The Best Electrolyte Drinks in 2025
The best electrolyte drink mixes, powders and tablets out there right now, and why electrolyte supplements are essential for endurance runners.
Today I’m sharing my quick review of DryWater Complete Hydration Powder, which I’ve been testing out for hydration and recovery after running and challenging hikes.
Drywater is a great option for clean, rapid rehydration, but it depends on how you use it! Don’t worry, I’ll explain exactly what I mean by that throughout this review.
Here for my discount code? Use code ‘ALASTAIR48920‘ at checkout, to get an extra 15% OFF your order.
What is DryWater? And why you should be using it
DryWater is a hydration powder designed to replenish electrolytes and essential vitamins without added sugars or artificial ingredients. It’s vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and made with real fruit flavors, so it fits into most dietary preferences.
It’s currently available in 3 flavors: lemon lime, mixed berry, and peach mango. Each stick is a single serving that you mix with around 12oz of water, making it super convenient to toss in your running hydration pack or gym bag.
Now, why would you even need a hydration product like this in the first place? For starters, when you sweat, whether during a run, hike, or even a tough day at work, you lose more than just water.
Essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium are also depleted, which can lead to dehydration, muscle cramps, fatigue, and even headaches. Water alone can’t replace those minerals, which is why a product like DryWater can be crucial to performance on the run.
Even if you’re not running marathons, though, staying properly hydrated with the right balance of electrolytes helps your body recover faster, perform better, and feel energized throughout the day.
Why hydration / electrolyte powders are important
As someone who spends a lot of time running trails (and roads), going on long hikes, and sweating through workouts, I’m always on the lookout for hydration options that feel natural and don’t leave me bloated or sugar-crashing after taking them.
Here’s where DryWater really stands out for me:
- Electrolytes without the sugar overload: It has sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium which is everything you need to fight dehydration and keep muscle cramps at bay. What’s missing? The sugar you find in a lot of sports drinks (the ones I avoid). That’s a big win if you’re watching your sugar intake or don’t want a sticky, overly sweet drink.
- Light and clean taste: For long runs and hikes, flavor fatigue is real. I have tried all the flavors but the peach mango, is super refreshing and my favorite. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the taste of this flavor.
- Super portable: The powder sticks are small and lightweight, perfect for throwing in a hydration vest, running belt, or running shorts pocket. If you’re on the trails, it’s easy to mix one up when you hit a water refill station.
The science behind DryWater
DryWater Complete Hydration Powder uses what the brand calls IsoCell™ Technology, which is marketing speak for their proprietary mix designed to enhance cellular hydration.
Essentially, this technology focuses on improving how effectively your body absorbs water and electrolytes, making hydration more efficient than just drinking plain water. For runners and hikers, this means you’re hydrating smarter, rather than just gulping down gallons of liquid that can actually be detrimental to performance.
The ingredient list includes:
- Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These are vital for maintaining muscle function, balancing fluids, and preventing cramps. Sodium and potassium specifically help regulate water retention and transmission of nerve signals during intense exercise.
- Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins: These support energy production and immune function, which can be a game-changer after a hard workout or long day on the trails.
- Natural fruit components: Not only do these add a clean, refreshing taste, but they also contribute antioxidants, which can help with recovery and reducing inflammation.
This combination gives DryWater an edge over plain water by addressing recovery and performance as well as hydration.
The full ingredients lists for each flavor can be found on each product page on the DryWater website.
Where it works best
The following scenarios are some examples of where DryWater shines:
Running and hiking: After an hour or two of running or hiking, it’s great for restoring electrolytes without weighing you down. Road, Trail and Ultra runners who run for over 2 hours should really be thinking about incorporating salts and electrolytes to help with re-hydration during long training runs, marathons and ultramarathons. If you’re doing something more intense or lasting 3+ hours, you will want to pair it with snacks or running gels for extra energy.
Post-run recovery: After intense training sessions or trail runs, I have been drinking a sachet of DryWater to rehydrate and definitely feel less wiped out compared to when I just drink water. It’s nice to know I’m getting the right minerals much faster.
Everyday hydration: Even on rest days or lighter activity days, it’s a great way to make plain water more exciting while stay hydrated without having to drink as much water.
Things to consider
It’s not a perfect solution for every situation. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
- If you’re doing an ultra or a marathon, you’ll need additional carbs for sustained energy. DryWater doesn’t provide that. I recommend looking at my best energy gels roundup for my favorite options, you can also look into energy/fuel drink mixes like Skratch Labs, if you don’t want to eat gels.
- It’s a bit lighter on sodium compared to some other hydration mixes, so if you’re sweating heavily, you may want to add something more salt-heavy to your routine like Salt Stick Caps, for example (I always have some with me during ultramarathons. The reduced salt does make DryWater taste extremely nice however.
Final verdict
DryWater is an excellent option for runners, hikers, and active people who prioritize clean, fast hydration in a tasty delivery method. With the science-backed IsoCell™ Technology, it goes beyond just quenching your thirst by making hydration and recovery more efficient.
It’s light, portable, and free from unnecessary sugars and artificial flavors, making it perfect for mid-length workouts, post-run recovery, or just staying hydrated throughout the day.
You also get a FREE glass shaker when you subscribe, which I highly recommend you doing, not just because the shaker is really nice to mix and drink from but you’ll save yourself quite a bit by doing so. And if you use my exclusive code ‘ALASTAIR48920‘ at checkout, you’ll get an extra 15% OFF your order.
If you’re looking for something simple, clean, and versatile, DryWater is 100% worth trying – it’s my top pick on my Best Electrolyte Drinks For Runners roundup right now. Just know when and where it fits into your routine, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution but works well for a lot of everyday and active hydration needs.
Pricing is as follows: $32.70 $29.43 for a 15 pack, $59.40 $53.46 for a 30 pack, or $80.10 $72.09 for a 45 pack, which as you can see the more you buy the more you save when you subscribe – and you can cancel your subscription anytime.
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That’s it for this review! If you’ve tried DryWater or have another favorite hydration product, let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🚶♂️🏃♀️💦 -Alastair
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