As a long-time runner, I’m no stranger to the GU Energy product line for fueling and recovery. A few years back I had the opportunity to try one of their powerful hydration products and write a GU Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Drink review.
GU Energy introduced this new hydration product around 2012 and it remains a primary offering in their recovery product powerhouse. Learn what the drink tastes like, the ingredients and how I used it for running.
GU Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Drink Review
More About GU Energy
GU Energy Gel remains my fuel of choice for medium to long runs and for when I run half-marathons. Usually I will take a GU gel when I’m running more than five miles. I have also used GU Chomps during my half-marathons.
Their products are specifically designed for runners and athletes. Another one of their products is GU Roctane Energy Drink. I tried it in the Tropical Fruit flavor. The company offered me a box of packets to sample.
I tried the Tropical Fruit flavor during my GU drink review, which has a small amount of caffeine in it for an extra kick. Here’s a list of all of the available flavors:
- Tropical Fruit
- Lemon Berry
- Summit Tea
- Grape (caffeine-free)
GU Energy Drink Packets & Cannister
This energy drink comes in a powder form. You mix it with water. I find a mixing canister (such as for protein drinks) works great to mix a drink like this. This product can be purchased in a canister (12 servings or 24 servings). It can also be purchased in individual packets (great for on the go).
The packets come in a package of 10 packets. The drink is mixed with water and tastes a lot like many of the sports drinks on the market. I think the caffeine mix was an added bonus for performance.
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However, the drink didn’t have that salty taste that some energy drinks have. I found the drink mixed best in a shaker bottle. I have one with a metal mixing ball. The drink mix needs a good shake for full blending.
GU Roctane Drink
GU Roctane Drink Packets
During my sampling I had the tropical fruit flavor and had the individual packets. These would be great for travel. For the most part when I tried the product I used it at home after my longer runs.
The packets are especially helpful for if you are on the go. You can purchase the packets groups of 10 but there is no mixed option as far as I know so you can only buy one flavor in the pack of 10.
Performance GU Roctane Drink
During the course of this review I learned that GU Roctane is a special line of products created by GU Energy for ultra endurance – longer, harder workouts. Because of this, I probably wouldn’t drink it regularly for every workout.
However, it’s a good option for recovering after a long run or ultra event. The GU Roctane energy drink has 240 calories per pouch. It is also loaded with carbohydrates and electrolytes.
It can also be purchased in a bulk container. As you see below in the product image the Tropical Fruit flavor has several fruit flavors included. These flavors include kiwi and pineapple.
GU Roctane Ingredients
You might be wondering about the ingredients in the GU Energy Drink. I have included an image from the company showing the ingredients in the Tropical Fruit Gu Roctane Drink, which is the flavor I tested.
You will see the product is high in calories and carbohydrates, which makes it perfect for refueling. There is a small amount of caffeine in the product, it has some natural extracts and it is also gluten-free which is great in case you live a gluten-free lifestyle.
There’s also a good amount of sodium in the product which helps to replenish elecytrolytes after a hard workout. For more information on the ingredients in GU Roctane Tropical Fruit please see the image below.
GU Roctane Energy Drink Mix
The caffeine amount is minimal when compared to the amount of caffeine in a normal cup of coffee or espresso. While this isn’t quite a meal replacement, this running recovery drink is a viable option after a hard run, long run or endurance event.
If you really do not want caffeine in your drink, or if you are drinking it later in the day and don’t want caffeine keeping you up at night there is a caffeine-free option. The grape flavor is caffeine-free.
Endurance Energy Drink
GU Roctane Review
This is an option for a hydration drink for runners. I really enjoyed the Tropical Fruit flavor of GU Roctane. It’s an option to consider after long runs or races in particular.
It’s also cool and refreshing which makes it great for summertime if you are also trying to cool off after a hard, sweaty race. I would not drink this as a regular daily drink, but use it as an option depending on the length and duration of my workout.
How do you hydrate after running?
Disclosure: I am not compensated for product reviews, unless otherwise stated. I was given a free sample of the product in exchange for writing a review. Some links within this post are affiliate links.
*This post was originally published in 2012 and has been updated and republished for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
My husband loves to use this when he lifts weights so that’s what I’d use it for as well.
Already follow you on twitter (@Suz4AU0608)
I could really use this kind of fuel for long runs!
I follow you on twitter!
@pace_of_laurel
I would use this for my long runs. Always looking for ways to make them better and more enjoyable.
And I already follow you one Twitter
I would have my high school football team drink GU Roctane pre-game and at halftime. If GU Roctane works well for one runner it should work just as well for 72 football players!
I would use these before long runs of an hour or more. The energy drink pre-run accompanied by gels during would really aid in ones performance. Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway!
I am following you on Twitter.
I would use them for my MCM training long runs! I need all the fuel I can get to help me power through each one and not hate every minute of it
I already follow you on twitter 🙂
I’m training for an Ironman distance event and would totally incorporate this into my long distance cycling training and my training runs for the Marine Corps Marathon.
I would definitely use this when I run Trail 1/2 Marathons. I used it
During the 2nd half of my last Trail 1/2 and had sustained energy when
Pared with my Roctane Jels! And I am following u on Twitter too!
During sprint tri’s. The caffeine would provide the kick going into the run.
I now follow you on twitter
I’d use this on a long run outside in the Houston heat. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I currently use it for ironman training and would continue to use it for that.
I’m running my first marathon in November, so that sounds like a perfect tool for those long runs leading up to the race.
And now I’m following you on twitter (bsullivan_).
I would use them so I can finally get past the half-marathon distance and complete my first marathon.
I would use GU Roctane while running and training for IronMan.
I have a 244km road ride with 8000+ feet of climbing in a couple of weeks. need all the help I can get 🙂
also, following you on twitter.
needed for the Philly Marathon! Great Giveaway
I would use it every weekend instead of Gels for my 50-70 mile rides. Anything over 2 hours the electrolyts are perfect.
Love to use Roctane on long training runs for my first 50k!
I’d love this for long bike rides of 40+ miles.
mattschmunk at gmail dot com
New twitter follower. matt0701
I would use the Roctane brew on my long rides during my Ironman training!
I’ve used the Roctane gels on long runs (10+ mi) and would try it for that.
Following on Twitter!
I used it for the first time two weekends ago during the Timberman 70.3. I would use it on my longer workouts, when I need that little bit extra, especially in the warmer weather. The next event would be the Cadillac Mountain Century Climb.
I would use it for my long workouts (swims, rides, runs) & longer races (70.3 & 140.6 tris, marathon & ultra-marathons. Probably anything over 3hrs.
This would also replace a competitors endurance powder :-D. Then I can go ALL GU products 😀
I am training to run my first 1/2 marathon in Decemeber! I am currently trying different gels to see which works best for me.
I would use Gu Roctane to help with my marathon training and transition to training for my first 50k!
I’d use Gu Roctane on the long runs. When I get to mile 6, it seems that I need an extra boost to go the next set of miles…
training for 12 and 24 hour MTB events. need to be able to sustain. GU Roctane gels are awesome!
I am training for a 12 hour adventure race at Natural Bridge KY, this Rocatne would help fuel these 8 hour training sessions. I realy like your blog and am glad to have found it. Love that your semi local to me.
Sorry I also follow you on twitter but is under mixednutsracing. 🙂
The difference with Roctane products is they are specifically for your longer efforts. I would use it for long course triathalon in combination with Roctane gels to meet my race nutrition calorie intake.
I’m training for the Amica marathon & would pair GU Roctane with a long run in preparation for the race.
I use Gu Roctane in my marathons. Most recently The SF Marathon,.
I recently completed the Leadville Trail 100 run using Roctane Lemon-Lime and a variety of GU gels. That’s the kind of workout I love Roctane for.
I would use this for long runs of 2+ hours.
Now following you on Twitter…
I could definitely use these for triathlon training & my first Half Ironman next year! I can especially use them on my brick workouts of cycling then running.
I would use these as I gear up for my first 50k next. My first after recovering from a broken leg.