Enervit Enervitene Cheerpack

By STEPHEN REGENOLD

Enervit is a sports-nutrition company based in Zelbio, Italy, that pitches its line of gels, powders, and bars as being “the world’s only complete, integrated, modular sports nutrition system designed expressly for elite athletes.”

I certainly do not qualify as elite. But over the past two months, I have banked on one of the company’s (www.enervitusa.com) more unique offerings for bike races and running events. The Enervitene Cheerpack treads halfway between an energy gel and a hydration drink. It comes in a 60ml pouch with a screw cap. Untwist the top, put the plastic valve in your mouth, and wait for the sweet liquid to rush in.

Enervitene has 120 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving, which is nearly the same as a pack of GU or a ClifShot gel. But Enervitene mixes in its proprietary formula of vitamins and supplements — pantothenic acid, anyone? — for what the company touts as being “so effective, it’s almost like cheating.”

The packs are pricey, averaging $4 a pop. It’s an elite product at an elite price.

In my test, the Enervitene packs went down easier than GU. Squeeze the pouch and liquid fills your mouth — 120 calories in a quick swallow. The flavor, built from a base of fructose and maltodextrin, is extremely sweet, like cotton candy liquefied. There is a hint of orange that I thought tasted a bit like medicine.

But on the bike, in need of energy, the Enervitene packs worked as quick fuel. It is hard to say if the company’s mix of pantothenic acid, niacin, vitamin B6, and other constitutes did anything more special than regular gel. There are so many factors going on with sustenance and nutrition while active that I find it difficult to have hard opinions.

But like GU or any other gel I use, Enervitene provided a dose of calories and an adequate burst of carbs for energy. The liquid consistency makes Enervitene easy to take. And the threaded plastic cap — which screws off and on easily, even gripped in your teeth — allows for small sips or big gulps on the go.

—Stephen Regenold writes a daily blog on outdoors gear at www.gearjunkie.com.