Most runners have been there. Mile 18, legs heavy, stomach churning from a gel that promised smooth energy but delivered something closer to sugary chaos. The Swedish company Maurten built its reputation by solving this exact problem, and marathon runners at every level have taken notice.
Eliud Kipchoge used Maurten Gel 100 when he set the marathon world record in September 2018. He used it again when he broke the 2-hour barrier in Vienna, finishing in 1:59:40.2. The product has since become the on-course fuel at the Chicago Marathon, Boston Marathon, Berlin Marathon, and across the IRONMAN Global Series. That kind of adoption tells you something about how the running world views this gel.
But elite endorsements only go so far when you are standing in your kitchen, trying to figure out what to pack in your race belt. Here is what you need to know about Maurten Gel, including where it shines, where it falls short, and the best place to buy it.
What Makes Maurten Different
The core technology is called Hydrogel Technology, and it addresses a specific problem. When you consume carbohydrates during high-intensity running, your stomach can rebel. Cramping, nausea, and worse tend to derail even well-trained runners. Maurten’s approach encapsulates carbohydrates in a hydrogel matrix that moves through the stomach and into the intestines for faster absorption.
The gel comes pre-formed, so you do not need water to activate it. This sets it apart from the Maurten drink mix, which requires stomach acidity to form the hydrogel structure.
The ingredient list stays short. Gel 100 contains water, glucose, fructose, calcium carbonate, gluconic acid, and sodium alginate. That is 6 ingredients, with no added colors, preservatives, or flavors. The caffeinated version, Gel 100 Caf 100, adds caffeine for a total of 7 ingredients.
The fructose and glucose ratio sits at 0.8:1, which allows for carbohydrate uptake of up to 100 grams per hour. This matters for runners pushing hard over long distances.
The Pros: Why Runners Keep Coming Back
Stomach Tolerance
The feedback from marathon runners on GI tolerance has been consistently positive. One tester reported taking Gel 100 every 30 minutes during a 22-mile training run with zero stomach issues. Another runner completed three 16-plus mile runs using Maurten as the only nutrition source and reported no digestive problems at all. That same runner noted that on typical long runs with other gels, hunger became an issue in the final miles, but with Maurten, it did not.
Sports nutritionists rank Maurten alongside Huma and UCAN as the best options for runners with sensitive stomachs.
Efficient Carbohydrate Delivery
Gel 100 delivers 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Gel 160 bumps that up to 40 grams. For marathon fueling, nutritionists recommend working toward 50 grams or more of carbs per hour, which translates to about 2 sachets of Gel 100 or 1 sachet of Gel 160.
The math gets simpler during longer events. For 70.3 distances and above, many runners tolerate 80 grams of carbs per hour. Using Gel 160 means fewer packets to manage mid-race.
Maurten gels can be taken every 15 minutes, allowing up to 400 calories per hour. The efficiency appeals to runners who want straightforward fueling without complicated schedules.
No Crash, No Sticky Residue
One ultramarathon runner summarized it plainly: no crashes, no sticky mouth, no stomach issues, and no unnecessary fuss. The gel delivers consistent energy without the sugar spike and subsequent drop that some runners report with other products.
Race-Day Availability
If you are running the Chicago Marathon, Hydrogel Fuel Depots stocked with Gel 100 and Gel 100 Caf 100 appear at mile 12.4, mile 15.7, and mile 18.1. At the Boston Marathon, depots sit at Wellesley (mile 11.8), Newton (mile 17), and Boston College (mile 21.5). Berlin Marathon includes similar support.
Training with Maurten means you can rely on the same fuel at major races without carrying everything yourself.
The Cons: What to Consider
The Texture Takes Adjustment
The hydrogel technology creates a firmer consistency than standard gels. Testers consistently described it as thick, not the syrupy texture you might expect. Some runners found this off-putting initially. Others adjusted quickly and appreciated how easy it became to swallow during hard efforts.
The mild, neutral flavor works for many runners, though some wanted more variety during longer races. If you prefer strong flavors to break up the monotony, Maurten may feel too plain.
Premium Pricing
A box of 12 Gel 100 costs $43.50. The caffeinated version, Caf 100, runs $50 for a box. This places Maurten at the higher end of the gel market.
The pricing question comes down to your stomach. If GI distress has been a recurring problem with other gels, the hydrogel technology may be worth the cost. If standard gels work fine for you, the extra expense might not make sense.
How to Use Maurten for a Marathon
Sports nutritionists suggest building up to 50 grams or more of carbs per hour during your marathon. Here is one approach that has worked for runners:
Take 1 Gel 100 every 25 to 30 minutes. Start early in the race, before you feel tired or hungry. The goal is to stay ahead of your energy needs rather than playing catch-up at mile 20.
If you want more carbs per serving with fewer packets, switch to Gel 160. One runner found that using Gel 160 simplified fueling during longer events because there were fewer things to open and manage while running.
For the caffeinated option, most runners save Gel 100 Caf 100 (which contains 100 mg of caffeine) for the second half of the race, typically around mile 16 to 18. The caffeine boost can help during the final push when fatigue sets in.
Stocking Up Before Race Day
Marathon training blocks burn through gels faster than most runners expect. A 16-week plan with weekly long runs, tempo sessions, and race simulations can easily require 30 to 40 gels before you reach the starting line.
Runners who prefer Maurten often pair it with other options like Huma or UCAN to test what sits best during harder efforts. You can buy Maurten Gel 100 at TheFeed.com alongside these alternatives, making it simple to build out your full fueling kit in one order.
Ordering ahead gives you time to practice your race-day protocol without scrambling. Most coaches suggest using the same gel in training that you plan to use during your marathon, so having a steady supply on hand removes one variable from the equation.
Who Uses Maurten
The list of professional athletes using Maurten includes U.S. Olympian Molly Seidel, Boston Marathon champions Des Linden, Worknesh Degefa, and Geoffrey Kirui, and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge has called Maurten a game changer in sport.
The Boston Athletic Association has entered a multi-year partnership with Maurten, designating the company as an Official Sponsor and Exclusive Gel Nutrition Partner. Similar partnerships exist with IRONMAN Global Series, T100 World Series, and SBT Gravel.
This level of adoption at major events makes Maurten a safe choice for runners who want to train with the same fuel available on course.
Where to Buy Maurten Gel 100
TheFeed.com is the best place to purchase Maurten Gel. They carry the full range of Maurten products, including Gel 100, Gel 160, and the caffeinated Gel 100 Caf 100, with reliable service for athletes. Buying from The Feed also lets you explore other gels in the same order, so you can test different options during training before committing to a race-day plan.
Final Thoughts
Maurten Gel works well for runners who prioritize stomach tolerance and efficient carb delivery. The hydrogel technology has proven itself at the highest levels of the sport, and the short ingredient list appeals to runners who want straightforward nutrition.
The cons are real but manageable. The thick texture requires adjustment, and the price sits higher than most alternatives. For runners with sensitive stomachs or those racing at events where Maurten is provided on course, these tradeoffs often make sense.
Test it in training first. Start with a box, use it during your long runs, and see how your body responds. That is the only way to know if Maurten fits your fueling strategy.
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