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Hydration products
Wiggle Hydration tabs (20 tablets)Wiggle Hydration tabs

Wiggle Hydration tabs (20 tablets)

7
by Caven O'Hara
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Feb 6, 2015

4
£2.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Simple, effective, not too bad on the taste buds; even better on the wallet
Weight: 
100g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk
How we test

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Wiggle's new hydration tabs are available in two flavours. They provide a balance of electrolytes, are less than 7 calories per serving and are gentle on the stomach. This last factor is key if you use hydration tabs on long rides as you don't want your stomach upset during or after.

Wiggle's hydration tabs come in tubes of 20 and at £2.99 offer very good value. Available in either lemon or blackcurrant the fact they come in a plastic tube means they are easily transportable if you want to take them with you to add to your bottle.

It couldn't be a simpler process: remove one of the tabs and drop it into your bottle. The tab fizzes briefly and dissolves in less than 30 seconds. Both flavours are recognisable without any after taste. In the recommended 500ml of water they both taste a little watered down but this aids the effect on your stomach. So far I've used them on rides up to four hours without suffering that awful after taste where you need anything but another energy drink. On that score that's big plus but will also need to be tested on hot, long rides were you fluid intake is high to see if the same result occurs.

This last factor will additionally need to be tested when you sweat considerably more on hot rides to see if the electrolytes replaced are on a par with what you've lost to prevent cramp setting in.

Wiggle's hydration tabs contain no caffeine, are both vegan and vegetarian friendly, gluten and dairy free and are safe for those you suffer nut allergies.

Each tablet offers 29kJ of energy, 6.6kCal, no fat or protein, 0.9g of salt and 0.4g of carbohydrate none of which has any sugar.

Against a lot of the competition who offer products with similar attributes, Wiggle have stolen a march with their pricing. When it comes to making a consumer choice this will allow riders to test out the hydration tabs at little expense. There's nothing wrong with that and many may find they enjoy the taste all the more.

Verdict

Simple, effective, not too bad on the taste buds; even better on the wallet

road.cc test report

Make and model: Wiggle Hydration tabs (20 tablets)

Size tested: Blackcurrent, Lemon

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Wiggle says:

Mixed with 500ml of water, Wiggle Hydration Tabs create a low calorie electrolyte drink to help maintain hydration levels before and during exercise. Wiggle Hydration Tablets contain important electrolytes that you lose through sweat and are less than 7 calories per serving.

One pack of 20 tabs will make 10 litres of hydration drink.

Wiggle Sports Nutrition products are designed to taste great, be easy to consume and provide you with the nutrition you need before, during and after exercise.

Use Wiggle Hydration Tabs To Maintain Optimum Hydration In Your Active Lifestyle

Whether it's for an active lifestyle, a new personal best or a win in elite racing, the Wiggle Hydration Tabs are a great way to ensure you maintain hydration levels before and during exercise, to regulate body temperature and replace the water and electrolytes lost through sweat. Wiggle Hydration Tabs are available in light and refreshing fruit flavours which work alongside other Wiggle Sports Nutrition products.

The addition of balanced electrolytes in the Wiggle Hydration Tabs provides better carbohydrate absorption to help you avoid low blood sugar levels. Electrolyte imbalance and dehydration have also been linked to cramp in the body. By drinking the Wiggle Hydration Tabs before and during exercise you can remain hydrated and re-balance electrolytes in the body in a strategy to prevent cramp from affecting your workout or training session.

Wiggle Hydration Tabs are a great tasting, excellent value for money nutritional product that are gentle on your stomach.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

INGREDIENTS Blackcurrant Ingredients: Citric Acid, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate), Sodium Chloride, Inulin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Sorbitol, Potassium Chloride, Maltodextrin, Colour (Beetroot Red), Magnesium Carbonate, Sweetener (Sucralose), Flavouring, Acacia Gum, Zinc Citrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate, Thiamine Hydrochloride.

INGREDIENTS Lemon Ingredients: Citric Acid, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate), Sodium Chloride, Inulin, Sorbitol, Tricalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Green Tea Extract, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Carbonate, Sweetener (Sucralose), Flavouring, Acacia Gum, Zinc Citrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin-5-Phosphate, Thiamine Hydrochloride.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

In the limited test, in terms of hours so far, the Wiggle Hydration tablets have performed as well as you'd expect. The taste is subtle as opposed to a strong, pungent one but you can easily identify what the flavours are. In terms of hydration the tabs allow you to keep topped up without suffering a loss or imbalance in electrolytes but as I mentioned earlier the real test will be over considerably longer, warmer rides where the loss of fluid can have a major effect on your performance and ultimately your enjoyment.

Rate the product for value:
 
10/10

At £2.99 for a tube of 20 tablets which will make 10 litres of drink that represents 15p a bottle. Not to be argued with.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A subtle tasting electrolyte drink that is just as easy on the stomach but does the hydration job effectively.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Easy to use, add the tablet and 30 seconds later it has dissolved and your drink is ready.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

There is small amount of residue left but I only noticed this when I tried one of the tablets in a glass. If you let it dissolve in a bottle and give it a shake to help the process this will be fine. Otherwise at this cost can you be disappointed?

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste.

Would you consider buying the product? It's hard to argue with the facts.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Easy to use or mix, dissolves well and offers a subtle taste. Easy on the stomach and all for less than 15p a bottle.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 178cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Currently riding a Pinnacle Evaporite Three  My best bike is: As above

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, mtb, Not yet but looking to dip my toe in the world of TT

 

Wiggle Hydration tabs
Wiggle

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
Bristol Bullet | 9 years ago
0 likes

This is a poor review. We need to know if these things work on a hot summers day, not a sub-zero day in January. You wouldn't test an electric blanket in July and conclude "It seems to work, I didn't even have to turn it on and it kept me warm". Jeez

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to Bristol Bullet | 9 years ago
0 likes
Bristol Bullet wrote:

This is a poor review. We need to know if these things work on a hot summers day, not a sub-zero day in January. You wouldn't test an electric blanket in July and conclude "It seems to work, I didn't even have to turn it on and it kept me warm". Jeez

Ahem:

"In the limited test, in terms of hours so far, the Wiggle Hydration tablets have performed as well as you'd expect. The taste is subtle as opposed to a strong, pungent one but you can easily identify what the flavours are. In terms of hydration the tabs allow you to keep topped up without suffering a loss or imbalance in electrolytes but as I mentioned earlier the real test will be over considerably longer, warmer rides where the loss of fluid can have a major effect on your performance and ultimately your enjoyment."

Avatar
Municipal Waste | 9 years ago
0 likes

Is this a product test or an advert?

Avatar
GerardR replied to Municipal Waste | 9 years ago
0 likes

I think it's just lazy journalism, in the form of uncritical cut and paste.

That said, they only got 7/10.

I bought a few tubes to try, as they're so much cheaper than the competition. They seem to work just as well.

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