Gel-Bot Product Review & Giveaway

24 oz Gel-Bot

If you've ran with me in the cold, then you may know that my hands sometimes cannot function properly when it's time for me to refuel.  They become these useless claws that fumble to open GU packets, and most likely the energy gel ends up all over my hands...and face.  Not anymore, people.  I was provided a Gel-Bot water bottle by Hydrapak for me to try out and review.  Let's just say, no more GU all over my hands*.

What is a Gel-Bot?

The Gel-Bot delivers two performance essentials, fuel and hydration, in one easy to use sport bottle.  This patent-pending design lets you fuel or hydrate with just one hand.  Perfect for racing or total gel addicts.  All the Gel-Bot components can be taken apart and easily cleaned. (Source here)

To Use:

1. Load the inner chamber with energy gel.
2. Fill the bottle with water/fluid.
3. When the nozzle is pulled open, you get water and water only.
4. With the nozzle pushed down, squeeze to get the gel out of the center valve.

My first concern with this bottle was that it was 24 oz and huge; not something that I could easily carry on my long runs like my Nathan handheld.  This is just a large water bottle.  I decided it IS perfect for my treadmill runs and when pushing Goober in the jogger because I don't have to physically carry it on my body somehow.  For my triathlete friends: this bottle would fit great on your bicycle's carrier!

I loaded this bad boy up with some Vanilla Bean GU and hopped on the treadmill.

It works!  I pulled the nozzle up with my teeth and only water came out, then pushed the nozzle back down and squeezed/sucked...and the GU came out.  And I don't want to sound to wishy-washy, but I almost think that the GU tasted better in my opinion.  Maybe it had something to do with not sucking it out of a foil package?  All I tasted was Vanilla Bean frosting.  Yum.  Plus, it was easy to wash it down with water immediately afterward.  No fumbling with empty wrappers either = score! 

Washing the bottle is a little more time-consuming than just a normal water bottle, but it wasn't difficult at all.  To get the energy gel out of the nozzle and tube, I let the bottle sit in warm soapy water for a little bit.  Then I captured some water in the tube, attached the nozzle and pushed the plunger so the soap water came blasting out the nozzle.  After doing this a few times, the gel was gone and the bottle was as good as new.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Gel-Bot and its simplicity and functionality.  My only request would be for a smaller version that came with a handheld carrier option...then, it'd be absolutely perfect for long runs.

PROS:

Gel is ready-to-go.  No fumbling, no wrappers, no mess.

Carries a decent amount of water

Bottle doesn't make water taste like plastic

Easy to clean and use

No more empty gel packets in my car's cup holder before runs! (No more gooey mess!)

CONS:

A tiny bit of energy gel is left in the chamber...it's impossible to get the last drop out from the nozzle.

For me, I have a small mouth and the nozzle is just a little larger than I'm used to. 

Hey, you can even mix it up and put MILK in the bottle and CHOCOLATE PUDDING in the gel chamber for after a long run.  Yummeh.

LOOK! A chance to win your own Gel-Bot!

Here's the scoop on how to win:

(Please leave separate comments for each entry)

Mandatory entry:

• First you must be a follower of my site, then please go to the Hydrapak website and tell me what product tickles your fancy. Let me know in one comment. (1 entry)

Additional entries:

• "Like" Hydrapak on Facebook & let them know Run, Zoë, Run! sent you (1 entry)
• Follow Hydrapak on Twitter (@Hydrapak) (1 entry)
• "Like" Run, Zoë, Run! on Facebook (1 entry)
• Tweet this 
• "I want to get my GEL & H2O on w/ a @Hydrapak Gel-Bot from @RunZoeRun's #giveaway http://bit.ly/hstJk3" 
• or Click  
• Link to this giveaway on your blog, Twitter (include @RunZoeRun), or Facebook.  Let me know in a comment (1 entry each)

The giveaway will end at midnight Friday 3/11, with the winner picked via Random.org or Miss Goober if she feels so inclined.  Winner announced on Saturday the 12th.  Hydrapak will ship the Gel-Bot directly to each winner. :)

**Note:  All reviews are based on my own personal experience with the specific product that I was provided with.  I received this product free of charge from Hydrapak/OutsidePR and was not compensated for my review. Product in giveaway provided courtesy of Hydrapak.**

*That's what she said.