Here’s the Näak fuel that powered us through long runs in Chamonix

What You Need To Know

Just in the Näak of time

Further, faster, stronger. It’s the athlete’s pursuit. We often think of this in a singular vein of human fitness and skill. Modern sports science has proven to us that, even though such measures are important, there are other means that influence endurance performance.

I’m not talking training methodologies. I’m not even gabbing about the gear we love so much here at Believe in the Run; nutrition is the boldest frontier of performance right now.

That’s why when UTMB’s MCC was on our docket, we needed trusted nutrition to support the endeavor and our training. As much as we can try our best as Americans to be prepared for such a race, there’s no way to be truly ready for such terrain. Chamonix is one of those places where you need to see it, feel it, and taste it to believe it.

Näak was ready to help us cross our t’s and dot our i’s with one of the most well-rounded endurance nutrition platters a brand can offer. This was doubly good for us to spend a summer with them, as their products are on course at all UTMB series races. So, if you’re interested in races such as Desert Rats, Black Canyon, Kodiak, Grindstone, Western States, the new Chattanooga by UTMB, among many others, get ready to see a lot of Näak on the course.

Where we’ve been this summer

Below, you’ll find a list of our favorite products that have shown up for us mile after mile on our summer trail adventures.

When we say mile after mile, we mean it, too. We’ve adventured in the three most prominent mountain ranges in the US, from the Sierras to the Rockies to the Whites. The common denominator of all those expeditions was our passion to be there and Näak fueling us forward.

There were also many weeks of long runs and trial races in between, all with the same things in common. I slammed a Näak Boost Gel 30 Peach Tea before winning a race early this summer, drank countless bottles of Salted Cucumber Drink Mix 60 during long runs (plus some for pure enjoyment), and brought the Purees and Waffles along as hiking snacks with the fam. Honestly, as far as trail adventures are concerned, this has been one of the best summers ever! Fueling appropriately with Näak has been a massive part of both the effort and recovery, helping us keep exploring.

Each product below will include our thoughts and how we used it for training and racing too. Before you continue, you should also know that you can get 15% off any order using BELIEVE15 at checkout.

Now, go get some Näak snacks because we’re not sharing! Only kidding, I’ll give you a little if you ask nicely.

Best For: Sampling top-selling products with neutral flavors

Key Features: 3 gels, 3 carb-loaded drink mixes, and 3 waffles

If you made it this far, your interest is piqued enough to act as if this is Costco and shamelessly sample. Here’s the most economical way to do so from the beginning.

This pack highlights some of our favorite Boost products plus their most popular waffles. Because individual servings of each are nearly $4, this is a steal. Also, it’s a safe bet to try, as each flavor is “neutral,” which just tastes like raw sugar but gets you all the benefits that Näak has to offer.

Best For: Quick carb and electrolyte intake during racing and training

Key Features: 60g carbs and 500mg electrolytes per serving

Honesty is something that you get with Believe in the Run, and I’m about to dish some up for you.

I’ve tried a lot of high-carb drink mixes. They’ve been all the rage and rightfully so. I’ve also used a couple of brands with a lot of success. Näak’s Boost Drink Mix 60, specifically the Salted Cucumber flavor, is my new all-time favorite nutrition product on the market.

I’m a practical guy. This product ticks all of the boxes for endurance performance, for me. Not only does it provide 60g of carbs (your body’s first and continued source of energy during activity), it also has 500mg of sodium per serving. There are only a few drink mixes that offer that as standard.

Even more impressive is that this mix goes down the hatch easily and is easy on the tum tum. Because one serving mixes easily with 500ml of water, I’ve been able to routinely get 90g of carbs per hour EASILY using one bottle of drink mix and a gel.

The Näak Boost Drink Mix 60 Salted Cucumber is 100% trustworthy and tasty.

On race day, this will be in both of my bottles to be my baseline of energy, electrolytes, and hydration needs.

Best For: Routine energy boosts

Key Features: 30g carbs and 125mg sodium per serving

Like their drink mix, the Näak Boost Gel 30 Neutral has been an easy standard to get along with.

I do admit the viscosity itself took a little getting used to, as most gels I’ve used in the past were more along the syrupy or watery consistency. These are more along the jelly or jam. It wasn’t bad! It was simply different.

At any rate, I really can’t argue with how consistent and positive the performance is. The 30g of carbs and just enough sodium in the equation allows me to achieve more with fewer products.

Again, the one-stop-shop formula went down and was very easy on the stomach while training and racing.

I can’t tell you how important the 2:1 gut-pleasing recipe is. Because an upset stomach is one of the most frequent reasons for DNFing, finding a trusted formula like the Näak Boost Gel 30 is paramount.

Best For: Energy boosts with a bit of flavor

Key Features: 30g carbs plus 100mg caffeine OR 250mg sodium

Think of these gels as your power-ups. They take the standard Näak Boost Gel 30 formula and amp it up!

The Peach Tea flavor introduces 100mg of caffeine to the formula, which, if you know anything about caffeine, can alone contribute to between 1 and 4% performance gain. Add that with the carbs and standard sodium, the Näak Boost Gel 30 Peach Tea becomes a strategic weapon.

I typically use one of these 15-20 minutes before a race and then mix them in my race day or long run rotation. My ideal usage would be the second and fifth gel during a race or when I just need to be a little sharper on my feet and decision-making.

Näak Boost Gel 30 Salted Lemon can be a standard gel for me personally because I am a heavy sweater and it works strategically on warmer days. Näak has doubled down on the sodium in this particular gel. This summer I would try to get a bottle of Näak Boost Drink Mix 60 and a Näak Boost Gel 30 Salted Lemon every hour (plus some water). It would ensure at least 90 grams of carbs and 750mg of sodium. I loved this combo because it made every hour a simple problem rather than a large mathematical equation.

Lastly, the Näak Boost Gel 30 Ice Mint is on reserve for special occasions. I also like to call this one the Courtney Special, as she’s notorious for refreshing her mind and mouth by brushing her teeth at certain points of a race. Well, what if you could get that power in a gel that also gives you carbs? The Ice Mint flavor boasts .05% menthol. It’s powerful and brightens your mind and mouth up quickly. I used it sparingly, but it worked!

My only warning is not to slam this gel in one gulp. Right, Thomas?

Best For: Long days on the trails

Key Features: 200 calories, 125mg sodium, 5g protein

Näak Ultra Puree 200s, like the power up gels I just mentioned, were a special tool for me on the trails. Most of my on-the-run nutrition needs came from the gels and drink mix. For most of us, there’s a point when these don’t suffice. I subbed in purees when I needed something more substantial or when I was going at a slower pace (even on hikes).

Let’s talk viscosity again. The consistency is similar to overnight oats in a pouch. Of course, the calorie count and solid flavor were important, but what mattered most to me was that Näak Ultra Puree 200 had enough substance to feel like I ate something. In a race scenario, I would have one of these at the ready for typical meal times.

Honestly, both the Apple & Maple Syrup and the Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash were appetizing. Again, the change-up in flavor profile and consistency is valued most here.

Best For: Quick trail snack

Key Features: 140 calories, 160mg sodium, 3g protein

This is the original Näak Snack for me. Like the purees, the Näak Ultra Waffle 140 is a tasty, refreshing snack to add to the quiver when you need something solid.

Even though they’re packaged and taste like a traditional stroop waffle, the Näak Ultra Waffle carries more calories, sodium, and protein than your typical coffee shop fare. All that comes in handy for endurance athletes, no matter the effort.

My kids also love these when we’re on the trail. So, whether I eat them or they snag them first, we’re all happier in the end because of what the Näak Ultra Waffles provide.

Best For: Post-run recovery

Key Features: 25g protein, 4,000mg BCAAs, 240mg sodium

As vital as active nutrition is, recovery is equally important. That’s where the Näak Ultra Protein Mix came in clutch for me.

Let’s face it, a lot of us go from one thing to the next rather quickly. That doesn’t change just because I spent half my day running around or slammed a hard workout. With a family, a full-time job, and a hobby/passion that takes lots of time and energy, I really appreciate a protein mix that can kickstart my recovery.

After all, as busy as life is, I want to keep on this grind as long as possible.

There’s a common thread throughout all Näak’s products. The ingredients are clean, the products are effective, and they go down easily. That has been my experience with the Näak Ultra Protein Mix as well.

Need to pack in a little bit more to this mix? Try this recipe that I did probably a little too often:

• 1 serving of Näak Ultra Protein Mix Vanilla
• 2 (or more) scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cold brew coffee

Blend all ingredients really well post-long run. Enjoy a few moments of recovery bliss.