Crown Sport Nutrition:
an honest review from a triathlete

Crown Sport HyperGel 45

45g carbs · 75g packet · 1:0.8 ratio · 165mg sodium

Best for: marathon (3h+), triathlon, ultra-trail, events with a water bottle

Ninety grams of carbohydrates per hour — the current sports science target for efforts longer than 2.5 hours — means two HyperGel 45 packets per hour. With standard 22–25g gels you need four, which complicates logistics and increases digestive risk. The HyperGel 45 solves that problem at the source: fewer packets, same carbohydrate load. The maltodextrin:fructose ratio saturates both intestinal glucose transporters simultaneously (SGLT1 and GLUT5), something impossible with a single carbohydrate source.

The Salted Peanut flavour (400mg sodium) is particularly interesting for ultra-trail in hot conditions. The Mocha with Caffeine flavour delivers 80mg of caffeine per packet, equivalent to a short espresso.

Crown Sport HyperGel 30 Hydra

30g carbs · individual sachet · 1:0.8 ratio · 110mg sodium (400mg in Salted variants)

Best for: half marathon, sprint or Olympic triathlon, runners who struggle with thick gels

The HyperGel 30 Hydra fills a real gap in the Crown range: the same carbohydrate science as the HyperGel 45 but in a texture so liquid it is almost drinkable. For runners working at sub-4:30/km pace, swallowing a thick gel can cause issues. The Hydra format solves that without compromising on quality. If you are training for a half marathon or Olympic triathlon with one water bottle, this is your entry point to the Hyper line.

Crown Sport Energy Gel

2:1:1 carb ratio (Malto:Dextrose:Fructose) · 40g sachet · 110mg sodium · BCAAs + Arginine + Taurine

Best for: 45–90 min races, moderate training, athletes wanting integrated amino acids

The Energy Gel is Crown's most accessible gel: a 40g sachet with a mixed-carbohydrate formula enriched with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), Arginine and Taurine. For moderate-intensity training or 10K races where maximising carbohydrate intake per hour is not the priority, it delivers enough. The distinguishing feature versus other standard market gels is the integrated amino acid profile, which can help limit muscle catabolism during repeated sessions.

Crown Sport Gel Nitrates 600 + Citrulline

32g shot · 600mg nitrates (beetroot extract 4,000mg) · 6,000mg L-Citrulline-DL-Malate · Red Fruits flavour

Best for: 2–3h before 5K-marathon races, threshold sessions, competitive triathlon

This shot is different from the rest of the Crown gel range: it is designed not for in-race energy but to prime the cardiovascular system before the gun fires. Beetroot provides nitrates that the body converts to nitric oxide (NO), improving muscle efficiency at lower oxygen consumption. L-Citrulline at 6,000mg adds to NO synthesis and helps reduce muscle ammonia build-up. For a runner competing at 5K or 10K who wants every legal performance tool available, this shot taken 2–3 hours before the start is worth trialling. With Informed Sport certification, there is no contamination doping risk.

Crown Sport HyperDrink 90

90g carbs · 93g sachet in 500ml · 1:0.8 ratio · 208mg sodium

Best for: Ironman cyclists, long-distance cycling (5h+), turbo trainer sessions

The HyperDrink 90 is the most extreme product in the Crown range: 90g of carbohydrates in 500ml of water. This only works well if you have trained your gut to handle that volume. For Ironman cyclists running two 500ml bottles on the frame, it is a logistical weapon: one bottle equals 90g CHO, hydration and sodium. Do not combine it with another energy product or you will exceed the 90–100g/hour the gut can absorb.

Crown Sport HyperDrink 45

45g carbs · 47g sachet in 500ml · 1:0.8 ratio · 235mg sodium

Best for: half marathon, 3–5h cycling, first middle-distance triathlon

The HyperDrink 45 is the most accessible Hyper product at €2.20 per sachet. Same carbohydrate ratio, same quality, lower price. If you are a half marathon runner or getting started in middle-distance triathlon, this is your entry point. The 235mg of sodium per serving is well calibrated for 2–4 hour efforts. For longer efforts, pair it with one HyperGel 45 per additional hour.

Crown Sport Isodrink & Energy

26g carbs · 32g sachet in 400ml · 236mg sodium · Kyowa BCAAs + L-Glutamine

Best for: 60–90 min training runs, 10K race, easy long run, hot weather hydration

The Isodrink & Energy is Crown's complete isotonic drink: beyond carbohydrates and electrolytes it includes pharmaceutical-grade Kyowa BCAAs and L-Glutamine. For 10K races, one-hour training runs or hot days with muscle catabolism risk, this is a very solid choice. Do not use it as your sole energy source in a marathon or triathlon — that is what the Hyper line is for. Use it for shorter training sessions or as an immediate recovery drink post-run.

Crown Sport HyperBar 45

45g carbs · 60g bar (2×30g) · 1:0.8 ratio · 165mg sodium

Best for: cyclists, triathletes on the bike leg, ultra-trail where solid food is preferred

The HyperBar 45 is a double gummy bar: it comes as two 30g mini-bars that separate cleanly. The format works particularly well on the bike leg of a triathlon, where eating solid food is easier than during the run. The gummy texture — similar in concept to Clif Shot Bloks but with twice the carbohydrate load — suits athletes who find gel consistency unpleasant. Same 1:0.8 ratio, same sodium, same Hyper philosophy.

Crown Sport 3:1 PRO Recovery ST

38g CHO + 16g protein per serving · 590g tub (10 servings) · Vanilla · Hydrolysed whey + beef protein

Best for: recovery after marathon, triathlon, ultra-trail, long turbo trainer sessions

The 3:1 PRO Recovery ST is Crown's most complete recovery product. The 3:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio is well documented in sports science for maximising glycogen resynthesis and muscle protein synthesis within the recovery window (first 2 hours post-effort). The combination of hydrolysed whey with Optipep beef protein delivers a broad amino acid profile. If you need a vegan option, Crown also offers the 3:1 Vegan Recovery+ with pea protein.

Crown Sport Caffeine PRO Caps 100mg

100mg anhydrous caffeine per capsule · 120 capsules per tub · Vegetable capsules

Best for: pre-race 5K–42K, quality training sessions, night-time ultra-trail

The caffeine capsules are the most versatile tool in the Crown range. 100mg per capsule equals a strong espresso, with the advantage of total control over when and how much you take. For a marathon, you can plan 1 capsule 60 minutes before the start plus 1 capsule at km 25–30 with water. During a night ultra, 1 capsule every 4–5 hours maintains alertness without the digestive issues that coffee can cause. Combined with non-caffeinated gels from the range, this allows you to customise your stimulant strategy with precision.