Skratch Labs recently introduced several new products and flavors to their sports energy drink and fuel line. I’ve used several of the company’s products for years and welcomed the opportunity to test some new items. The items listed below are available online or retail; however, your LBS may not carry all the flavors or variations in packaging.
Below I’ve reviewed both hydration mixes, gel chews, and bars. Each has its unique flavor and role for fueling your ride.
Clear Hydration Drink Mix
Price: $17.25 – Single Serving 8 Pack; $2.25 – Single Serving; $21.95 – Resealable Bag 16 servings
Flavors: Hint of Lemon, Hint of Orange
Skratch sent me a bag of the Clear Hydration Drink Mix late last year, well before its release to the public. I love the idea of having an electrolyte sports drink with a hint of flavor. For example, I prefer a break from the heavily flavored mixes on long rides. To solve this issue, I usually have two bottles; one plain water and one filled with a hydration sports mix. However, Clear Hydration has such a light flavor I fill both bottles with the mixture. Also, what’s nice is if you’re a heavy or salty sweater, simply add more mix without the worry of adding more intense flavor.
The light flavor and low sugar make Clear easy on the stomach, so you can go for a long ride or run and not worry about gut issues.
Hydration Sports Drink (Raspberry Limeade and Pineapple flavors)
Price: $1.95 – Single Serving; $35.00 – Single Serving 20 Pack; $19.95 – Resealable Bag – 20 servings
Flavors: Pineapple, Raspberry Limeade
The Sport Hydration Drink Mix is for the endurance rider and replaces the electrolytes lost from sweating. I tried the two new flavors and, as suspected, preferred the lighter taste of the pineapple. Neither flavor caused any digestive issues, and it prevented me from cramping in the heat and humidity. Last weekend, I put the Hydration Drink Mix and the Blueberry Energy Chews to the test while riding the IMWI bike loops in Madison, Wisconsin. The route was 77 miles with over 4,800 feet of climb on a warm, humid day. Both worked great and kept my energy up and my stomach feeling fine.
The Raspberry Limeade flavor has 50mg of caffeine if you want an added boost on a long ride. The product is verified non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and made with real fruit.
Blueberry Energy Chews
Price: $23.50 – Single Pouch 10 pack; $2.45 – Single Pouch
I’m a huge fan of anything blueberry and was excited when Skratch introduced this new flavor of Energy Chews. In the past, the orange had been my go to flavored chew. Unfortunately, the blueberry flavor was too subtle. On a flavor intensity from 1 to 10, with 1 being the weakest, I’d give it a 3. So if you like a subtle flavor to your Energy Chews, this one is for you. For a more intense flavor, I suggest you try the orange version, which is my favorite. Also, note that the blueberry flavor packs an added boost of 50 mg of caffeine derived from green tea, similar to the Sour Cherry flavor.
The company recommends consuming one package of Energy Chews (160 calories and 38 grams of carbohydrates) each hour for activities lasting longer than two hours.
Peanut Butter + Chocolate Energy Bar Sports Fuel
Price: $2.65 – Single Serving bar; $29.50 – 12 pack
Skratch added this yummy flavor to their Energy Bar line—Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Who doesn’t like this combo of flavors? The premise behind the development of this Skratch bar is to give athletes an alternative to the hard, dry, sit in your belly nutrition. Instead, these bars are easy to chew, easy to digest, and made from less sugar than the leading energy bars.
These bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, and soy free. This should fit almost any person’s dietary requirements except for nut allergies.
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.
As always, your reviews set the standard for description, evaluation, and recommendation. I find reviews especially helpful when they compare other products, as these do. Thanks for your work, Sheri!
Dan
Thanks for the feedback.