Gear Review: Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 2.0 by Martin Schneekloth

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2015

Gear Review: Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 2.0 by Martin Schneekloth

As I prepare for the ultimate adventure and one of my top ten bucket list items, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in France in August 2015, I will be testing out and evaluating different gear options that are either going to be part of the mandatory gear or are optional but that I consider essential for my ability to reach the finish line.

While, not specifically listed as a required piece of equipment, runners will be unable to carry all of the mandatory gear without some type of pack. Rummaging through the running gear that I've accumulated over the past few years I figured that the Ultimate Direction Scott Jurek (SJ) Ultra Vest might fit the bill. Full disclosure, the follow up model, the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 2.0 has been available since last year, but since I already owned the first model, I am reviewing it here. While the 2.0 version has some improvements, specifically in regards to materials used (e.g. stretch, durability, breathability, etc.) and side adjustment straps, this review should still help you understand its usability in general terms, since the two packs do not vary that much in terms of utility.

The Georgia Death Race, a 68 miles footrace with approx. 20,000ft of climb through the North Georgia mountains, would be the perfect proving ground for my pack. The race required some basic mandatory gear: weather proof jacket, thermal top, warm hat, emergency whistle, headlamp or torch with spare batteries, capacity to carry minimum of 22oz of water, emergency blanket. In addition, I needed to be able to carry personal nutrition and trekking poles as well as any additional items of clothing should the weather turn for the worse. While the Ultimate Direction AK Vest could possibly have been enough to carry this gear, I would have struggled to add any "extra" items without straining the pack. The SJ vest would give me just a little extra room, if needed. Below are the manufacturer specs with some personal comments added.

Manufacturer Features and Specs

Front of the pack

• 2x Smart phone compatible pouches (iphone 5 barely fits, iphone 6 would likely not fit)
• 2x Bottle holsters tighten to carry camera, etc. (will hold most currently available smart phones)
• 4x Gel or bar pouches (can possibly hold 2 gels each)
• 2x Electrolyte or valuables pockets (one waterproof pocket is very useful for small ipod & headphones or salt tablets, the other pocket stretches nicely and could also function as a "pack out" pocket, read: trash pocket)
• 2x Fully adjustable sternum straps (they slide up and down and adjust to almost any body shape as long as you choose the proper vest size)
• 1x Emergency whistle (nice to have, especially when it's a mandatory piece of gear)

Back of the pack

• 2x Secure lat pockets, with stretch panel behind (not accessible without sliding pack off your shoulders, but perfect for items you do not plan to access regularly during your adventure, e.g. epipen, body glide, chap stick, etc.)
• 2x Zippered compartments (allows for compartmentalization of your gear, one larger and one smaller compartment)
• 2x Trekking pole loops (they work perfectly in concert with the 4x plastic hooks and the adjustable bungee cord on the pack of the pack to secure your poles and your gear)
• 1x Ice axe loop (hopefully, I get to use this loop some day)
• Accommodates a 70 oz. reservoir (sold separately, but almost any brand of reservoir should work)

Dimensions

• Overall Volume Capacity: 427 cubic inches / 7l
• Fluid Capacity: 2 x 20 oz bottles / 2 x 591 ml plus optional 2l reservoir (I opted to replace the bottles that come with the pack with 2x soft UD body bottles)
• Weight: 11 oz. without bottles / 310 g without bottles (weight with bottles varies on the type and number of bottles you plan to use)
• Height: 12 in. / 30 cm
• Width: 9 in. / 23 cm
• Depth: 2.5 in. / 6 cm

Sizing At Chest (Unisex)

• SM: 25 - 31 in. / 63.5 - 78.7 cm
• MD: 31 - 38 in. / 78.7 - 96.5 cm
• LG: 38 - 43 in. / 96.5 - 109.2 cm

Make sure you measure wearing the clothes you intend to wear, as a vest full of gear will definitely fit smaller. On the other hand, purchase a vest that is too large and it will possibly bounce and worse chafe during your run.

After checking in at the race and having my mandatory gear checked by the race officials, I headed to my hotel room and laid out all of the gear I planned to pack for the race ahead. Listing it here will hopefully provide some insight into the capacity and utility of this vest. My mandatory gear included the following items: 1x weather proof but not waterproof jacket, 1x thermal long sleeve half-zip top, 1x buff, 1x emergency whistle, 1x headlamp with 4x AA batteries and spare batteries, 2x 14oz UD soft body bottles, 1x emergency blanket. I added the following items that I considered essential: 1x 17oz soft bottle as a backup, 1x pair of socks, 1x pair of gloves, 1x pair of waterproof gloves, 1x pair of trekking poles, 1x ipod and headphones, 30x SCaps, 10x gels, 1x epiPen, 1x chap stick, 1x Body Glide stick, 1x iphone, 3x packs of electrolyte chewables. After I was done packing, there was still plenty of room in all but the smallest of pouches and pockets on this vest.

After a previous run, I had decided to replace the standard 20oz bottles that come with the vest with the newer 14oz soft body bottles that Ultimate Direction and some other manufacturers now offer. It was a decision purely based on my own comfort. The original bottles would bang against my rib cage on the downhills, being a nuisance at best and leaving my ribs a bit painful after at worst. I consider the invention of the soft bottles as one of the most significant trail running inventions in a very long time. Well, I'm still looking for a super bright, light headlamp that will last all night, but other than that, the soft bottles are pretty much it in importance to me. What's even better, Ultimate Direction just released 18oz body bottles, which will allow me to carry more water while still fitting into the front pockets of all of the UD vests perfectly.

I filled up the water bottles, placed them in the vest and pulled the straps to secure them tight to avoid any bounce. Then I lifted the vest and to my surprise, it did not feel that heavy. What's more important, it didn't feel that heavy once I put it on my back and secured all of the straps to cinch it down (to secure the gear on the back and to secure the pack in the front via the 2x adjustable chest straps). I've owned this pack for a while, but I didn't realize until now that these chest straps also adjusted up and down, thereby allowing for an even better custom fit. I was duly impressed.

I guess that last comment kinda give it away already. I am a firm believer in this product and this vest in particular. I used this pack for the entire 18 hours it took me to reach the finish line, in constant rain and this pack help up perfectly. No bounce, no chafing, no back pain, heck, most of the time I completely forgot I was wearing the pack at all. If there is one point to mention, it is that you should probably zip lock any gear that you want to stay dry. This vest is designed to be breathable and you cant have both. However, one of the small pouches in the front of the vest is waterproof and it has kept my ipod dry for all of my adventures so far.

Further impressions of this pack, it really did a great job holding and securing my trekking poles, but it did make access to the back pockets challenging. However, that would be the case for any pack that utilizes a bungee cord of some sort to cinch down gear on the outside of the pack. It wasn't an issue for me and I was able to get to all of my gear as quickly as necessary. On a side note, I would love to see a product that comes up with an even better way to allow for trekking poles to be quickly released and quick secured in the future. For now, this vest did the job perfectly for me.

Final thoughts, this pack does everything I need it to do. It provides plenty of room for a 24 hour ultra marathon in remote areas. There was absolutely no sloshing around with the body bottles and the pack never shifted once, even when I fell. It never affected my natural balance and there were no hotspots anywhere. It does manage to hold all of my mandatory gear for UTMB, but I will discuss that in another upcoming post. It is my go to pack for longish adventures, but I might upgrade to the SJ 2.0 or the PB 2.0 for my birthday:-)

Please see a video review of the pack from the manufacturer Ultimate Direction and feel free to add comments below.

Martin grew up in Germany before moving to the US in 1994 but didn't start running until about 15 years ago. In 2008 he ran first road race (Cotton Row Run) and first marathon (Rocket City). Ever since then he has been pushing his limits and endurance with numerous ultramarathons.  His team biography can be found here and also his own running blog here.

Gear Review: Honey Stinger Caffeinated Cherry Cola Organic Energy Chews by Eric Charette

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013

Gear Review: Honey Stinger Caffeinated Cherry Cola Organic Energy Chew by Eric Charette

Product Details: The latest flavor of Honey Stinger organic energy chews are made from 95% organic ingredients and sweetened with organic honey.  They also contain 32mg of caffeine that comes from white tea extract.  This combination provides a natural and sustainable energy source.  A single package contains 160 calories, 39 grams of carbs, 0 fat grams and 100% of the daily requirement of vitamin C.

Background Information: Honey Stinger Organic energy chews are formulated specifically for health-conscious individuals and athletes seeking a great tasting energy snack.  The were the first energy chew to provide naturally occurring fiber and protein that's derived from tapioca syrup and honey.  The previous flavors include Pink Lemonade, Caffeinated Lime-Ade, Fruit Smoothie, Cherry Blossom, Pomegranate Passion Fruit and Orange Blossom.

Pricing: $26.28 for a box of 12 available from Honey Stinger.com or locally at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville.

Impressions: A few weeks ago Honey Stinger launched the latest flavor in their highly popular organic energy chews line.  I was already a fan of the other flavors offered by Honey Stinger so I dropped by Fleet Feet Sports in Huntsville and picked up a box.  I didn't even manage to get out of the store before I had a pack open and was eating them like candy.  This was the best energy chew I had ever tasted and instantly determined that it was my new energy supplement of choice for running and other endurance sports.  While in theory it was that easy to say, I still needed to put them to the test.

Testing: Last weekend I was helping out with the Fleet Feet Huntsville trail running group at Monte Sano State Park.  My role was to run ahead of the trainees and mark the route, which included a super fast downhill section along War Path Ridge, a muddy open route under the power lines, then a stout climb back up K2 before returning to the start.  This route had lots of side trails and not wanting people to get lost, I was placing quite a few markers.  This became problematic as I ran low on markers before the final climb.  I decided I needed to retrace my steps and redo some of the markings, and improvise in a few places.  The end result was that the planned 7 mile route turned into 11 miles for me and I was running very low on energy.  When we returned to the parking lot, I reached for the Cherry Cola Energy Chews and ate about half of the package.  Within minutes, the minor bonk I was feeling went away and the slight dizziness I was experiencing from going three hours without fuel cleared up.  We were going back out to remove the markings so I packed the rest of the package in my pocket and took them on the run.  I was able to easily eat them while running due to their small size and didn't have trouble breathing or having to choke them down like some other oversized brands.  After the 18 mile day I was so happy that I had them along with me or things would have been quite miserable.

Summary: While the new cherry cola energy chews meet my needs for providing the right amount of carbohydrates, it was the taste and the extra boost of caffeine that sold me.  They are gluten and dairy free which I don't have issues with, but for some people this may make a difference.  To summarize, these were the main points from my experience with the new energy chews.

• Great taste
• Boost from caffeine
• Small size makes them easy to chew and swallow and eat just a few of them and store the package in your pocket to take more later
• Not overly sticky and don't leave residue on your fingers

It has been a week since I first tried the new energy chews and have gone through an entire box and have already picked up more for my next run!  

Eric has been a member of the Fleet Feet Racing Team since 2006 and was also a member of the U.S.A. inov-8 ultrarunning team in 2010 and 2011.  He also directs operations for the Racing Team along with friend and teammate Marty Clarke.  Eric's personal bests include a 16:29 5km, 34:45 10km, 1:15:32 1/2 marathon, 2:43:40 marathon and 3:53:15 trail 50km.  In his spare time he loves to spend time with his beagles Siri and Fiina.

Gear Review: Nike Pegasus Trail Shoe by James Falcon

Check out this gear review of the Nike Pegasus Trail shoe from racing team member James Falcon on his new blog, "This Falcon Runs".  Review - http://www.falconruns.blogspot.com/2013/01/shoe-review.html

Though originally from Texas, James moved to Alabama in 1992 for two years before returning to Texas and then back to Huntsville in 2000.  Along with his wife Michelle, they have two children and have been a prominent part of the community ever since.  James is entering is 4th decade of running and owns a sub 5-minute personal best in the mile and a sub 22:30 100-mile personal best.  James is the race director for the Huntsville Track Club's Alabama A&M 5k cross country race and has been heavily involved in the local triathlon scene in racing and coaching.

 His team biography can be found here.

Gear Review: FuelBelt Revenge R30 Review by Jim Clemens

Date: Thursday, December 13, 2012

Gear Review: FuelBelt Revenge R30 Review by Jim Clemens

Product: Revenge R30

Technology Information: The Revenge® Series from FuelBelt is touted as a breakthrough in hydration belt design given the one handed entry and exit. Instead of a “sleeve” for the bottles, the R30 sports molded holsters that hold on to the bottles preventing slipping and loose bottles. This new design allows for a super lightweight hydration belt. The R30 has 3 holsters and there is also a 2 holster version, the R20. Both the R20 and R30 come with one pocket but additional add-on pockets can also be purchased.

Pricing: $43.95 for an R30 from www.fuelbelt.com or locally at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville

Impressions: After owning and liking a particular hydration belt for many years, the time had come to buy a new one. Upon investigating all options and looking at several models in running stores, the FuelBelt line of belts quickly rose to the top. The features I was most interested in were:

• Lightweight
• Tight fitting without having to cinch it so tight as to cut off circulation to my lower extremities
• Comfort
• Minimal amount of bouncing when filled
• Storage capacity for liquids and quantity of energy gels that could be carried

The R30 met each of my criteria so I decided to give it a whirl. I had some concerns about the custom fit belts that can be purchased (2 bottle and 4 bottle) so I went with the “one size fits all” Velcro belt. Let me say that I have never been as pleased with a hydration belt as I have with the R30! The bottles stay put in the belt with no bouncing yet they are easy to remove and to put back in even when running. The belt appears to be only lightly padded when looking at it but that is the beauty of keeping the belt lightweight – I can honestly say I have never had to “think about” the belt while running which is a great thing! The belt is extremely comfortable and once you have the belt adjusted to your liking, rarely do you need to re-adjust on the fly.

I chose the 3 bottle model which provides up to 21 ounces of fluids, enough for me for even my longest of long runs. The pocket carries up to 4 (tightly packed) energy gel packets which also are enough for me.

Suggestion: Many runners prefer the hand held bottles; however, if you are like me and prefer the hydration belts for your long runs, you definitely need to check out the FuelBelt line of products. Depending on how many energy gels, keys, and other items you want to carry in the belt, you might look into also purchasing an extra pocket which can be slid onto the belt.

Summary: FuelBelt is one of the leading providers of hydration belts and that will surely continue given their high-quality, lightweight, comfortable designs. The Revenge® R30 is the perfect belt for my medium length and long runs, providing all of the liquids and gels I need during even the hottest of summer days that Alabama has to offer while at the same time fitting so comfortably and being so light as to feel like I am not even wearing one.

Jim joined the Fleet Feet Racing Team of Huntsville in 2012 but started running when he was 9 years old. He a fantastic resume of personal bests, including a 2:38 marathon in 2003.  Along with his wife Elizabeth, they have two children Matthw and Rebekah and live in Madison, Alabama.  Jim earned two Bachelor's degrees from Bowling Green and his Master's degree in Science from Clemson.  His team biography can be found here.

Gear Review: Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gels by Eric Charette

The Product:  Organic Energy Gel from Honey Stinger, available in Acai Pomegranate, Vanilla and Fruit Smoothie flavors.


Ingredients: Organic tapioca syrup, organic honey, water, potassium citrate, natural flavor, citric acid, sodium chloride.  Contains 95% organic ingredients.


Nutritional Information: 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 50mg of sodium, 50mg of potassium, 23 grams of carbs (from 13 grams of sugar). They are certified organic also.

Pricing: $32.40 on the Honey Stinger website for a box of 24.  They are also available locally in Huntsville at Fleet Feet Sports.

Review:  I will be the first to admit that I was skeptical of trying the new Organic Energy Gels from Honey Stinger.  I am such a fan of using the original (now named Classic) Gold flavor during my training runs and during races that I didn't think that the gels could be improved upon, but I was wrong!

I have tried the new Organic Energy Gels during a variety of different training sessions including during my recent fastest known time attempt of the 40.4 mile Greenstone Ridge Trail on Isle Royale.  I really needed an instant energy surge to finish up the last few miles and the Organic Gel was perfect to fuel me to the end.  More recently, I used the Organic Energy Gel during a track workout.  I went through my normal routine of warming up for three miles, followed by some light stretching.  Then I took about half of the Acai Pomegranate Organic Energy Gel before a few more easy laps on the track.  While during my warm up I felt sluggish with heavy legs, it was amazing the lift in instant energy I felt within ten minutes of taking it and was able to have a great VO2max session.

When comparing the new Organic with the Classic energy gels, the organic have 16% less calories (100 compared to 120) and they have less potassium (50mg for Organic and 85mg for Classic), both of which are negligible differences in my opinion.  Where I see the big difference is that the new Organic Gels have less total carbs (23 grams for Organic and 29 grams in the Classic) which is not preferred, but in doing so they cut the composition of carbs due to sugars from 29 grams to 13 grams.  One of the other main differences is the basis of tapioca syrup in the Organic gels which seem to make it much smoother than the classic.

Now that you know how they compare to the original, the question that comes to mind is how do they taste?  I have tried all three flavors and liked the Acai Pomegranate more than the Vanilla or Fruit Smoothie.  Honestly the Vanilla reminded me too much of the Vanilla flavor from another manufacturer for me to give a fair chance and the Fruit Smoothie just didn't seem like a flavor that I would crave during competition.  The taste of the Acai Pomegranate was just my personal favorite but I would recommend that you try all three to see which works best with your stomach.

Summary:   I finished my track session by taking the rest of the Organic gel before a long cool down.  There wasn't an energy crash at any point, proving that the new Organic gels really have the ingredients for long lasting endurance activities.  The new Organic Energy Gels are a nice compliment to the line of already outstanding energy gels from Honey Stinger and I highly recommend that you try them.

Eric has been a member of the Fleet Feet Racing Team since he moved to Huntsville in 2007 and currently directs team operations.  Recently he set the fastest known time for the 40.4 mile Greenstone Ridge Trail on Isle Royale in Lake Superior, running unsupported from Washington Creek Trail to Hidden Lake Trail in 8 hours, 47 minutes and 36.90 seconds.  Pictures and a write up on his epic adventure can be found on his blog.

Gear Review: Honey Stinger 20 gram protein bar by Tim Pitt

Date: Monday, March 6, 2012

Product: Honey Stinger 20 gram protein bar

Details: Chocolate Coated Peanut Butta Pro™

Pricing: $2.99 for a single bar, $35.88 per case, available online at HoneyStinger.com or locally at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville

Description: Not your ordinary protein bar! Honey Stinger protein bars are gluten free and contain no trans fats. This protein bar contains over 30% organic ingredients, 20 grams of whey protein, and 23 vitamins and minerals.

Impressions: I recently tried one of these Honey Stinger 20 gram Protein Bars after a long grueling trail run.  I knew that after +3 hours of tearing and breaking down my muscles I needed something to help them recover. Overall I was extremely pleased with the taste of this product. I am a big fan of peanut butter, so it was a natural fit. The texture of the bar was very smooth. It reminded me of a 3 Musketeers candy bar, but maybe a little denser. I felt like I was eating a candy bar in comparison to some of the other brands of high protein bars that I have had in the past. I found the bar to be quite filling and satisfying.

Suggestion: Although this bar has 20 grams of protein it also has 350 calories and 140 of those are from fat. This is not a huge consideration on my part since I typically only consume these type bars right after a run of 15 or more miles. Just be sure not to start using this delicious protein bars as a snack food, because once you taste them that is exactly what you will want to do!

Summary: Nothing beats a great tasting high protein bar made with quality ingredients after a tough workout! This is a bar you will want to keep in your running bag for sure!

Tim started running in the  spring of 2006 to get fit and healthy and since then has run every distance from 5km to 50km.  He is heavily involved with Fleet Feet Racing and in the promotion of running in his hometown of Arab, Alabama where he holds the distinction of being the fastest man in Arab.  His team biography can be found here.

Gear Review: Swiftwick Pursuit Zero Compression Socks by Tim Pitt

Product: Swiftwick Pursuit Zero Compression Socks (low ankle height)

Pricing: $14.99 per pair, available online at Swiftwick.com or locally at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville

Details: Made from Australian Merino Wool

Technology Information: Merino Wool is a nature’s original technical fiber and has proven insulating and wicking qualities.

Impressions: I recently wore a pair of Swiftwick Pursuit socks at a local 5km race. The last two miles of this 5km were run on an open field that had some pretty sloppy and muddy sections. Because of the wet muddy conditions I wore my trails shoes and put on my brand new pair of socks. My immediate feel for the socks were unbelievable!! It was as if I had wrapped my feet in the softest material ever. Swiftwick describes the sock as “itchless,” I think they are down playing it!! I am a big fan of merino wool but I would not typically describe it as extremely soft. I laced up my shoes tight; I was almost paranoid my foot would move around in the sock. The first mile of the race was on sidewalks and I immediately forgot all about my feet and socks. It was not until I started running through water and mud and felt my feet get wet that I gave them any thought. However, just as expected, the wet and cold feel quickly left and my feet were dry and warm. Despite having trudged through two miles of water and mud, my feet were very comfortable at the end of this race. I even kept the socks on for the cool down!

Suggestion: My only suggestion, and this may simply be a function of the low height version, is that they could use a bit more compression around the top of the sock.

Summary: Swiftwick merino wool socks have to be the softest most comfortable pair I have ever put on. Even with all that comfort, the merino wool performed flawlessly and kept my feet dry and warm so I could focus on the race. I have worn them on several trial training runs since.

Tim started running in the  spring of 2006 to get fit and healthy and since then has run every distance from 5km to 50km.  He is heavily involved with Fleet Feet Racing and in the promotion of running in his hometown of Arab, Alabama where he holds the distinction of being the fastest man in Arab.  His team biography can be found here.

Gear Review: Swiftwick Women's Vibe Compression Sock by Lynn Curry

Product: Swiftwick Women's Vibe One Compression Sock

Pricing: $12.99 per pair, available online at Swiftwick.com or locally at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville

I have owned a plethora of running socks over the years and none have been worthy of review until I bought a pair of Swiftwick at Fleet Feet on a whim the day before setting out to run 15 miles of trails. After splashing through mud and running in the rain, I came home and my feet were completely dry- the sock was damp- but only to the touch and completely odor-free! Since that day I have purchased 4 pair. I wear them everywhere- to work, running, even around the house. I found myself thinking of who I could gift these to. You not only can choose the ankle height, but also the weight and cushioning. Swiftwick has revolutionized the customized sock for all sports. The website is interactive; allowing you to narrow search by sport, gender, type, performance, and sock height to name a few. It also has reviews based on compression, wicking, breathability, footbed thickness, and durability.My other running socks have paled in comparison to my Swiftwick. They have torn, shrunk, and stretched. I will continue to add Swiftwick to my stock. While my friends and family may not admit it at first, a gift of these socks will bring them back for more.

Lynn grew up in New Hampshire and ran at the division 1 level in college for both cross  country and track.  She moved to Huntsville five years ago and has been contributing to the Fleet Feet Racing Team both with her volunteerism and fast times.  Her team biography can be found here.

Gear Review: Honey Stinger Gold Gel by Rick Mahhlmann

Product: Honey Stinger Gold gel – 1.3 oz

Ingredients: Honey, Water, Potassium Citrate, Salt, B vitamins

Nutrition Information: 120 calories, 50 mg Sodium, 85 mg Potassium, 29 g Total carbohydrates (from sugar)

Pricing: $1.29 for a single packet and $30.96 for a box of 24 from HoneyStinger.com

Impressions: I recently tried a Honey Stinger Gold gel during a long run. This gel is summed up with the first, sweet part of the brand name and the first ingredient listed – Honey. I wouldn’t have guessed there was anything but honey in this gel. Without making it obvious in the taste of the gel, Honey Stinger has included the Sodium and Potassium that are essential to replace during endurance activities. Something else very pleasant about the gel, I didn’t have to worry about squirting it near the back of my mouth or getting the gel down quickly because I enjoyed the natural honey taste. Even on a cold morning, the consistency of this gel was a bit thinner (less viscous) than honey, making it easy to dispense and swallow. Opening the packet with gloves while running was nearly effortless. I did manage to lose the tab I tore off to open the packet despite my attempts to save it for disposal. My only suggestion for improvement is to somehow make that tab easier to capture.

Summary: Honey Stinger Gold is worth trying if you enjoy simple, sweet, and natural as qualities in a gel.

Rick is an original member of the Fleet Feet Racing Team from Huntsville and together with his wife Katie have contributed tremendously to the running community since moving to Huntsville in 2000. His team biography can be found here.

Gear Review: Honey Stinger Waffle by Eric Charette

The Waffle from Honey Stinger... tasty treat best suited for coffee or valid fueling option for running long distances?  How about both!

The Product:  Waffle from Honey Stinger.  Comes in regular, vanilla and strawberry flavors.



Ingredients: Organic wheat flour, organic palm fruit oil, organic rice syrup, organic cane sugar, organic honey, organic whole wheat flour, organic soy flour, sea salt, organic soy lecithin, organic spices, baking soda.


Nutritional Information: 180 calories, 7 grams of fat, 55mg of sodium, 21 grams of carbs (from 14 grams of sugar).  They are certified organic also.

Pricing: They come for $22.24 on the Honey Stinger website for a box of 16, though you can find them on Amazon for as low as $14.99.

The Good:  I have been using the waffle as fueling to my pre-running routine for about six months.  I take a single one about an hour before I run.  They are gooey (apologize for the technical terminology) and oh so tasty.  I usually break them in half (while still in the package, which keeps any crumbs inside the wrapper) and then eat them in two bites.  They taste far superior to most energy bars, which some can taste like cardboard.  They seem to provide just the right amount of fueling that I need to get started into my long run or race and last me about an hour before I feel the need to refuel.  They do not upset my stomach at all, nor do they sit like a rock in my belly either.  I joked above about them going well with coffee... no joke here.  They double as a great snack in the morning with my coffee for days when I forget to eat.  They have better nutritional value than a candy bar and pack in enough energy to get me through to lunch most days.

The Bad:  There really isn't much that is bad about the waffle, but maybe areas of improvement!  The packaging at times can be tough to open.  I want to take the back flap and rip it down, keeping the crumbs inside but times you have to tear the entire package open to get inside.  Also, I really can't tell the difference between the regular and the vanilla flavors, though I have not tried them side by side.   I tried to eat them on the run, but being solid (not mashable gel) they did not fit into my hand held bottle as well as a gel.

Summary:  When have you ever found something that tastes great, can be used as a morning snack, a pre-run fueling option and comes at a great price?  The Honey Stinger Waffle has it all and I highly recommend it.