your cell fluid and require extra liquid in order to encourage absorption. If you don't drink the recommended volume of fluid with them, hypertonic gels absorb slowly and can cause some rather unfortunate stomach discomfort. And if you've ever been low on water but needed some energy, you know first-hand that puffy pain is not something you want to deal with in the middle of a race.

In short, the GO Energy Plus Caffeine Gels deliver 75mg of caffeine and 22g of carbohydrates quickly and aren't dependent on having a glut of water on board to access that energy boost. That does mean that each packet is a slightly larger volume than the gels you're used to, which allows that thinner isotonic consistency while still delivering the necessary nutrients to fuel the ride.

For the racers among us, the GO Energy Plus Caffeine Gels also offer some peace of mind from the whirling chatter of tainted supplements and suspicious substances. These gels are certified through the Informed Sport Evolved Certification program, so they undergo vigorous testing through a third party, world-class anti-doping lab that analyzes pre-production raw ingredients and post-production product. The organization also completes site audits to ensure that these gels contain quality ingredients and are free from prohibited substances, which means everything if you're serious about riding clean.

The Science in Sport GO Energy Plus Caffeine Gels are available in berry or citrus, with a light flavor profile that won't overpower in the saddle. They're also vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, wheat-free, and nut-free.

Specifications

Calories:
[60ml packet] 87
Recommended Use:
nutrition
Servings Per Container:
6, 30

Full Reviews

8
I'm a huge fan of SIS gels, though I typically use the non-caffeinated version. But at the end of a long day, these can provide that little bit of mental focus so you can keep laying down the watts. As with other SIS gels, I'm a big fan of the isotonic formulation that reduces the need for water when re-fueling. This is especially key on long mountain bike rides when water stops are few and far between.
Will S., backcountry.com
November 26, 2018
10
I was skeptical, but this stuff is great! There have been some remarks about the packaging being difficult, but I found the packets as easy to open as a GU/Cliff Shot, etc. What's really nice is how easy they are to get down and to not feel like you need an entire water bottle to wash it. I like the "liquidity" and the flavors are fine. Berry is my choice, the citrus is good as well. Other high notes: easy to pack multiples and easy to reach them in the jersey pocket. They tend to stay upright and easy to identify by feel. I'm also a fan of "less is more" when it comes to lactose, gluten, etc.
Ed Kilbourn, backcountry.com
April 4, 2017
10
I’ve been running for about seven years now and GU was my go to gel. I recently tried SIS’s gels and they are so much better. They taste good, no stomach issues and I don’t get a jittery feeling after taking them. It’s a much better product if gels are your thing.
Yasmin R., backcountry.com
March 29, 2017
10
What I like most about these gels is that they do not require water. The size is a bit larger but it's worth it because they are easy to take and don't hurt my stomach. I found it very easy to tear open the package while riding.
Brian B, backcountry.com
December 19, 2016
4
First of all, these must be just for pros, because you will need someone driving beside you in a car, with scissors, to get one opened. They taste fine, but there's really no way to use them while riding. I was looking for a higher caffeine content than the GU stuff, but then realized these have more caffeine only because they are twice as big as the GUs. Much rather have two GUs.
Jeffrey S., backcountry.com
December 14, 2016
10
I first tried these SIS gels when I was in Spain for a race, and loved them. Was not able to find them back here in the states until now. I have used all the other major brands and none go down as easy as these, no sticky fingers and thick goo. They go down easy and you don't need to drink a bunch of water to wash them down, and no upset tummy. If you are not sure just get a sample pack of 6 to try out you won't be disappointed.
Donald S., backcountry.com
November 30, 2016