Hiking is something that everyone enjoys doing now and then. However, it requires a lot of physical energy and endurance and focuses on hiking for a long time.
And that’s where energy drinks come in. Energy drinks provide you with energy and improve the cognitive performance that you require during hikes.
But you already know that, and that is the reason you clicked on this article to know which energy drink powders are best for hiking.
So don’t worry, I have reviewed the top three energy drink powders that will help you hike in this article.
Celsius On-The-Go, G-Fuel, and Sneak energy drink powders are outstanding choices for hiking.
Keep reading to know more about these energy drinks in detail.
What to look for in an Energy Drink?
When purchasing an energy drink powder, there are certain things that you should look out for. These factors help you in determining whether the energy drinks you are choosing are good for you or not.
Here are some of the crucial factors to look out for:
Caffeine Content
Caffeine is an energy-booster stimulant that is found in almost every energy drink.
Caffeine, a natural stimulant, consumed by millions of people worldwide, can be found in cacao powders, tea, and coffee. Moreover, it is derived from coffee beans and is mostly used in beverages, like soft drinks and energy drinks, as it is a good energy source.
Caffeine works by stimulating your nervous system and brain. Also, it improves your cognitive skills, mental and physical performance and increases your endurance. Therefore, if you are looking for an energy drink for hiking, look out for those that have caffeine in moderate amounts.
But, remember excessive use of caffeine can lead to caffeine overdose and other health issues like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Heart problems
- Sleep deprivation
Therefore, to avoid these effects, the FDA has recommended that you only consume up to 400mg of caffeine daily.
Sugar Content
Sugar is another great source of energy that can be found in most energy drinks.
Sugar, a unit of carbohydrate, is a great source of energy and can be found in many beverages, including energy drinks. Furthermore, it adds taste to the food.
Sugar provides you with short-term energy, and its excessive use can lead to certain side effects, like jitters, sugar crashes, depression, diabetes, etc. Many energy drinks are packed with sugar; therefore, when selecting an energy drink powder, try to look out for those low in sugar content.
Furthermore, there are lots of sugar-free energy drinks available on the market so that you can choose from those too. They are quite the healthier option compared to sugary energy drinks and provide you with the same amount of energy.
Also, remember that if you are choosing energy drink powders that have sugar in them, try not to exceed the daily intake of sugar, 36g for men and 26g for women, as recommended by the NHS.
Price
Price is another crucial factor to consider while buying energy drinks.
Energy drinks are both expensive and inexpensive; therefore, check the price before buying an energy drink powder.
Most people think that energy drinks high in price are generally good for boosting energy rather than those low in price.
However, this is far from the truth, as the quality of an energy drink depends on its caffeine content, ingredients, and nutritional facts rather than price.
In short, in some cases, budget-friendly energy drinks are better as compared to expensive ones.
So, I will recommend that you choose those energy drinks that are affordable and have good quality. You can also check the back of an energy drink to determine its quality.
Is Caffeine good for hiking?
Yes, caffeine is good for hiking as it improves your endurance.
Caffeine can boost certain aspects of exercise, such as improving your endurance, increasing your stamina, and boosting your energy levels. Due to which you can hike for a longer period without feeling tired or fatigued.
Pro Tip: Try to consume caffeine before going for a hike for better results.
How to prepare for a hike?
There are certain things you should do to prepare for a hike so that you won’t feel exhausted.
Hiking requires stamina as it is an endurance sport. Therefore, depending on the length of your hike, you may need to prepare for the hike to go smoothly.
If you are going for a morning hike around your neighborhood trail, you may not require any preparation. However, if you are going to the mountains to hike, you may need serious training and preparation.
Here are some of the tips you can use to prepare for a hike:
- Drink plenty of water before going
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Pack plenty of food and water
Want to know more about how to prepare for a hike, then check this video out.
What to drink during hiking?
I prefer water as the best choice to drink during hiking as it will keep you hydrated, but you can also choose an energy or sports drink to boost your energy.
Most people prefer energy drinks or sports drinks during the hike, but if you are skeptical about the caffeine content present in them and don’t want to risk your health. Then, some natural energy-boosting drinks will keep you hydrated during a hike.
Here are some of the natural and healthier options for you:
- Water
- Coconut water
- Gatorade
- Electrolyte-infused water.
Is Red Bull good for hiking?
Yes, Red Bull is a good option for hiking.
Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine, 27g of sugar, and 110 calories in its one serving, which I think is a good option to boost your energy levels.
Even though the calorie and sugar content is high in this energy drink, you can still consume it since you are going on a long hike and will probably burn out more calories.
However, this energy drink also comes in a sugar-free version, so you can also choose that if you are worried about the number of calories in the original.
But, remember, try to take this in moderate amounts as excessive consumption can cause side effects. In my opinion, one serving of this energy drink is enough to keep you hydrated throughout the day.
How to maintain your energy during hiking?
There are different ways through which you can maintain your energy during hiking.
Hiking is a very difficult task that requires loads of energy. Therefore, it is better to hydrate yourself before and during the hike so that your energy remains intact.
There are other different options through which you can maintain your energy levels. Here are some of them:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Stay hydrated
- Maintain a sustainable pace
- Rest beforehand
Are energy drinks good for hiking?
Yes, energy drinks are good for hiking.
Energy drinks are energy-boosting supplements, which means you can consume them when going on a hike. They contain caffeine, which will keep you energized for a longer period, improve the physical performance you require during the hike, and boost your stamina.
However, some energy drinks are high in sugar content which can cause dehydration and other side effects like sugar crashes and jitters. Therefore, to avoid them, I suggest you choose those energy drinks that are low in sugar content or are completely sugar-free.
Also, remember to take energy drinks in a moderate amount and limit yourself to one serving of an energy drink.
Best energy drink powders for hiking
Now that you have clear insight into how energy drinks can help you during a hike let’s look at some of the best energy drink powders for hiking.
Here are some of the best energy drinks for you.
| Energy Drinks | Sugar Content | Calorie Content |
| Celsius On-The-Go | Zero | 10 |
| G-Fuel | Zero | 10 |
| Sneak | Zero | 12 |
Now, let’s take a look at these energy drinks in-depth.
Sneak Energy
Caffeine Content: 150mg
Sugar Content: Zero
Calorie Content: 12
Price: $0.87 per serving
Sneak energy drink is a perfect choice of energy drink powder to drink during hikes.
Sneak energy drink contains 100 mg of caffeine, an ideal content to increase your energy and improve your focus.
Moreover, it contains only 12 calories and zeroes sugar in its formula, which I think is good compared to other sugary drinks. Therefore, you can easily drink this energy drink without having to worry about side effects or spiking your blood level.
Also, this energy drink powder contains essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that will keep you active and hydrated throughout the hiking period.
Besides this, Sneak comes in 40 different delicious flavors, which means you can choose any according to your taste. The best part of this energy drink is that it costs around $40 for a 400g tub, making it $1 per serving.
You can easily purchase this energy drink at its official website. Want to know more about this energy drink? Then, check my article Sneak energy review here.
G-Fuel
Caffeine Content: 140mg to 150mg
Sugar Content: 0
Calories Content: 10 calories
Price: $35.99
G-fuel energy drink powder is another great choice for hiking.
G-Fuel energy drink powder is an excellent energy drink powder with fabulous energy-boosting ingredients. It contains only 140 to 150 mg of caffeine per serving, depending on the flavor you choose.
Furthermore, this energy drink is packed with amazing vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other important ingredients that keep you energized and hydrated for longer periods.
Just like Sneak, this energy drink also has almost 35 mouth-watering flavors. This energy drink is quite inexpensive as compared to Sneak and costs around $30. The best place to buy this energy drink is through its official website. However, you can also choose Amazon and eBay to buy this product. You can also check my other article, G-Fuel review, to know more about this energy drink.
Celsius On-The-Go
Caffeine Content: 200mg
Sugar Content: 0g
Calorie Content: 10 calories
Price: $16.63 (14 servings)
Celsius is another amazing energy drink powder for hiking.
Celsius-On-The-Go is an ideal energy drink that contains 200mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and only 10 calories per serving. This energy drink is perfect for those who want to burn their body fat while being energized.
Furthermore, this energy drink contains essential nootropic vitamins and minerals in its formula, which I think is perfect for hiking. So, I highly recommend that you try this energy drink powder. One scoop of this energy drink is enough to keep you energized throughout the hike.
Also, this energy drink comes in various flavors and only costs around $16.63 per 14 servings, which I think is quite affordable. You can purchase this energy drink powder from Amazon at a very reasonable price. You can also check my other articleー Is Celsius-On-The-Go bad for you to gain more insights about this energy drink.
Conclusion
Celsius On-The-Go, G-Fuel and Sneak energy drink powders are an outstanding choice for hiking as they contain all those ingredients required to keep you hydrated.
When hiking, you require a burst of energy to keep you going without feeling tired. And, energy drinks can help you in providing this energy for your hike.
However, some energy drinks are high in caffeine and sugar content which, instead of making you energized, drains all your energy, makes you feel jittery and dehydrated. Therefore, when selecting an energy drink powder, it is necessary to check the caffeine and sugar content.
That being said, energy drinks are not the only way to keep yourself hydrated during the hike. So, try to use energy drinks in moderate amounts and instead of them choose natural ways to boost your energy levels.
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