Tailwind NutritionEndurance Fuel, Caffeine Drink Powder Mix Single Serving with Electrolytes, Non-GMO, Free of Soy, Dairy, and Gluten, Vegan-Friendly, Raspberry Buzz, Pack of 12

I've become a big fan of Tailwind, like many endurance athletes. The various flavors are "barely there", never overpowering or strong enough to be sickeningly sweet during runs or leave an aftertaste. The mixes come in caffeinated and non-caffeinated formulations, and a "naked" mix is available with no flavoring. I like to have both caffeinated and non-caffeinated mixes in my drop/transition bag. The beauty of these products is that they provide both a complete panel of electrolytes and 200 calories of carbohydrates per package, in theory obviating the need for gels and reducing the need to refuel using solid foods on the event course, depending on duration and demands of the event. No protein. The packaging is very functional and clever--a pre-cut opening provides a small spout and a line in the middle of the package shows where to divide the contents to use half the mix at a time or in separate smaller flasks. You can customize the mix in dilution to personal need/taste. The recommended mix is 1 package in 24 oz. of water. Taking slugs every 15-minutes is convenient, makes for consistent hydration, and avoids the high/low effects of downing gels every 45 minutes. I use gels and always feel like I can blast off shortly after downing one before returning to baseline or even crashing a little half an hour later. I stay very even using Tailwind. I run with a couple of these in my 1.5L hydration pack on my back, and another split between two 12 oz. flasks in my vest. Depending, I may carry another 16-24 oz. flask in hand. That makes me good to go for marathon distance self-supported runs, in temperate weather. These are easy to throw in your vest so when you hit a water source or aid station at an event, you can just reload your flasks/hydration pack with water and toss these in. I've read some reviews stating the mix tastes salty--true for me when in stronger dilution than recommended, not true for me in recommended and weaker dilution. It's electrolyte, folks. I personally do not find it to be more salty than any other electrolyte drink in the recommended solution, and don't find it makes me "more thirsty". I'm drinking on a timed schedule combined with responding to any sensation of thirst, in any event. You can adjust the solution to reduce the salty taste. When running a supported event, you'll find they often mix Tailwind in more dilute solution which isn't a serious problem since you can reload at each station and drink more fluid. I personally prefer it in full strength. Again, you can bump that up or reduce it--the product gives you max flexibility. I find this works extremely well to drink as I go without stopping or slowing from my bite valve, and is very efficient to use with water provided at aid stations--refill the hydration pack, dump two (or however many) packages in and shake to mix, and take off. Same same for flasks. I view it to be a good substitute for gels--it is not a substitute for fueling. You'll still need to down some real calories depending on duration of your event. It's also not a substitute for FLUIDS--you must determine your fluid intake requirements to stay hydrated and factor in weather. UCAN Super Starch? I have found no specific guidance other than UCAN's statement to NOT use it in combination with other carb/energy drinks.

This stuff is magic! After suffering with hydration issues for years ultra running in Hawaii where it's freakin' hot and brutally humid, this stuff has been a game changer. I tried Pedialyte, coconut water, my own salt/sugar mix, Skratch, and other and still had hydration issues. Now, I know that if I put 1.5-2 scoops in one hand held water bottle, and keep fresh water in another in my other hand, I'm good for 2 hours if I drink both bottles. I then supplement occasionally chugging a full bottle of water at an aid station, and eat whatever I feel like. Just ran my second HURT 100 race with this strategy and beat my previous time by almost 2 hours. I never had hydration issues. Never had cramping. Never was wondering if I was getting all the hydration and electrolytes I need. I prefer the unflavored. It actually has a light citrus flavor that never gets old. I've been using it for 4 or 5 years, and even if I experiment with other stuff, I quickly come back. It's the best. LOVE IT!

Taste was great - not too sweet, but also not bland. Used this as my primary nutrition for a century and I never bonked out. Mixed easily with the water provided. No cramps either. Quality is top notch and I will definitely use this again as part of my nutrition plan.

I have been using this product for over one year now during all my runs. It has held me up through anything from training runs, marathons, and various ultras. I placed 4th in the Leadville 100 run in 2017 using primarily Tailwind. It never gives me gut bombs, and it is a really easy way to get calories in when you don't feel like eating real food. The individual packets are great to throw into a pack and open nicely to put into water bottles while running. The powder dissolves quite nicely- I use two scoops to one 20 oz water bottle during races and I never have clumps in the water. It seems to work great in both room temperature or cold water. I cannot recommend this product enough!! Purchasing the variety pack is a great first step- you can experiment with the caffeine infused flavors, as well as the other non caffeine flavors.

It's not my first time using Tailwind, this is now my go-to powder for my running and triathlon races. Last month I finished an 11-hour 50-mile trail race in 70-degree warm weather, many other runners seemed to be suffering from dehydration and sugar deprivation, but not me thanks to constantly replenishing my bottle with a powder bag and water at the aid stations every 3.5-5 miles. I alternated this endurance powder with the Tailwind Recovery powder, as the seller had recommended, to get some protein (I like to have protein for ultra trail runs, which tend to be hilly, and for long triathlons). I never had any gut problems, as usual with Tailwind, despite consuming 11 pouches. Also felt energetic and well hydrated, while others (much younger than me, I am over 50) bonked.

I recently trained and completed an ultramarathon using these. I love the Colorado Cola flavor. It's kinda like drinking flat coke; it's still drinkable if it is warm. I tried a sampler pack first and settled on this flavor.My favorite part is that it gave me fuel and energy without any stomach upset. I tried some Gatorade during my event and immediately switched back to my trusty tailwind.The only drawback to these is the packaging. I love the single serve idea; however, since I was using small bottles, I only needed a half or third of these sleeves at a time. On more than one occasion, I ripped apart the entire package with sweaty hands or found that my attempt to refold the top failed, filling the plastic bag with sticky powder. I'm still working on a convenient way to dispense this stuff, but that doesn't discourage me.One other drawback, this stuff cultures immediate gunk in your water bottle if you don't clean it same day.