Decathlon Gel 1:0.8 review: 40 grams of carbohydrates at a low price

​The Decathlon Gel 1:0.8 provides 40 grams of carbohydrates in a 1:0.8 ratio at a price that hardly any other 1:0.8 gel in the test can beat. The list of ingredients is short and contains no preservatives. However, the tear-off strip doesn’t hold and the gel is difficult to get out of the packet.

The gel is designed for ambitious endurance athletes who want to consume a lot of carbohydrates per hour during intense training sessions or long competitions. In terms of carbohydrates, the gel contains maltodextrin and fructose in a ratio of 1:0.8. This utilises two different transport pathways in the gut, which theoretically enables carbohydrate uptake of over 90 grams per hour. Our guide explains whether a 1:0.8 ratio is suitable for your own nutrition and how to train to handle higher carbohydrate intakes. A Guide to Energy Gels in Endurance Sports. In the test field, it’s hard to find a cheaper entry-level option for the 1:0.8 system. The Decathlon Gel 1:0.8 is available here, for example

Hardly beatable for the price

The price and ingredients are a strong selling point for this gel. Anyone looking for a high carbohydrate intake without spending too much money will find this a reliable product with a pleasant taste. The tear-off tab – the part designed to remain attached to the gel packet after the packaging is opened – always tore off during our test. The biggest drawback in terms of handling is the flow of the gel: the opening through which the gel is squeezed into the mouth is relatively small, so it takes a long time to empty the sachet.

The gel in detail

• Manufacturer and product: Decathlon Gel 1:0.8
• Available flavours: Cola, Neutral, Lemon
• Carbohydrates per gel: 40 g
• Gel size: 45 ml
• Glucose-fructose ratio: 1:0.8
• Sources of carbohydrates: Maltodextrin, fructose
• Intended use: A 1:0.8 ratio allows for up to 120 g of carbohydrates per hour in a well-trained gut; suitable for high-intensity and prolonged exercise
• Caffeine: no
• Electrolytes: 100 mg sodium chloride per gel, no other electrolytes
• Preservatives / Colourings / Flavourings: no preservatives, no colourings, natural flavouring
• Consistency: viscous
• Price per gel: €2.50 (pack of 4) >> available here
• Price per 30 grams of carbohydrates: €1.88

Good value for money

​At 1.88 euros per 30 grams of carbohydrates, the gel scores a 2 and is the second cheapest product amongst the 1:0.8 gels in the test. Judging by its carbohydrate content and list of ingredients, it offers excellent value for money. Of the 1:0.8 gels we are aware of, only the Nduranz Nrgy Gel, at 1.67 euros, is even cheaper; however, it has not yet been included in the test. Maurten Gel 160, RocketFuel Race and Powerbar Fuel Gel are significantly more expensive.

Packaging and handling

Opening it is no problem, but the tear-off tab does not live up to its promise in practice. The tab tore off several times during the test. Due to the small opening, the gel can only be squeezed out with some pressure and patience. However, during training or competition, you want to be able to pop the sachet into your mouth within a few seconds. As with most gels, there are residues left in the sachet that are difficult to squeeze out with one hand.

​After the tear-off strip on several of the gels in the test tore off when the gel was opened, we wanted to find out for ourselves and pulled directly on the tab of one gel. The tab tore off with very little effort. Other manufacturers who use a tear-off strip have come up with a better solution.

Flavour and texture

Various versions were tested. The Cola variant is moderately sweet and has a pleasant taste, albeit slightly artificial. The neutral version Despite its name, it has a noticeable flavour of its own, which is not quite as pronounced as that of Maurten or Precision. The gel is significantly more viscous than the other gels in the test; of all the gels tested, the Xenofit gel is even thicker.

Additives

The list of ingredients contains no preservatives, no colourings and no artificial flavourings. The manufacturer does not state why cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) has been added. This does not affect the rating.

Caffeine and electrolytes

It does not contain caffeine. The gel provides sodium in the form of sodium chloride (approx. 100 mg NaCl per gel). It does not contain any other electrolytes. Anyone who needs more electrolytes during long and intense sessions should meet this additional requirement with a drink or electrolyte capsules. As manufacturers follow different approaches, other gels contain varying amounts of electrolytes.

Overall mark: 2.8

We use a school-style grading system from 1 to 6, with 1 being the best mark. The overall mark is based on packaging and ease of use (50 per cent), price (30 per cent) and ingredients (20 per cent).

Packaging and handling (50 per cent)

• Openness: medium
• Tear-off protection fitted: yes
• Tear-off protection holds: no
• Gel flow: poor
• Residue clearance: medium
• ​Grade: 4

Price (30 per cent)

• Rating: 2 (€1.88 per 30 grams of carbohydrates)

Ingredients (20 per cent)

• Grade: 1 (no problematic additives)

How TOUR Energy Gels are tested

Every product is tested in real-world riding conditions: in training, in competition and on long rides.

We rate packaging and ease of use on a scale of 1 to 6 (1 = very good). The key factors are whether the gel can be opened with one hand, whether it has a tear-off seal and whether this holds securely, how well the gel flows out of the packaging, and whether the contents can be squeezed out completely.

We rate sweetness and flavour on a scale of 1 (not very sweet) to 3 (sweet) and 1 (very tasty) to 4 (difficult). As both are subjective, we state both test results; these do not count towards the overall mark.

We check the ingredients against the declared list and compare the manufacturer’s claims directly with the label. Additives are assessed. Electrolytes are not included in the rating, as manufacturers use different approaches. For price comparisons, we use the price per gel when purchasing the smallest available multipack, as well as the price per 30 grams of carbohydrates – this allows for a fairer comparison of gels of different sizes and carbohydrate content. However, not all manufacturers offer the same multipack sizes; often, the price per gel decreases as the pack size increases.

The overall mark is based on packaging and ease of use (50 per cent), price (30 per cent) and ingredients (20 per cent).