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review
Energy & recovery gels
Wiggle Energy gel (20 pack)Wiggle Energy gel

Wiggle Energy gel (20 pack)

8
by Caven O'Hara
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Dec 17, 2014

3
£10.14

VERDICT:

8
10
Tasty with a good consistency makes for an easy to swallow gel
Weight: 
38g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk
How we test

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In a saturated market it is difficult to bring a new product to the shelves and make a mark. Wiggle have recently entered the energy gel fray with a basic line-up of energy products including their version of energy gels. The box of 20 x 38g gels come in two flavours, blackcurrant and orange.

Energy gels are an integral part of endurance sports. To enable an athlete to keep going over many hours your body needs to be able to replace the carbohydrates, electrolytes and energy it looses. This needs to be done on the go.

Both flavours of Wiggle gel are distinctive but not over powering. Perhaps more importantly they are easy to digest, falling in-between those options that are too watery and the other extreme that are almost chewy. Wiggle's variants hit the mark from a flavour point of view and then some.

The gels deliver 22.6g of carbohydrates per gel which is certainly comparable with other recognised brands. The tops are easy to rip off and so you can easily open them on the move. The recommended intake is one gel every 20-30 minutes during exercise.

The gels are easy on the stomach which is a big plus if you're out and about for long periods of time. The last thing you need is to get an unsettled stomach on a long ride or you find yourself in a remote area. You want to be able to concentrate on the ride without distractions and the Wiggle gels certainly allow you to do that.

These gels are caffeine free as well as being suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Further nutritional information can be found here:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wiggle-nutrition-energy-gels-38g-x-20/

I've found both flavours to be palatable on longer riders, over three hours without causing any issues, either digestively or through the taste. Sometimes on long rides your taste buds become a bit tired but these are not bad. I've managed four on a long ride, admittedly not the recommended intake but then I prefer to use less.

The added bonus here is the cost. At £12.99 for a box of 20, that represents good value. They may be a retailer's own brand but first impressions are good.

Verdict

Tasty with a good consistency makes for an easy to swallow gel

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Wiggle Energy gel (20 pack)

Size tested: Blackcurrent, Orange, Lemon

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

An endurance athlete will need to top up levels whilst undertaking several hours of activity. Some of this can be replaced at feed stations if provided but if you need to be self sufficient then you'll need to carry your own. The energy gel pack from Wiggle provide the ideal long ride companion. They taste good with a decent consistency which make them easy to digest.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The gels deliver 22.6g of carbohydrates per gel which is certainly comparable with other recognised brands. The tops are easy to rip off and so you can easily open them on the move. The recommended intake is one gel every 20-30 minutes during exercise.

The other benefit taken from the Wiggle gels is the electrolytes contained in them. These will assist in keeping your water and carbohydrate levels topped up along with taking other fluid on board. These gels are caffeine free as well as being suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

It is difficult to quantify this but I certainly didn't suffer any detrimental effects as a result of using the gels on rides. The taste is very palatable without being sickly on the stomach and they sit well which is a big relief.

Rate the product for value:
 
10/10

The packing is cheap, that's the presentation box but the individual gel packets are on a par with any other suppliers. Easy to open and robust. As for value, £12.99 for a box of twenty represents less then 65p per gel. That's pretty decent in any brand.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Gels need to taste good and the Wiggle gels do, they are easy on the stomach and represent really good value.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Taste and they sit easy on the stomach.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The long terms effects are difficult to judge at this time of year given that long rides aren't the norm. So the only caveat would be that, long term effectiveness.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes; they're tasty.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? At this price for anyone getting into cycling these are an ideal way to test the market.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

On short rides the Wiggle gels have been tasty and easy to use both in terms of opening and on the stomach. The effects on a longer ride might produce different results. So an eight with the possibility of going higher.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 178cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Currently riding a Pinnacle Evaporite Three  My best bike is: As above

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, mtb, Not yet but looking to dip my toe in the world of TT

 

Wiggle Energy gel
Wiggle

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