UCAN Edge Review | New Player in the Gel Market

by Chase Parnell — May 11, 2021

---

First of all, I have to say UCAN nailed it with the name of this product. Edge. I think that’s what a lot of trail and ultra runners are looking for in their nutrition strategy. If we’re being realistic, no gel, sports massage, or carbon plated shoe is going to turn us in to Jim Walmsley, but fueling during a run or race is undoubtably one of the most important elements in helping us reach our full potential. Innovation in this space is happening at an incredible rate so it benefits us to always try to be early-adopters before the product becomes so wide-spread that the advantage is lost. So when UCAN Edge hit the shelves, offering a paradigm-shifting technology, you better believe I’m going to want to test it out to see if it works! I hope you enjoy and find value in this review of UCAN Edge, the newest player in the single-serving gel market.

Full disclosure: UCAN sent us a free box of Edge (roughly $30 dollar value) for us to test before sharing our thoughts.

What Makes UCAN Edge Unique?

Here’s the one-liner from the UCAN website, “UCAN SuperStarch® is a patented energy source, without sugar or stimulants, that delivers a slow-release of carbohydrates to steady your blood sugar.” So right off the bat we know this is a different kind of product than all the others out there that use sugar-derived carbohydrates. Okay, so if not sugar, then what is it? Answer: “It’s a low-glycemic, complex carbohydrate made by a patented cooking method applied to a specific strain of non-GMO corn.” Okay, there it is. Corn.

So why would a corn-based product offering a slow-release of carbohydrates give us an edge? Well, if you read UCAN’s origin story, it’s actually pretty compelling, even if it’s infused with marketing jargon and obviously meant to convert readers into buyers. In a nutshell, “SuperStarch was originally developed to aid Jonah, an infant born with a rare metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce glucose on its own. The condition put him in constant danger of life-threatening hypoglycemia. Research indicated that SuperStarch helped manage blood sugar levels in subjects with Jonah’s condition better than other carbohydrate sources by slowly and steadily delivering glucose over time into the bloodstream. This was a game-changer for Jonah, and he continues to use SuperStarch every day.”

This was the lightbulb moment for me: SuperStarch was developed to provide a longer steady release of energy, and who needs LONG and STEADY energy (as opposed to sharp spikes and drop-offs) for the duration of any prolonged physical exertion? Ding-ding-ding. Ultra runners! Now, I’m certain someone like Jason Koop or the scientists behind UCAN’s competitors could come up with a whole variety of arguments to take down the SuperStarch framework, but as consumers, at the end of the day we need to make our own decisions. For me, as one rational humanoid, the messaging about why this product works makes sense.

What I Like About UCAN Edge.

I consumed 11 of the 12 gels in the box I received, saving one for images and the video used in this review. I used the product on two longer runs out at Smith Rock State Park here in central Oregon, both runs about 15-16 miles with 5,000+ feet of vert. So not super long efforts but both over three hours in duration. The rest I used during 8-12 mile townie runs. I like to bring along a gel for those types of runs and only use it if I start to get really hungry or feel a dramatic drop in energy levels.

Orange Flavor

I am a big fan of fruity gel flavors. You will never find me eating a chocolate, peanut butter, or any other of the thicker consistency gels. I want the stuff to go down quickly and effortlessly so I can focus on the running. So I was glad to see UCAN’s debut flavor was orange. Definitely a safe selection since they only currently have one flavor. My contact with UCAN said they are tentatively planning to launch their next flavor in the fall and that maybe chocolate, coffee or salted caramel is also in the pipeline. As far as the orange flavor goes, obviously this is subjective but for what it’s worth, I found it refreshing and not overpowering.

Lasting Energy

On my second long run using Edge, I took one gel during the first big climb and one at the half way point. I usually try to make sure to stay on top of my fueling, even more so when I’m running with someone who is faster than me, which I was on this particular run. I don’t want to risk the shame and embarrassment of bonking and getting dropped. Only half joking. So it was definitely out of character for me to completely forget to take a gel for the entire second half the run! I don’t know, I just didn’t get any hunger pangs and nothing reminded me to eat. My only conclusion was that the slow-release energy of the SuperStarch in the first two gels topped me off enough to not need to consume anything else for the entire second half without needing to consume more. It’s a little crazy because each packet only contains 70 calories, whereas most gels contain 100.

World-Class Marathoners Use UCAN

This might seem like a strange point to add here but in my opinion it speaks volumes that some of the most elite American marathoners really do use this product for peak performance. If the product wasn’t legitimately giving them an edge, they wouldn’t use it. Meb Keflezighi used UCAN when he won the Boston Marathon (Edge wasn’t out then, but he used their powder products in his bottles, which is the same technology) and Sara Hall signed with UCAN in 2020 and has been crushing it in recent performances. So while marathoners are obviously doing something far different than us ultra runners, they are on the leading edge of sports physiology and diagnostics where nutritional intake while running might be the 3-5% added-benefit that gives you the win over your competition. In short, I’m perfectly fine with a certain degree of following their lead, “I’ll have whatever she’s having.”

What I Dislike About UCAN Edge.

Dislike might be a bit of a strong word here, it’s more like these are the things that gave me pause when I had my product reviewer hat on. Nothing major, just a couple little things.

Package Size

There’s no way around it, the UCAN Edge packet is bigger that its competitors. For reference, Gu contains 32g, Huma contains 42g, and Edge contains 53g. The downside of this is that they’re a little more difficult to fit in a waist-belt, pocket or pack if you need to carry a bunch of them. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t HUGE or anything, just noticeably bigger. That said, I like that they didn’t force it and try to go smaller because that may have created a thicker consistency that I personally wouldn’t like. Also, because it’s a slow-releasing energy source, in theory you shouldn’t need as many gels per run.

Chalky Sensation

The gel does have a slight chalky consistency to it. That’s the only word I could come up with to describe it. And I recognized it from when I used the UCAN powder products in the past. I believe it’s the starch in the product that gives it this unique feel. It’s not overwhelming and it doesn’t take away from the nice orange flavor, it’s just something that you’ll notice when using the product.

UCAN Edge Video Review

Final Thoughts

UCAN Edge is obviously something you’ll have to try for yourself to see if it works for you. If you want that “real food” feel or you’re really into all the flavor varieties, there are other brands for that. But if you want to try a slow-release energy source that is both easy on the stomach and proven to moderate the spikes and dips that come from sugar-based fuels, give Edge a try. If anyone out there has tried it already, I’d be curious to hear your impressions in the comments below.

I suppose for me the ultimate test will be when I toe the line at Wasatch 100 in September. It’s one thing for a gel to hold up over 3-4 hours, but how will it do over 24 hours? I know Coree Woltering used it during his Pinhoti Trail FKT attempt and he got the record so it worked pretty well for him over multiple days of running! Traditionally, I like to use gels in 100 milers until I can’t stomach any more (usually around 60-70 miles) and then I’ll switch to a powder. UCAN also has powder energy sources which you can mix directly into your water bottle or bladder. So they have you covered!

I know this move into the gel game has been a long time coming so it’s pretty cool that UCAN pulled it off with what appears to be a great success. Competition always spurs innovation so despite their entry shaking up the status quo with traditional ultra running gel brands, I think this will inevitably lead to continued improvement in running nutrition, which is a net positive for all of us.

UCAN Edge Discount Code

If you want to try out UCAN Edge or peruse their other product offerings, head over to their ONLINE SHOP. A box of 12 gels retails for $29.95 plus shipping, but use the code “TREELINE” to receive 20% off your order. Give it a try!

Hope you all enjoyed this review! If you’d like to support our work at Treeline Journal, please share this article with a friend, sign up for our free Rise & Grind weekly newsletter or consider supporting us via Patreon for as little as $2 a month. We really appreciate your support!