If you find it tough to drink cold water or electrolytes in winter to stay hydrated, consider taking a pack of SaltStick electrolyte tabs in your ski coat pocket. Whether you’re on the mountain or a winter hike, SaltStick is a handy non-liquid way to hydrate.
I’ve used SaltStick electrolyte tablets for about a year now. With the slightly grainy/powdery texture similar to that of a SweetTart candy, they’re a nice electrolyte option for the gel- or gummy-block-averse. I’ve packed these in the pocket of my trail running pack to stay balanced while carrying just water in my hydration bladder. I’ve also used them to get a boost of electrolytes before a crossFit workout, when I’ve been sipping on too much coffee through the morning, or during travel on airplanes.
What’s in them? In each serving (2 tablets), there are 100mg sodium, 30mg potassium, 10mg calcium, and 6mg magnesium with a natural stevia sweetener and no artificial colors. I personally cannot abide the watermelon flavor of SaltStick, but the salty-tart green apple hits just right. Find your favorite of eight flavors.
These are marketed to help in heat-stress situations to prevent cramping, but if you’ve ever cramped in snow pants, you’ll recognize they’re useful anytime you’re sweating hard. Particularly useful on a wet or snowy outing, SaltStick packaging is waterproof. Pro tip: save the sample size package with zipper to refill from a bulk bottle to keep it pocket-friendly. Find SaltStick at your local Fleet Feet, REI or at Thefeed.com. (Lisa Laughlin)
