Many athletes tend to let their hydration and fueling habits slip as the seasons change and the cold weather sets in. Snow and ice don’t tend to inspire thoughts of a refreshing drink of lemons and limes after a hard grind.
Fall and early winter are busy times for sure. And sorting out a cold weather hydration and nutrition plan might seem like excess work you just don’t want to tackle amidst the hustle and bustle. But you might have more fueling options in the cold weather than you think…
When you fuel up with RacedayFuel, you certainly do.
Presenting: the RacedayFuel Winter Warmer Guide - the “what’s what” on winter fueling with Canada’s favourite source for everything hydration and sport fueling.
Hydration
We don’t tend to think about hydration in the winter as much when we’re grinding outdoors. The cold weather can have a knack for making us think we don’t sweat as much and we don’t need to hydrate the same. Not totally true. Hydrating effectively is still an important consideration for your ride, the slopes, or wherever your adventure takes you.
In the cold sweat is pulled away from our bodies faster, so it may not feel like you’re working as hard when you don’t get that bead of sweat running after a hard push. But between the cold, dry air, and those layers you’ve got on which are (hopefully) designed to wick moisture away from your body, you just don’t feel it.
But your body will be feeling it in other ways before long. Don’t let dehydration slow you down during or post-ride.
Skratch Labs brings us some great, tasty ways to stay on our A-game in the cold.
Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Mix: Hot Apple Cider
The seasonal favourite for cold months, Skratch Labs Hot Apple Cider not only restores those lost electrolytes, but also renews the stoke. Each sip is comfort and confidence in a cup. Renew, rehydrate and refuel with the Fall’s number one hydration mix.
Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Mix: Hot Matcha Green Tea & Lemon
For those who like a little extra pep in their step, Skratch Labs Matcha Green Tea & Lemon is a fan favourite served cold, but a game changer when made hot during the cold months. Warm up, hydrate and gain a little extra “go” with 16mg of natural Matcha caffeine (per 16oz serving).
Fuel
When we think about what we can eat in the cold the scale is pretty broad. Define cold, right? Different foods and products react differently in different temps. Some freeze fast, some don’t. And the rest are somewhere in the middle. Below is what we keep in our kit when we tackle the outdoors in the winter, as cyclists, ice climbers and skiers.
Brix Maple Energy Gels
As always, maple syrup for the win, Canada. A maple gel can hold its own when the temps drop, allowing you to get that extra boost of energy exactly when you need it without the fear of not being able to chew when your energy chews harden up. Brix offers several fun flavours to help not only replenish your energy, but your spirit, too. Fuel up and get set for those next big turns in the backcountry.
Picky Bar
It’s hard to keep an energy bar edible at -28C in the backcountry, there’s no denying that. But when we know those days are coming, we’ll always pack a Picky Bar. Do they get a bit stiff? Sure do. Are they inedible and hurt to chew? Nope! Like Brix, Picky Bars are small enough to fit in a pocket if you want to keep them inside your jacket. They have a smaller profile than your phone (Because we know you have that too… Strava or it didn’t happen, right?), and pack a hearty nutritional profile in one bar.
Recovery & Feel-Good Fueling
Skratch Labs Sport Recovery: Chocolate, Coffee or Horchata
Nothing beats a cozy warm drink at the rink or trail-side on a long ski or fatbike day. So why not double up your cup of happiness to get that recovery in motion? Skratch Labs Sport Recovery makes an excellent treat when heated. Make it a hot chocolate (we have Vegan chocolate, too!), a creamy coffee, or a smooth horchata latte to unwind and start your recovery so you can get out and do it again tomorrow.
Alpine Start instant coffee
Yup, instant coffee. We know what you’re thinking. But trust us, this one’s a game changer. Ideal for those backcountry hut trips, big days out, and long hauls on the road to the next adventure. But it’s also the perfect cup for a lazy sunday morning by the fire, on your morning walk with the dog, or at the office. Alpine Start is hands down, the best instant cup of coffee we have ever tried. And we have tried a LOT of them. Founded by professional rock climber and National Geographic explorer Matt Segal, your next cup was brewed for adventure. For any adventure you can brew up.
Cusa Premium instant tea
Are you seeing a trend yet? Yes, you CAN have premium instantly. You CAN have great, now. You can have… well, you get it.
Cusa tea has revolutionized the way instant teas are produced, ensuring the perfect cup in every packet. No more hauling tea bags into the backcountry. No more worries of over or under-steeping after a long day when you’re just ready to clock out. Excellent hot or cold, Cusa tea is a great alternative when you don’t need to load up on electrolytes. They make a great stocking stuffer, and a great greeting gift for you guests through the holiday season. Or maybe you host an Air BnB? Toss a few in your welcome basket for guests!
Choose from: English Breakfast, Green Tea, Lemon Black, Mango Green, Oolong and Spicy Chai.
Skratch Labs Wellness Hydration Mix
Not a hot drinking option. But one that will be your best friend this season after those big exposure days. Hydrating while you ride or shred is key, but some days you just need a little extra replen after the biggest days. Skratch Labs Wellness is the ticket. Also great for keeping up those electrolytes when you’re sick, or… recovering from a little too much fun the night before. Feel good, with Skratch Labs Wellness.
Special Mention
Thinksport Safe sunscreen SPF50+
Ever had a bad sunburn after a long day out on the water? Sucks, right? Well, did you know that snow is more reflective of UV radiation than water is? Even on cold cloudy days the snow is still kicking UV rays back at you, making you more susceptible to sunburn in the winter. So why do so many folks not use sunscreen in the winter?
Thinksport Safe Sunscreen was the first sunscreen to pass the Whole Foods Premium Care Requirements. Its mineral formula uses no harmful chemicals, no Avobenzone, no Oxybenzone, and no UV chemical absorbers.
Beat the rays and max out your days this season with Thinksport.
Your winter kit just got a whole lot tastier, didn’t it?
Keep up to date on more tips and tricks to beat the cold this season. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and be sure to join our email list to be the first to know about the latest news, product updates and a winter warmer recipe or too.
See you on the slopes!