How to Make and Carry Tailwind Concentrate

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 to top up your softflasks.
• Dilute it at aid stations or with water from your pack to stay properly fueled and hydrated.
• Practice this during training before race day to dial in what works best for you.

Why make a Tailwind concentrate?

When you're out for hours on the trail, bike, or road, it can be hard to carry enough nutrition and fluids.
A Tailwind concentrate is a stronger mix that lets you carry all the calories and electrolytes you need in a smaller, lighter bottle.
You can sip it slowly or use it to top up your flasks on the go.

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

How to mix a concentrate

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

Pro tip: You can mix caffeinated and caffeine-free varieties. However, don't use more than 90g of carbohydrates per hour with HCF, or 60g per hour with EF.

How to use the concentrate on the go

• Drink directly from the concentrate bottle during your training or race, with an extra sip of water from another bottle or similar.
• Dilute it with water from aid stations or your hydration pack.
  For example: squeeze 60–90 ml of concentrate into a bottle of 500 ml water for a quick top-up of ±200 kcal.
• Track your intake to keep an overview of your calories, carbohydrates, and electrolytes per hour.

Train before race day

Every athlete responds 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 lies between 40 and 90 grams per hour.

Final tips

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

With a bit of preparation, a Tailwind concentrate helps you stay properly fueled, hydrated, and focused on your performance, instead of on logistics.