How much caffeine is in high 5 caffeine gel?

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

Each High5 Energy Gel with caffeine typically contains 30mg of caffeine per sachet. This offers a moderate stimulant boost designed to be used alongside carbohydrates to support performance during endurance activities.

Quick Summary

Each sachet of High5's standard Energy Gel Caffeine and Energy Gel Aqua Caffeine contains 30mg of caffeine, providing a moderate mental and physical boost for athletes.

Key Points

Caffeine Content: High5 Energy Gel Caffeine and Aqua Caffeine gels contain 30mg of caffeine per sachet.
Gel Variants: The standard gel is thicker and should be consumed with water, while the Aqua version has a lighter, more drink-like consistency.
Boost Performance: Caffeine in the gels helps improve endurance, concentration, and can reduce the perception of effort during exercise.
Strategic Use: It's best to save caffeine gels for the later stages of a race or for particularly demanding segments when fatigue starts to set in.
Test in Training: Always test new fueling strategies, including caffeine, during training to ensure your body tolerates it well before a race.
Consider Other High5 Options: For different caffeine levels, consider other High5 products like ZERO Caffeine Hit tablets (75mg) or Energy Drink Caffeine Hit (140mg).

High5 Caffeine Gel Variants Explained

High5 offers several products featuring caffeine, so it is important to distinguish between them. The primary gel products containing caffeine are the standard Energy Gel Caffeine and the lighter Energy Gel Aqua Caffeine. Both deliver the same quantity of caffeine per sachet but differ in consistency and water content. For higher caffeine doses, athletes might look at other products in the High5 lineup, such as the ZERO Caffeine Hit tablets or the Energy Drink Caffeine Hit powder mix.

High5 Energy Gel Caffeine: This is a thicker gel, packaged in a 40g sachet, containing 23g of carbohydrate energy and 30mg of caffeine. Its concentrated nature means it is often recommended to be taken with water.
High5 Energy Gel Aqua Caffeine: This gel has a lighter, more drink-like consistency due to its higher water content (66g sachet). It provides the same 23g of carbohydrates and 30mg of caffeine as the standard gel but does not require extra water to aid digestion, making it a favorite for runners.
Other Caffeine Products: Higher doses of caffeine are available in products like the Energy Drink Caffeine Hit (140mg per serving) or ZERO Caffeine Hit tablets (75mg per tablet), which are distinct from the gel products.

The Role of Caffeine in Endurance Sports

Caffeine is a well-researched performance enhancer, especially in endurance sports. For athletes, it can provide a mental and physical edge in several ways:

Increased Alertness and Concentration: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, helping to reduce the perception of effort and keeping athletes focused, especially during prolonged events.
Enhanced Endurance Performance: By affecting the nervous system, caffeine can help delay fatigue, allowing athletes to push harder for longer periods.
Mobilized Fat Stores: In longer races, caffeine helps to mobilize fat stores, providing an additional energy source for the working muscles.

Individual responses to caffeine can vary significantly based on tolerance, genetics, and daily consumption habits. It is essential for athletes to test any caffeinated product during training to assess its effect and to avoid potential side effects like jitteriness or gastrointestinal distress.

How to Incorporate High5 Caffeine Gels into Your Race Strategy

An effective fueling strategy often involves using a combination of caffeinated and non-caffeinated products throughout a race. Many athletes prefer a staged approach:

Early-Stage Fueling: Start with non-caffeinated gels or sports drinks for the first 60-90 minutes of the race. This provides a steady supply of carbohydrates without the need for stimulation early on.
Mid-to-Late Race Boost: Introduce caffeine gels in the later stages of a race or before a particularly difficult section, such as a steep climb or the final push. This gives you a mental and physical lift when fatigue begins to set in.

Timing is Everything

For endurance sports, a general guideline is to consume one energy gel every 30 to 45 minutes after the first hour of exercise. For caffeine gels, specifically, timing is strategic. Taking a caffeinated gel 15-30 minutes before a tough segment or towards the end of a long race can provide a valuable boost without overstimulating your system too early.

Importance of Training with Gels

Practicing your race-day nutrition strategy during training is crucial. This allows you to understand how your body reacts to the gel's consistency, taste, and caffeine content under physical stress. It minimizes the risk of gastric discomfort and ensures you are confident in your fueling plan on race day.

High5 Caffeine Gel vs. Standard Gel Comparison

This table outlines the key differences between the primary High5 gel offerings, allowing athletes to make an informed choice based on their needs.


Feature	High5 Energy Gel (Standard)	High5 Energy Gel Aqua (Standard)	High5 Energy Gel Caffeine	High5 Energy Gel Aqua Caffeine
Caffeine Content	0mg	0mg	30mg per sachet	30mg per sachet
Carbohydrate Content	23g per sachet	23g per sachet	23g per sachet	23g per sachet
Consistency	Thicker	Lighter, more liquid (Aqua)	Thicker	Lighter, more liquid (Aqua)
Hydration Needs	Take with water	No extra water required	Take with water	No extra water required
Sachet Weight	40g	66g	40g	66g

Conclusion

High5 offers its popular energy gels in both caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions. The standard High5 Energy Gel Caffeine and the Energy Gel Aqua Caffeine each contain 30mg of caffeine per sachet, providing a useful mental and physical boost for endurance activities. The choice between the standard thicker gel and the lighter aqua version depends on personal preference and whether extra water is readily available. For athletes seeking a more substantial caffeine hit, High5 offers other products like the ZERO Caffeine Hit tablets or Energy Drink Caffeine Hit. Ultimately, the best strategy is to train with both caffeinated and non-caffeinated gels to find the optimal timing and combination for your specific performance needs. For more information, you can visit the official High5 website to view the product details for their Energy Gel Caffeine.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can take up to three High5 caffeinated gels per hour during exercise, especially in longer events. However, it is important to also consider any other caffeine sources you are consuming and not exceed a daily intake of 400mg of caffeine.

Some competitors offer different caffeine doses. For example, some brands offer gels with up to 100mg of caffeine. High5’s standard caffeinated gels offer a moderate 30mg per sachet, which is suitable for many athletes and can be combined with other products.

The main difference is the consistency and sachet size. The standard Energy Gel Caffeine (40g) is thicker, while the Aqua version (66g) has a lighter, more drink-like texture and doesn't require extra water for consumption.

It's often recommended to use caffeine gels later in a race when you need an extra mental and physical boost to combat fatigue. This might be during the last hour or before a challenging segment.

Yes, many athletes use a mixed fueling strategy. You can start with non-caffeinated gels and introduce caffeinated ones later in the race for a timely boost.

The standard, thicker High5 Energy Gel Caffeine should be consumed with water to aid absorption. The lighter Aqua Caffeine version is designed to be taken without additional water.

Caffeine acts as a stimulant that helps improve concentration, increases alertness, and can reduce your perception of effort during exercise, which helps you perform for longer.

High5 gels are made with natural fruit juices and are generally well-tolerated. However, individual tolerance varies, especially under stress, so testing in training is essential to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.