I use Nuun. Lots of flavours and I don’t find them overly sweet. I usually buy them at local outdoors stores in Ottawa but have found them at my local Independent Grocer. About $8.

Shanny G wrote:

I use Nuun. Lots of flavours and I don’t find them overly sweet. I usually buy them at local outdoors stores in Ottawa but have found them at my local Independent Grocer. About $8.

I also use Nuun - they’re great little tablets and good flavors. You can get caffeinated or caffeine free as well.

Make that 3 for Nuun.  I too like that they are not sweet and the flavours are more subtle.  I tried the much hyped and hawked LMNT and it was garbage.  You'd be better off bringing a salt lick with you.

yes ,, i agree no u.s. products,, because of one person. the grift continues  ,, 
          is there a canadian brand out there???    thanks 
   
   

We have some Liquid IV from last season but
Will be searching for a Canadian Alternative. It was good
Worked well but sweet.  We diluted it somewhat.

WakeWater is Toronto-based and from their website the nutritional values all seem good.  You can get them with extra vitamins or caffeine if you want.  Little bit pricey, but that's the cost of living these days.  Can't speak for the taste myself.

I usually stick with Gatorade powders.  I like having a liquid carb to help keep the energy levels up and avoid bonking out.  Having used expensive stuff like Skratch in the past, it's about the same performance but pennies on the dollar to get it.

You can also make your own by just playing around with Sodium Citrate.  That seems to be basically the building blocks of most brands of hydration mix.  Depending on how often you use them or where you get your ingredients it can also be more cost effective.  This guy's blog goes over it from a long-distance cycling perspective, but the body mechanics are the same on a hot day making miles.

My wife has had luck using salt tables on a full stomach to increase blood volume the night before a long run too.  Something to consider.

Last edited by IanTendy (3/17/2025 10:03 am)

Not to hijack the thread, but what is the need for additional electrolytes while tripping?  Is it a gung-ho tripping style like a marathon/race where you don't have time to stop and eat a meal or drink water?

I understand what electrolytes are, the question isn't 'why electrolytes', but what is their purpose as a supplement beyond your normal diet?

And apologies in advance for our government.

When paddling out on the water and portaging a load, we loose higher levels of sweat to the wind and the exertion. With that high level of sweat, we loose higher levels of sodium and other electrolytes.

Here's some side effects of "low electrolytes" ... possibly experienced on a rigourous day of tripping ... confusion and irritability, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, headaches, irregular or fast heart rate (arrhythmia), muscle cramps, muscle spasms or weakness, nausea and vomiting, numbness or tingling in limbs, fingers and toes.