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Reviews > Food > Energy Bars and Drinks > Clif Bar > Clif Shot Hot Electrolyte Drink > Test Report by Mike Daurio Jr.

CLIF SHOT -ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT DRINK
TEST SERIES BY MIKE DAURIO JR.
FIELD REPORT
May 19, 2008

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TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Mike Daurio Jr.
EMAIL: mikejr232323@aol.com
AGE: 31
LOCATION: Maryland/D.C. Area
GENDER: m
HEIGHT: 6' 0" (1.83 m)
WEIGHT: 183 lb (83.00 kg)

I am quite new to backpacking. My experience lies mostly as a canoe guide. My inspiration to get more into this sport/hobby was a backpack trip to Thailand in 2005. Due to my experience I am fond of lightweight, waterproof quality gear. I backpack in mainly hilly forested areas and of course near rivers and streams. I also do a lot of backpack traveling to other countries. I am a 3-season backpacker. Every year I spend time in the Ozarks in Missouri and in Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. I'd love to explore Canyonlands National Park in Utah. I am originally from the Midwest, but have recently moved to the Washington DC area and more importantly about 40 miles (64 km) from the Appalachian Trail.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Clif Bar & Co.
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Manufacturer's Website: www.clifbar.com
MSRP: N/A
Listed Weight: 1.5 oz (40 g)
Measured Weight: 1.5 oz (40 g)
Other details: One package makes 16 fl oz (0.47 L)

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

IMAGE 1




The Clif SHOT Electrolyte replacement drink arrived in a case of twelve packages neatly arranged in a store shelf display type box. The package is a sharp looking sealed foil package with green and silver printing in a matte finish.

On the front, clearly displayed is the Clif logo and the "SHOT Electrolyte" label. Clif also stamps their SHOT products with a bird-like graphic indicating it is included in the SHOT product line. Above the Clif logo the packaging states to "add Hot H2O". Towards the bottom is the printed claim that the product is made with 97% Organic ingredients, as well as the labeled weight of 1.5 oz (40g) and the info that the package "Makes 16 oz" (0.47 L).

On the back of the package is a doubling of the simple directions to "add Hot H2O". A targeting phrase printed at the top of the rear of the package states, "Hot drinks for cold athletes" and further explains that the drinks" combine performance-enhancing nutrition with classic hot drink flavors." The directions are as follows "For Best Results: Mix one packet of electrolyte with 16 oz (0.47 L) of hot water (not boiling). Drink 16 oz (0.47 L) every 2-3 hours to counteract dehydration and electrolyte depletion.

Nutritional info as taken from the Clif website:
IMAGE 2

Ingredients include: Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Rice Maltodextrin, Organic Flavors, Natural Flavors, and Malic Acid. The ingredients list was taken off the package and differs from what is found on the company's website.

TRYING IT OUT

The hot cider drink packages arrived while I was out at work and I discovered them after returning home from a trail run. Impeccable timing aside, the hot drink was easy to prepare. I tossed 16 oz (0.47 L) of water in the microwave for a couple minutes. After opening the packet along the started, pre cut slit, that allowed the foil to be opened without the use of tools, I stirred in the powder and allowed it to dissolve.

The warm liquid was welcomed and soothing on my throat, which was raw from the crisp cool air while on my run. The mixed content of the glass was a light brown color, looking very similar to cider. The mixture had an aromatic array of apples and cinnamon and tasted like warm cider with a slightly salty bite. The mixture was definitely more thick than water, similar to eggnog's consistency but without a creamy texture. I found the taste enjoyable and pleasant. I am not a coffee drinker and I now have another variety of flavor to choose from in the hot drink category.

As for the performance aspects of the drink I didn't notice a considerable recovery or benefit from taking the liquid after a run. I sometimes get leg cramps during the night, but I didn't receive any the night following my run; however I cannot attribute it solely to the drink as my cramps happen maybe once every one to two weeks.

TESTING STRATEGY

I will be taking the Hot Cider Clif SHOT Electrolyte before my runs. My runs consist of approximately an hour through Glacial Park, part of the McHenry County Conservation District. I run up steep hills and on groomed trails of meadowlands and rocky gravel.

I'll also be using the Shot packets on planned cold weather backpacking trips. I plan to consume the Hot drink in the morning and if allowed at lunch. I anticipate the warmth will be welcomed to start off the day after a chilly night. I hope to speak more clearly on the effects of the performance drink after more field use. Will I be able to hike longer or will my muscles scream for the comfort of my down bag?

SUMMARY

The Apple Cider Clif Shot Electrolyte drink is a good tasting drink that is enjoyable to sip on a cold day. Please check back for the Field report.


FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

I have used the Clif Shot Electrolyte Replacement Drink on 2 overnighters and mainly before 7 of my trail runs. My runs consist of approximately an hour through Glacial Park, part of the McHenry County Conservation District. I run up steep hills and on groomed trails of meadowlands and rocky gravel.

My first visit to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia was on a day that brought afternoon thunderstorms with hail. After entering the park's gates we hit an afternoon gusty thunderstorm that brought a lightning show, a heavy dousing, and even pea-sized hail. Temperatures were around 80 F (44 C) before the storm and cooled to about 70 F (21 C) before we started out on the trail. We took the Matthew's Arm Loop and gained 600 ft (183 m) of elevation while climbing the Cut Off trail to the Knob Mountain Ridge Trail. The trail head starts in woods abutted to the parking lot and descends down a hill before winding along a gushing stream, swollen by the storm. After crossing the stream over a downed tree trunk, the trail gains elevation for 1 mile (1.6 km) to the ridge trail with a total elevation of 2657 ft (810 m). The trail consists of packed mud, leaf covered earth, and hard bouldered mountain side.

I have also taken the Clif drink on an overnight stay in cold weather in Kettle Moraine State Forest. My trip to Kettle Moraine State forest was a 22 mile (35.5 km) hike in, spend the night, hike out trip. It was my first trip camping in the cold weather. The trail consisted of about 8 in (20 cm) of fresh snow covering a dirt trail that had been frozen before the snow. Temperatures ranged from about 30 F (-1 C) to 19 F (-7 C) from weather forecasts.


PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Overall I was glad to have the Hot Cider drink with me when it was cold. I am not a coffee drinker at all, so my hot morning drink selection is limited.

In Kettle Moraine, I drank the Hot Cider in the morning and when stopping midday for a snack. I purchased a canister thermos that kept it hot for a couple hours. On this trip I noticed how easy it really is to make the drink. I just have to boil the water and then stir in the packet. I usually drink tea; however, as compared to tea, there is no brew time needed with the Hot Cider . It tastes great and the consistency of the drink is very soothing in the cold weather.

The performance aspects of the drink were, a little more difficult to measure on this trip. During this trip I used the Clif Shot Electrolyte Replacement drink and the Clif Shot Recovery version also. I took the Hot Cider in the morning and during midday and the Recovery Hot Chocolate at night after a long day of trekking. I am frequented by leg and foot cramps in the night and on this trip I didn't get any at night, nor any when I returned home to the comfort of my own bed. During the second day of hiking my legs didn't get as fatigued as they usually do on back to back hiking days. The combination of drinks seemed to blanket the two pesky symptoms of body stress I usually endure on hikes.

During trail runs I only used the Hot Cider on days of long runs. I switch off between long hour runs and short twenty minute runs, depending on if I hit the gym and the time my schedule allowed. After drinking the Clif Shot drink I'd drive about 5 minutes to the trail head and set off on the trail. On days taking the drink, as compared to days without, I seemed to be able to push myself up hills with less fatigue holding me back. The Drink also seemed to cure my nightly plague of leg and foot cramps.

In Shenandoah National Park I drank the Hot Cider on a cool morning after a day of hiking. It had rained heavily the evening before and the damp air had chilled my body. All I wanted to do was stay in my sleeping bag, but I forced myself to get out and boil up some water. The Hot Cider gave me a slight charge to get moving. I attribute this to the temperature of the drink not any supplement in the drink. Again after returning home that night I didn't get any mid-night cramps.

SUMMARY

On a whole the Clif Shot Hot Cider Electrolyte Replacement Drink is a great companion to morning hikes and a perfect supplement to rid me of my cronic cramping. A hot drink in the morning is a great way to start the day, and the Hot Cider flavor makes it even more enjoyable. I will continue to use the packets in lieu of my regular tea when available.



This concludes my test series. I'd like to thank Backpackgeartest.org and Clif for allowing me to test the Clif Shot Products.

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Read more gear reviews by Mike Daurio Jr.

Reviews > Food > Energy Bars and Drinks > Clif Bar > Clif Shot Hot Electrolyte Drink > Test Report by Mike Daurio Jr.



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