Red Bull is a familiar name to many, but what does this “drink” have to do with hiking and trekking? The cans are fairly large, and who packs an extra can of Red Bull just on the off chance of getting tired? After all, we have to watch our pack weight when we haul it over the mountains. An interesting solution to the weight problem is now available in the form of Red Bull Energy Shots.
The little brother of the classic Red Bull Energy Drink holds 60 ml and comes in a small plastic bottle. The shot is so concentrated that it delivers the same effect as the contents of a 250 ml can. Another difference from its big brother is that it contains no carbonation at all, which is why the Energy Shot is sold without a bottle deposit. According to the manufacturer, it is also “enjoyable” unchilled.
Technical data of the Red Bull Energy Shot
- Weight: 75.9 g
- Contents: 60 ml
- Calories: 27 kcal
- Ingredients: taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine (80 mg), B vitamins, sucralose, glucose
The Red Bull Energy Shot in the field
I should point out that I don’t even drink coffee regularly, so I generally react quite sensitively to energy drinks containing caffeine.
In any case, after drinking a Red Bull Energy Shot I do feel more awake and fitter. Especially towards the end of long day hikes I found the effect very positive – it kept me from flagging over the last stretch.
The taste is very close to the original Red Bull drink. You either love it or hate it – personally, I quite like it. Thanks to its small size, the shot is also a great alternative for people who otherwise don’t like energy drinks. It goes down so quickly that, in my opinion, it hardly matters whether it is cold or warm.
Conclusion
Certainly not a must for the occasional hiker, but for anyone who likes to push their limits and give it everything, it is definitely worth a try.
Pros
- Works faster than e.g. caffeine tablets
Cons
- Not exactly cheap
By the way, Christian’s article on hikinggear.de is also well worth reading – they tried the Red Bull Shots there as well. You can read the article (in German) here.
Where to buy
The Energy Shot is available from retailers throughout Germany at a recommended retail price of €1.99, and at many petrol stations for usually €2.79.
