Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

2 different products from 2 different makers aimed at providing some carbs/electrolytes and fruit flavors on hikes and multiday trips.
Clif Shot Bloks are soft [rubbery] organic rice syrup cubes that come in a 2 serving pack that weighs 60 gms. Orange and black cherry has 50 mg of caffiene added, there is also lemon-lime,cran-razz,strawberry,cola,pina colada, and margarita w/3 times the sodium. Each cube is 10 gms.,3 to a serving, 100 cal,210mg sodium,20 mg potasium. 72 bloks per box about $24.00 usd or about $2.00 per pack. The fruit flavors are true though the caffienated ones have a sharper bite. I have not tried cola and couldn't warm up to the mixed drink flavors, though I did consume 3 packs of each.
Jelly Belly Sport Beans come in 4 fruit flavors,lemom-lime,orange,berry blue,and fruit punch. 100 cal per pack of about 15 jelly beans,80mg sodium,40mg potassium,10%dv vit c,10%dv vit b. around $1.00 usd per serving.
Both are heat stable, both are to be consumed w/water.
I've found that having the fruit flavors available on a multi-day trip offsets the few extra ounces. They also make good kid bribes.

Rating: 3 / 5

These products both taste good and give good calories. That said, it's important to look at the ingredients:

Clif Blocks
Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Brown Rice Syrup Solids, Pectin, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Colored With Turmeric, Coconut Oil, Carnauba Wax

Sport Beans
SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: NATURAL FLAVOR, THIAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), CITRIC ACID, CITRUS PECTIN, POTASSIUM CITRATE, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM LACTATE, YELLOW 6, BEESWAX, CARNAUBA WAX, CONFECTIONER'S GLAZE, SALT.

Neither product do anything in the category of complex carbs- this is where the maltodextrin found in Gu and other products makes them superior for hiking.

While the main ingredients of the Bloks are brown rice syrup and evaported cane juice, it's sugar and corn syrup in the Sport Beans. Much more refined sugars in the latter. In other words, Sport Beans are little more than very expensive candy. However, both do have electrolytes- something that candy doesn't.

One thing really cool about Bloks (and beans too, I suppose) is that they stay soft when it's really cold- something that bars and gels rarely do.

I'd give Bloks a 4 and Beans a 2. Average of a 3.

Rating: 5 / 5

Tried the Shot Bloks (pina colada and black cherry) for the first time on a trip in Hells Canyon last weekend. I found the texture and flavor to be VERY appealing, and the calorie density is acceptable. Seem stable and palatable at most temps.

I also brought tradional Clif Shots, but I found the Bloks to be much less hassle. I always have to stop to squeeze the gu out of the Shot packets. With the Bloks I can just pop a few on the go.

Overall, most convenient product in this category that I have found.

Rating: 1 / 5

Tried Clif Shot Bloks for a mountain bike race for the first time; I thought they were completely disgusting.

They tasted and felt like paraffin wax in my mouth. I choked two down and that was it, forever. As with any other product, try 'em - you might totally like them, as these other reviewers have.

But for me, I have little difficulty eating and digesting solid foods and bars while exercising, so I'll skip the waxy Clif gut-plugs for something more closely resembling, y'know, food. :-) If yo don't care for Clif Shot Bloks but can't stomach real food, try Gu or Hammer Perpetuem - both tastier in my opinion.