FIRST IMPRESSIONS & TESTING

I tested the Chia Charge Energy Bar during a longer training run when I needed something more substantial than a gel.

Straight away, opening the packet was tricky — the plastic split awkwardly rather than opening cleanly, which isn’t ideal mid-run.

Once open, the bar itself felt quite crumbly — and that turned out to be a key theme.

PERFORMANCE ON THE TRAIL

Ease of Eating

• Very easy to chew and swallow
• Breaks down quickly in the mouth
• No need to wash down with water

Big positive when you're breathing hard or on the move

Texture & Practicality

• Quite crumbly — falls apart easily
• Difficult to eat half and save the rest
• Packaging doesn’t support resealing

This is the main drawback — not ideal for staged fuelling

Energy Delivery

• Immediate reduction in hunger
• Gradual, steady energy release
• No spikes or crashes

Feels like “real food” rather than a sugar hit

Taste & Enjoyment

• Sea salt flake version is excellent
• Subtle sweetness — not overpowering
• Salt content is a real bonus during longer efforts

One of the more enjoyable bars to eat mid-run

VERDICT (Bottom Line)

A really enjoyable and effective energy bar that delivers where it matters — taste, digestibility, and steady fuel.

The crumbly texture and poor packaging make it less practical than it should be, especially if you like to fuel in stages.

Despite that — it’s still a yes from me.

Best used when you plan to eat the whole thing in one go.