Since I moved to New York City, I’ve been trying to figure out ways to stay active. On a whim, I signed up for the Brooklyn Half Marathon, but I quickly learned that water was not going to meet my hydration needs. So, I started looking for an easy to use, effective electrolyte drink mix.
I know that everyone loves Liquid IV and it's all the hype these days, but I decided to compare it to a new, low-key product my friend raves about, called BUBS Naturals Hydrate or Die. After a month of testing, I can honestly say I’ve upped my game and know which mix I’ll be using from now on. Here’s why.
If you’re looking for a hydration product that enables quick recovery… BUBS Naturals
My first 8 mile run (while just drinking water) left me with cramps and I felt like I lost all salt in my body. When I tried BUBS I felt a breakthrough. I poured a packet into my water bottle that I drank throughout the run and felt invincible. I had no cramps and felt fully recovered the next day.
Not only does BUBS have 2x the electrolytes, but it also supports muscle recovery, nutrient absorption, and immune function! I used Liquid IV on a few runs, but I didn’t feel the same. I don’t know what it is — perhaps the specific salt ratios — but regardless, BUBS Naturals was the clear winner.
If you’re looking for a product that’s made from clean ingredients… BUBS Naturals
BUBS Naturals has only six ingredients! And it’s gluten free, soy free, dairy free, GMO free, and made from ingredients entirely derived from nature, not the lab. I don’t know how they do it, but the foundational ingredient is organic evaporated coconut water, which contains both potassium and chloride. The rest of the ingredients are sourced from Himalayan salt and magnesium from ocean plankton!
With Liquid IV, there are 16 ingredients and a lot less transparency about the source of their ingredients and I got lost trying to figure out the complex originations of their products. If you care about natural, clean ingredients, then BUBS is the clear choice.
Not to mention, most Liquid IV flavors have 11 grams of added sugar, while BUBS has 7 grams of natural sugar and 0 grams of added sugar. Boo yah!
If you’re looking for a product that’s convenient and easy on the wallet… Tie
Both products come in small, easy to use packets that you can dump into a water bottle. This was great, as I always carry a few with me in my gym bag.
There’s really no material difference in the price points either. Liquid IV is about 30 cents cheaper per packet than BUBS Naturals. However, BUBS Natural provides a 15% discount if you get a trio of the products, and they offer a full refund if you don’t like it! Either way, both these packets are way under $2 per pack, which is WAY cheaper than grabbing any sort of sports drink at the local bodega after your workout.
If you’re looking for a product that tastes great… BUBS Naturals
I was skeptical of BUBS at first because it has half the sugar than Liquid IV per pack. I thought the taste would take a hit, but it turns out the orange BUBS Naturals mix is delicious! And that's not because of added cane sugar — it’s all natural from coconut water! I’m often tempted to drink extra packs just because I like it so much. I also really like the lemon flavor and found it to be a refreshing mid-exercise drink.
With Liquid IV, I definitely didn’t have the same feeling. I tried the strawberry lemonade, and it just wasn’t for me. I found it hard to stomach on my runs as it almost felt too thick, like the flavor was overpowering. This was a clear win for BUBS.
The Ultimate Winner … BUBS Naturals
This may come as a shock to people, but I'm going to have to go with the underdog here. In this test, both brands are convenient and affordable, but BUBS Naturals came out on top due to its fast-acting hydration impact, high quality formula with clean ingredients, and great taste.
I always resisted running as a primary form of exercise (largely because I was more interested in riding my mountain bike), but the lack of mountainous terrain in Brooklyn has led me to begrudgingly become a “runner.” In this process, I’ve learned that the key to success is proper hydration and recovery. I can’t wait to keep running and using BUBS Naturals as I I re-identify as a runner. Next stop – short shorts!
