Health, fitness and the supplement aisle. An independent South African desk.
Hydration and endurance · Answer
Among South African gels with published carbohydrate amounts in October 2026, Biogen Elite Carb Gel is cheapest at about R30 per 30 g of carbohydrate (R44.99 for 45 g), followed by Biogen Liquid Energy Gel at about R35. SiS GO is about R61 and Maurten Gel 100 about R90. A 32Gi race drink works out near R17 per 30 g.
Biogen Elite Carb Gel at about R30.00 per 30 g of carbohydrate, among gels where the carbohydrate amount is published. Cost per 30 g is price divided by grams of carbohydrate times 30, which makes gels of different sizes comparable. Prices are from South African retailers in October 2026; carbohydrate amounts come from retailer or offshore product listings and are noted below.
| Rank | Product | Carbs | Price (retailer) | Per 30 g carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biogen Elite Carb Gel, 60 g | 45 g | R44.99 (Dis-Chem Living Fit) | R30.00 |
| 2 | Biogen Liquid Energy Gel, 60 ml | 23 g | R26.99 (Biogen shop; out of stock when checked) | R35.20 |
| 3 | SiS GO Isotonic Gel, 60 ml | 22 g | R44.90 (Sportsmans Warehouse via PriceCheck) | R61.23 |
| 4 | Maurten Gel 100, 40 g, box of 12 | 25 g | about R68–R69 per gel (Takealot R825; biket R815) | about R82 |
| 5 | Maurten Gel 100, single | 25 g | R74–R75 (goneoutdoor, The Athlete's Foot via PriceCheck) | R90.00 |
| 6 | Maurten Gel 100 CAF 100 | 25 g | R80–R85 | R96–R102 |
For comparison, the 32Gi Race High Intensity drink has 68 g of carbohydrate per 75 g serving; at R469.99 for about 12 servings (Dis-Chem Living Fit) it costs roughly R17.28 per 30 g, a little over half the price of the cheapest gel, but it is a drink and sodium is not published.
Not automatically. Cheaper gels may use maltodextrin and fructose in thick formulations that need water. Maurten's hydrogel is dearer but many athletes tolerate it well. At a rate of 60 g an hour, Biogen Elite costs about R60 an hour and Maurten about R163–R180; over a 10-hour Comrades that is a difference of well over R1 000. See how many carbs per hour for a marathon or ultra.
Read the full picture in best energy gels in South Africa and 32Gi vs other gels.
People with diabetes need an individual plan with their clinician. Always trial gels in training to avoid gut distress. This is general information, not personal medical advice.
Under-18s should rely on normal food and water for sport. If you are pregnant, have kidney, heart or blood-pressure problems, or take regular medication, check your fuelling and sodium plan with a doctor or registered dietitian.
| Product | Size | Price (source, date) | Servings | R per serving | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biogen Elite Carb Energy Gel, unflavoured (60 g) | 60 g sachet | R44.99 (Dis-Chem Living Fit, 2026-10) | 1 | R44.99 | None listed |
| Biogen Liquid Energy Gel (60 ml, orange or strawberry) | 60 ml sachet | R26.99 (Biogen (own shop), 2026-10) | 1 | R26.99 | No artificial sweeteners listed |
| Science in Sport (SiS) GO Isotonic Energy Gel (60 ml) | 60 ml sachet | R45–R49 (Sportsmans Warehouse via PriceCheck, 2026-10) | 1 | R44.90 | None listed |
| Maurten Gel 100 (40 g sachet) | 40 g sachet | R74–R75 (goneoutdoor / The Athlete's Foot via PriceCheck, 2026-10) | 1 | R75.00 | None listed |
| Maurten Gel 100 CAF 100 (40 g sachet) | 40 g sachet | R80–R85 (biket / goneoutdoor via PriceCheck, 2026-10) | 1 | R85.00 | None listed |
| 32Gi Race High Intensity Sports Drink (900 g) | 900 g | R470 (Dis-Chem Living Fit, 2026-10) | 12 | R39.17 | None listed |
Educational information, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian before using supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication, or living with kidney, liver or heart disease. Prices were observed in October 2026 and are not offers.