Brand: Open Fuel
Category: Running Energy Nutrition
Recommended by Rachel Bambrick, Ultrarunning coach & community leader — Greater Philadelphia area
Highlights: long distance
The Gel Mix Bulk Bag from Open Fuel LLC offers a convenient and eco-friendly solution for athletes seeking customizable energy on the go. With a balanced blend of carbohydrates and sodium, this gel mix empowers you to fuel your adventures without the waste of single-use packets. 1. Each serving contains 30g of carbohydrates and 200mg of sodium, providing optimal energy and hydration support. 2. Crisp neutral flavor allows for versatile mixing with your favorite beverages or consumption on its own. 3. Affordable pricing at $1.70 per gel ensures you get high-quality fuel without breaking the bank. 4. Easy preparation gives you complete control over your fueling strategy, allowing you to adjust servings based on your needs. 5. Compatible with the Open Fuel branded reusable 180ml flask, designed to hold three servings or 90g of carbs, promoting sustainability. 6. Lightweight and compact packaging makes it ideal for travel, outdoor activities, and long-distance events. 7. No more trash on trails, as this bulk option eliminates the need for disposable gel wrappers. The Gel Mix Bulk Bag is perfect for endurance athletes, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts who require reliable energy sources during their activities. It excels in environments such as marathons, cycling events, and long hikes, where quick access to fuel is essential. Ideal for users of all skill levels, this product is particularly beneficial for those looking to minimize waste and maximize performance. Whether training or competing, this gel mix is designed to meet your energy needs efficiently throughout the year.
Price: $26 - $40
- Who it's for
- Trail and ultra runners who want to reduce single-use gel wrapper waste and prefer to control carb density and consistency in a single flask. Also suits runners sensitive to GI issues or sweetness who benefit from a neutral, low-preservative formula.
- What people are saying
- Hosts consistently praise the neutral flavor, zero-waste flask system, and ability to customize consistency and carb load (commonly 90g carbs per flask). The one recurring caveat is that mixing requires a small amount of prep — easiest when done the night before.
- Worth noting
- Pairs with Open Fuel drink mix for added flavor to combat palate fatigue on long efforts. Multiple hosts report no GI issues, including during 100K races.
Rachel Bambrick's review
Oh my goodness this has been one of my new all time favorites! Gel mix that you can use to make your own gels! Cost saving! Less waste! Great taste! I used this during Siskiyou 100k recently and had 0 GI issues. I will keep coming back to this product!
Recommended by Rachel Bambrick, Ultrarunning coach & community leader
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Gel Mix Bulk Bag for?
Trail and ultra runners who want to reduce single-use gel wrapper waste and prefer to control carb density and consistency in a single flask. Also suits runners sensitive to GI issues or sweetness who benefit from a neutral, low-preservative formula.
What do experts say about the Gel Mix Bulk Bag?
Hosts consistently praise the neutral flavor, zero-waste flask system, and ability to customize consistency and carb load (commonly 90g carbs per flask). The one recurring caveat is that mixing requires a small amount of prep — easiest when done the night before.
What should you know before buying the Gel Mix Bulk Bag?
Pairs with Open Fuel drink mix for added flavor to combat palate fatigue on long efforts. Multiple hosts report no GI issues, including during 100K races.
What does Rachel Bambrick say about the Gel Mix Bulk Bag?
Oh my goodness this has been one of my new all time favorites! Gel mix that you can use to make your own gels! Cost saving! Less waste! Great taste! I used this during Siskiyou 100k recently and had 0 GI issues. I will keep coming back to this product!
Why does Rachel Bambrick recommend Open Fuel?
Rachel Bambrick recommends the Open Fuel Gel Mix Bulk Bag for running energy nutrition. Oh my goodness this has been one of my new all time favorites! Gel mix that you can use to make your own gels! Cost saving! Less waste! Great taste! I used this during Siskiyou 100k recently and had 0 GI issues. I will keep coming back to this product!
Is the Gel Mix Bulk Bag a good running energy nutrition?
Yes — Rachel Bambrick recommends the Gel Mix Bulk Bag by Open Fuel as their running energy nutrition pick. Oh my goodness this has been one of my new all time favorites! Gel mix that you can use to make your own gels! Cost saving! Less waste! Great taste! I used this during Siskiyou 100k recently and had 0 GI issues. I will keep coming back to this product!
Is the Gel Mix Bulk Bag good for long distance?
Rachel Bambrick recommends it for long efforts: Oh my goodness this has been one of my new all time favorites! Gel mix that you can use to make your own gels! Cost saving! Less waste! Great taste! I used this during Siskiyou 100k recently and had 0 GI issues. I will keep coming back to this product!
More from Rachel Bambrick's IMTUF 100
View Rachel Bambrick's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
15 experts recommend the Open Fuel Gel Mix Bulk Bag.
Super useful tool to have in your kit. Small volume for big carbs. Strike mission necessity.
Recommended in Go-light mountain day
Cody Poskin, Professional Ultrarunner and Hopeless Romantic
Okay so stay with me on this one. At first I thought I would hate mixing my own gel. Sure it’s more inconvenient than just grabbing one, but it also comes with a ton of benefits. I can control the consistency and carbohydrate density. I can put the mixed gel in a 180mL flask or I can load it up in a 600mL flask for longer sections. With less preservatives than regular gel and a neutral flavor, this gel is so easy on the stomach. Don’t knock it until you try it.
Recommended in Kodiak 100
Will Murray, Professional Trail Runner
Make your own gel in a reusable flask! Reduce single-use packaging, keep fueling simple and fun. I usually make about 3 servings (90g carbs) in a 250mL flask or Open Fuel's 180mL flask. Sometimes I add a scoop of Ultra Fuel drink mix for flavor. Mix with warm water to desired consistency and then refrigerate for a little while. I often fuel with only liquid calories, but I'm finding that in a hot weather ultra I have portions of the day where I crave more plain water and prefer to get my calories from the gel mix.
Recommended in Western States
Seth LaReau, Trail runner. Writer. Founder and author of Trail Waves.
No more single-use gel packages! The Open Fuel Gel Mix allows you to mix your own fuel and carry multiple servings in a single flask, while still ensuring you get the carbs and sodium you need. The naked flavor is easy on the palette as well. Love this stuff!
Recommended in Trail Favorites
Abby Storer, Mountain Running & Storytelling
My FAVORITE gel mix. I only discovered open fuel this summer, but made the quick switch after trying a sample at TrailCon. This will be my nutrition plan for all my future races <3 I love that all of my carbs and electrolytes can be customized into one bottle- it's really quick to get down and easy to track your nutrition.
Recommended in Nutrition Essentials
Makena Morley, Professional Runner (Roads, Trails...)
Love this custom mix gel mix! It is nice to find a consistency you like and continue to make that for each of your runs! You can add in a tiny bit of the carb mix too to give it a little extra flavor!
Recommended in Broken Arrow Race List
say goodbye to single use gel packs with this mix and go formula! good for your body and the planet!
Recommended in Fuel 🧃
Caleb Bowen, Marshall University Head Cross Country/Assistant Track Coach
No more gel wrappers. I love being able to just use my gel flask and have all the fuel I need for each run.
Recommended in Gear and Nutrition
Homemade gels that taste great. Awesome carb to sodium ratio and can add whatever flavor you like to prevent palate fatigue.
Recommended in Trail running necessities
DIY drink mix, but not complicated or clumpy! Being able to customize my amount of carbs and consistency is amazing for someone who is more sensitive about these things during hard runs. I love the neutral flavor as well
Recommended in Fuel
The gel mix is a recent addition to the Open Fuel lineup, and it's quickly become a part of my main fueling plan. I only recently started using it, but I'm already hooked. I really appreciate the approach to reducing waste by eliminating individual gel wrappers. It's simple to carry a flask and fill it with exactly as much fuel as you need for your run. The taste is great, it’s not overly sweet and is enjoyable even late into long efforts. You can even mix in a little drink mix if you want to dial in a specific flavor. It's been fueling my long runs as I build toward my next race - Waldo 100K.
Recommended in Running Essentials
No waste, carry less, three gels in one flask!
Recommended in Running Gear
I often find myself picking up gel wrappers on the trail. Even I have noticed my gel wrappers fell out my vest when running, and I feel so bad when it happens… That’s why I was super excited to try this reusable gel mix. With 30g of carbs it pairs perfectly with the hydration mix for 90+ carbs an hour for easy high carb fueling!
Recommended in A few of my favorite things!
Jamie Hunyor, Ultrarunner & field botanist
The gel mix is rad! So cool to carry one flask with three gels & not have to jam sticky spent plastic wrappers back into my belt once I’ve taken a gel. The neutral flavor is great. And it’s super easy to mix especially when I remember to do it the night before.
Recommended in Gear for training and racing
