The Science in Sport GO Isotonic gel provides an effective energy boost, has a mild favour, and proved easy to digest.

The SiS range is split into two distinct categories to keep things simple: GO (products to use during exercise) and REGO (products to use after exercise, to aid recovery).

This gel falls into the first category and was launched in 2002, ten years after the company formed. Claimed to be the world’s first isotonic gel, it doesn’t need to be taken with water to be effective.

Each 60ml gel provides 20g of rapidly-absorped carbohydrate, which is on the lower side of what you’d expect to get from a gel of this size. However, it kicks in quickly and it gave me a good boost for half-an-hour or more.

SiS recommend an intake of approximately 60g of carbohydrate per hour and these gels, coupled with regular sips of an energy drink, the odd energy bar and bites of real food, kept me well-fuelled through six-and-a-half hours of the Etape du Tour. I used the gels predominantly on climbs, when chewing is difficult while breathing hard, or if in need of a quick fix.

Alongside carbohydrate delivery, the key to the success of any gel is its flavour and the ease with which it’s digested.

This gel ticks both boxes for me, although taste and digestion are highly subjective. The gel is available in five flavours – apple, blackcurrant, lemon & lime, tropical and orange – and the two I tried – lemon & lime and orange – were both tasty. While it’s worth repeating the caveat on the personal nature of taste, crucially, the two gels were mild in flavour – a welcome feature when riding at the limit.

The texture is, on occasion, ever-so-slightly lumpy but certainly not sticky. It’s easy to digest and sits well on the stomach. I found it perfectly palatable and there’s no need for a gulp of water in order to get the gel down.

Otherwise, it’s easy to tear the top of of the gel open with your teeth (transfer to pocket to avoid littering). However, the packaging is not as compact as some other gels so it can be difficult to take more than a few on a long ride once you’ve also packed everything else into your jersey pockets.

All in all, the Science in Sport GO Isotonic energy gel is a tasty number, as far as gels go, and provides an effective quick fix, even if the packaging is a little bulky. All that’s left to mention is the price – £1.29 for one, £7.74 for six or £38.70 for 30.

Website: Science in Sport