Australian Hiker

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Skratch Labs Energy Chews Sour Cherry Review

The Skratch range of energy and hydration products is relatively new on the Australian market and I have had a few of the products ready to try for a while saving them for a particularly hard and hot day to see how they performed.

Energy chews and energy blocks are more often considered in the realms of endurance sports like running and cycling. My reason for reviewing this type of product on a hiking website is that I’m a convert and use them on big days or during long distance thru hikes with consecutive days of big distances. Monitoring myself over the past few years on how my body reacts to big days on the trail, I know there are days where I can burn around 8000+ Calories. Sometimes I just need an energy boost. Products like these come in handy and I find myself using a packet every two days in conjunction my other snack options.

First cab off the rank was the Skratch Labs Energy Chews, which come in five flavours:

• Sour Cherry (with 50 mg caffeine)
• Matcha and Lemon (contains 4 mg caffeine)
• Raspberry
• Blueberry (with 50 mg caffeine)
• Orange

The variety we tested was the Sour Cherry flavour which was also one of the high caffeine varieties (the other is Blueberry) and contains 50 mg of caffeine. While we’re on the subject of caffeine, the caffeine in the Sour Cherry and Blueberry flavours is around double that of their competitors and the Matcha and Lemon variety contains 4 mg which is almost imperceptible. The benefit of caffeine is that it provides an extra kick. As a hiker who consumes chews on multi-day and long distance hikes, my preference is always for the caffeine laced varieties.

The Skratch Energy Chews like their competitors are best described as large soft jubes. That’s what they look like and in many respects it’s what they taste like as well. From our testing both Gill and I found them to be ‘less artificial’ than other brands and they do taste like real fruit. The other thing I like about this brand is that they contain no preservatives, artificial colouring or waxes which again is reflected in the taste.

This product is very similar to the Clif Shot Bloks and the GU Energy Chews which are both dearer products. While the other brands come in 60 gram packets, the Scratch range is a 50 gram packet containing two servings with each serving being 70 Calories which is less than their competitors. Having said that at AUD $5.95 RRP the value for money is pretty good.

I tend to hit a wall in the afternoon at work and will usually go for something like chocolate but I tried these as an alternative. I’m also a bit of a sugar addict so I can easily eat the whole packet in one sitting, which I wouldn’t recommend. In fact this packet contains two servings but spreading this out over the afternoon works well for me.

Overall I’m a convert as I already use energy chews during my big days of hiking and if are doing a big day or multiple days, these are well worth considering.

Listen to podcast episode 057 Nutrition on the trail for additional information on supplements and hiking.

We Like

• A range of flavours, with a bit more of a natural taste
• Relatively lightweight
• Quick energy response when you need it particularly from those with caffeine

We Don't Like

• Too easy to eat the whole packet
• If you aren’t exerting yourself then the impact is like drinking extra strength coffee or an energy drink

Best Uses

• All outdoor activities where you need a quick energy hit

Buy One

You can purchase Skratch Labs Energy Chews from Snowys, Wild Earth or from Wildfire Sports

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

Investment

AUD $5.95 RRP per packet

Other Versions

Skratch also has a range of sport, recovery and hydration products

 

Skratch Labs Energy Chews flavours

• Raspberry
• Blueberry
• Sour Cherry (contains 50 mg caffeine)
• Matcha Tea (contains 4 mg caffeine)
• Orange

Skratch Labs Energy Chews Sour Cherry

Skratch Labs Energy Chews Orange

Scratch Orange Energy Chews Matcha and Lemon

Skratch Labs Energy Chews Blueberry

Scratch Energy Chews Raspberry

Skratch Labs Energy Chews Sour Cherry on the trail. They look like fruit, as far as they can

Disclaimer

This review was done with product provided for testing by Snowys Outdoors

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