Maurten

The Swedish brand that introduced hydrogel to endurance nutrition. Gels and drinks with no colorants or preservatives.

Maurten in brief

Maurten is a Swedish sports nutrition brand founded in 2015 in Gothenburg, which developed Hydrogel technology: carbohydrates are encapsulated in a pectin and alginate matrix. Its products accompanied Eliud Kipchoge during Nike’s Breaking2 project, and later when he set the marathon world record in 2018.

Brand profile
Origin	Sweden (Gothenburg)
Founded	2015
Founders	Mårten Fryknäs, Olof Sköld and Karl Sköld
Signature feature	Hydrogel technology: carbohydrates encapsulated in pectin and alginate
Flagship products	Gel 100, Gel 160, Drink Mix 160 and 320, Solid 160, Gel Mix 480, Bicarb System
Athletes featured by the brand	Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri, Kilian Jornet, Flora Duffy, Alex Yee

How does Hydrogel work?

A traditional sports drink is made of water and sugars. Maurten Drink Mix products add pectin and alginate. When the mixture comes into contact with stomach acid, it forms a hydrogel: a jelly-like structure that encapsulates the carbohydrates as they travel to the intestine. Maurten gels, on the other hand, are already in hydrogel form. That’s why they’re firm and don’t flow out of the sachet.

What the brand promises: high carbohydrate intake that’s easier on the digestive system. What you need to know: Hydrogel doesn’t make digestive issues impossible. As with any race nutrition, test Maurten products during training, never for the first time on race day.

A short range with a few ingredients

Gel 100 contains just six ingredients, with no coloring, preservatives, or added flavoring. The result: a very neutral taste. That’s an advantage when you’re taking gels for three hours, but less so if you like to switch flavors with every gel.

Which Maurten product should you choose?

Gel 100 (40 g): 25 g of carbohydrates for 100 kcal, with a fructose/glucose ratio of 0.8:1. The basic format for regular intake.
Gel 100 CAF 100: the same gel, with 100 mg of caffeine.
Gel 160 (65 g): 40 g of carbohydrates. Fewer sachets to carry for an equivalent intake.
Drink Mix 160: 39 g of carbohydrates per sachet, to be mixed with 500 ml of water.
Drink Mix 320: 80 g of carbohydrates for 500 ml of water. Also available in a CAF 100 version.
Solid 160 and Solid C 160: 40 g of carbohydrates in bar form, for long outings when you need something to chew.
Gel Mix 480: 120 g of powdered carbohydrates, to be mixed with 200 ml of water. Its texture falls between Drink Mix and Gel. Use with the Gel Mix Flask 350 ml.
Bicarb System: Maurten’s version of sodium bicarbonate, also based on Hydrogel. Our Bicarb guide helps you set the dose according to your weight and level.

Maurten: product guide
Product	Serving	Carbohydrates	Caffeine
Gel 100	40 g	25 g	no
Gel 100 CAF 100	40 g	25 g	100 mg
Gel 160	65 g	40 g	no
Drink Mix 160	1 sachet + 500 ml of water	39 g	no
Drink Mix 320	1 sachet + 500 ml of water	80 g	no
Drink Mix 320 CAF 100	1 sachet + 500 ml of water	80 g	100 mg
Solid 160	1 bar	40 g	no
Gel Mix 480	1 sachet + 200 ml of water	120 g	no

Three examples for planning your hour of exercise

The figures above are enough to build a strategy. One Drink Mix 160 and one Gel 100 provide 64 g of carbohydrates. One Drink Mix 320 consumed over an hour provides 80 g. Three Gel 100 provide 75 g. High intakes need to be trained like everything else: start low and increase gradually during your long outings.

Maurten at Nutri-Bay

Each product is available individually, in a box, and in packs designed for a specific goal: marathon, trail or triathlon. Prefer more pronounced flavors? Take a look at Näak or Baouw. If sodium is your priority, the Precision Fuel & Hydration range is a good complement to Maurten fueling.

Sources: Official Maurten website, Silicon Canals, 2024.

Frequently asked questions about Maurten

How many Maurten gels should you take per hour?

It all depends on your carbohydrate target. A Gel 100 provides 25 g: two gels per hour give you 50 g, three gels 75 g. Maurten designed Gel 100 around a fructose-to-glucose ratio of 0.8:1, which the brand associates with intake of up to 100 g per hour. Increase gradually and test your intake during training.

What is the difference between Gel 100 and Gel 160?

The technology is the same; only the serving size changes. Gel 100 (40 g) provides 25 g of carbohydrates, while Gel 160 (65 g) provides 40 g. Gel 160 means carrying fewer sachets, while Gel 100 lets you split your intake into smaller portions.

Do Maurten gels have a taste?

Very little. Gel 100 contains only six ingredients, with no added flavoring, colorants, or preservatives. It has a neutral taste and a firm texture, more like a jelly than a syrup.

How do you prepare the Drink Mix and Gel Mix 480?

One sachet of Drink Mix 160 or 320 dissolves in 500 ml of water. One sachet of Gel Mix 480 dissolves in 200 ml of water, ideally in the Gel Mix Flask 350 ml. Once prepared, Gel Mix 480 keeps for up to 72 hours in the refrigerator.

Which Maurten products contain caffeine?

The CAF 100 versions: Gel 100 CAF 100 and Drink Mix 320 CAF 100, with 100 mg of caffeine per serving. The other gels and Drink Mix products in the range do not contain caffeine.