Maurten Drink Mix Review

Maurten has brought cutting-edge innovation to the world of hydration and energy drinks. Using alginate, a product of red algae, to encapsulate high-quality carbohydrates, Maurten has been able to provide maximum energy without the undesirable GI effects experienced with many other brands. The Maurten Drink Mix is designed to become an encapsulated gel when in contact with the acidity of the stomach. This allows the energy mix to bypass the stomach and deliver carbohydrates directly to the small intestine, where they are absorbed for fast-acting energy. The Drink Mix is available in two sizes: a 160-calorie version and a 320-calorie version that features double the carbs (80g).

Used by the world's top marathoners, Maurten has quickly become a respected energy source for long-distance athletes. Scientifically designed to be gentle on the digestive tract, Maurten provides large amounts of easily digestible carbohydrates efficiently for almost instantaneous energy. Our testers had rave reviews on the ease of digestion, speed of accessibility, and quality of energy they received when using Maurten Drink Mixes during their long runs.

Our testers agreed that the Maurten Drink Mix offered high levels of sustained energy without any negative gastro-intestinal side effects. The 320 drink mix contains 80g of carbohydrates which is twice as many as the digestive system had been believed to tolerate before.

Tracie: "I felt the Drink Mix was very effective and sustained high energy levels when taken consistently throughout the duration of the workout. I was worried that consuming no solid foods and no protein would affect my recovery, but thanks to being able to easily take in enough nutrition, my recovery seemed greatly improved."

David: "I went out for three 16-plus-mile runs with Maurten as my only nutrition source, and it worked wonderfully. I felt the energy kick in fairly quickly, and I didn’t experience any stomach discomfort or hunger, even after running for a few hours."

The Maurten Drink Mix contains no added flavor, color, or preservatives, so you taste exactly what you get. Our testers found that the consistent neutral taste was enjoyable throughout their runs and agreed that the gel-like texture of the 320 Drink Mix was different but easy to adjust to.

Tracie: "The Maurten Drink Mix was smooth, crisp, and fairly neutral in flavor. I was surprised to find that it tasted quite sweet, but not in a sickening, sticky sort of way."

David: "The 160 had more of a muted taste, which I enjoyed. The neutral flavor was easy to consume and almost reminiscent of some Tailwind that I’ve tried before."

Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Fructose, Pectin, Sodium Alginate, Sodium Chloride

Great for those prone to digestive issues when running, Maurten products are designed to pass through the stomach in hydrogel form in order to deliver high-quality fuel directly to the small intestine where it is absorbed.

Connor: "The Maurten Drink Mix is a fantastic pick for someone who may be more prone to having stomach issues during their long runs or races. I found it very easy on my stomach while still providing me with everything I needed."

David: "Both the 160 and 320 went down smoothly, and I didn’t experience any digestion issues, even after a few hours of usage."

The Maurten Drink Mix comes packaged in single-use portions. Our testers appreciated the convenience of its portable packaging.

Tracie: "Normally, I’m not a fan of excess packaging. However, this was somewhat offset by the convenience of being able to easily toss a serving in my pack and create more drink on the go."

David: "The packaging has a little slit on either side which is supposed to allow for easy opening. One package I received did not have a slit, and I struggled to open it in the middle of a race. I would recommend filling up bottles before a run to simplify the process."

While on the pricier side for a sports drink, our testers found the Maurten products to be worth the cost. With its high supply of calories and GI-friendly formula, our testers agreed that it would be a great product to use on race day.

Connor: "The Maurten Drink Mix is pricey, and this will keep some people from giving it a try. But with the high price, you get a high-quality product that is definitely worth it on race day or for important longer efforts."

Tracie: "No question, Maurten product is expensive. Given how good I felt energy-wise while using this, as well as my lack of digestive issues, I do think it would be worth the extra money for longer, more prioritized races."