How to make and take Tailwind Concentrate

By Xander Lohmeijer | 5 October 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Concentrates save space and weight, perfect for long runs, rides, or races.
  • Mix a stronger solution in a small bottle to sip from or refill flasks.
  • Dilute at aid stations or with water from your pack to stay fueled and hydrated.
  • Practice in training before race day to fine-tune what works best for you.

Why make a Tailwind concentrate?

When you’re out for hours on the trail, bike, or road, carrying enough fuel and hydration can feel like a challenge. A Tailwind concentrate is a higher-strength mix that lets you bring all the calories and electrolytes you need in a smaller, lighter bottle. You can then sip it slowly or use it to refill flasks along the way.

This approach works especially well for ultras, marathons, triathlons, or endurance cycling, where space and efficiency matter.

How to mix a concentrate

  1. Choose a small bottle (such as a softflask or water bottle).
  2. Add several scoops of Tailwind Endurance Fuel (EF) or High Carb Fuel (HCF). For example: Endurance Fuel:
    • Absorption capacity: 60 g carbohydrates per hour 4 scoops in a 600 ml bottle = 400 kcal / 100 g carbohydrates 6 scoops in a 700 ml bottle = 600 kcal / 150 g carbohydrates (use this over ±2.5 hours)
    High Carb Fuel:
    • Absorption capacity: 90 g of carbohydrates per hour
    • 1 sachet of HCF = 360 kcal / 90 g carbohydrates in a 600 ml bottle
    • 2 sachets of HCF = 720 kcal / 180 g carbohydrates in a 600 ml bottle(use this over ±2 hours)
  3. Top up with water and shake until everything is completely dissolved.
  4. Label your bottle with the number of calories so you know what you are taking in.

💡 Pro tip: You can mix caffeinated and decaffeinated variants. However, do not use more than 90 g of carbohydrates per hour with HCF, or 60 g per hour with EF.

How to use the concentrate on the go

  • Drink directly from the concentrate bottle during your workout or race. With an additional sip of water from another bottle or the like.
  • Dilute it with water from supply stations or from your drinking backpack.
    For example: squeeze 60-90 ml of concentrate into a 500 ml bottle of water for a quick refill of ±200 kcal.
  • Keep track of your intake to keep track of your calories, carbohydrates and electrolytes per hour.

Train before race day

Every athlete reacts differently. Use long training days to test your concentrate strategy so your stomach is used to it before the race.
Work toward the right number of carbohydrates per hour – for most athletes, the sweet spot is between 40 and 90 grams per hour.

Latest tips

  • Keep it simple: nutrition, hydration and electrolytes in one bottle.
  • Avoid multiple products that complicate your nutrition plan.
  • Stick with what works – use the same mix during the race that you trained with.

With a little preparation, a Tailwind concentrate helps you stay better nourished, hydrated and focused on your performance, rather than logistics.