Test Gold Nutrition Endurance Salt Bars

At 3bikes, we know that nutrition plays a key role in managing effort, especially during long endurance rides. While energy bars are a must for cyclists, their often sweet taste can end up tiring and cause digestive problems over time. But we may have an idea to reveal to you…

By Jeff Tatard – Photos: DR

With the Endurance Salt Bar, the Gold Nutrition brand offers an original alternative by integrating a salty flavor, a significant sodium intake and ingredients that promote recovery.. We have testI tested these bars during several outings in the Vexin, in real endurance conditions, to see if they kept their promises.

Each box contains 15 bars, available in four flavors: Chocolate-Peanut, Chocolate-Hazelnut, Chocolate-Almond-Cashew, and Chocolate-Cashew-Cramberry.

A composition designed for endurance

Endurance Salt Bars stand out for their very complete nutritional profile:

• 16 to 20 g of carbohydrates per bar, with rapid absorption for immediate energy intake
• 195 to 197 mg of sodium, compensating for losses due to perspiration and preventing the risk of hyponatremia
• 49 mg of caffeine, for a stimulating effect and better concentration
• Glutamine and BCAA, contributing to muscle recovery and limiting fiber degradation
• Vitamins B6 and thiamine, promoting energy metabolism and reducing fatigue

These characteristics make it a bar particularly suited to long efforts, particularly in cycling, running or triathlon..

Un test on the ground: an effective energy supply during long outings

We have testThese 4 bar options are on several endurance rides, ranging from 3 to 5 hours, with alternating between rolling but windy sections and also more demanding climbs.

A salty taste that changes habits

From the first bite, we feel that we are dealing with something other than yet another sugary snack. The salty touch breaks the monotony of traditional gels and bars, bringing a real breath of fresh air to the taste buds. On long rides, where the accumulation of sweet flavors can quickly become sickening, these bars prove to be a saving alternative. No more feeling of reluctantly drinking your umpteenth glucose syrup: Here, we find a real taste pleasure, and that makes all the difference.

Special mention to the chocolate-peanut version, which achieves the perfect balance between crunchy and melting, with a subtle but effective hint of salt. Just enough to wake up the taste buds without giving the impression of biting into a packet of crisps in the middle of an effort. A tasty and well-thought-out combination, which almost makes you want to eat it outside of training… almost.

A rapid and lasting energy supply

On the energy level, The combination of fast sugars and caffeine seems to provide an immediate boost, which could be ideal before a climb or a high-intensity phase. Conversely, the presence of proteins and glutamine seems to promote a more gradual release of energy, which could help avoid fatigue at the end of the ride.

When climbing the hill of La Roche-Guyon, we felt a fairly clear stimulating effect, without the sudden energy spike or the sudden drop in performance that can sometimes be experienced with other snacks. Of course, this feeling is very subjective and can vary from one individual to another, but in our case, the energy remained stable and fluid throughout the effort.

A good sodium intake to avoid cramps

This is not yet a reality in France at the end of winter 2025, but It is useful to note that during long outings in hot weather, sodium loss through sweat can potentially lead to cramps and decreased performance, so the nearly 200 mg of sodium per bar could be a nice bonus, especially for those who sweat a lot.

On a 4 hour outing in hot weather, although we didn't have the opportunity to testand this directly, we can imagine that a better balanced diet, including sodium, could offer more optimal management of fatigue, compared to a diet only sweet, with probably fewer signs of dehydration. We repeat, this type of feeling remains subjective and varies according to the individual and the specific conditions of each effort.

Directions for use: dose well according to intensity

At 3bikes, we highly recommend Endurance Salt Bars for efforts lasting more than an hour. Thanks to their combination of carbohydrates, sodium and caffeine, they are an excellent ally to optimize your performance and maintain your endurance.

Our advice for use:

Before the release : consume a bar approximately 30 minutes before departure to benefit from its energy and stimulant intake.

During the effort : take one to two bars every 1 to 30 hours, depending on the intensity of the exercise and the weather conditions.

hydration : make sure to hydrate yourself well by accompanying these bars with a good water intake, particularly in hot weather, in order to optimize the absorption of sodium and avoid dehydration.

Note : These bars contain caffeine, so it is best not to consume them late in the day to avoid disrupting your sleep.

Verdict: an original and effective energy bar for long distances

After several tests, The Endurance Salt Bar really convinced usTheir salty taste offers a refreshing alternative to traditional sugary bars, and their well-balanced composition makes them a smart choice for long rides or competitions.

If you are looking for an easy-to-digest energy snack that can prevent energy dips during prolonged efforts, these bars deserve a place in your supply. A product that stands out and that, we are convinced, will meet your endurance needs.