The Maurten Test Collection is a compact introduction to the brand’s endurance fuel range. It includes two drink mixes, two Gel 100 sachets and one Solid 160 oat bar.
We tested the gel, drink mix and solid formats to compare how they taste, feel and fit into training. The products share a neutral flavor profile, but each format offers a different experience.
This Maurten Test Collection review explains what is inside, how the products differ, current pricing and who should consider the box. Fuel tolerance is personal, so testing during training remains more useful than trying something new on race day.
Maurten Test Collection Review at a Glance
- Contents: One Drink Mix 320, one Drink Mix 160, two Gel 100 sachets and one Solid 160
- Servings: Five
- Total carbohydrates: About 210 grams across the complete box
- Caffeine: None of the included products contains caffeine
- Current United States price: $17 when checked on October 17, 2026
- Current European price: €14.95 on the regional Maurten store when checked on October 17, 2026
- Best for: Runners, cyclists and endurance athletes who want to sample several Maurten formats
- Official product page: View the Maurten Test Collection
Prices and availability vary by country. The official box weighs 260 grams and should be stored between 10°C and 30°C.
What Is Included
| Product | Quantity | Carbohydrates | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drink Mix 320 | One sachet | 80 grams | Powder mixed with 500 ml water |
| Drink Mix 160 | One sachet | 40 grams | Powder mixed with 500 ml water |
| Gel 100 | Two sachets | 25 grams each | Firm hydrogel |
| Solid 160 | One bar | 40 grams | Oat and rice based bar |
The names make the carbohydrate system easier to understand. Gel 100 provides about 100 carbohydrate calories. Drink Mix 160 and Solid 160 each provide roughly 40 grams of carbohydrates. Drink Mix 320 doubles that amount.
The photographed Solid 160 package lists 199 total calories because it also contains fat and protein. Maurten uses the number 160 to describe the energy supplied by its 40 grams of carbohydrates.
What Maurten Hydrogel Technology Means
Maurten builds its gels and drink mixes around alginate and pectin. The company says these ingredients form a hydrogel in the acidic environment of the stomach.
The goal is to carry concentrated carbohydrates through the stomach before they are absorbed in the intestine. This is Maurten’s explanation of the technology, not a guarantee that every athlete will have the same experience.
The Test Collection exists to let athletes assess taste, texture and comfort before committing to a full box. That approach makes sense because stomach tolerance can change with pace, heat and the amount consumed.
Maurten Gel 100 Review
Gel 100 contains 25 grams of carbohydrates and 100 calories in a 40 gram sachet. Its six listed ingredients are water, glucose, fructose, sodium alginate, gluconic acid and calcium carbonate.
The texture is the most distinctive feature. It is firm and jelly like rather than thin or syrupy. The gel holds its shape when it leaves the packet, which reduces the sticky feeling common with some traditional gels.
The taste is neutral and lightly sweet. There is no strong fruit flavor. That can be helpful over a long session, although the dense texture may require practice.
Maurten says water is not required to swallow Gel 100. Hydration still matters, especially during longer or warmer sessions.
For another endurance gel comparison, see our Marchon Endurance Fuel 30 Gel review.
Maurten Drink Mix 160 Review
Drink Mix 160 supplies 40 grams of carbohydrates and 160 calories. The photographed packet also lists 210 mg of sodium.
Preparation is simple. Add one complete sachet to 500 ml of water, then shake until no powder remains. Maurten recommends water containing less than 80 mg of calcium per litre.
The 160 version is the lighter of the two mixes. Its neutral sweetness is noticeable, but the drink remains easier to fit into a regular training session than the denser 320 version.
It combines hydration and carbohydrates in one bottle. However, it is mainly a fuel product and should not automatically replace a separate electrolyte plan.
Maurten Drink Mix 320 Review
Drink Mix 320 places 80 grams of carbohydrates and 320 calories into the same 500 ml water volume. The photographed label lists 245 mg of sodium.
The result is much more concentrated than Drink Mix 160. It feels fuller and more substantial, so it makes the most sense when a training or race plan genuinely calls for a large carbohydrate dose.
The flavor remains neutral rather than strongly flavored. Mixing it fully matters. Add the powder after the water and shake vigorously until the bottle has no visible lumps.
This is not the sachet to test for the first time during an important event. Try it during training and assess the concentration, sweetness and stomach response.
Maurten Solid 160 Review
Solid 160 is an oat and rice based bar with about 40 grams of carbohydrates. It provides a different texture when gels and drinks become repetitive.
The bar has a mild oat taste and feels more substantial than the liquid products. It can be split into two equal sections, with about 20 grams of carbohydrates in each half.
Maurten positions the solid format for carbohydrate loading, lower intensity endurance work and replenishment. Chewing may be less convenient at higher intensity, so the best use depends on the activity.
The ingredient list includes oats, rice flour, sugars and sunflower oil. The package warns that it may contain milk, soy, wheat, tree nuts, sesame and peanuts. Anyone with allergies should check the current wrapper before eating it.
Taste and Texture
Maurten keeps flavor deliberately simple. The drink mixes are mildly sweet, Gel 100 is neutral and Solid 160 has a plain oat profile.
The lack of strong flavor can reduce taste fatigue during long sessions. It may also feel unusual if you prefer fruit flavored drinks and gels.
Texture creates the bigger difference. Gel 100 is dense and structured. The drink mixes are smooth when prepared correctly. Solid 160 adds chewing and feels more filling.
The Test Collection works because it lets you compare all three approaches without buying several full boxes.
How to Test the Collection
- Read every label and check the ingredient warnings.
- Start with Drink Mix 160 during a familiar training session.
- Try one Gel 100 separately to assess its texture and sweetness.
- Use Solid 160 during a lower intensity session or before training.
- Test Drink Mix 320 only when the session justifies its 80 gram carbohydrate load.
- Record how each format feels before building a race plan.
Do not treat the full collection as one single workout serving. The products are tools for different situations. Maurten’s fueling guide explains how its modular carbohydrate system can be combined.
Price and Value
At the current United States price of $17, the box costs about $3.40 per included serving. That is a reasonable way to test the range before purchasing larger boxes.
The value is strongest for first time Maurten users. Buying each product separately can leave you with many servings of a format you may not enjoy.
Experienced users may get better value from full boxes of their preferred product. The Test Collection is about comparison and convenience, not the lowest possible cost per gram.
What We Liked
- Useful variety: The box covers drink, gel and solid fuel formats.
- Clear carbohydrate system: Each product is easy to place within a fueling plan.
- Neutral taste: There are no strong flavors or artificial tasting additions.
- Compact introduction: Five servings provide enough product for several separate tests.
- No caffeine: The collection lets users assess the core products without a stimulant.
- Practical packaging: Every product is individually sealed and easy to carry.
Things to Note
- Gel 100 has a firm texture that may feel unfamiliar.
- Drink Mix 320 is highly concentrated and contains 80 grams of carbohydrates.
- Both drink mixes should be prepared with 500 ml of suitable water.
- Solid 160 carries several possible allergen warnings.
- The box does not provide a complete personal race plan.
- Prices and included packaging can vary by market.
Who Should Buy It
The collection suits runners, cyclists and triathletes who are curious about Maurten but do not want to begin with full boxes. It is also useful for athletes comparing liquid, gel and solid fuel.
Those who already know their preferred format may be better served by a full box. Casual gym sessions may not require this level of carbohydrate intake.
Readers building a broader endurance setup can compare our SIS Supplements review and LMNT Electrolytes review. For a real event context, our Copenhagen Half Marathon review covers the demands of a major road race.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many products are in the Maurten Test Collection?
The box contains five servings: one Drink Mix 320, one Drink Mix 160, two Gel 100 sachets and one Solid 160 bar.
Does the Test Collection contain caffeine?
No. The included Gel 100 and drink mixes are the standard versions without caffeine.
How much carbohydrate is in the complete box?
The collection contains about 210 grams of carbohydrates across all five servings.
How much water is needed for the drink mixes?
Each Drink Mix sachet should be dissolved in 500 ml of water. Use the entire sachet and shake it thoroughly.
Can Gel 100 be taken without water?
Maurten says Gel 100 does not require water to swallow. Athletes should still maintain an appropriate hydration plan.
Is the Maurten Test Collection worth it?
It offers good trial value for new users because it compares four products without requiring several full box purchases.
Maurten Test Collection Review Photos
The Brief Review Verdict
The Maurten Test Collection is a useful and fairly priced introduction to the brand’s endurance fuel system. It compares two carbohydrate drink strengths with a firm gel and a more familiar oat bar.
Gel 100 delivers the most distinctive texture, while Solid 160 feels the most like ordinary food. Drink Mix 160 is easier to place in regular training. Drink Mix 320 is better reserved for sessions that call for a high carbohydrate concentration.
The collection is worth considering before a larger Maurten purchase. Its real value comes from testing each format separately and learning what works before race day.