​Energy gel review: Mnstry Gel 40 1:0.8 – very easy to use at a mid-range price

Anyone wishing to consume 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour during a race will need three of these gels, or can combine gels with a carbohydrate drink. The glucose-to-fructose ratio of 1:0.8 makes this possible, but requires a well-trained digestive system. In the test field, the Mnstry comes up against, amongst others, Maurten Gel and that Decathlon Gel 1:0.8.

A gel for races and long sessions

The Mnstry Gel 40 is suitable for competition and long, intense sessions. The gel has a slightly runny consistency and is easy to swallow and squeeze out of the packet. The neutral flavour is pleasant, and those who want more flavour can choose from apple and menthol. Several 1:0.8 gels in the test are cheaper, such as the Decathlon Gel 1:0.8 at 1.88 euros per 30 grams of carbohydrates. However, the tear-off strip comes away easily, and it takes a while for the gel to come out.

The gel in detail

• Manufacturer and product: Mnstry Gel 40 1:0.8 (tested: Neutral version, as an example)
• Available flavours: Apple, Neutral, Menthol
• Carbohydrates per gel: 40 g
• Gel size: 60 ml
• Glucose-fructose ratio: 1:0.8
• Sources of carbohydrates: Maltodextrin, fructose
• Intended use: Long, intense training sessions and competitions; up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour; a well-trained gut is required
• Caffeine: no
• Electrolytes: 0.13 g of salt per gel according to the nutritional information table (approximately 50 mg of sodium), plus sodium citrate and calcium lactate (quantities not specified)
• Preservatives / Colourings / Flavourings: Potassium sorbate (preservative), no colourings, no flavourings (Neutral variant)
• Consistency: slightly runny
• Price per gel: €3.23 (pack of 6) >> available here*
• Price per 30 grams of carbohydrates: €2.42
• Made in: Great Britain

Classification and price

At 3.23 euros per gel in a pack of six – the smallest pack available – and 2.42 euros per 30 grams of carbohydrates, Mnstry ranks in the middle of the 1:0.8 gel category and is awarded a price rating of 3. In the test group, prices range from €1.67 to €4.05 per 30 grams of carbohydrates. Those who buy larger packs pay less: in a pack of 24, a Mnstry gel costs just €2.91.

Packaging and handling

The gel is easy to open with one hand and your teeth. The tear-off strip stays attached to the packet thanks to the tear-off safety feature. Even when we opened a gel during a cycle race and weren’t being careful, the safety feature held. You can quickly squeeze the contents out of the sachet into your mouth, so you can get both hands back on the handlebars straight away and concentrate on your ride. It just takes a bit more finesse to squeeze the very last bit out of the sachet. Narrower sachets make it easier to empty them completely.

Flavour and texture

The sweetness is moderate; one tester, who doesn’t usually like neutral-flavoured gels, described the taste of the neutral version as surprisingly pleasant and not just sweet. The gel is slightly runny and easy to swallow, significantly thinner than the viscous Decathlon Gel 1:0.8 or the jelly-like Maurten. We haven’t tried the apple or menthol flavours.

Additives

All three variants contain potassium sorbate as the sole preservative; they contain no colourings. The menthol variant also contains mint oil and menthol (0.01 per cent), whilst the apple flavour is derived from apple juice. According to the manufacturer, Mnstry does not use any artificial flavourings or artificial sweeteners; the gel is vegan and free from gluten, soya and lactose.

Caffeine and electrolytes

The gel does not contain any caffeine. The nutritional information table states 0.13 grams of salt per gel, around 50 milligrams of sodium; the manufacturer itself describes this content as low. During long sessions or in hot weather, you should replenish sodium via drinks or other products, as manufacturers take different approaches in this regard.

Overall mark: 1.8

We use a school-style grading system from 1 to 6, with 1 being the highest 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)

• Open: good
• Tear-off protection fitted: yes
• The tear-off protection holds: yes
• Gel flow: good
• Emptying the remainder: good
• Note: 1

Price (30 per cent)

• Note: 3 (€2.42 per 30 grams of carbohydrates)

Ingredients (20 per cent)

• Note: 2 (potassium sorbate only; no colourings, no flavourings)

>> Everything you need to know about energy gels

​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 easily with one hand and your teeth (good, average, poor), whether there is a tear-off seal and whether it holds, how easily the gel can be squeezed out of the packet, and whether the contents come 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 of ingredients and compare the manufacturer’s claims with the label. Additives are assessed. Electrolytes are not included in the rating, as manufacturers use different approaches. For our price comparison, 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).