Smart runners prioritize variety in many forms for performance and injury prevention benefits. They train at a variety of paces, rotate a variety of shoes, run on a variety of terrains, and build stimulus variety into each week with strength and cross-training. Yet, lots of runners lock into just one brand of gels for fuel, making this an overlooked area where variety can be beneficial. I usually consume about 50-60 gels in a 20-week marathon block like the one I’m in now for Valencia – no way I’d use only one kind of gel the whole time! Here are 5 reasons why it can help to vary up the gels you use in a season.

1. Minimize gel fatigue. The same flavor and texture of gel gets old, especially when you’re sucking down 4+ gels in a long run or race. Varying up gels helps you tolerate more of them; that means more carbs and better performance.
2. More control of caffeine, carbs, sodium, etc. Some gels have no caffeine, some gels have 100mg of caffeine, some gels are in between with 20-75mg. If your only options are high-caffeine or no-caffeine, you have less flexibility than if you have some gels with 20mg, some with 30mg, some with 75mg. The same is true with sodium. If I have to do a long run in the afternoon, for example, I definitely don’t want 100mg+ of caffeine; if I’m running when it’s really hot, I’ll opt for at least one high-sodium gel to ensure I’m getting sufficient electrolytes. Lately, I’m also using a UCAN Edge gel in the middle of easy long runs – no caffeine but a slower-release of carbs that makes them purportedly “last longer” than other gels.
3. Reduced water dependency. Gels like Gu and PowerGel require water for good digestion. Relying on those gels only means you either need to run with a water bottle or to plan a route with well-timed water stops. Mixing in one or two gels that don’t require water gives you more flexibility. Some gels I’ve used that don’t require water: Maurten, High5, Vitaldin, Gu Liquid, 4Energy.
4. Comfort with on-course race gels. Many marathons and half marathons provide on-course gels for runners. We all know to “not try anything new on race day” and that leaves some runners foolishly avoiding on-course gels. At the Chicago, NYC, and Berlin marathons, for example, the races provide THREE free Maurten gels along the course (!!). Even ignoring that it’s arguably the best mid-race fuel available and you can take it without water, that’s three fewer gels you have to carry! You just need to know them ahead of time. Figure out what gels are offered on-course and try at least one out in training for familiarity.
5. Spend less / take advantage of deals. Some gels with cult-like following (eg Gu, Maurten) rarely go on sale. Others go on sale for 30-45% off periodically. With my 50-60 gels per season, if I time gel purchases strategically, I’ll save a good $50-70 per year. For example, after UCAN’s recent Strava promotion, they also had a bunch of stuff 40% off, so I was able to grab over $60 worth of gels, electrolytes, and drink mix for $32. Of course, if you want to get even more economical, you can make your own gel or sports drink.