Best Energy Bars for Running: What to Eat on the Move in 2026
Energy bars occupy a useful middle ground between gels and real food. They are easier to carry than a sandwich, more satisfying than a gel, and provide a slower, steadier release of energy. I reach for bars during ultra training, long hikes, and as pre-run fuel when I need something solid in my stomach. Here are the ones that work and the ones that do not.
When to Use an Energy Bar vs. a Gel
Gels are for fast energy at high intensity — marathon pace, tempo runs, the final push of a race. Bars are better for sustained, lower-intensity efforts where your stomach can handle solid food — ultra training runs, long hikes, and easy long runs where pace is not the priority. Trying to eat a dense bar at 5:00/km pace is a choking hazard and a digestion nightmare. At 7:00/km on a training run through the countryside, it is a welcome treat.
The Bars Worth Packing
Clif Bar — Best for Long, Steady Efforts
The Clif Bar has been a trail running staple for decades and with good reason. Each bar delivers around 250 kcal with a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The texture is chewy and satisfying, and the flavour range is broad — Chocolate Chip and White Chocolate Macadamia are both excellent. They are quite dense, so I break them into thirds and eat a piece every 30 to 40 minutes during long efforts. At around £1.50 per bar, the value is solid.
Veloforte Classico — Best Natural Ingredients
Veloforte bars taste like real food because they are real food. Made with dates, almonds, and natural flavourings, the Classico provides around 250 kcal with a 3:1 carb-to-protein ratio designed for endurance. The texture is soft and easy to chew while moving. They are more expensive than mass-market options at around £3 per bar, but the ingredient quality is noticeably higher. My favourite for long Sunday runs.
Maurten Solid 225 — Best for Racing
Maurten applied their hydrogel technology to a solid bar, and the result is remarkably easy on the stomach. At 225 kcal with 45g of carbohydrate, it delivers serious energy in a format that dissolves quickly with minimal chewing. The taste is mild oat — not exciting, but inoffensive. It is the bar I would choose for an ultra race where I need calories without GI risk. Very expensive at around £4 per bar, but stomach tolerance at race intensity is worth paying for.
Homemade Flapjacks — Best Budget Option
Honestly, a batch of homemade flapjacks costs under £3 to make and provides better energy than most commercial bars. Oats, golden syrup, butter, and a pinch of salt. Add dried fruit or chocolate chips if you like. Wrap portions in foil. They travel well, taste brilliant, and you know exactly what is in them. I make a batch every Sunday evening for the week ahead. The only downside is they crumble in a vest pocket, so foil wrapping is essential.
What to Look for in a Running Bar
- Carbohydrate content: Aim for 30 to 50g per bar for endurance efforts. This is your primary fuel source.
- Easy to eat on the move: Soft, chewy textures are better than hard, crunchy bars that require serious chewing and risk choking.
- Packaging: Single-handed opening is important when you are running. Test this before race day.
- Stomach tolerance: High fibre and high fat bars can cause GI issues at intensity. Test in training.
- Taste you actually enjoy: You will eat more consistently if the bar tastes good. Forcing down food you dislike mid-run is miserable.
Energy bars are not glamorous kit, but getting your solid fuel right is just as important as choosing the right gel or the right shoes. Find a bar that sits well, tastes good, and delivers the energy you need, and your long runs will be significantly more enjoyable.
