Performance in the Field
The Clif Shot Bloks have been consumed over a period of time lasting just over a month in duration. I have consumed one to three packages per day on each trip.
They have been consumed in the following conditions and locations:
Wasatch
Mountain Range, Utah: Multiple days spent in this
mountain range during a total of five trips. Areas include
the Little Cottonwood Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon,
and Logan Canyon. Elevation ranged from 5,400 ft (1,646
m) to 10,500 ft (3,200 m). The weather was sunny and
cloudy on various days with no precipitation. High temperature
was 93 F (34 C)
Grand
Teton National Park, Wyoming: Consumed during a
two day overnight trip. Elevation was at 6,900 ft (2,103
m) and the high temperature was 65 F (18 C) with a low
of 23 F (-5 C). There was some rain showers during this
trip but mostly cloudy skies.
The
Bloks have a pleasant taste that does not come across as overly
sweet to my taste buds. I can not detect a cranberry
or a raspberry taste. I think they have a slight berry
taste. Gummy and chewy is how I would describe the consistency
of the Bloks. However, they are not overly gummy, nor sticky that they become stuck to my teeth. They are
not overly sweet or tart. Which
in my opinion is good.
I think
they are a very yummy supplement. However, after I ate
three packs I became bored of the taste and the texture.
I wanted something different. My teeth also felt like
there was a coating of sugar caked on them. I think
I became bored of the taste since I only had the flavor
with me that I was testing.
I found the size to be just right, not so large as to be uncomfortable putting them in my mouth but large enough to be satisfying to chew.
As the
manufacturer recommended I consumed the Bloks followed
by water. Initially after eating them I noticed that
I feel thirsty. This was easily remedied by drinking
water. On one occasion I drank water followed
by a protein endurance drink after consuming the Bloks. Also on one occasion I consumed water followed by the
Clif Shot Cran-Razz powder mixed with water. I found
that combination too sweet after consumption of the
Bloks.
After
consumption of the Bloks I noticed a spike in energy
in approximately 20 minutes. I found that I can last
an hour with moderate activity before needing to eat
more Bloks. I also noticed that with intense activity
I still developed muscle fatigue when I did not consume
some protein and only the Bloks.
After
being exposed to high and low temperatures the consistency
did not change drastically. They became hard and difficult
to chew at an outside temperature of approximately 23
F (-5 C). While being exposed to a high temperature
of 93 F (34 C) they became softer in consistency. However,
the Bloks showed no signs of melting.
I found that they provide me with an adequate amount of nutrition as a supplement between meals. I was not very satisfied when I just ate the Bloks instead of a meal. On one of my trips I consumed a half package and then the other half after 30 minutes for my breakfast meal. I found myself hungry in about an hour. I could eat them on an empty stomach with no queasiness.
After
the Bloks were exposed to air because I did not seal
them in a bag they became slightly harder in consistency
than a freshly opened package. They were not stale,
just noticeably not as fresh. This is noticeable after
about 2.5 hours of air exposure.
I do
not care for the package design. I found myself on several
occasions opening the package with my teeth. I experienced
this problem before this test while riding my bike.
I just assumed it would be easier to open the package
while walking or standing still. If I did not open the
package with my teeth and at the top seam sometimes
the force when opening it would be so much as to completely
burst the seam and some of the Bloks would fall out.
I also found that if I consumed half a package and stored
the remaining three Bloks inside the package inside
my pack or pocket that they migrated out of the packaging.
I would like to see some type of closure on the packaging
and an easier opening.
THINGS THAT ARE GREAT
THINGS THAT ARE SO SO
- Package design
- Taste after about three packages
Summary
I really enjoy using
the Shot Bloks as a supplement. They are very convenient
and have a yummy flavor. They give me an energy boost
on the trail. The only thing I would change about them
is maybe considering a different
package design that is easier to open and to help keep the unused
Bloks fresh.
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