Neversecond C30: 15+ Runners Put This Gel to the Test

Can Neversecond Nutrition help you go the distance?
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If you're wondering if this rising brand's science-backed approach actually works, this is for you...
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Once you dial in your training, chances are pretty good you'll take a closer look at what you're putting in...literally!
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As we’ve seen with recent historic performances like:

• 🏃‍♀️‍➡️Katie Schide’s dual victories at Western States and UTMB
• 🏃‍♂️‍➡️David Roche’s course record at the Leadville 100, and...
• 🏃‍♂️‍➡️David Sinclair’s JFK 50-mile record...

🔥FUELING is changing the game. The best minds at sports nutrition companies are throwing tons of resources at creating products that work for everyone.
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🏃‍♂️‍➡️Former competitive runner (and self-proclaimed “bad cyclist”) Bill Armstrong, founder of Neversecond Nutrition, saw a need for performance nutrition that truly stays in its lane and won’t end up on gas stations shelves for mass consumption.
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He worked tirelessly alongside sports nutrition scientist, Asker Jeukendrup, to develop a fueling system for endurance athletes founded on clinical research.
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This idea gave rise to the company’s motto and name: 

• Science first, never second.

A science-backed fueling-strategy for performance

🔉For anyone who wasn’t able to tune into E35 of The Hobby Jogger Podcast with Bill Armstrong...

• He combines his expertise in business and endurance to simplify fueling strategies for athletes of all levels.
• Each Neversecond product is crafted to deliver consistent, predictable performance, helping runners, cyclists, and endurance athletes stay fueled without overcomplicating their nutrition.

On The Hobby Jogger Podcast, Bill said...
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"If you look at it this way, I think it's really more about making sure that all athletes can have their best day."
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"Even if you're a middle-of-the-pack or a back-of-the-pack runner or a cyclist or whatever your sport is, if you're able to have a better day and get through the race—not DNF, not fall apart mid-race, not bonk out—that's a win."
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Neversecond isn’t just about selling gels and drink mixes—it’s about helping every athlete, at every level, perform their best.
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That commitment to science-backed fueling is why Neversecond sponsors several accomplished athletes, including:

• Jim Walmsley (The Hobby Jogger Podcast E11: On Ultra-Running, Gear Innovations, and Cross-Training)
• Katie Schide
• Dani Moreno
• Emkay Sullivan
• Joseph Gray, and...
• Rod Farvard

👉But the products aren’t just for elites. After his podcast appearance, Bill wanted us to experience it firsthand, providing WeeViews Rising Stars with a chance to test Neversecond’s C30 Energy Gels for themselves.

Neversecond Nutrition & WeeViews launch C30 Gel Trial

After Bill joined us on the podcast, he generously provided WeeViews Rising Stars with 15 codes for a C30 Energy Gel Trial Pack.
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Each trial pack contains 8 gels, which are 60 mL each: 

• 1x citrus
• 1x passion fruit
• 1x berry
• 1x fruit punch
• 1x orange
• 1x berry + caffeine
• 1x cola + caffeine
• 1x espresso + caffeine

A C30 energy gel contains:

• 120 calories
• 30g carbohydrates (2:1 maltodextrin to fructose ratio)
• 200 mg sodium 
• 0g fat
• 0g protein

The first 15 Rising Stars to jump at the offer received their trial packs at the end of January, at which time, they began putting them to the test. 

• Along the way, each Rising Star kept track of their impressions on the C30 gel flavors, texture, packaging, and performance. 
• A month later, the WeeViews site had 15 new reviews on the Neversecond C30 Energy Gel Trial Pack.

Here's what they learned...

Whether you prefer a bold burst of flavor or a more balanced sweetness, the C30 gels have something for everyone. 

• Favorite flavors. The Berry and Fruit Punch flavors were standouts among testers, with one runner comparing Berry to a refreshing popsicle. 
• The sweet-salty balance was a hit for those who enjoy a noticeable salt presence, thanks to the 200mg of sodium per gel. 
• Caffeine lovers may appreciate the Cola option, which delivers both flavor and a performance boost. 
• Overall, testers found the flavors enjoyable, though those sensitive to strong tastes may want to take note—these gels pack more punch than the average.

Here's what some runners participating in the Neversecond C30 Gel Trial had to say...
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🏃‍♀️‍➡️Cynthia: 

• “The taste was delicious, not too sweet, easy to swallow! Flavors are: Passion fruit, Fruit punch, Berry, Espresso, Cola, Citrus. My favorite so far is Berry, it reminded me of a popsicle!” 

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Brynn: 

• “The number one thing I liked about the flavors was that you could really taste the salt (they contain 200mg sodium). I add salt to almost all of my food and love the sweet/ salty combo.”

🏃‍♂️‍➡️David: 

• “The flavors are a win. Berry and Fruit Punch stole the show for me, though the Cola (caffeinated) was a close contender—especially since I don’t usually do caffeine day-to-day, so that kick was noticeable and welcome. Taste-wise, they’re enjoyable without being overpowering, which is clutch when you’re miles deep into a run.”

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Hollie: 

• “I personally appreciate the stronger flavor. It's not the sweetest but it is on the sweeter side. If you cannot do intense flavors while running, it may not be the gel for you. But, I like them because overall they have a different flavor than most gels out there.”

The C30 gels offer a thinner, smoother consistency that most testers found easy to consume—even in cold conditions.
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However, there were a few inconsistencies with the caffeinated flavors. Runners said...
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🏃‍♀️‍➡️MaryAnn: 

• “The gel texture is on the thinner side. At first I wasn't too sure about it, especially if you like a thicker gel. But as I started experimenting with the other flavors I got used to the consistency and liked it.”

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Michael V.: 

• “Two of the three caffeinated gels were not uniformly smooth. The only uniformly smooth one was the espresso.  We did have sub freezing temperatures, and my box was outside for at least two hours. I'm unsure if freezing and unfreezing had an effect on the consistency.”

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Abby: 

• “I'd compare the Neversecond C30 gel texture to something in between the watery texture of Science in Sport Isotonic Gels and the slightly more viscous Untapped Energy Gel. It flows easily and you don't need a ton of water to wash it down. I tested a few of these gels in sub-freezing, East Coast temps, expecting to have to fight to get the gel down, but I was wrong. They flowed easily.” 

🏃‍♂️‍➡️David: 

• “The consistency is where these gels shine for me. It’s my favorite of any gel I’ve tried (GU, Maurten, Huma, other niche brands I don't recall). They’re thin and smooth—no need to chase them with water, and no sticky residue lingering in the corners of your mouth.” 

The Neversecond C30 gels delivered consistent, sustained energy, making them a reliable choice for a range of workouts—everything from short runs to multi-sport sessions.
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The caffeinated Cola flavor stood out as a perfect late-run pick-me-up, offering a noticeable but not overwhelming boost.
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Even those who don’t typically use gels were impressed by their effectiveness—especially in extreme heat. Runners said:
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🏃‍♀️‍➡️Madi: 

• “I love that Neversecond gives me sustained energy. No crashes or energy high. I felt fatigued during this run, but taking one of these gels picked me up.” 

🏃‍♂️‍➡️David: 

• “Energy-wise, they deliver. The C30s gave me a quick boost, and the caffeinated Cola option was a standout for that late-run pick-me-up I usually save for the final stretch of a race or run. The caffeine hit just right without overwhelming me, which I appreciated given my low baseline tolerance.” 

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Abby: 

• “The Neversecond C30 gel is a fantastic option for athletes who want a simple, straightforward fueling and hydration plan. Depending on your sweat sodium concentration and sweat rate, the C30 gel could be a dual purpose product. I personally see a lot of value in these gels for sub-ultra races where you don't want to stop at aid stations to fiddle with powders and refilling bottles.”

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Brynn: 

• “For 40-60-minute runs, the 120 calories and 30mg of carbohydrates was perfect, especially when I weight lifted post-run or hadn't consumed a meal in more than two hours. I used one gel before a 20-minute weight lifting session + one-mile swim and felt amazing, as if I could have kept on going if I didn't have to return to work.” 

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Cynthia: 

• “I’m not a go to gel person for my fuel during longer runs. But I was surprised with Neversecond gels. The day was super hot here in TX (now it’s super cold again) I went for a longer run, took my hydration, and took my gel this time. I had the energy gel half way through my run and let me tell you it was great! I’m glad I tried it because now I’m a fan!” 

The Neversecond C30 gels come in a durable, well-sealed packet, but opening them on the go proved challenging for some testers.
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Several runners struggled with tearing the thick packaging, especially with sweaty hands or while running. 

• A more perforated edge could improve ease of use in future iterations. 
• The gels’ slightly larger size was noted—manageable for carrying a few, but potentially bulky for longer efforts requiring multiple packs.
• That said, the durability of the packaging was a plus, preventing leaks and mishaps in race vests. 
• While some had no trouble opening them mid-run, others found it frustrating enough to require a stop.

Runners said:
.🏃‍♂️‍➡️Scott: 

• “My biggest concern with these gels is that they are pretty bulky compared to other gels.  This is not an issue if you are running a shorter distance and only need to carry one gel but if you are putting in some serious miles and require 3-4 gels these could get a little bulky.”

🏃‍♂️‍➡️David: 

• “Packaging gets a solid nod too. I’d read some folks struggled with the tear tab ripping too far vertically, but I didn’t have that issue—opened all five cleanly, even on the move."
• "The durable packets held up in my pack without me worrying about a gel explosion."
• "The larger volume and thinner consistency mean they’re a bit bulkier than some gels, but carrying three or four for a long run wasn't noticeable in my pack. I wouldn’t stockpile them for a full-day ultra, but that’s not my use case anyway.”

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Hollie: 

• “I had high hopes for the packaging because it looks like you can easily tear it apart and consume." 
• "That's what it looks like anyway and on over half of the gels and I really struggled to open them." 
• "I think it was the combination of sweaty hands and the smooth packaging. I hope the next version has a more perforated edge.” 

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Abby: 

• “Neversecond C30 gel packaging is designed to be easily carried and opened." 
• "While I like the size, shape, and durability of the packaging, I did run into some issues with opening one of the gels."
• "The rip tab missed the perforation line and I couldn't get the gel contents to come out. This wasn't a big deal at the time of my training run, but during a race, this would be a big bummer.” 

The Neversecond C30 gels offer a science-backed, high-carbohydrate fueling option with a smooth texture, steady energy delivery, and balanced flavors that many testers enjoyed—especially the salted sweetness and the Cola flavor’s caffeine boost.
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However, the packaging posed challenges for some, with difficulty tearing the packets mid-run, and their larger size may be cumbersome for those carrying multiple gels.
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Price was another consideration, with some runners finding the $3.50–$4 per gel cost a bit steep for frequent use, while others felt the quality justified the investment.
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Overall, the Neversecond C30 gels are a high-performance option for endurance athletes who value science-backed nutrition, but those prioritizing affordability or ultra-compact packaging may want to explore alternatives.
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Runners participating in the Neversecond C30 Trial said:
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🏃‍♀️‍➡️Cecil:

• “Overall, I would get these as a variation in my endurance nutrition and I recommend these to others.”

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Brittany: 

• “I am unsure if I would buy these for myself in the future because on their website the 8 unit trial pack is $32 plus shipping. $4+ per gel is a little too expensive for my budget.”

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Mike: 

• “I would classify the C30 gels as just OK. They’ll get the job done, but you may need to carry quite a few depending on your activity level and fueling strategy.”

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Brynn: 

• “These are a good high carbohydrate, 120-calorie, salted gel option for endurance athletes." 
• "Requiring little water to wash them down, it makes them ideal for runs where you're carrying a small handheld of water with gels stashed in pockets." 
• "With improved packaging, the Citrus, Espresso or Cola could become one of my go-to's for mid-distance trail runs, cross training (swimming/ mountain or gravel biking) or short trail runs followed by heavy-weight strength sessions." 

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Hollie: 

• "Overall, I’m a fan of the Neversecond C30 Gels. They provide steady energy and are easy to digest." 
• "I love that they prioritize science-backed formulations and include extra sodium for hydration support." 
• "The downsides? The cost, packaging struggles, and their size being inconvenient for smaller pockets. If you’re someone who needs bold flavors or a cheaper option, this might not be the best fit."

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Madi: 

• “Great product. Neversecond's C30 gels show that you get what you pay for." 
• "At $3.5-4 per gel, they certainly are pricey. But they might be the best gels I've ever had." 
• "I love the smooth, light texture and not-too-strong tastes. They taste like what they're supposed to. I like that I can pronounce all the ingredients." 
• "I am excited to take one on my long runs, which hasn't been the case with other gels. I typically fuel with all-natural products, so this is a big win for Neversecond in my books!

Related: follow the hyperlinks to read all of the reviews posted for the C30 Energy Gel and the C30 gel trial packs.

While most of us aren’t chasing course records at Western States or Leadville, we can optimize our training and racing by dialing in what works best for us...
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That’s exactly why we put Neversecond’s C30 Energy Gels to the test.

• From taste to texture, energy delivery to packaging, our Rising Stars provided real-world insights on what makes these gels stand out—and where they have room to improve. 
• Whether you're looking for a high-carb, easy-to-digest gel or simply curious about trying a science-backed fueling system, Neversecond might be worth adding to your lineup.

👉Use code WEE15 at never2.com for 15% off Neversecond Nutrition products and see if they work for you! Let us know what you try and write a review on the WeeViews website!
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Other places you can find Neversecond Nutrition products:

• Neversecond Amazon store 
• Running Warehouse
• Competitive Cyclist
• 300 different brick and mortar stores across the United States