Price: $29.95 – 40 servings bag (save more with subscription)
Flavor tested: Salted Margarita
Calories: 30 calories/scoop
Electrolytes (1 scoop & 12 oz water): 500mg Sodium, 100mg Potassium, 80mg Magnesium, 100mg Calcium, and 135mg Chloride
Vitamins: B
Available: Online and retail
Obtained by: Company sample
RBR advertiser: No
NEW – Hydrate mix – Limited Edition Flavors
Gnarly surveyed around 5,000 customers to determine their new flavors, with Salted Margarita and Lemonade emerging as the top contenders. So on May 1st, Gnarly launched them as their two new Hydrate drink mix limited edition flavors. Hmmm, I’d have waited one day and promoted the Salted Margarita as the perfect hydration mix for a spirited Taco Tuesday group ride.
I had never heard of Gnarly before their rep contacted me with samples. The company’s goal is to create the highest quality sports nutrition products for all performance levels. Their products are NSF Certified, an independent accredited organization that tests, audits and certifies products and systems while providing education and risk management. In addition, the NSF dietary supplement certification program protects consumers by testing for harmful levels of contaminants and certifying that supplements contain the ingredients listed on the label and nothing else.
An Excellent Option for Heavy Sweaters
The company sent me a bag of the Salted Margarita Hydrate mix, so this review focuses mainly on this new flavor. It contains 500mg of sodium (double the amount found in the existing flavors of Hydrate), making it great for heavy sweaters like myself.
At only 30 calories, one scoop and 12 ounces of water contain essential electrolytes that need replenishment on a challenging ride ―500mg Sodium, 100mg Potassium, 80mg Magnesium, 100mg Calcium, and 135mg Chloride. Plus, it also includes B vitamins to keep you energized. The mix also contains only 4 grams of sugar per scoop, yet it is very flavorful.
The Salted Margarita mix has plenty of flavor without being overpowering or crazy sweet. I’m not a fan of heavy flavor or sweetness in my water bottle. This new Gnarly flavor was perfect. It had a good ‘clean’ flavor, no aftertaste, and it caused zero gut issues. Exactly what you want from a hydration mix.
Unique Packaging
The sample I received was the 40-serving resealable pouch, and I had difficulty opening it. The scored tab wouldn’t tear, so I used scissors to open it. Once it was open, I noticed the scoop and a small Performance Dry packet that said it contained a harmless absorbent for humidity and odor. I’ve never seen one in a consumable product, but it definitely is helpful. Other brand mixes sometimes get clumpy or can become a solid brick over time. With a shelf life of 2 years, the Performance Dry pack is a nice added packaging feature.
Bottom Line
The Gnarly Hydrate drink mix is affordable at $29.95 for a 40-serving bag or $0.75 for a bottle. It’s got the right combination of great clean flavor, low sugar, and electrolytes. And if you finish a Taco Tuesday group ride with a little Salted Margarita mix still in your water bottle, simply add tequila, ice, and a wedge of lime. Salud!
The reps sent me a sample box containing other Gnarly products I’m looking forward to trying ― Vegan Plant Protein meal replacement, Collagen Pro joint and connective tissue protein supplement, and Fuel2O endurance nutrition.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.