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- XACT Energy Bars
- XACT Energy Chews
- XACT Energy Fruit Gels
- XACT Endurance Bars
- XACT Electrolytes Tabs
- XACT Immediate Recovery
- XACT Protein Wafer
- XACT Energy Performance Bars
- XACT Energy Mixed Boxes
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- Performance with caffeine
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Fuel plan · race day or a training block
Know what to eat, and when.
From your heaviest training blocks to your peak race day, take the guesswork out of fuelling.
Build your fuel plan
Your plan, to the last chew.
Select your race or training block. Get your target carbs per hour, exact feeding intervals and a pre-loaded cart with everything you need.
66 g per hour
- carbs in total
- kcal burned
- ≈ 500 mLwater an hour (400 to 800 mL), drink to thirst
How we calculate.
When to eat what
Your race-day cart
The cheapest way to get your race plan
Your race, fuelled
Email me my plan
Take this plan to the start line.
We’ll email you this plan: your carbs an hour, when to eat what, and your race-day cart.
People like you
How to fuel
Before, during, after.
Three moments, every time you train or race: eat before, keep eating on the move, then refuel once you stop. How much depends on how long you are out and how hard you go. What also changes is which form suits your sport and what you enjoy eating.
Before · During
XACT Energy Bars25 g carbs in a 30 g bar
Before · During
XACT Energy Chews4 chews · 23 g carbs
Before · During
XACT Energy Fruit Gels30 g carbs a gel
Before · During
XACT Electrolytes Tabs500 mg sodium a tab
Before · During
XACT Endurance BarsAlmond fruit bars · 5 g protein
Before · During
XACT Energy Performance Bars25 g carbs · 50 mg caffeine
Before · During
XACT Energy Mixed BoxesA mix of flavours, box of 24
After
XACT Immediate Recovery44 g carbs · 14 g protein
After
XACT Protein Wafer15 g protein
The system · with Nick Kleban, XACT team
Three questions behind every plan
The best plan is the one you’ll stick to. Taste drives adherence; adherence drives performance.
Nick Kleban from our product team always starts with the same three questions. Start with the intro, then pick the video that matches your effort: short or long, easy or intense.
How long are you going?
The longer you are out, the more you need. Up to 1:15 it is optional; past 2:30 you can go up to 90 g of carbs an hour.
How hard are you going?
A harder pace burns more carbs. The plan goes up with your pace or effort, up to what your stomach can take in.
Do you like what you eat?
The best fuel is the one you actually take. Pick the flavours and formats you enjoy: taste is part of the plan.
Nick Kleban
Articles and guides
Read before your next long one
From our nutrition and hydration articles.
Nutrition · Aug 11, 2025How to Fuel Your Run and Avoid Hitting the Wall
Hydration · Apr 29, 2026The New XACT Electrolytes. Simple Done Right.
Nutrition · May 1, 2026You Obsess Over What You Eat During Your Race. What About After?
Ambassadors · Sep 10, 2026Nutrition on the mountain bike by Elliot Jamieson: How to actually fuel on the trail?
Tips and guidesThe Snack Math Behind Our CalculatorsTips and guides · May 30, 2025The Snack Math Behind Our Calculators
Tips and guides · Apr 7, 2025Your Long Runs are Practice for Race Day!
WHEN IT TASTES GOOD, IT’S GOOD.*
Taste drives adherence. A plan only works if you can follow it.
Videos and shorts
The plan, ride by ride and run by run
Short how-tos from the people who make the food.
10 min
2025 · YouTubeHow to fuel for Gravel RoyaleWith Nick Kleban
1 min
2025 · YouTubeStopping at aid stations isn’t deadWith Nick Kleban
16 min
2025 · YouTubeFuelling for Singletrack 6With Nick Kleban
2025 · YouTubeUltra running: what to carry, what to grabWith Nick Kleban
7 min
2025 · YouTubeFuelling for the Golden RushWith Nick Kleban
YouTubeFuel Smarter, Ride Faster: MTB nutrition with Elliot and NickWith Elliot Jamieson
Frequently asked questions
XACT Energy Bars
Our two formats (XACT Energy Bars and XACT Energy Fruit Gels) are both made from real fruit for natural, easy-to-digest energy. Whether you prefer the chew of a bar or the quick squeeze of a gel, it’s all about what works best for you.
XACT Energy Bars are vegan, gluten-free and nut-free, making them a safe choice for those with common food allergies.
You’ll start feeling an energy boost within minutes - typically 5-15 minutes after consumption.
XACT Energy Bars don’t require water for digestion. However, staying hydrated is always important, so we recommend drinking fluids regularly during exercise.
Absolutely! XACT Energy Bars are a great energy boost for any team sport or active lifestyle.
The performance line includes caffeinated options (50mg per bar) for hydration support during longer efforts. The standard XACT Energy Bars provide pure carbohydrate energy with no added caffeine or electrolytes.
Yes! XACT Energy Bars are made with real food ingredients and are safe for kids, making them a great option for sports, school snacks, or outdoor adventures. However, caffeinated versions should be avoided for children.
Yes! Unlike some chews that harden in the cold or become sticky in the heat, XACT Energy Bars stay soft and easy to eat in all conditions.
XACT Energy Chews
XACT Energy Chews are a bite-sized version of our popular XACT Energy Bars, offering the same taste, texture, and ingredients in a more flexible, shareable format. Instead of committing to a full bar, you can eat just the right amount as you go.
They require less chewing, are served in bulk (take as much or as little as you need), have a softer texture, and make for less waste.
Unlike traditional chews made with gelatin or starch-based binders, XACT Energy Chews are formulated with simple fruit sugars, which break down easily with saliva.
XACT Endurance Bars
XACT Endurance Bars provide a slower, sustained energy release due to their balanced mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. XACT Energy Bars deliver fast-absorbing carbs for a quick energy boost.
XACT Endurance Bars have a lower glycemic index (GI) than many energy products, which means they provide a gradual energy release instead of quick spikes and crashes. They also contain healthy fats and proteins to help curb hunger and support long-duration efforts.
Yes, but they work best for steady-state or moderate-intensity efforts. For high-intensity, longer sessions, pair them with XACT Energy Bars to get a mix of slow and fast energy.
Yes! While they are soft and easy to eat, drinking water or an electrolyte drink helps with digestion and absorption.
We wouldn’t recommend exclusively fuelling with XACT Endurance Bars for high carbohydrate demands over 60g/hr.
They fit easily in a jersey pocket, running vest, or hydration pack.
They are a great snack or fuelling option, but not a full meal replacement. They work best when paired with a balanced diet for daily energy needs.
XACT Immediate Recovery
Unlike products focused only on protein, XACT Immediate Recovery is designed for endurance athletes. It provides carbs, protein, electrolytes, and calcium. Everything the body needs to recover.
They replenish glycogen, the body’s muscle energy reserve. Without carbs, recovery is incomplete and fatigue lingers.
Like creamy chocolate milk. Thanks to whole milk powder, the texture is smooth and enjoyable.
It’s most important after long or intense workouts, or when you need to recover quickly before your next session.
Yes. It dissolves right away in water. Just shake for a few seconds to mix.
Chocolate and Vanilla-Caramel.
We recommend it for the best texture. The product mixes in seconds in a shaker with 275 ml of cold water for a smooth, creamy, lump-free result.
Yes, but a shaker gives the best experience. In a glass, you’ll need to stir more to fully dissolve the powder.
Going deeper
For the nerds
The science behind the products, in a bit more detail.
XACT Energy Bars
Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for endurance athletes. Your body stores only a limited amount of glycogen, and once depleted, performance declines. Consuming carbs every 30-45 minutes - like what XACT Energy Bars provide - helps maintain optimal energy levels and delays fatigue during exercise.
The body can only absorb ~60g/hr of glucose, but adding fructose allows absorption rates up to over 100g/hr. Glucose and fructose use separate transporters reducing competition and maximizing carbohydrate uptake. This means more fuel delivered to muscles faster, with less risk of GI distress.
Pectin, a soluble fibre found in apple pulp (the main ingredient in XACT Energy Bars), plays a role in digestion by aiding gastric emptying and supporting gut health. It forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract, which can help regulate the passage of food and may reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
The body absorbs carbohydrates from gels, chews, and solid energy sources at similar rates, even when consuming 120 g/h during exercise. While gels may reach the stomach faster, all forms provide comparable energy availability without slowing digestion.
XACT Energy Bars maintain their soft, pliable texture in extreme temperatures due to their low moisture content and natural fruit sugars, which act as humectants to prevent excessive hardening in the cold or stickiness in heat.
XACT Endurance Bars
A blend of fibre and healthy fats slows digestion for smooth, steady energy.
- Steady, long-duration efforts (zone 2, ultra-endurance). Slow burning carbs help maintain stable energy levels.
- High-intensity efforts (racing, hard surges). Fast-burning carbs provide immediate fuel.
- Conclusion. For optimal fuelling, pair slow carbs (XACT Endurance Bars) with fast carbs (XACT Energy Bars) to match your needs.
XACT Immediate Recovery
The first 30 minutes post-exercise are the “glycogen window.” Muscles absorb glucose much faster during this time. Carbs consumed in this window maximize glycogen resynthesis. Protein is more about total daily intake than immediate timing.
This ~3:1 ratio (carbs:protein) is the level recommended by research for endurance recovery. It restores energy while also triggering muscle repair.
- Whey: fast-digesting, rich in leucine → quickly stimulates muscle protein synthesis.
- Casein: slow-digesting → prolonged amino acid release → sustained recovery.
It preserves the full “dairy matrix,” delivering proteins, calcium, electrolytes, and bioactive compounds in their natural proportions. This improves nutrient absorption and gives the drink a creamier texture.
- Sodium (440 mg): essential for hydration and muscle contraction.
- Potassium (550 mg): supports fluid balance and nerve function.
- Calcium (400 mg): crucial for bone health, muscle contraction, and cell signaling.
No. XACT Immediate Recovery builds on the proven benefits of chocolate milk, but optimizes the macros (more carbs, ideal protein ratio, added electrolytes) and delivers a shelf-stable powder version that’s convenient and ready to mix with water.
Still wondering? Ask the people at your local store, or find one near you →
Shop online, or find your local store.
More than 400 stores across Canada carry XACT, from run and bike shops to grocers.



