Maurten Drink Mix 320 CAF 100 Review

Maurten continues to bring innovations to the world of hydration and energy drinks. Now offered with caffeine, the Maurten CAF drink mix gives an extra performance boost during high-intensity and endurance activities. For quick caffeination without the bitter taste, Maurten is able to control the flavor of the caffeine and the way the mix is digested using their hydrogel technology. The drink mix becomes an encapsulated gel when in contact with the acidity of the stomach, allowing the gel to pass smoothly to the small intestine where it is absorbed for fast-acting energy.

Just as in the original drink mix, our reviewers loved how energized the new Drink Mix 320 CAF 100 made them feel. The original mix gets a 100-mg caffeine boost, adding to the long-lasting fuel of the original. Our testers had no digestion issues using this product and enjoyed how they felt energized for a long period of time instead of a short-lived surge. However, our testers found that getting that entire packet to dissolve could take some time. Overall, our team found Maurten Drink Mix 320 CAF 100 very easy to digest and effective at supplying lasting energy. For those looking for a boost during racing or an easy way to fuel during training, Maurten Drink Mix will keep you charged up all the way to the finish.

Liz: "Maurten's products are truly effective. I appreciate the consistent energy that this mix provides for long workouts. I never feel jittery or hyped up as I would with some of the more sugary nutrition options, but I also feel great throughout my workout. (Yeah! No bonking!)."

Matt: "The Maurten CAF 100 Drink Mix provides me with everything I need before a run. It has the simplest electrolytes, which make for great fuel and energy. I never have to worry about being unprepared or under-hydrated. The added caffeine also keeps me locked into my workout without the drawbacks of coffee."

David: "I used this product as my sole nutrition on multiple long runs. It's easy to digest and starts working fairly quickly. On one of my 10-mile runs, I consumed the Maurten 320 at the halfway point, and it gave me plenty of energy and a kick of caffeine to sustain me for the rest of the run."

Liz: "I feel that this is where many people may have a problem with this drink mix. It just tastes like diluted sugar water, and some people might not enjoy that. I ended up loving it! Some energy drinks can be too sweet for my liking with very strong artificial flavors, so the lightly sweet, almost flavorless taste of the Maurten mix works for me."

Matt: "The taste of this mix is surprisingly nice. It only has a few ingredients, so some might not expect it to taste very good. But they are wrong. The simple sugars provide a nice sweet taste that isn't as overbearing as some pre-workout or sports drinks."

David: "With no artificial flavors or colors, this mix has a very sweet taste upfront and a slightly bitter aftertaste from the caffeine. Due to the large number of calories and carbs the 320 offers, there is a lot of powder in each packet, filling up nearly a third of your 16-oz bottle before you even add water. This leads to a consistency that is thicker than a typical hydration drink but thinner than a gel, and while it tastes clean, it can be tough to chug the whole bottle due to the sweetness."

Liz: "This is what Maurten is made for! The encapsulated gel is gentle on the stomach and helps to all but eliminate gut issues."

Matt: "This mix never gives me any issues during or after runs. I think it is because of the small number of ingredients, only having what is necessary. Once the mix is fully dissolved, it is not thick or hard to get down. When I run after consuming it, I never have any issues."

David: "I used the 320 CAF 100 on an empty stomach before a tough trail run and halfway through a long road run and did not experience any digestive issues or discomfort. It can be a little tough to consume the whole thing at once, but it wasn't an issue sipping slowly over a short period."

Liz: "The packaging is easy enough to use. My issue was with how large the packet was, and I do find that the 320 mix is hard to get to dissolve fully in a bottle. On one workout, I brought an unopened packet to refill my bottle at a water fountain, and the size of the packet was pretty inconvenient to carry in my pocket. It would be easier to carry on longer mountain adventures where I was wearing a vest."

Matt: "The packaging rocks. It is simple, easy to open, and easy to pour."

David: "There's a slit at the top of the packaging that makes it simple to open and pour into a bottle. Because the packaging is on the larger side, I recommend pre-filling the bottle with the mix ahead of time; otherwise, you may need to wear a vest or pack to store the multiple packets. My one complaint about this product is that it won't dissolve in chilled water, so it works best to use room-temperature fluids or have it sit close to your body as you run so that it will be mixed by the time you are ready to drink."

Liz: "While Maurten is one of the more expensive energy supplements on the market, I do think that the value is there. Those who are looking to use these for longer workouts will find the sustained energy worth the cost, and those who don't want to worry about digestive issues will also find Maurten worth the investment."

Matt: "The Maurten mix is on the pricier side, but in my eyes, it is totally worth it. I really think it prepares me and gives me everything I need without any digestion issues."

David: "At around $4 per packet, this drink mix is much more expensive than most of its peers, but you are getting a top-of-the-line product to aid your performance and not cause digestive issues. I recommend reserving the 320 CAF 100 for your long or tough training runs, as well as races."