HikeArizona.COM

Hi to all, this year I made a promise to myself to hike 500 miles. I need to keep hiking in summer to keep up with the promise. I am now looking around to see which electrolytes are the best. So far, I have used coconut water. Interested in your suggestions/preferences. Thanq in advance.

Cononut water is a really good source....to me it just tastes gross...no matter how it is flavored.
I use gatoraide.
I also drink a little pickle juice every day....to me it tastes better than cocunut water

I can't stand coconut water :yuck: but I have yet to find anything that hydrates me better. I've found that the coconut water mixed with other fruit like mango, pineapple and orange are a little more tolerable.

I like mixing 1 part Gatorade to 1 part water so it's not so strong. That also cuts down that slimy feeling Gatorade has in my mouth. ;)

I've used these with good results:

http://www.hammernutrition.com/products ... s.elt.html

You can find them in a small package at Sport Chalet, REI, etc...

I steer clear of Gatorade or Powerade, they have almost as much sugar as a can or two of soda. I'm like a human guinea pig, will try anything and everything to see what works and what doesn't. After almost 25 years of trying various products the best electrolytes that I have found are the Nuun tablets. You can find them at Sprouts and at most sporting goods stores, usually $5 or so for a container of 12 tablets. Have not tried S Caps, but my friends that are ultra runners swear by them. Once my Nuun tablets are gone, I will give S Caps a shot.

The other thing that I have done for doing long hikes and runs is to add 2-3 tablespoons of chia seeds to my electrolytes. The chia seeds expand in liquid and starts turning into (for lack of a better term) electrolyte jello after 5 minutes. I can leave my house first thing in the morning fueled by nothing more than my concoction and a cup of coffee. Then 60-90 minutes into my hike or run I start to supplement with GU gels every 45 minutes. Just got a book earlier this week on how to make homemade powerbars and portable food for outdoor activity. May try to whip something up for this weekend to see if homemade is better than GU.

@SpiderLegs

they have almost as much sugar as a can or two of soda

I think unless you have a diabetic issue with sugar, if hiking one probably does not have to worry too much about sugar intake, your body will devour those simple carbs pretty easily, not likely to be stored as excess fat or anything..but kudos for being healthy lol..me I could hike all weekend on a bag of gummy worms, a couple of moon pies and an energy drink or two

@New2hyk

I have noticed that some HAZers use the below products to replenish electrolytes, but I am not sure if they are the most effective

http://hikearizona.com/photo=371428

friendofThundergod wrote:@SpiderLegs

they have almost as much sugar as a can or two of soda

I think unless you have a diabetic issue with sugar, if hiking one probably does not have to worry too much about sugar intake, your body will devour those simple carbs pretty easily, not likely to be stored as excess fat or anything..but kudos for being healthy lol..me I could hike all weekend on a bag of gummy worms, a couple of moon pies and an energy drink or two

Too much sugar is known among lots of endurance athletes to cause stomach issues. It's also an issue the older you get. When I was in my 20's I could fuel myself on long bike rides on Dr Pepper and Snicker's bars. Now that I'm past 40 I really have to watch what I eat and drink a day or two before the weekends. This article is for ultra-runners but I think handy for anyone out on the trail for longer than 2-3 hours : http://www.ultrarunning.com/features/ho ... e-stomach/

friendofThundergod wrote: I could hike all weekend on a bag of gummy worms,

Just hope you don't try that with these: http://www.amazon.com/Haribo-SUGAR-Clas ... ewpoints=1

Some of the best reviews I have ever seen on Amazon.

friendofThundergod wrote:@New2hyk

I have noticed that some HAZers use the below products to replenish electrolytes, but I am not sure if they are the most effective

http://hikearizona.com/photo=371428

Have you seen the fluid intake for the 4 phases of life

friendofThundergod wrote:@New2hyk

I have noticed that some HAZers use the below products to replenish electrolytes, but I am not sure if they are the most effective

http://hikearizona.com/photo=371428

To paraphrase something from the Hash House Harriers, HAZ is a drinking club with a hiking problem. I know I enjoy a drink or three after a day on the trail.

No sugar in Powerade Zero and G2 Gatoraide.

Elete electrolyte. Just the stuff you need without anything extra. The osmolality is optimal for absorption in our heat. (meaning it doesn't gunk up your stomach but gets where it's needed)
http://elete.com/why-elete/
I get the big bottle because of the price per ounce but I'm probably not going to use it all in my lifetime. I fill up and carry the little bottle when I'm backpacking or going on a long dayhike in the heat. I get it at Arizona Hiking Shack in Phoenix on Thomas and 33rd St but you can order it online.

Know the signs of electrolyte depletion. I personally know that I cramp in a muscle on the inside of my right knee. So I stop, find some shade (or deploy the GoLite Pro Umbrella), slam the electrolytes and rest for about 10 minutes.

Electrolyte depletion can cause a life-threatening condition called hyponatremia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia
The symptoms of hyponatremia mimic heat exhaustion / heat stroke. It is not unusual on the Bright Angel Trial for the PSARs to see someone who has been hydrating but appears to be struggling with heat exhaustion. The treatment is different and if misdiagnosed can be serious. Pretzels and salty trail mix work in an emergency. The Clif Mojo Bars are pretty good. They don't melt too badly in the heat.

Happy Trails.

friendofThundergod wrote:@SpiderLegs

they have almost as much sugar as a can or two of soda

I think unless you have a diabetic issue with sugar, if hiking one probably does not have to worry too much about sugar intake, your body will devour those simple carbs pretty easily, not likely to be stored as excess fat or anything..but kudos for being healthy lol..me I could hike all weekend on a bag of gummy worms, a couple of moon pies and an energy drink or two

It's not just the sugar, it's the osmolality of the suspension. In other words, the rate at which it gets through your gut and into your bloodstream. Especially in the heat. Many people will dilute Gatorade type products so that they don't gunk up their stomach. Many people find that if they don't dilute it that they get a very uncomfortable fullness and bloating hiking in our heat.

Preston the yeti wrote:No sugar in Powerade Zero and G2 Gatoraide.

I'd rather drink actual sugar than what they put in those.

@New2hyk
A very timely thread topic with interesting input.. thank you for issuing it and it's always nice to know that our "Uncle Jack" is still out there monitoring

brawndo has electrolytes

Urophagia is the way to go: high in electrolytes, 100% natural, gluten and sugar-free, freely available, probably tastes better than coconut water :yuck:. It also had a dual purpose as a cleaning fluid and a teeth-whitener since it contained ammonia.

It saved Aaron Ralston life. The Romans and ancient Chinese practice urophagia; it's even in the Bible: Proverbs 5:15-20 "Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well." - Jesus Christ

I like the Camelbak tablets-- electrolytes, caffeine, and B vitamins

I just carry a salt lick with me. Sure, it's made for stock, but a few swigs from my manly goat stomach water bag, a couple of licks, and I'm ready to go. Very....manly. ;)