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As a general rule, it’s never easy to change your habits, but based on the principle that taking pleasure during effort is increasingly paramount at 3bikes.fr, beyond the impact on performance, we will therefore increasingly prioritize the taste and texture of the sports foods we consume, as well as ease of consumption and, for environmental reasons, plastic reduction.
Let’s check the result together…
By Jean-François Tatard – Photos: All rights reserved
It was in this frame of mind that we let ourselves be seduced by Mulebar to test a new gourmet sports diet. We took advantage of the end of this cycling season and a short pedestrian extension to test the complete range of Mulebar products, focusing more specifically on nutrition during effort.
Mulebar in a few lines
The idea was born in 2002 on the confines of the Andes Mountains. However, it would not see the light of day until six years later. And now, the brand of British origin has belonged since 2015 to two French boys named Denis Gargaud and Grégoire Dandres. It was the latter who, during a dietary conversation at the Tous en selle Festival, offered to give me some of his products for my opinion. As for the second, he was simply an Olympic Champion in Rio in Canoe Slalom. And in an obvious consensus, they wished to unite to update the brand image of this company. Starting with a redesign of the packaging. Then a revision of the quality of the ingredients used.
And when I chat with Grégoire on this last summer evening, he explains that his primary ambition is always to make his bars and gels 100% naturally. And when we talk about efficiency, he explains that since 2015, when he took over the company with Denis, he has reviewed everything: the design of the products, distribution, and especially the range, everything has evolved to make the brand today one of the major players in the sports nutrition market.
And the best way for us to get a very precise overview of the benefits was to test the entire range in real conditions and, above all, to consider tasting all the proposed flavors in this test, because what also makes this brand original in our eyes is the diversity of flavors: from coconut to salted caramel, via piña colada or rosemary, everything interested us.
Let’s test!
When I decide on a four-hour ride, I take the opportunity to put three Mulebar bars in my back pocket. But first, I have to check the composition. And indeed, the bars are organic and vegan. Also, the number of ingredients used is striking. Compared to what is usually done, there are half as many. This is a very good sign. Usually, there are rather 20 ingredients in a bar like this. In the composition of a Mulebar, there are less than 10. As for the amount of lipids and proteins, they are very precisely respected and the bar is also intended to be free of any additives and therefore ultimately low in sugar. Moreover, a second thought, the bars are indeed low in calories: 140 calories for 40 g (generally it is more often 170 for this weight). Another thought, the bar does not stick to the paper and the jersey pocket. And finally, from the packaging to the digestion of the product, including the flavor of the product in the mouth, the quality is there.
Original flavors
We are not dreaming, we are not reading the menu of a Michelin-starred restaurant. It is clearly written: Himalayan salt, ginger, licorice, cinnamon. It’s truly original compared to everything we had already tested. Walnut – Apricot, Pineapple – Coconut, Apple – Cinnamon, Mango – Cashew, Chocolate – Orange but also Tomato – Rosemary, Licorice – Coconut or Lemon – Ginger. Enough to almost forget that this is specific nutrition for athletes who primarily aspire to achieve their goals without hitting a wall.
The price
Depending on the store chosen for supplies and the quantity you buy, you will have to pay between €1.80 and €2.30 per bar. And at this level of quality, it’s the cheapest we’ve found. Count double the price at Maurten, for example.
We then tested the gels (in two forms)
We took advantage of a long walk in preparation for the New York marathon to test a 37g energy gel. First thing, it’s the tube’s packaging that seduces. Indeed, in the same way as a toothpaste, it opens and closes easily with a flap, which allows it to be used multiple times. The gel is low in calories but still provides the necessary quality of carbohydrates, and yet no feeling of nausea as often happens with this type of product when it’s too sweet, because manufacturers often don’t hesitate to load it with fructose or glucose. We recommend salted caramel for long efforts, cherry flavor (rich in antioxidants) for cramp prevention, and coffee flavor to boost you and give a final push a stone’s throw from the finish line. As for the price, each gel will cost you €2.50.
For a more or less comparable price, the second gel placed in the jogg’up belt is a kind of pouch. But in use, it’s less practical when running; we should have taken it while riding… The product probably adapts better to cycling in terms of consumption. Nevertheless, in this fruit pulp, we find the brand’s DNA: low in calories (140 for 65 g), whether it’s banana or apricot flavor, or pineapple-coconut or orange-carrot-lemon or sweet potato-orange-carrot or strawberry-redcurrant-beetroot, the pouch offers us all the nutrients we really need.
What we also really liked
In our exchange the other evening, Grégoire’s commitment to protecting the planet was evident. And notably technically with the development of a gel refill system. But what he hadn’t talked about was the annual contribution he makes to help create a better environment. In the vein of Yvon Chouinard, who will now fund actions to combat global warming, with all of Patagonia’s profits offered to Mother Nature, Mulebar also donates 1% of its turnover to the planet each year. Grégoire’s and his partner’s ambition is therefore definitely commendable: 1) avoid using gels in abundance and recycle them by refilling them for subsequent outings thanks to a very well-designed refillable flask. And 2) contribute to a collective effort that will ensure we can enjoy our beautiful paths and forests for sports for a long time to come.
To conclude
We are very happy with this encounter. The products are perfectly aligned with the needs of cyclists and runners who want to develop their performance level, while protecting nature and keeping in mind that a sweet treat during effort is also experienced as a reward. The quality is there. The distribution of ingredients is very intelligent. The tastes are surprising but so delicious… The commitments are respected. The quality/price ratio is the best we have had. The brand therefore deserves to be better known.
And the final word, if the Mulebar brand’s Research and Development department is listening: “We look forward to what’s next, and perhaps a pre-effort cake?”…
Mulebar products in brief… Rating: * Pros: Rich, digestible, energetic, not sickening, few ingredients and all natural, eco-responsible aspect, diversity of the range, practical format Price: €12.50 for 5 gels / €8.40 for 3 fruit pulps / €2.30 per bar Contact: www.mulebar.com |
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