10 Best Hydration Mixes & Electrolyte Powders of 2025

Gnarly Sports Nutrition is formulated with 250 milligrams and 100 milligrams of potassium, putting it squarely in the category of moderate hydration powders. It’s a great choice for moderate trail days, as well as for a hydration boost on cold-weather days. Gnarly has 7 total grams of carbs, 4 grams of which are sugar. This makes the carb solution pretty low, but still helpful for the absorption of electrolytes during activity. It’s certainly not enough to rely on for energy, so make sure to eat plenty of carbohydrate-rich foods during hiking if Gnarly is your hydration powder of choice.

This powder is available in five flavors: ruby red grapefruit, orange pineapple, raspberry, lemonade, and salted margarita, which has extra sodium. Solubility-wise, we have some complaints about Gnarly Sports Nutrition Hydrate powder. When mixed in a shaker bottle, it dissolves okay, but quite a bit of the powder settles in the bottom. When we mixed it with a spoon in a glass, we were left with several chunks in the bottom of the glass after drinking all of the fluid.

Taste-wise, we love the raspberry flavor, though some may find it too sweet. This hydration powder is NSF Content Certified in all flavors, with the orange pineapple flavor also holding the NSF Informed Sport certification, but only in the bulk pouches, not the individual packets. 

Gnarly Sports Nutrition hydration powder packets are an average size, and definitely small enough to pack several of them for an extended backpacking trip with no space concerns. The packets are durable, too, which we found out after discovering smashed (yet perfectly intact) servings at the bottom of a pack many weeks after the testing period.

With 500 milligrams of sodium and 250 milligrams of potassium, Transparent Labs Hydrate nails the RD-recommended 2:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio. It also contains 1 milligram of iron, 50 milligrams of magnesium, and 1,000 milligrams of taurine. Iron helps deliver oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body via hemoglobin, a critical component of exercise performance. Taurine helps balance fluids, salts, and minerals in the body and is thought to support nervous system control, too. It’s a thoughtful formula, though not necessary, so don’t feel like you’re missing anything by taking a powder without those added ingredients.

This electrolyte powder is sugar-free and contains one gram of carbohydrates. Make sure you’re consuming a snack with simple carbohydrates (sugar) to support nutrient absorption. 

We find Transparent Labs Hydrate to be on the low end of average when it comes to solubility. Our tester definitely noticed some floating particles, and when she tried mixing it with a spoon (not a shaker bottle) a lot settled in the bottom of the cup. This could be because Transparent Labs stays away from common ingredients used as emulsifiers and other texture agents that create a smoother solution. We tried the raspberry lemon flavor, which is good but does leave a bit of a stevia aftertaste. There is only one other flavor to choose from: peach mango. Our lead analyst has had other Transparent Labs supplements in that flavor, and the same was true about the stevia.

Transparent Labs Hydrate is Informed Choice Certified, and you can find certificates of analysis for some flavors on the Transparent Labs website (you’ll need your batch number).

Gatorlyte is a newer offering from Gatorade and contains 420 milligrams of sodium, 300 milligrams of potassium, and 100 milligrams of calcium. The 420-milligram serving of sodium is moderately high, so it’s great for higher-intensity or hotter days.

Unlike the original Gatorade Thirst Quencher powder which contains 21 grams of carbohydrates, Gatorlyte contains only 12 grams. This makes it a better choice for people who plan to get more of their energy from food, or who simply don’t want or need 21 grams of sugar. The Gatorlyte carb solution, when mixed as directed in 16.9 ounces of water, is 2.4%. 

Gatorlyte mixes extremely well thanks to the food additive silicon dioxide. This additive is found naturally in plants and drinking water, and research has thus far demonstrated it is safe for oral consumption. It eliminates clumping and caking, which is how the powder dissolves into a nearly clear solution with no flecks or chunks. We’ve tried a few Gatorlyte flavors, and cherry lime is our favorite. We haven’t been disappointed by any of the flavors we’ve tried, and we don’t detect the artificial aftertaste that often comes with food dyes. Other flavors to choose from include glacier freeze, mixed berry, orange, strawberry kiwi, and lime cucumber. 

There are some sugar-free flavors available, too: lemon lime, strawberry kiwi, and fruit punch. Gatorlyte has a nutrition facts label, not a supplement facts label, meaning it’s regulated as a food and not a supplement. Therefore, third-party testing isn’t as much of a concern. The individual packets are medium-sized and easy to pack. The sachets have a very plasticky exterior, so you’re unlikely to experience any unwanted ripping or water leaking into the packets.

With 380 milligrams of sodium and 200 milligrams of potassium, Nuun Endurance has a primary electrolyte ratio of 19:10, or nearly 2:1. The sodium content is pretty moderate and suitable for most people during most activities; extended exercise in very hot weather might require more for some hikers. This has 16 grams of carbs, 15 of which are sugar, in a 19-gram serving size.

When mixed with 16 fluid ounces of water as directed, you’ll have a carbohydrate solution of about 3 percent. For particularly intense trails or in hot weather, this can be taken in addition to solid food, or you can use it as your main fuel source for shorter adventures.

Nuun Endurance is only available in two flavors: lemon lime and strawberry lemonade, which contains a modest amount of caffeine (25 milligrams per serving—not enough to touch a regular coffee drinker like our tester). We think the flavor is just okay. It tastes like your average powdered lemon-lime drink; not too sweet, not too sour. It dissolves mostly well, though it leaves a bit of residue at the bottom of a cup or bottle if you let it sit for more than a few minutes. Not a problem if you’re chugging, but a bit irksome if you’re sipping.

Nuun Endurance holds the NSF Informed Sport certification. This product is also certified vegan, non-GMO, Kosher, and gluten-free. These are among the most durable of the sachets we tested, but they are larger than most. Some hikers might find the size annoying, but we don’t think it’ll cause an issue in most cases.

Ultima Replenisher electrolyte powder is very low in sodium with just 55 milligrams per serving. While this is probably too little for rehydration in most hiking scenarios for most people, it’s a worthy consideration for those who are trying to watch their sodium intake but want other nutrients (and some flavor) in their water.

It contains 250 milligrams of sodium, bringing it close to a 1:5 ratio of sodium to potassium. The formula contains more types of electrolytes than most other formulas, including calcium, magnesium, chloride, zinc, manganese, and phosphorus.

This powder is sugar-free. Between that and the low sodium content, it’s an excellent choice for low-activity days or inactive days when you need a boost of flavor to keep yourself hydrated. Ultima Replenisher dissolves well for the most part; better in a shaker bottle than in a glass, per usual. One thing we find interesting is that Ultima doesn’t specify a quantity of water to mix it with. You might need to do some experimenting to find what tastes best to you. We find that it tastes a bit bland if we use more than eight ounces of water.

Those prone to flavor fatigue will love that Ultima offers 16 flavors to choose from, plus several variety pack options. Our favorites include pink lemonade, orange, and strawberry margarita. 

Ultima Replenisher is not third-party tested, but is sold as a food, so it is subject to meeting stricter regulatory requirements set forth by the FDA than powders sold as supplements. The packets are super tiny; a serving size is just 3.3 grams, which shows in the very low sodium content and zero sugar content. The stick packs are perfectly durable and easy to pack with no fear of them tearing open while hiking.

Hydrant has 520 milligrams of sodium, so it’s a moderately rich formula and suitable for a wide range of people in a wide range of exercise settings. It also contains 403 milligrams of potassium, which is on the high end of all hydration powders we’ve tried. The ratio of sodium to potassium is closer than what you’ll find in most powders, which is not necessarily a bad thing and can be a good thing for people who are prone to muscle cramps or just find it difficult to meet the recommended intake of potassium through food alone.

Hydrant has magnesium (60 milligrams) and zinc (4 milligrams), two electrolytes shown to improve athletic performance through various pathways. It is sugar-free and sweetened with monk fruit extract. Since it doesn’t contain any sugar and only 1 gram of carbohydrate, it’s an option for hydrating on days when you aren’t active, for light hikes, or if you plan to get all of your carbs from solid food while also sipping on electrolytes.

The lemon lime flavor is pretty innocuous and tastes like your average lemon-lime-flavored drink – it’s not overly salty or sweet, which is nice. We noticed a couple of flecks after stirring it in a cup with a spoon, but when shaken in a bottle, it dissolves well. As for variety, Hydrant is available in nine flavors, plus an unflavored option.

For a bold taste, try Cure Electrolytes. It comes in nine flavors, and there are a couple of different variety pack options. We tried lemonade, strawberry kiwi, watermelon, and berrypomegranate. The latter is our favorite, but all are good: none taste too sweet, and we didn’t pick up on any stevia aftertaste, which is a big plus.

We also found Cure to dissolve well in various water temperatures via various methods. In fact, it’s one of few that dissolves almost completely with just a spoon in a glass. In a shaker bottle or Nalgene, it dissolves exceptionally well and there is no noticeable texture. The formula leaves a bit to be desired from a sports nutrition standpoint.

Cure electrolyte powder contains more potassium than sodium, which our tester, a sports nutrition coach, finds interesting. Cure claims the formula is based on the WHO’s ORS formulation, but the WHO states that the sodium content should be higher than potassium content. It does contain a small amount of sugar to aid absorption, which is in line with WHO guidelines.

It has 250 milligrams of sodium, so it’s suitable for moderately active individuals and exercising in moderate conditions. You may require more sodium for particularly intense activities or very hot, long days. Cure electrolyte powder is sweetened with both stevia extract and monk fruit extract. It is sugar-free, so be sure to consume a snack with sugar while you drink it to optimize electrolyte absorption.

The electrolyte powders are independently tested for heavy metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. We love that the sachets lie flat and are relatively small, with one serving weighing 7.6 grams.

Interestingly, Vitalyte contains more potassium than sodium, with a ratio nearing 1:1 (135 milligrams of sodium to 193 milligrams of potassium). It contains trace, verging on negligible, amounts of magnesium (3 milligrams) and calcium (4 milligrams), along with some phosphorus (46 milligrams).

Because of the lower sodium content, it’s a good choice for active people who want energy (sugar) to support endurance but need to watch their salt intake. This formula is almost all carbs: Each serving contains 22 grams of carbohydrates, and the serving size is 25 grams in total. The recommended fluid amount is 16 ounces, which creates a carb solution of almost 5 percent, one of the highest carb concentrations on our list.

It’s a great choice for high-intensity activity, very prolonged activity (more than a couple of hours), and very hot days. We liked the taste of Vitalyte for the most part, though it tasted slightly artificial. Flavor options include orange, watermelon, lemon, grape, fruit punch, and cool citrus—a simple and classic collection that we appreciate.

When considering solubility, this powder falls right down the middle of the line. It dissolves mostly well, with a few flecks left here and there. Each sachet contains a 25-gram serving, so these are on the large side. They do contain 22 grams of carbohydrates, so they could count as a food item and not just as an electrolyte powder, depending on your needs. If you’re looking to save weight, you could bring Vitalyte packets in place of fresh or dried fruit.

Vega Sport Hydration is a nice option for anyone who is explicitly looking for a vegan hydration powder. While electrolyte powders generally are vegan, the Vega Sport formula is explicitly plant-based.

It contains 250 milligrams of sodium, so it’s light on the electrolytes compared to some heavier-hitting options. Again, this doesn’t mean it’s bad. In fact, it’s a better choice for people who sweat lightly or are exercising in cold weather. The potassium content clocks in at 130 milligrams, and it has 20 milligrams of magnesium and 50 milligrams of calcium to support muscle contraction, fluid balance, and other important performance components.

Vega Sport Hydration is sugar-free and contains just 2 grams of carbs, so it’s not something to rely on for energy. However, it’s great for light activities, rehydrating on slower days, or for those who plan on getting sugar and carbs from other sources during heavy exercise. While we think the lemonade flavor is decent, it’s no lemonade from a neighborhood stand. (Then again, it’s not chock-full of sugar.) Other than lemonade, berry is the only other option.

In a shaker bottle, this powder mixes fine; in a glass, not so much. We were unable to achieve a fully mixed solution in a glass, stirring with a spoon. Vega Sport Hydrator is not third-party tested for impurities, but it is Non-GMO Project Verified and Vega is a certified B Corp.

Osmo Active Hydration has 260 milligrams of sodium and 96 milligrams of potassium, so it doesn’t quite fall within the dietitian-recommended ratio range, but it’s not so far off that we can’t recommend it. This formula contains 95 milligrams of calcium and 29 milligrams of magnesium, plus some vitamin C and several B vitamins.

Overall, the electrolyte concentration is moderate, making it a good choice for lighter activities and those who don’t tend to sweat much. Osmo Active Hydration contains 17 grams of sugar, with the full serving size being 20 grams. When mixed as directed with 20 ounces of water, it has a carb solution of about 2.9 percent.

It can help provide energy for exercise while avoiding gastrointestinal distress, though for very intense activities, you may need more fuel. For prolonged activities, like hiking and backpacking, consider eating while you sip. Available in four flavors (lemon lime, blackberry, blueberry pomegranate, and orange), Osmo has a rather robust taste, which we appreciate. It dissolves well in a shaker bottle or Nalgene, though as usual, struggles to fully mix in a glass when stirred.

Despite its high sugar content, we didn’t notice an excessive amount of residue on my bottle when we finished drinking, and it didn’t settle in the bottom, either. Osmo Active Hydration is not third-party tested. However, it is sold as a food, so it is governed by tighter regulations than supplements. The individual serving packets are somewhat large. The serving size is 20 grams, which adds up when you think about a multi-night trip, but remember that this formula can replace some heavier foods (like fruit, if you’re not concerned about fiber). This could save you weight in the long run.

LMNT contains 1,000 milligrams of sodium per serving, which, according to nutrition guidelines, is far too high for the average person. There is a use case for LMNT, of course, but expert input suggests it should be left to people who sweat very heavily, people who are exercising in very hot environments, and people who are exercising for extended periods of time (more than two hours) at a moderate to high intensity. It’s just overkill for most people and most exercise scenarios, including hiking, except in those stated exceptions. (There’s a reason you won’t find many–or any–other hydration powders with this much sodium).

LMNT contains 200 milligrams of potassium, which is in line with sports nutrition recommendations. It also contains magnesium to help with muscle function, among other things. LMNT is sugar-free, so there’s no glucose in the formula to assist with the absorption of the electrolytes. This makes the high sodium content further unjustified in our gear analyst’s opinion as a certified sports nutrition coach. It’s already high, and then there’s nothing added to help your body actually get it into the bloodstream.

Some may argue that LMNT is the ideal choice for rehydration if you find yourself severely dehydrated but something with a little sugar is better. All that said, it’s worth considering if you know that you need to replenish a large amount of sodium lost through sweat. As for taste and solubility, LMNT dissolves well, and no matter the flavor, it tastes incredibly salty (not a surprise given the formula). There are a lot of flavors to choose from if you like it: nine, including an unflavored option.

Tailwind Endurance Fuel contains 310 milligrams of sodium, 90 milligrams of potassium, 27 milligrams of calcium, and 12 milligrams of magnesium. The quantities of the latter two are negligible, but the numbers for sodium and potassium are very respectable. The potassium content is slightly low compared to the sodium content (a simplified ratio of 31:9), but that is not a bad thing for extended activity, which is what Tailwind is intended for.

Don’t be scared when you read the label and find out that this powder contains 25 grams of sugar in a single serving: Tailwind Endurance Fuel is meant to be used as a fuel source during extended periods of activity, replacing food altogether or allowing you to eat lesser quantities of solid food. It’s helpful for individuals who lose their appetite with exercise, as it allows them to drink their much-needed calories. Plus, when mixed as directed with 20 to 24 fluid ounces of water, the carbohydrate solution is still only about 3.5 percent on the low end or 4.2 percent on the high end. 

For so much powder (27 grams), we’re impressed by its solubility. Flavor-wise, all Tailwind flavors taste very sweet. They essentially create a sugar cocktail, after all. Our tester has tried every flavor that comes in the variety pack and liked all of them well enough except the Cola flavor. Tailwind Endurance Fuel is not third-party tested, but it is sold as a food, not a supplement. The serving size is 27 grams, and the packets are so bulky you’d definitely need to plan for them if you were taking multiple on a trip. That said, they’re a solid energy source, so they could potentially replace heavier foods and you could come out net positive as far as weight goes.

Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Powder provides ample sodium (370 milligrams per serving) but lacks in potassium (just 35 milligrams per serving). It contains small amounts of magnesium and calcium in each serving, too. With such a low potassium content, it’s ideal for individuals who already get sufficient potassium from foods.

With 17 grams of carbohydrates in a 22 gram serving, intended to be mixed into 12 to 16 fluid ounces of water, the carb solution comes out to about 4.7% on the high end and about 3.6% on the low end. It will provide energy, but this solution is low enough to prevent GI distress in most people, even during heavy exercise. You have seven flavors to choose from, and all of them are quite sweet.

We’ve tried pineapple, fruit punch, and strawberry lemonade. We love that they’re flavored with real fruit instead of artificial flavoring. When shaken with 16 ounces of water in a bottle, the powder dissolves fine; impressively, even, for a 22-gram serving size. Skratch says you can use as little as 12 ounces of water, but when we tried that, we thought it was far too sweet (almost syrupy). 

Skratch hydration packets are on the larger size, since the serving size is 22 grams. While this sounds big on the surface for hiking, you can use Skratch to replace some whole foods (like fruit, for instance) on long trips, when weight is a priority.

We’ve been drinking Gatorade Thirst Quencher since way back in our high school track days. We loved it back then, and we still use it on trail now. While they’re not a go-to for us because of the high sugar content and lack of essential minerals, like magnesium and calcium, we still like them for their affordability and availability at most grocery stores. And while the flavors are artificial, we still think they taste good and are okay to have in moderation.