⁃ I purchased the Strawberry Banana gels in November 2016 and they have an expiry date of February 2018. Therefore, the batch they sent me has a 1 year plus shelf life (when stored in a cool dry place) which is a good thing. Some people have complained of products being sent to them too close to the expiry date. This wasn't the case in this instance.
⁃ Each individual GU gel also has the expiry date stamped on it.
⁃ The strawberry banana GU gels are the ideal GU gels for a runner who doesn't want to use GU gels that contain caffeine, either due to reacting negatively towards caffeine use or if running at night and not wanting to stay awake way deep into the night after the run is over.
⁃ As for me, I run mostly at night since it is the only time I can run without distractions.
⁃ I use and prefer the caffeinated GU gels for races as I feel that the caffeine works well with me.
⁃ I used these GU gels in a morning run once and they worked well. I felt that they supplied much needed energy to me.
⁃ The particular GU gels have a well balanced strawberry and banana flavor. It's not too strong and blends beautifully. The strawberry doesn't overpower the banana and vice versa.
⁃ They are handy, easy to open up and are just the right size. They are easy to stuff into running shorts pockets or running belts.
⁃ They have almost the same consistency with the rest of the GU gels. You may use them alone or sip some water to make the gel go easier through your throat. Your choice.
⁃ I use these non-caffeinated gels together with the regular non-caffeinated saltstick electrolyte capsules with no stomach or other issues. I cramp after long runs if I don't use saltstick capsules.
⁃ I also use the gels together with mustard (packets) and/or pickle juice to prevent cramping and I have no stomach or other issues. I also take energy sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade) with no stomach or other issues.
⁃ The other brand of non-caffeinated GU gels is root-beer. Root beer flavor tastes better (I am biased, I like root beer) but cost more, so I buy the Strawberry Banana flavor more often.
I have used the other caffeinated GU gels (assorted flavors) for a marathon. They provided the energy needed for the marathon, especially during the last 10 miles when you hit the wall. I used them with the SaltStick caps and I had no issues. Highly recommend them, especially since they can be used with salt stick caps with no adverse effects.
(*Strawberry Banana) Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, L-Leucine, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Sea Salt, L-Valine, Natural Flavors, Gellan Gum, L-Isoleucine, Sunflower Oil, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Fruit and Vegetable Juice (For Color); (*Chocolate Outrage) Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, Organic Cocoa Liquor, L-Leucine, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, L-Valine, Sea Salt, Green Tea (Leaf) Extract (Contains Caffeine), Calcium Chloride, Citric Acid, L-Isoleucine, Malic Acid, Pectin Powder, Sunflower Oil, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative); (*Vanilla Bean) Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, L-Leucine, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, L-Valine, Sea Salt, Natural Flavor, Green Tea (Leaf) Extract (Contains Caffeine), Gellan Gum, L-Isoleucine, Sunflower Oil, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative); (*Salted Caramel) Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, L-Leucine, Sea Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, L-Valine, Natural Flavor, Green Tea (Leaf) Extract (Contains Caffeine), Gellan Gum, L-Isoleucine, Sunflower Oil, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative); (*Jet Blackberry) Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, Natural Flavors, L-Leucine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Green Tea (Leaf) Extract (Contains Caffeine), Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, L-Valine, Sea Salt, Malic Acid, Gellan Gum, L-Isoleucine, Sunflower Oil, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative);(*Tri-Berry) Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, L-Leucine, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, L-Valine, Sea Salt, Green Tea (Leaf) Extract (Contains Caffeine), Malic Acid, Gellan Gum, L-Isoleucine, Sunflower Oil, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
