What exactly is GEL 360 — how is it different from GEL 180?
It's the same 2:1 dual-source carbohydrate formula as GEL180, packed at double the size: 90g of carbohydrate and 360 kcal in a single resealable spout pouch, versus 45g in a single-serve GEL180 gel. In other words, one GEL360 pouch is effectively a full hour of elite fuelling in one pack, with a screw cap so you can sip it across the hour instead of taking it all at once.
Do I have to finish the whole pouch at once?
No — that's the advantage of the spout pouch. Open it, take a few sips, screw the cap back on, and go again when your plan says to. Most runners sip every 15 to 30 minutes across the hour. You carry one pouch, and you decide how to meter it out.
How often should I sip, and how much per hour?
One pouch per hour delivers 90g of carbohydrate — the top of the range serious endurance athletes target. How you spread it is up to you: every 15, 20 or 30 minutes all work. Calibrate the interval in training to what your gut tolerates at race pace, so nothing is a surprise on the day.
Which flavour should I choose?
The carbohydrate is identical across all three, so you're choosing sodium and caffeine. Sea Salt Lime is caffeine-free with the highest sodium (456mg) for hot, sweaty days. Black Cherry is a clean, caffeine-free all-rounder at 300mg sodium. Double Espresso adds 100mg of caffeine at 300mg sodium for a lift late in a race.
Can I really absorb 90g of carbohydrate an hour?
Yes — but only with a gut that's trained for it. Glucose alone tops out around 60g/hr because it relies on a single transporter (SGLT1). Adding fructose, which uses a separate transporter (GLUT5), opens a second lane and lifts the ceiling toward 90g/hr. The physiology is real; the tolerance is something you build in training by progressively raising your intake in long sessions.
When should I use the high-sodium flavour?
When your sweat losses are high — long races, heat, humidity, or if you're a salty, heavy sweater. Sea Salt Lime leads at 456mg of sodium per pouch, versus 300mg for Black Cherry and Double Espresso, so it does more to replace what heavy sweat takes out.
Do I need to take it with water?
It is not necessary, however, sips of water alongside it support digestion.
How much caffeine is in it?
Only Double Espresso contains caffeine — 100mg per pouch. Sea Salt Lime and Black Cherry are caffeine-free. If you also use caffeinated gels or hydration, add everything up and keep your daily total sensible for your body weight and the time of day.
Is it vegan?
Yes — GEL360 is fully vegan across all three flavours, with no animal-derived ingredients.
GEL360, GEL180 or GEL100 — which one?
It comes down to how much carbohydrate you're carrying and how you like to take it. GEL360 is the big resealable pouch — a full hour of fuel (90g), sip-and-reseal. GEL180 is the same dual-carb formula as a single-serve 45g gel taken in one go. GEL100 is a glucose-based 25g gel for a steadier ~50g/hr on shorter or easier sessions. Many athletes mix formats within one race.