Best Energy Chews for Running 2026 | FTP Endurance Fuel
Runner's World Award-Winning Fuel
The Best Energy Chews for Running in 2026
Six chews compared on carbs, cost, format and race-day practicality — including our honest take on where the big names still win.
Shop Our Top PickRunner's World Sports Nutrition Award 2026 · Made in the UK
Quick answer: our top energy chew for running in 2026 is the FTP Endurance Fuel Energy Pastille — a Runner's World award winner with a 1:1 glucose:fructose blend, roughly 30g of carbs per two-pastille serving and a bulk 1kg pouch that works out around £1.43 per serving. Clif Bloks, SiS Beta Fuel and GU Chomps remain solid alternatives with different strengths.
Why chews have taken over from gels
Energy chews give you gel-grade carbohydrate without the downsides: no sticky sachets, no water chaser required and — crucially — the ability to dose little and often instead of gulping 25g in one hit. For runs over 90 minutes, where the target is 60–90g of carbs per hour, that flexible dosing is what keeps stomachs settled deep into a race.
The UK market now spans American stalwarts, sport-science specialists and newer direct-to-consumer brands. Here's how the leading options stack up — and why one stands apart on value.
1. FTP Energy Pastilles — our top pick
FTP's pastilles won a Runner's World Sports Nutrition Award in 2026, and the reasons are easy to list. The 1:1 glucose:fructose blend supports absorption up to 90g per hour — the top of the recommended range. Two pastilles deliver about 30g of carbs, so building an hourly plan is simple arithmetic. And the 1kg bulk pouch (around 30 servings) works out at roughly £1.43 a serving, a fraction of what single-packet chews cost per run — with no pile of ripped wrappers in your kit drawer. Fair caveats: it's a newer brand than the big names, sold direct rather than in running shops, and there are currently two flavours (tart cherry and mixed fruit).
The best of the rest
2. Clif Bloks — best flavour variety
A marathon staple for good reason: soft cubes, 11 flavours (the salted Margarita is a cult favourite) and stocked in most UK running shops. At around 24g of carbs per packet you'll need several packets for a long race, and the cubes get sticky in warm weather.
3. SiS Beta Fuel Chews — the sport-science pick
A dense 46g-carb bar that breaks into blocks, with Informed Sport certification that makes it the default for drug-tested athletes. The trade-offs are price — among the dearest per serving here — and just two flavours.
4. GU Energy Chomps — best for micro-dosing
Small, firm chews with amino acids, added potassium and caffeinated options for a late-race lift. Each sleeve carries only about 21g of carbs, and UK availability is patchier than the others.
5. Honey Stinger Organic Chews — the natural option
Honey-based, USDA Organic and arguably the softest, tastiest chew going — but primarily a US product that's genuinely hard to buy in the UK, and unsuitable if you avoid honey.
6. Precision Fuel & Hydration PF30 — best carb-to-weight
Just two large chews per packet deliver 30g of carbs — brilliant weight efficiency for ultras. No artificial ingredients and batch tested for competitive athletes, but there are no electrolytes, so you'll need a separate hydration plan on hot days.
Side by side
| Chew | Carbs / serving | Format | Best for |
| FTP Energy Pastilles | ≈30g per 2 pastilles | 1kg reusable pouch | Value + everyday training and racing |
| Clif Bloks | ≈24g per packet | Single-use packet | Flavour variety, shop availability |
| SiS Beta Fuel Chews | 46g per bar | Breakable bar | Drug-tested and elite athletes |
| GU Energy Chomps | ≈21g per sleeve | Single-use sleeve | Micro-dosing, caffeine options |
| Honey Stinger Chews | ≈24g per packet | Single-use packet | Natural, honey-based fuel (US) |
| Precision PF30 | 30g per packet | 2-chew packet | Ultras, minimal pack weight |
30 servings. One pouch. About £1.43 a run.
See why the award judges rated the bulk-pouch model — try FTP on your next long run.
Shop the top pick
Tart Cherry Energy Pastilles 1kg
The award-winner: real tart cherry flavour that doesn't fatigue on long runs.
£42.99
Shop now
Mixed Fruit Energy Pastilles 1kg
Same 1:1 formula, fruit-mix flavours — ideal if you like to rotate.
£44.99
Shop now
Tart Cherry Taster Pack
Sceptical? Start small and judge the top pick for yourself.
From £5.49
Try it firstCommon Questions
Are energy chews better than gels for running?
For most runners, yes. The carbohydrate delivery is comparable, but chews are easier to portion, kinder on the stomach in small regular doses and don't leave sticky wrappers to deal with mid-race. Gels keep a slight edge only when you need calories down in seconds.
How many energy chews should I eat per hour?
Work back from 60–90g of carbs per hour for efforts over 90 minutes. With FTP pastilles at roughly 30g per two-pastille serving, that means two or three servings per hour, spread out every 20–30 minutes.
What's the best energy chew for UK runners?
On value, format and availability combined, FTP Energy Pastilles — UK-made, award-winning and around £1.43 per serving from the bulk pouch. If you're a drug-tested athlete needing Informed Sport certification, SiS Beta Fuel is the sensible alternative.
Can energy chews upset your stomach?
Any race fuel can if it's unfamiliar — which is why you should never try new fuel on race day. Practise on training runs first, build the dose gradually, and favour dual-source (glucose + fructose) formulas, which use two absorption pathways and sit more easily at high hourly intakes.
Try 2026's award-winning chew
Judge it against your current fuel on one long run — that's all it usually takes.
Get the Taster PackKeep reading: energy chews vs gels for endurance · our chews vs gels guide · the best fuel for long runs · how many carbs per hour?
