Highland Fuel Nutrition BareFuel Carb Drink Review

Highland Fuel - BareFuel™ Carb Drink Mix Review

For a long time, my nutrition strategy for training and races was pretty one-dimensional, it was mostly gels, gels and more gels. It worked for a while, but over the past year I’ve been trying to move away from relying solely on sticky packets and have started introducing more variety into my kit bag. Specifically, I've been leaning towards high-carb drink mixes.

There is a lot to be said for the "sip as you go" approach; it’s an efficient way to manage your fuel, hydration and electrolytes all in one go without having to mess about with wrappers every 30 minutes.

I’ve tried a number of different brands over the past year and to be honest, I sometimes find the super high-carb mixes to be overly sweet, to the point where they become a bit sickly. However, this hasn’t been the case with Highland Fuel Nutrition’s Barefuel™ (55g), which seems to strike a much better balance.

Highland Fuel Nutritional Facts

Highland Fuel sent me their High Carb 60g Sample Box to put through its paces. Each sachet is designed to be mixed with 500ml of water, providing a punchy 55g of carbohydrates.

Besides the carb volume, what I also find impressive is the electrolyte profile. One 60g sachet contains:

• 55g Carbohydrates (utilising a 2:1 ratio for optimal absorption)
• 550mg Sodium
• 212mg Potassium
• 22mg Magnesium
• 130mg Calcium

The 2:1 ratio is exactly what you want for ultra-endurance, allowing the body to process more fuel per hour than standard glucose mixes. But numbers on a packet are one thing, how it handles on a muddy trail is what really matters.

On the Trails

I’ve spent the last few weeks working through the sample box during my longer training runs. The box comes with four different flavours: Orange Dream, Strawberry Juicy, Blackcurrant Rush, and an Unflavoured version.

The standout feature for me is the palatability. Don't get me wrong, they are sweet just like all high-carb drink mixes are, but Barefuel seems to be able to deliver the carbs you need without being overly sweet.

In terms of taste, the flavour profiles are all good but if I had to pick a favourite, it’s a toss-up between the Blackcurrant Rush and the Unflavoured version. The unflavoured option is a real asset for ultramarathon running, when you’re ten hours into a race and struggling with "flavour fatigue," having something that just tastes like sweetened water but packs 55g of carbs is a big win.

Highland Fuel BareFuel™ Performance

From a practical standpoint, the packaging is spot on. Whether you’re using the 800g+ bulk bags for home prep or the single-serving sachets for mid-race refills, they're easy to open and resaleable which is nice.

During my testing, the mix performed perfectly. I had no stomach issues or GI distress, it was easy to sip and felt like a very efficient way to keep my energy levels topped up. For an ultramarathon event, I’d definitely pack a few different flavoured sachets to keep the palate interested as the miles tick by.

Who is Highland Fuel BareFuel™ for?

I personally know a few runners who aren't fans of gels at all. If that sounds like you, this is a fantastic alternative to help you hit those hourly carb requirements. And even if you don’t mind gels, adding a drink mix like this provides the variety needed to keep your gut happy over a long day out on the trails.

Final Verdict: BareFuel™ High Carb Drink Mix

Highland Fuel Nutrition has produced a high-quality, effective fuel that avoids the "sickly" trap of many super high-carb drinks. They delivery a good range of flavours and combine a solid list of electrolytes which I'd be very happy to incorporate into my race-day fuelling strategy.

If you want to try it for yourself, you can pick up the BareFuel™ - High Carb 60g Sample Box for £10. It’s a great way to test the flavours before committing to a larger bag. Just remember: it is vital to test any new nutrition in training well before race day to ensure it works for your specific digestive system!

Highland Fuel Nutrition Discount Code

To help you fuel your next adventure, use the Highland Fuel Nutrition Discount Code: HFN-JAMES-20 at checkout to get 20% off your order!

Highland Fuel BareFuel™ High Carb Drink

BareFuel™ - High Carb 60g Sample Box - £10